Country Kitchen:
Capturing Holiday Memories
By Mary Emma Allen
The holiday seasons of November and December provide a wealth of
opportunities to create memories. Many types of celebrations may have
evolved in your family and come from an accumulation of ancestors.
Sometimes we don't record the memories because we're not sure where to
start or they seem so commonplace. The memories of baking aromas, the
meals served, the occasions when we had family get-togethers all can be
captured for our enjoyment, our children's and future generations.
You'll find various ways to capture holiday memories past and present.
You can utilize pictures, cards, journal entries, newspaper articles,
family round robin stories, and scrapbooking. Once you begin, other ways
of saving these holiday memories and recipes will come to mind.
Start With the Present
If you don't have any idea where to start, begin writing down current
celebrations
We live in a multi-generational household with grandchildren adding
excitement to the holidays. If I don't record these events, some of these
memories may be lost forever, especially the humorous and poignant ones.
When my daughter was growing up, we had customs carried over from my
husband's and my families...and we made some of our own. We also got
together with family who lived in the same town and enjoyed holiday
celebrations with them.
Customs of Other Cultures & Era
If you know that your family has ties to other countries and cultures,
you might want to research those holiday customs. This will help give you
a picture of what life was like for your ancestors in different countries
and eras.
Some of this research might be done through reading historical fiction
and non-fiction. Since I've traced some of my ancestors to medieval
England, I've found it interesting to read mysteries set in those times.
The description of the characters' lives, the type of homes they lived
in, the food they ate, all give me a better picture of where my ancestors
came from. If you find stories set during the holidays, you'll have
additional data.
Compile a Recipe Book
Find out about the foods served during family celebrations and compile a
recipe booklet. Some of these might be hand-me-down recipes you use today
or your mother or grandmother did.
Other recipes could be ones you research from an era or culture where
your ancestors lived. For instance, my mother-in-law had German heritage
as well as Scotch/Irish. Looking into the holiday customs of those
countries, especially during the years when her ancestors migrated would
provide additional recipes for a collection.
These are just a few ideas to get you started on recording your family
holiday food history.
A favorite family holiday recipe: SNICKERDOODLES
Cream 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar. Beat in 1 egg and 1 egg yolk.
Sift together 1 2/3 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon
salt, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Stir into creamed mixture. Fold in 1/2 cup
walnuts and 1/2 cup raisins, if desired.
Drop by teaspoon onto buttered cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar
mixture. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 10-12 minutes.
Article (C) 2003 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing her "Cooking Column" for newspapers
and online publications for 30 years and
has compiled a family cookbook. She’s currently compiling a
cookbook/story book,
"Tales From a Country Kitchen." Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
