Okay, I'm already thinking of Christmas

[Monique1]

and where I can save. Tell me if you think this is a good idea.

I am a grandmother of two and my adult children and their SO's love my cooking. Here is my plan - prepare a cookbook (not fancy, a binder book) that has their favorite recipes they like me to cook, copies of some of the recipes that I use from links, tips, links to where I shop and have delivered etc. I have a grandson who is allergic to eggs and nuts - recipes included with that problem. I prepared blueberry muffins made without eggs - my grandson devoured them and so did the rest of the family.

This will be called Grandma's .... book.

Since I worked for 30 years with preschool children a homemade book with activities with children, not just preschoolers but older children. Tips cooking with them. Things like making play dough together, popcorn not in the microwave,making butter, making bread, - asking the children questions what is happening during the process, giving them critical thinking skills. Asking them questions while they are touching some of the preparation expressing themselves how certain things feel like, teaching them to measure, teaching them the importance of being clean - there are so many things young ones can learn. Trying to stop the no's, learn cause and affect without harming them. Teaching the young one's to select healthy foods, not what we want them to eat but children learning nutrition. When I was young this didn't come until high school - this needs to be done at the preschool level. This could be a separate book or a supplement to the cooking book.

Is this a dumb idea?

[wildflower]

1. I think it sounds wonderful

Adding the tips is a great idea. And it will be something they can treasure for years to come.

[Warpy]

2. I wish my grandmother who could cook would have done that

because she died when I was young and I'd had very little opportunity to follow her around the kitchen. She was the poetess of the old stewing hen and what she did to one of the old gals was pure magic that I've never seen duplicated.

Unfortunately, she was also the "What's to know? You put the chicken into a pot and cook it," kind of cook, so following her around and learning all the steps would have been essential.

It's really too bad video tape came along too late.

[beac]

3. It's a TERRIFIC idea.

I'm sure your family will love it!

Also, depending on how many pages you plan to print and how many copies you plant to make, you MIGHT find it cheaper to use one of the online book making services instead of using your own paper/ink and buying binders.

I know Blurb offers a 20-40 page book w/B&W text and a color cover for $4.95 each (shipping is extra.) http://www.blurb.com/create/book/pricing#bw-text

CafePress also has some inexpensive options: http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/sell/books.aspx

[Monique1]

9. Thank you for links

I was going to make one copy and have Kinko's help me but this might be better.

[Tesha]

4. Oh not dumb...

Brilliant!

Absolutely brilliant.


You could include pictures of you or better yet - you and them at work making and or eating these wonderful things.
It will be a treasure for generations

[elleng]

5. WONDERFUL idea!

Sorry I don't have my mother's recipes, as daughters and I often think of them.

[The empressof all]

6. A woman after my own heart...

I'm already thinking of making the fruitcake. :rofl: It needs a few months to cure after all.

I think books like this are a lovely idea and will be a cherished heirloom for your family. Do it!

[hippywife]

7. Not a dumb idea at all.

My MIL did that a couple of Christmases. She called it Among the Pots and Pans.

[madmax]

8. Not a great idea

a FANTASTIC idea. I wonder how many people wish their parents or grandparents had thought of that. Recipes in a notebook would have been appreciated. Bet there isn't a single person here who doesn't wish they had a 'special' recipe written down that they enjoyed as a child or holidays.

If I may, add some personal notes such as where you got the recipe and such.

Sounds like a really fun project that will be much appreciated.

[auntAgonist]

10. The Book of Love ...

Absolutely fantastic idea! :applause:

My first Mother in Law wrote all of my first husbands favourite foods and their recipes on recipe cards and placed them in a recipe box (in alphabetical order!) that my Father in Law had made. I treasure that box and it's contents.

Your children will love it.

aA
kesha

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Our kids have actually asked for such a book. I think its a wonderful idea.

[Lifelong Protester]

12. Sounds like it will be the most treasured gift under the tree!

I have some spattered recipe cards, and I treasure those, but what a wonderful thing to have these recipes and other tidbits all in one book.

You have given me an idea! I might take those recipe cards of mine and make a book for my sister. Our mom's been gone nearly 20 years. I think my sister, and her two kids, would like this.