My Mom had lots of them in her kitchen. Some could be found randomly on our glass coffee table or kitchen desk that housed the rotary phone. Sometimes she scribbled. Other times, written in longhand. Recipes. Lots and lots of recipes!

Before the internet and laptops, Mom found new recipes in magazines, in the newspaper, and on TV. Years before cable and The Food Network existed she appreciated the PBS station for an occasional cooking show.

I can still picture her in our wood-paneled family room sitting in the chair closest to the 21” TV. With the volume blaring and leaning in to listen intently, she would grab the first thing around her to write with and to write on. There were recipes written on notepads, the back of magazine covers, or on a random envelope that happened to be within reach. In the 70s there was no such thing as rewinding or pausing a TV show. Did the chef say ⅓ or ½ cup? If she wasn’t sure, the recipe was scrapped.

She had several recipe boxes stuffed with everything from gourmet meals to easy desserts with thoughts of my dad and us 5 kids in mind. Some recipes were tattered and ripped and others were beautifully handwritten by friends. A number of the cards that were in those boxes were never cooked or baked. I think my mom just enjoyed gathering and storing recipes as a hobby.

There are 2 things I cherish about those old recipes. First, I love the way she was devoted to us through her passion for cooking. Second, I adore Mom’s beautiful and distinct handwriting on many of her recipe cards. Those conjure up beloved memories and are priceless!

With today’s technology, typed recipes look neat and aesthetically pleasing. However, there is nothing like a handwritten recipe card. Whether it’s on a scrap of paper with stains on it or on the back of a grocery list, the writing is just as important as how many cups of sugar are needed. Love and memories “from the kitchen of….My Heart In Pen.”