Mom's Red Book

This morning I am inspired to bake. I ponder hmm....and I start to look through the beautiful red binder our mother made for each of her 9 children.  A wonderful gift so many years ago. The red book is filled with recipes, ideas for living, even the beatitudes for being a good housewife. It includes how to host a carnival party, a halloween party and ideas for Christmas Eve program and even prayers and poems. Our family every year did a beautiful and cherished Christmas Eve program and party.  I cherish this red book as in every recipe and prayer and clipping I recall our beautiful lives we shared. Our mother created our family culture filled with creativity, adventure, warmth, inspiration, hospitality and love.  She and my father shared a deep love and modeled that love as parents, spouses, neighbors and Christians.  I am forever grateful to have been born into this family and to have this red book filled with memories that inspire me this early morning  to bake the famous Plain Cookies, a recipe passed down from Grandma Van and tucked safely in the sleeve of mom's red book. #culture #family #baking