I came across this website from Carrie J. Gamble called Grandmother’s Cookbook which I think does a wonderful job of explaining why creating a family cookbook can be a wonderful, enriching experience.

Carrie explains:

For years I have wanted to launch this website for our cookbook, Grandmother’s Cookbook. There had always been one thing or another to delay its creation. Recently in an unexpected turn of events I have been given a new determination to re-introduce Grandmother’s Cookbook to the world. I am inspired once again to honor my grandmother and our family for its rich and interesting history.

At the age of 96 Elizabeth Rose von Hohen started a “new beginning.” In September 2005 she moved into a nursing facility. In the process of helping her move, I have rediscovered our history. Vintage family photos, love letters sent from her husband, Erwin, in the early years of their marriage, letters from brothers written far from home as they served our country in World War II . . . these are just a few things that reminded me of things we should never forget. As I helped my grandmother go through her desk, we found remnates of the past in every drawer. Most everything in her desk had a “meaning” or sentimental attachment.

One particularly poignant find was a beautful postcard. The “Happy Easter” postcard of an angel holding pussy willows actually was used as a birth announcement of sorts. It was sent by Anna and Nicholas Griffaton to Anna’s family back in Germany to announce the birth of their first child, Elizabeth Rosalia Griffaton, on April 1,1909. In German Anna writes, “we have a small angel like is on this card.” This loving note was written by a daughter who missed her family dearly and was never to see them again.

In the moving process I was presented with another inspiration. I found a large box of letters which we received after Country Home magazine published a feature article about our book in their February 1994 issue. Of the thousands of letters my grandmother and I have received over the years, some got very personal. This box contained 50 such letters. I sat down and re-read each and every one of them. These letters amaze me! Some told of their similar family life growing up on a farm. Others said the article brought a tear to their eyes as it reminded them of their own treasured memories. Some told the story of how they met their husbands and described their own family traditions. The Country cooking style of comfort food recipes are a staple in many American homes that families just love. What made us feel so good was that every one said after reading the article they just knew they had to have a copy of Grandmother’s Cookbook!

I think Carrie’s Grandmother’s Cookbook reminds us that a cookbook is more that just recipes. It tells the story of a family over time and helps future generations better appreciate those who have come before them. That is why the Family Cookbook Project works so hard to help families simplify the process of creating a family cookbook to preserve such memories.