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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, November 2, 2009 The Forum: Create frugal, heartfelt family gift By Judyrae Kruse Herald Columnist Is this the year to make a cookbook especially for your family? Or those foodie friends that are such kindred spirits? Dona Papadimitriou of Everett, after all, has been creating enchanting little keepsake cookery treasures for several years now. Take it from me, one of Dona’s cookbooks is a lot like holding a handful of love — you pick it up and can’t put it down. It’s a gift straight from her heart and soul to yours. Then, too, it does, of course, come with a built-in bonus — you can put her fab food on your own table! Now, Lynnwood cook Becky Sharpe Janecke shares her heartwarming take on the subject, telling us, “Once again, I find that I’m writing to you about cookbooks. “Several years ago, my husband, George, gave away all of my cookbooks because it seems he felt they were ‘in the way,’ so it’s no mystery why he does all of the cooking now! “”Since then, relatives have asked me for different recipes — to no avail! Sending me into a snit all over again. This year, it’s different, because I’m making an inexpensive and welcome holiday gift for everyone. “I send messages to every relative I can find, asking for recipes from their family, treasured comfort food, the ones from their childhood or the dish they always fall back on for potlucks. “It has been great fun, getting so many recipes. Remembering not only great food, but happy memories, too. I’m making the cookbook on my computer, and it is easier than I expected.’’ Becky adds, “In these difficult economic times, it’s a great project for you to suggest to your readers. “I’m finding with the recipes that are arriving from my family members that our mothers and grandmothers were very frugal cooks — and that will help our younger generations of family cooks a great deal. And there is plenty of time to have the cookbook ready for the holidays. “Love your writing. The day you wrote about the pasties, my niece sent her grandmother’s recipe and story about selling them at the mines in Montana. She is begged by her brothers every year to make them for their birthdays ... “It’s not just the fun of the recipes, but the stories they are sending with them that I am also putting in the cookbook.’’ OK, Forum cooks — awesome do-it-ourselves cookbook possibilities abound — if you have some ideas or suggestions to share on this subject, please write to Judyrae Kruse at the Forum, c/o The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206. We are always happy to receive your contributions and requests, but please remember that all letters and e-mail must include a name, complete address with ZIP code and telephone number with area code. No exceptions and sorry, but no response to e-mail by return e-mail; send to kruse@heraldnet.com. Now, while you think about compiling your own homemade cookbook, here’s some food for thought, courtesy of Smucker’s: For a quick PB&J burrito, spread 4 tablespoons of natural peanut butter and your favorite flavor of jelly, jam or preserves on a tortilla. Put a banana in the center of the tortilla, roll it up and then cut it in half. The next Forum will appear in Wednesday’s Good Life section. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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