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Home » Blog » I’m Writing My Own Cookbook – A Scrapbook of Recipes

in HomeCooking· Southern Recipes

I’m Writing My Own Cookbook – A Scrapbook of Recipes

I’m making it a habit to publish at least one recipe from this red and white checked cookbook each week. Today, an updated post from the archives that tells the story of the Hodgepodge Cookbook…

It’s a recipe book that spans a century. It’s a snapshot of celebrations past.

In this cookbook my mother writes: “This is so good it’ll make you want to slap somebody.” – above the recipe for artichoke dip. Hodgepodgedad dubbed this The Glory Dip.

***Great stuff!! “This recipe was written so long ago – it was spattered and stained – must be a sure sign it is good!” – Pumpkin Bread recipe

“This is a good and economical way to use up old, ripe bananas. Excellent with coffee for breakfast.” – Banana Bread Recipe

“I think this recipe came from Mamaw’s mother, Marnie. The paper it was written on was very old and yellow. These are cookie-type shortbread. Good with lemonade on a summer day.” – Scotch Shortbread (a recipe from my great-grandmother!)


“I think this was the first dish I ever cooked. I didn’t know what chicken parts were what – so I cooked the neck and back and threw away the breasts.” – Forget It Chicken

These are the hand-written comments my mother added to the family recipes she compiled for me the first Christmas I was a bride. I think she realized it was needed after I called her long-distance so much those first few years apart.

She also added pictures of me and my brother growing up. Photos of my brother are next to some of his favorite recipes. And there is a school photo of me in my feathered “winged” hairdo glory – next to a favorite casserole.

Above the recipe for Orange Balls my mama comments, “This is Mamaw’s recipe. I made thousands for her and Pawpaw’s 40th wedding anniversary party.” Then opposite the recipe is a photo of my grandfather in his judge’s robe.

I’ve added my own recipes along the way. I’ve also written in the occasion the recipe honored. The chocolate chip cake starts in August of ’95. Back when I was an editor, before my real job as a wife and mother, I baked it for coworkers for a Publications Group summer party. Other times I baked the cake to celebrate a baby dedication, my Daddy and brother fixing our front porch steps in May 2001, the cousins visit from Utah in Thanksgiving 2004, Christmas ice storm 2005…

…all events I may have forgotten had I not jotted them down with my messy, recipe-fixing hands.

In January, I had the pleasure of meeting cookbook author and $5 Dinner Mom, Erin Chase, at her cookbook signing here in Atlanta. I took my new copy of her Breakfast and Lunch Cookbook for her to sign.

I also took my family cookbook for her to autograph. She pointed out something that is so true. Erin said that this type cookbook was the ‘blogging’ of our mothers’ and grandmothers’ time. Each recipe with instructions, a story.

Because when I open that cookbook I take a peek into the past. I reminisce about my newlywed days or a child’s birthday as I’m fixing supper.

And I’m so very thankful for my mother and her love. She took the time to write it all down for me for Christmas. To share her stories and Mamaw’s stories. It’s a gift that blesses weekly.

And I must do it for my children too.

Recipes I’ve posted so far that belong to this cookbook are included in Hodgepodge Recipes 2008-2010.

And I’m pleased to announce that we do have our very own eCookbooks available!

Southern Hodgepodge Cookbook bundleSunday Savings, Slow Cooker Batch Cooking and Southern Celebrations! The Southern Hodgepodge cookbook bundle. This bundle of cookbooks includes the practical strategies that help us save money and get supper on the table. Each offers traditional and Southern classic recipes, handed down through family generations. All topped off with the time-honored how-tos for making celebrations special.

Related

Filed Under: HomeCooking, Southern Recipes Tagged With: $5 Dinners, I'm Writing My Own Cookbook, Mama Ann, Mamaw, Nana, Pawpaw, southern, Southern Recipes

About Hodgepodgemom

Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. The biggest lesson she’s learned? At the end of the day – when the dishes are put away and the children are tucked in bed – truly what matters is each child’s relationship with the Lord. Raising children is a God-given privilege and, folks, the time is short.

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Comments

  1. Kim A. says

    February 5, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Love it! I’m taking notes…going to start one now to give my eldest when she is a bride! (In the future… =)

    Reply
  2. Nana says

    February 8, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    What a wonderful and dear “review” of the family cookbook! I have big tears in my eyes! Now I have to call YOU to ask you about some sort of recipe that is in the book!
    Forever,
    Nana

    Reply
  3. Mary Ellen says

    February 12, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    I’m so glad I stumbled upon this! I started something like this a few years back and it fell to the wayside! I truly want to resurrect it and make it a reality! You’ve inspired me with what you have shared here and I know my children will all be grateful for the results! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  4. CJ Little says

    April 9, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    I am getting ready to make my daughter birthday cake for her 10th birthday tomorrow. I have your “lime cake” recipe from face book! I am concerned that maybe something was entered wrong?

    1 3/4 cup of oil??? That seems like a really big number of oil – I have never seen 1 cup + 3/4 cup?

    Can you help? (I even double checked it)

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      April 9, 2011 at 3:15 PM

      It is an unusual amount – but it’s an unusual celebratory cake. It really is 1 and 3/4. And since it is 3 layers it spreads around a bit 🙂 Thanks for checking and let me know how you it turns out and how you like it!

      Reply
  5. Carole McWhorter says

    June 27, 2012 at 1:16 PM

    I’m wanting to know how much your books sells for.

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      June 27, 2012 at 8:41 PM

      Carol – my “I’m Writing My Own Cookbook” is a scrapbook of family recipes. But Erin Chase’s $5 Dinners cookbooks are for sale on Amazon. She has two so far.

      Reply
  6. Kim A. says

    January 25, 2014 at 6:35 PM

    Lol, I was going to comment… then saw my comment above from 2 years ago said exactly what I was going to say! =) Your cookbook is inpsiring!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      January 25, 2014 at 7:47 PM

      Oh thank you Kim! All the credit goes to my mother and my grandmothers! And I am so happy that we put together the Southern Hodgepodge cookbooks last year too!

      Reply
  7. Mz. Peg says

    November 4, 2015 at 5:32 PM

    I Stumbled on this site while looking to purchase “I’m writing my own cook book” I have this same book that I purchasoed while on a trip to KY. In. 1989.It has fallen apart but, it has some great recipes, I am so ad that I saw the site:)

    Reply
  8. Jean Duncan says

    December 23, 2015 at 10:06 AM

    I have a red/plaid “I’m Writing My Own Cook Book” (spiral) which is very old and worn, back torn off,etc., and have tried to find one like it so I can copy the recipes from my grandmother and mother. Do you know if there is anyone who sells this…it is all blank pages to write recipes, and some of mine are so old and faded that I can hardly read them.
    Thank you sol much.
    J. Duncan

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      December 26, 2015 at 9:51 PM

      Hi Jean – Mine is the same way! Unfortunately, I have not been able to find another copy and believe they are out of print. Though you may be able to search Amazon and find some – maybe?

      Reply
  9. Lise McGuinness says

    February 10, 2021 at 5:59 PM

    This is so beautiful!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      February 12, 2021 at 8:18 PM

      Thank you! It is a treasure for sure. An heirloom of memories.

      Reply

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