Some things were just better in our memories. Think of Grandma’s savory meatballs for Sunday dinner or her sweet sugar cookies for dessert. Your grandmother’s recipe was always the best! But now you’ve grown up, and you simply can’t perfect that recipe, no matter how hard you try.
Remember how you just couldn’t wait to grow up? And those Sunday afternoon dinners became more of a chore when you’d rather be with friends. Then you became an adult and started to realize just how special that time and those recipes were in the grand scheme of life.
You don’t have to let go of those things you love from the past or relegate them to memories. Instead, make them your own. Or combine them with something new to make them even better.
One simple way is to take time for family dinners – but it doesn’t have to be on Sunday afternoon. Find a day of the week – a day of the month if your family is super busy – that works for your family, and put Family Dinner Night on the calendar. For even more fun, get together with extended family to catch up and reminisce. If you have siblings or cousins who are willing, take turns hosting. Why is it that too often we only get together for big holidays?
Another great idea is to share the recipes that you love. Ask other family members to write down their favorites, make copies, and then share those memories and the recipes with family members whom you don’t get to see often. Let them know you are thinking of them by sending a special card with the recipes enclosed. If you are still trying to perfect Grandma’s recipes yourself, let your children help you practice. That special time cooking together will make wonderful memories for your children!
Oh, and don’t worry if all the meatball talk made you hungry, we found a recipe for that too!