Memory Baker

I love handwritten recipes. I am currently in the process of handwriting all of our family recipes for all four of our children. I'm starting with my two oldest sons, Ryan an Matthew, since they are both out of the house living like adults. Like most of you, I grew up learning that feeding others is another way of saying "I love you." Food celebrates, it shows your love, gratitude, welcome and sorrow {They call it comfort food for a reason}. Anytime there is something big happening in our lives, food is a part of it.

{My recipe card box and recipe books I'm making for my oldest sons}

But what happens when we lose those people that made those recipes for all those moments? They are gone and we are left with only the memories of how much we miss them and miss their food.

Food impacts our lives just like people do.

{My daughter, Mary Kate, learning all of Mama's recipes}

That's why I write it all down: the recipe, the year I received the recipe, who gave it to me and some recipes even contain a story. For example, the recipe that I'm sharing with you today, Pumpkin Crunch. Written on the recipe card I have, "this recipe is a fall favorite of mine. Given to me by my Mom when I was in my 20's living out on my own for the first time." You see, recipes don't have to be passed down because you're married or have children. Recipes should be passed down because you saw how it touched someone else.

{A treasure of family recipes}

These days, when I see people make over something I made, I write the recipe down on one of my own recipe cards and send it their way with a little note. It's the cheapest gift you can give, along with one of the most personal gifts you can give.

{Share you next recipe on a recipe card, not in an email}

Recipes are a part of family history and family tradition. Sharing recipes with family and friends, written in your hand, connects us in a way an email, text, blog or even a cookbook can't. So next time you go to a gathering and as you lovingly prepare your food for others, bring a piece of paper and pen, and make note of who complimented you on your recipe. When you get home write that recipe down for them with a little note and mail it as soon as possible. I promise you, you'll make someone feel loved. And there is no better way to say "I love you," when we run out of words, than to say it with food.

{Pumpkin Crunch}

Pumpkin Crunch

1 box yellow cake mix

3 large eggs

1 can {15oz}pumpkin

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 can {12oz}evaporated milk

1 cup melted butter

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

whipped topping

1/2 cup chopped pecans or chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of a 9x13 baking dish

In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and salt

Mix well and pour into baking dish

Sprinkle evenly with dry cake mix over pumpkin mixture

Top with chopped pecans or chopped walnuts

Drizzle melted butter over nuts and cake

Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown

Let cool and serve chilled

Top with whipped topping and sprinkle with remaining nuts

Enjoy!

Products I Love: Ginger Snaps Jewlery

I love bracelets. The more jingle and jangle to the bangle the better. I love bracelets, however, I don't own a ton of them. If I did, my jewelry box would be even more crowded than it already is. But what I love more than anything else is wearing jewelry for the holidays. If I can get away with wearing holiday jewelry without looking like I'm my daughter's age, I'm gonna do it. She's 8 by the way...

There's just something about wearing a bracelet with a pumpkin or Christmas tree on it that just makes my heart smile. But I also love to wear jewelry for any occasion, you know for like a Monday.

But I get it, jewelry can get expensive, crowded and cluttered. Well, it used to....until my awesome, wonderful Mom-In-Law gifted me this bracelet last year for Christmas. And to say I'm obsessed with it, would be an understatement. This is Ginger Snaps. Ginger Snaps is an interchangeable jewelry line that has button-like charms that snap in and out of bracelets, necklaces, rings, key chains, purses and even shoes! Yes, I said shoes!

I own the 1-snap multi chain bracelet and I have slowly started collecting my own different snaps. As you can see I have holiday snaps, collegiate snaps and fun sparkle snaps. You can also buy initial snaps, faith snaps, animal snaps and so much more. These snaps are just so cute and fun, how could you not love them?! There's something for everyone.

So instead of buying a dozen or more different holiday and occasion bracelets and necklaces, all you need is one and then you can have fun buying all the different snaps. Snaps are fairly cheap too, they'll run you anywhere around $6.95 and up and they ship very quickly. Ginger Snaps always has some free snap special to help build your collection. If you're looking to start your collection this month, so you can be festive like yours truly,  Ginger Snaps has a Halloween offer: purchase $25 or more and get 2 free Halloween snaps! Just enter the code: SPOOKY at checkout. 

Who doesn't love free? Normally, it's only 1 free snap but with this Halloween offer, you get 2 for free! Trust me when I say, people will stop and ask you about your Ginger Snap Jewelry, they are that cute and eye catching. Again, enter the code SPOOKY at check out to score your 2 free Halloween snaps @ www.gingersnapsjewelry.com