I’m a 40-something mom of one. I love my family, cooking and baking, history, blogging and other geeky things. :-) I own and manage Gram’s Recipe Box, Notes From The Melody Maker, Who Were They? and Past Period’s Press. I hope you will visit my other blogs and leave a comment, as I love to know what people think.
This site was started as a way to preserve not only these heirloom recipes but also a peek into the life of the everyday housewife of the mid-twentieth century. Sharing recipes is a form of social networking, simply put, it’s a sharing of ones self. Whether it be ethnic dishes or family favorites, food is one way we shared of ourselves with others. In our contemporary lives with access to hundreds of versions for tuna casserole, it’s easy to find variety but not so easy to find meaning. I hope others will try out my Gram’s recipes and find the meaning behind them, whether that be slowing down to knead dough, spending 12 days to make pickles, or learning a little about chemistry in the kitchen.
Because I have moved beyond the original box of recipes and am now blogging vintage and heirloom recipes from a variety of sources, I have gone back and tagged all of the original recipes from my Grandma Pat with the category “Gram.” If you would like to peruse some of her offerings, just select Gram from the category drop down.
Thanks for stopping by!
Gram's Recipe Box 
Martha–this is priceless. I am warmed to even just see Gram’s handwriting…George has become quite the foodie, and is a devotee of Michael Pollan, who talks much of 5-ingredient foods–we are making the oatmeal squares to take to a rowing event on saturday–will let you know how they go!
thanks for doing this….i really can’t tell you how fab it is!
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I remember MY mom used to make Potatoes, Eggs and Cheese, baked in the oven! WONDERFUL! Take diced potatoes, a third as many eggs, (hardboiled and diced), mix in a cheese suce (she used a sharp cheddar for her cheese), and bake until brown and bubbly. We used to fight over the crispy top! This was a war recipe, as there was not much meat, and most of the cheese was hard “rat cheese” that she would grate into the sauce to make her cheese sauce. This is one of the best dishes in my memory, rich in protein, carbs and some fat. Add a salad and veggies and you have a complete meal for not much money!
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Margie, I’m so glad you found me! Mom mentioned that she had dropped a note to both you and Diana and I’m delighted to share in the magic that is Gram. :-) Oatmeal squares turn into granola if you aren’t careful transporting them. Really good granola, but granola all the same. I suggest a “sling” either with parchment or foil. You line the baking pan both directions with some going over the sides. Then you can easily lift them out of the pan and into a tupperware if so inclined. They are my favorite! I hope George will visit and find a few recipes he likes, though there aren’t a lot of 5 ingredient ones.
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ok–trial #1 didn’t work…as i type, we are trying it again (george is cooking)! i doubled the recipe and baked in a 9 x 13–the edges cooked and were yummy :) but the center fell apart. in some crazed attempt to salvage, at a far too late in the night hour, i repanned the mess and baked it again. don’t do that….not a good plan.
oh well–we’ll see how #2, true to the recipe goes!
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Ah, yes, I have made that mistake too. They seem to need the even heat of the square pan to get the center done. A double recipe here means baking in two pans. If you have two 9×9 you could bake them at the same time, maybe increase the cook time a little. Go George!! I think it’s great that he is doing the cooking. Your brother George shared with us little tidbits from the kitchen, such as the amount of salt in the center of your hand, etc.
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What a great treasure and tablet enabled too. I am sure Gram would approve of that feature!
I am 51 and fortunate to have my own mom and one gram still here. When I graduated college, I begged my mom to write down her recipes and give them to me as I left the nest. She was not so sure that was a decent gift her first college grad, but the recipes are now priceless reminders of growing up and days gone by. One of my favorites is called hot dog surprise. An end of the paycheck stretch meal for our large family, but the kids begged for it nearly every day. My own Gran’s recipes are true old world, and we are working with her to memorialize them.
Your site has been a great inspiration to help us move that project along. Thanks, and I can’t wait to try some of these recipes!
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Can I find an old recipe thru your site? I’m looking for a recipe that isn’t exactly old I madfe it when I was a new bride 30 some odd years ago. BTW I love the site. Wish I had found it years ago. My Gram passed away years ago and unfortunately most of her recipes went with her. Maybe I should submit my recipes now that I’m a Grammie.
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There is a search field on the home page that you can use or if you know the type of dish you can look through the categories. Just click the drop down and scroll thru to see what we have. Worst case drop me a note and describe it to me. I have lots of recipes I haven’t posted yet!
It’s a shame your Gram’s recipes are lost but I’d be delighted to see some of yours!
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I also have a very old hand written recipe for Icicles pickes that my mother gave to me that she was given by someone on Deer Isle Maine. I have made these pickles for years (I’m 72) and just tonight finished pouring the vinegar sugar mixture over my second batch. I have a third that has to sit for a few more days.. We grow a lot of cukes just for the purpose of making these pickles. Everyone loves them ! It made me smile to see the copy from your grandmother !
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What exactly do icicle pickles taste like? More like sweet pickles? I have never had them myself and i’ve always been curious.
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I remember back in the day when my friend’s mother made icicle pickles. My mother acquired the recipe but I am not sure she ever made them. I found them somewhat crisp and almost a little bit too sweet. Delicious though!
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What a marvelous site! You have already given me an hour of pleasure and i have left a couple comments on a couple of familiar recipes. I have my great grandma’s cookbook, my grandmas, and several of my mom’s. (she and I love to go garage saling for old cookbooks!) I have one from the mid 18oo’s and every recipe starts by telling how much wood to put in the oven and how to stack it for best results for the recipe…thank goodness we don’t have to mess with that anymore but it is interesting to read those recipes and see how things were done before all our modern conveniences! I am bookmarking this site and passing it on to some of my “nostalgia freak” friends…They will love it too, I’m sure. Thanks for what I am sure is a major effort.
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Hello! I’ve nominated you for the Inspirational Blog Award, as I greatly enjoy reading your blogs and writing style!
http://nordensusan.wordpress.com/2013/03/18/inspiring-blogger-award/
Please accept this.
And remember the rules
Well done !
Susan
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Love your site! Fun to see your Gram’s handwriting. We lost a handwritten recipe book of my Gram’s during her last move and there is one recipe that I have not been able to find anywhere else. She called them Fat Cookies. They were a drop cookie, vanilla. Not sour cream cookies….tried those. Close, but not quite. They were cakey and wonderful and I know my son would love them. Don’t suppose your Gram had anything like them?
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Is this still current?
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Mostly – I’m a little older now. :-)
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