My Vintage Family Cookbook

I’ve wanted to put together a family cookbook for years, but finally got the inspiration I needed when Basic Grey introduced the “Nook and Pantry” collection a few months back.  The line has the wonderful vintage feel of grandma’s kitchen and I thought it was perfect to display all of my favorite and cherished family dishes.  It’s amazing how recipes have the ability to evoke special memories of important people in your life or a special time.  That’s what makes this project so meaningful.  I will enjoy adding to it through the years.  Following are a few of the pages from my book….enjoy and feel free to try the recipes.  I can guarantee they are all delicious.

The album cover – The illustration caption reads “I only have a kitchen because it came with the house.”  Fits me to a tee.  I’m not much of a cook myself, which makes me adore these recipes that much more.   

The inside cover and opening page of the appetizer section.

I’m claiming this as my recipe because I changed one ingredient..otherwise I had nothing to do with it.

I cannot get enough of my mother-in-law’s Country Beans.  I love them so much, I ask her to take them on the road whenever she’s asked to bring a dish to pass.  Yum!! 

Every once in a while, Jay gets a cooking bug in him and this is one of his favorites to make.  I enjoy watching him play “chef” and take pride in his tasty bruschetta.

Opening page of the soup section

A staple around our house.  Tastes great with Doritos.  

 Main Dish section.  The window actually opens.  Cute.

Absolutely the BEST meal ever made.  It’s been our birthday dinner for most of our life – although my mom has tortured me for the last few years by not making it.  She would say that I’ve tortured her by forcing her make it all these years….it’s a pain in the butt.   This recipe is so good….hot or cold, so be sure to make enough for leftovers! 

This is the easiest meal to make and great to bring along as a dish to pass.  It has an addicting flavor and something I need to have at least once a month.  You know if a recipe includes crushed Ritz crackers and butter it MUST be good!

I have several Spaghetti recipes that are all a little different.  My mom’s is my favorite, but I haven’t added that one to the book yet.  This one is Nana’s which has a little sweetness to it.              Very good.

The opening of the dessert section.  The apron is adorable.  I also like how the ribbon treatment turned out…..I gathered it with a ripple effect which adds a nice texture.

 My Nana used to make these little “leftover” treats for us every time she made a pie and had extra crust to work with.  Delicious! 

This is my Birthday cake (Wendie’s too) that I’ve had every year of my life (at least as far back as I can remember).  There is nothing else like it in the world and the frosting is absolutely addicting.  My mom sure had a winner with this one. 

This cake is light, fruity and delicious!  It’s easy too.

This is a Betty Crocker recipe that I’ve adopted.  I’m not much of a cook, but I do like to bake (once a year or so) and this is my specialty.  It’s an interesting and tasty twist on pie.

 A recipe found in the Detroit Free Press….cute little fall treat.