Celebrating Family With Love and Food

Like a lot of families mine gets together over food for all celebrations. If its a birthday, you bet that birthday boy or girl is getting a feast to remember. Thanksgiving is always the tradition of turkey and all of the fixings. We like to save Christmas for indulgences. So naturally for my Grandmother's 90th it needs to be a huge celebration with food, we're still working out exactly what we are going to make. Any excuse to spoiler her we will.

But what to do for a birthday gift that will honor a woman who has been an inspiration, supporter and brought so much to others. I decided that I would do something that combined two things that are very important to me- family and cooking.

So I have decided to put together a book of our family recipes. Everyone in our family has a signature dish (or two or three...) that has a story. I have asked everyone in my family and extended family to send a recipe with a story to match.

I started with my Grandmother. I gave her a red note book to write what she could remember. I never asked her to include stories because deep down I know she would.

This is what she wrote on the first page:

"I am writing down my personal recipes for my beloved Granddaughter, Michelle Marie Jones. She is a very giving and thoughtful young lady who loves the work she does for the Cancer Society (American Cancer Society). She also volunteers for other good causes because her heart is so big"

This is such a perfect example of how supporting she is. She has always put those she loves ahead of her and has always made sure we felt loved. She has seen struggles (grew up during the Depression), raised three amazing women, still gives back to the community and of course inspired all of us to cook with love.

I can only hope that I can inspire, nurture and support those I love the way my Grandmother has. Wether its through words, a hug or my cooking.

Natalie (my sister), Geri (my Grandmother and me