Family Reunion Memories

We received so many lovely thank-you notes this summer.
Sarah, Beth and Jan allowed us to share their stories with you.   :)

From Sarah in Southfield

           

"Dear Susan,
Every 4th of July we get together at my sister Laura's house for a BBQ and swimming.
I decided to give my family one of these special cookbooks.
Earlier in the year I sent out letters and recipe cards to all of my family
asking for their favorite recipes. They didn't know it at the time,
but it was to put together this book.

My son, Bret who is 4 years old even added his version
of Apple Juice. Let's just say, an egg and 7 pounds of flour
makes it really hard to choke down.
I can't wait til he's older so he can see what a chef he was. 

 

I wrapped the books in brand new dish towels and when my family
saw what they were, they were so excited and a little tearful. 
I was so excited to give them these books!
I had so much fun putting it together and I had a hard time keeping the secret. But it was well worth the wait!!
We had fun reading the stories and the different kinds of recipes
and I made sure to have some recipes from both of my Grandmothers
and that brought back some memories.

I hope this is just one volume of many more to come.
Thanks, Susan for this great website. It was fast, fun and easy!
I can't wait to start another one!"


From Beth in Pittsburgh

  All five women in this picture were contributors to the cookbook.  The lady in the middle, who is 98, has a recipe in the cookbook she created and which won a prize at the Idaho State Fair.

"Dear Susan,
I have to tell you... I loved our family cookbook.  When I opened the box I was amazed that these were actually the ones that I coordinated putting together. 
They were so wonderful I couldn't believe it.  And they are all about our family so they are very personal too. 

Well today was our 100th family reunion (which is what they were created for) and the family loved them. It was a pleasure to have them there and see the reactions. The local news did a story on the reunion and the cookbook was a highlight of the story.  It certainly was a hit and I was proud to have coordinated it especially since it came out so wonderfully. Thanks so much for making a place that such a wonderful product can be put together so well.  Your site was the best! 
I will recommend this to everyone I know and I will certainly use it again in the future!

Thanks for all your help along the way too!  I couldn't be happier."

Beth's Family Reunion video  Click here to see a local news video
of the Helmstadter Family Reunion.
Then type "100th on the Fourth" in the search box at the top right.

 

From Jan in Asheville



"Dear Susan,

Our family reunion was this past weekend-June 20-22 in Asheville, NC. 
It was the first time all of the first cousins had been together for the same event since 1966. 
I must tell you that the highlight of the weekend was the Heritage cookbooks. 
I had included several family stories gleaned through emails, interviews,
and phone calls, along with 114 pictures gathered through snail mail or emails. 
Even the men enjoyed reading them, especially the stories,
and everyone loved the pictures and having a history of our family. 
Several people mentioned that they were looking forward to trying out several of the recipes. 

We had a catered banquet on Saturday evening since many people
had a long distance to travel. It would be great for families to have people
bring some of their favorite dishes featured in the cookbooks if they were having a potluck. 
Several people did bring desserts, however, since they transport better and I printed out place cards on the computer with the name of the recipe, the cook, and the page where it was featured in the cookbook and placed a card by each dessert.That was a big hit and let me tell you, we really made a dent in those desserts.

We had a few games after eating-mystery photos put up on a large foam board and I ran off sheets for the guests to record their guesses and awarded prizes and also did a take-off on Jeff Foxworthy’s “You Might Be a Redneck and changed it to "You Might Be a Tolhurst if…”  We concluded with a Memorial service for our departed family members-I had featured them on the last page of the cookbook with dates of births and deaths and a poem. 
Family members lit a candle in front of each of their pictures as the names were read and placed a white silk rose in a Vase of Remembrance. 

I certainly would recommend your website for anyone planning on creating a cookbook. 
It really makes a treasured keepsake. 
My husband suggested it would be nice for a bridal shower,
especially if mostly family members were in the wedding party
and participating with the wedding activities.
It would be a nice gift for the in-laws to share some of your family recipes and heritage.

I am including a picture from the reunion. I’m in the front in the pink and black

with my husband on the left and my mother behind me. 

My granddaughters are in the front row-one has a red hair bow

and the other is a little blond with a red dress and white collar.

Hope you enjoy being able to put some faces with the people in our cookbook."


All material is reproduced with the permission of the person who sent it.