Do I have a story for you. I recently ran into my friend Lesley when I was out shopping and she proclaimed, "I'm so glad I ran into you; I've been meaning to call; I bought something for you!"
My first thoughts were, "What? Why would you buy something for me?" and then I quickly came around to, "How fun!"
Lesley and I met through the Junior League of Birmingham around 1997 and we saw each other all the time when we were volunteering. Now our schedules are different and it feels like we never get to see each other anymore. We did talk for a long time on the phone when I was about to "live" on and off in Seattle. She introduced me to her friend, Kathy in Seattle, who became my friend Kathy in Seattle. Isn't that great?
Lesley told me that she had recently been to an estate sale in our area and noticed among the clutter, a recipe box shaped like a house. And it was still full of recipe cards! Being a sentimental girl, Lesley couldn't bear to leave such a personal item behind.
She told me that as she stood there, with a lifetime's worth of possessions for sale around her, she decided that I should be the steward for this very feminine relic.
I completely agree. I love cooking and friendship and collecting. This treasure is the intersection of all three. I like looking at the different styles of recipe cards from years ago and at the distinct handwriting of her friends. There are years of friendships here and I only wish that I could ask her about each and every woman. Was the lasagna recipe from her supper club? Was the lemon cake someone's pride and joy? There is a story here, I just know it.
My heart tells me that her family removed any recipe cards that were meaningful and that I have the cards from outside the family, and that suits me just fine.
I think Lesley is both thoughtful and intuitive to find a way to keep this woman's friendship box alive. I may not know its history, but I will honor it just the same.
Have you ever found yourself looking after another person's treasure?
Crazy or happy? Sometimes the distinction is blurred.
I have lots of recipe cards in different styles & designs. I love them and think they are so pretty. I find that when a friend wants a copy of one of my recipes, I actually select which card to use based on the recipe or ingredients.
The taupe & brown card (second one down in the middle) I use for recipes with coffee, Kahlua or maple. My holiday print recipe cards are on the top right - perfect for rum balls or sugar cookies. And I always write my salad recipes on the pretty "garden" one in the top center.
Now if you didn't know me and I just blurted out that I match the recipes I give out with the designs on my recipe cards, I sound a little cuckoo. But if you think about it, maybe I am just happy using beautiful papers. Happy that you want one of my recipes. Happy that a pretty little piece of me will live on in your recipe box.
Crazy or happy? It's really how you look at it.
When a friend asks for a recipe, do you still write it out on a recipe card? I think you should.
I treasure the few recipe cards that I have in my grandmother's hand writing.
And when I sift through my recipe box and see cards written out by my friends, I remember everything...when we ate that dish; what made the party so fun etc. I don't feel that way when I find a page Xeroxed from a cooking magazine. I often don't know who gave it to me or why.
There are so many cute recipe cards available in gift shops or you can download free ones online. So the next time someone loves your "pineapple salsa," take a little extra time and give a bit of yourself when you pass the recipe along. They will be glad you did.
