The Season of Gatherings

Recently I have been taking cooking and baking classes.  Each class has been just one session for four hours, and I have picked up some new skills and ideas for things I can make and take to upcoming holiday gatherings.  This interest in cooking has been building over the last couple years (I believe I have written about it in the past on this blog).  I now have a solid base of skills to build on as I learn more and more recipes and experiment with the ingredients I find in my refrigerator on any given day.

There are a couple guys close to me who are very talented cooks and constantly are giving me suggestions and recipes.  In my cookbook cabinet I now have a stack of printed e-mails with their ideas and tips.

Since sharing a meal with friends and loved ones is such a great joy in life and being able to pass down and around special recipes is a part of that experience, I thought others might enjoy some recipe cards.

I hope the finders put them to good use and either write down their own recipes to give as gifts to loved ones (I believe a handwritten recipe is a gift just like a handwritten note) or ask others to write down recipes to be given back to them.  Years ago an elderly family friend died and at her wake her daughters had printed small recipe books with her favorite recipes (she was a great cook) for anyone interested to take.  I still have that book, have used it, and think of her each and every time.  What a great way to remember a person!

P.S. - A big thank you to the finders in Florida and Maine this week who commented on the blog.  Sometimes I wonder if the gifts are found and enjoyed.  It means the world to me to hear from a finder that the gift has made it into appreciative hands who will pass the kindness on!