Avocado Or Harvest Gold?

Hello Cookie Fans!

I really enjoy reading cookbooks, more specifically, baking books.  Current books are prepared with amazing photography and stories often accompany most recipes or at least a short description about the inspiration.

But just like fashion and appliance colors, cookbooks change with the times.  This realization came Christmas morning as I sat down with a cup of coffee and toast and grabbed a nearby book to thumb through as I ate.  The book, Southern Living's "The Cookies and Candy Cookbook," circa 1972.  Some of you may remember cookbook series our mothers and grandmothers acquired, you know the cookbook version of the encyclopedias we used for book reports as kids.  The Casserole Cookbook edition was resting under the cookie one.

The photographs were definitely a sign of the times and the recipes were that and nothing more, a simple list of ingredients and mixing instructions.  Many were followed by the name and location of the contributor.  Mrs. George P. from Virginia Beach, Mrs. Andrew T. from Little Rock, Mrs. Patsy W. of Warner Robins, Georgia and Kathryn W. of Beckley, West Virginia.

As much as I love the stories and pictures of the newer cookbooks I was left wondering about the women who's names appeared after these recipes.  What is the story of these women?  My guess is they were women who loved to bake, entertain and make moments special for their families, friends or the new couple that moved in across the street.  They may have recently made holiday cookies with their kids, grand kids or even great grand kids.

The pictures reminded me of the cookies my Grandma Carroll made for us at Christmas or the pictures Facebook friends have been posting of their holiday baking creations.  As much as some things change, some things remain the same.

The same is true at Sweater Box Confections, some things may be changing but what will remain the same is our love of baking treats with quality ingredients so you can celebrate life.  Here's to a healthy, happy and prosperous new year!

​​​​​​​Sweet regards, 

Chris

P.S. And of course there was a handwritten recipe tucked inside the back cover.

Mama's Macaroni
1 Box macaroni, cooked & drained
2 cans cheddar cheese soup
1 can whole milk
1 can stewed tomatoes
3 slices raw bacon cut in small pieces
Dash pepper and salt
Mix all together, pour in baking pan and sprinkle with crumbled potato chips.  
Bake in oven 1 hour at 350 degrees.
Mary M. Harris