Revelations (not the book of)...

I've been thinking about why I even started this blog as it is beginning to feel a bit self serving. As I was rambling on about my feelings on calorie counting or my opinions on zest vs. juice, I realize that I may be the only one remotely intersted in reading my streams of consciousness and that I should likely regroup and connect with my original intent.

I am not Orangette or the Pioneer Woman by any stretch of the imagination and I certainly don't want to embarrass myself by driving my own family away from something I wanted to do for them. I originally came up for this idea to record Mom's recipes and keep her close to my heart. It's as simple as that. Test the recipes, spark my memories and get them on paper (virtual paper) for my family.

So many people don't have the chance to learn about food and cooking from their Moms and this is a chance for me to allow us to continue learning from my Mom. Whatever you may have called her - Hetty Rai, Mrs. Pat Widgen, Hester Racilia, Bessy (apparently that is what her grandfather wanted to call her when she was born, because Hetty Rai was too much name for a little one. She also used to mention that Bessie was also their cow's name). This is a chance to recreate memories based on these carefully typed and crafted recipes.

Within these index cards and notebook paper, it turns out there are few instructions and many combinations of ingredients that I don't know how to work with. As I began, I wonder... is it me? Will I never have the knack to work with such a sparse recipe? I'm a product of the Food Network, for heaven's sake. What is the technique? Is there a gentle spatula touch of a Mom (my Mom) raised in a different world? A world without pictures for every step?

These questions make me compelled to continue recording these recipes in my own way. And to find the ones that I don't have recipes for too! Or to re-create those favorites that I remember with my sisters if I have to. Cinnamon rolls, butterscotch scotchies, fried chicken, key lime freezer pie, strawberry pie (a Shoney's rip-off, I do believe).

I know that a poorly written recipe can be a very bad thing. I've suffered countless disappointments from what should have been an easy "scampi" or "perfect" ginger cookie. Thanks Martha, for many of those lessons. So I love the idea of recording these recipes for us all to use (wouldn't Mom love to see Josh making her Lemon Squares for his friends?),and adding the instruction that those of use bred by Alton Brown and Julia need to re-create what Mom so lovingly made for her family. I miss you Mom but will keep a piece of you with me through your recipes and my memories!