A Family of the Heart Cookbook Idea – When life gives you lemons…
Dear Friends,
Lexi and Striker are finally getting married!
When they sent out their invitations, they quite clearly said that the only gift that they wanted was the gift of our presence, not presents. We want to honor their wishes, and yet…
Wedding gifts are a tradition a way for a community to show support of a newlywed couple.
Today Celia and I are reaching out to you because we’ve cooked up an idea that we think Lexi and Striker will love.
You all know that Lexi has been thinking about a cookbook-memoire about her time learning from the beloved Kitchen Grandmothers. What if we did something in that vein to not only give to the couple as a gift but to have a copy for everyone at the wedding?
Our thought is that since “family” is so important to Striker and Lexi, that a shared project would help us to get to know each other a little better and bond in a way we haven’t before.
Before we go any further, please know there is no obligation at all for you to participate. Striker and Lexi would hate for you to feel burdened in any way. They will never know whom we reached out to. Your name will never come up unless you want it to.
So a family cookbook is the goal: A Family of the Heart Cookbook
And because, well, you know the because—the theme is lemons. “When life gives you lemons…” Though it’s a light theme so if you can work a lemon into your chosen recipe, great. If not, no worries.
The process: Choose a recipe or a meal that has meaning to you. Make the items, write the instructions, take a picture, and then add a few words.
Words? Yikes!
No, it’s not that big of a deal. This isn’t an English assignment with red ink and a grade. This is a letter you’d scribble out in your own voice. No pressure, no judgement. I mean, if you want to write everything on a napkin and send me the picture, I’ll put that picture in the book, and Striker and Lexi will adore it. They adore you.
Some prompts to help you write:
This recipe is sentimental because …
We ate this when …
Family of the heart means to me …
Recipe story that includes Lexi and Striker
About the photo, please take it on your phone and message it to me (Alice). This isn’t an art project; it’s a reference photo, the kind you post to social media when you’re telling your friends about something you cooked. This isn’t a competition or something to make you feel intimidated. It’s you figuring out the measurements on the recipe you cook by feel, then pulling out your smart phone and snapping a picture. Some of our elders might have an issue with the picture, I’m sure someone near you could help with that.
Are you worried about doing a recipe someone else will be doing? Don’t. Stop worrying at all. This is a fun project. If we get two of the same recipe, they will still be different and the reason you chose that recipe will be unique to you.
The parameters:
This is a family cookbook. Nothing fancy smanshy!
Easy to find ingredients, thirty minutes or under if possible. Striker and Lexi are newly acting as parents, so time and energy…well you all know. Striker and Lexi always eat cleanly, so whole, healthy ingredients, please—no this doesn’t preempt butter or desserts :)
Have any questions? Just give me a call or shoot me an email!
Other than that, this is a quick turnaround. So sorry for the tight time frame, but well, whatever was damming up Striker and Lexi’s ability to get married seems to have been removed, and they are running for the altar. That being said, I’m setting the deadline for participation at ten days from today.
If you’re unable to take part—or you need my help so you can take part—would you send me a quick message to that effect? That way I won’t be looking for further information from you.
Thank you!
Alice and Celia
A quick note to Lexi and Striker – Based on how Lexi uses her Kitchen Grandmothers’ recipes, Celia and I decided to organize this cookbook around the calendar. First, you will find Monday through Friday (The Kitchen Grandmothers), and next you will find the recipes divided by the season.
~ Alice
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