The Story Behind the Box

The Table

Some of my fondest memories growing up were the times after supper when we sat around the table talking and drinking coffee or tea. Now I should mention that the ‘growing up’ age I am referring to is somewhere around 10, give or take a year or two.  These were memorable times in my life and I wish I could remember a fraction of what was said around that table. I begin this post with the table because it was there that so much was shared; good news and bad news, tears both happy and sad and just about every emotion imaginable.  And, I have to mention that heated discussions about religion and politics were the norm.  Boisterous is an understatement.

Fast forward 45 years or more and it was around that same table during one of those lively conversations, that the idea of archiving and sharing recipes and stories came to me.  Please welcome, Sock Box 10.

This would be a good time to mention that I grew up with 9 siblings and the time I am referring to is approximately 45 years ago.   Go ahead, do the math, I would too.

Easter 63′

The Box

Growing up in a large family had many challenges, and finding matching uniform socks on a daily basis was way on top of the list. I’m sure my mom knew that gathering matched and miss matched socks into a box would help alleviate some of the morning confusion, therefore, in the kitchen was a sock box. It was there that we scrambled to find a pair suitable for the day and for us girls, a pair with enough elastic to firmly rest at the knee was like hitting the jackpot.

Now, many years after my sock box experiences, the idea of 10 different personalities searching for socks has taken on a whole new idea and multiple concepts.  Dear to my heart are the many talents, stories, and don’t forget about the love, that emerged from our household of 12.  Being raised in a large family was the best gift my parents could have given me and on top of that it was during the baby boomer era which holds a treasury of blessings all of its own.

Traditions

I look forward to sharing stories about traditions and how they shape us, encourage a sense of belonging and create in us the desire to start our very own. They come in all shapes and sizes, can be started at any time with any amount of people and sometimes they have to be altered because dynamics change.

Caramel Corn Recipe

Recipes

Recipes are a great category of traditions.  One of my favorite things about a recipe is the backstory.  I love the history behind a recipe and the assumption that certain gatherings and holidays wouldn’t be complete without the traditional recipes.  I mean what would Christmas Eve be without Jane’s (#5) caramel corn and Katie’s (#10) crab dip?

Thanks so much for reading this very first post. I look forward to hearing from you as we share and learn from one another while exploring family, community, and recipes that we love.  Please consider signing up to receive an email when new posts are up and let’s stay connected through the social outlets listed on my site.

Rose

(#8), first row, bangs, blue jacket    (about)