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Hello dear friends! When MaryJane shared with me that the upcoming magazine (April/May/June) will have a section on family recipes, I had just returned home from New Mexico where I spent 10 solid days helping my dear Momma turn her collection of recipes into a cookbook. My mother had started this project over 30 years ago… and due to all the normal busyness of life, that project got put in a drawer. It has been a dream of mine to help her get these recipes typed up and compiled into a book for the girls (and guys!) in the family. My mother is turning 89 soon and I just felt like there was no way I could let this project go another year without getting it done! I worked 8-10 hours a day, with Mom mostly by my side, where we re-typed, re-wrote, edited, and tried to make heads or tails of recipes that were missing pieces!
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I love it! Dori, how did you determine the fabric to binder size? When my old boss was clearing out unused files, he let us take the large ring binders. I’ve used mine for recipes, but it’s big and black with state logos on it – so ugly! This would be the perfect solution.
Hi Cindi!!
I laid the open binder flat and measured that and added about an inch on each side all the way around. If I remember correctly I trimmed after I had quilted and confirmed the size. The measurements in my tutorial will be accurate for a 1.5″ wide 3 ring binder. Email me if you have any more questions or need help figuring it out if you binders are a different size! redfeedsack@gmail.com
~ Dori ~
I love your post! It was so sweet reading about your mother and her parents and how they and the ranch weathered the depression and other times. I would love to read more about them and their recipes, and your memories. Such a loving tribute. Your post started my Sunday so special, many thanks!
Dear Anita,
Thank you! Recipes and food are such a huge part of our memories aren’t they???
~ Dori ~
I love everything about this! Thank you for sharing and also for the detailed instructions!!! I can’t wait to make one for myself 😊. Love the fabric!
Hi Debbie!!!
I can’t wait for you to make one either!!! Let me know if you need any additional help!
~ Dori ~
loved the story and the binder cover idea, will be trying the pattern soon, thank you!
Hi Charlotte!
Thank you so much! If you have any issues with the pattern, email me!
~ Dori ~
Your story of your Mother a You is so touching to my heart and so beautifully an perfectly written Special Moments for sure My Mother will be 90 March 13. The recipes are sure to be treasured just like the Mothers who prepared those wonderful recipes. Thanks so much, just Beautiful ❤️
Dori – This is adorable – I think I will attempt to make one for my small embroidery projects – I will see if I can obtain the clear vinyl inserts for the binder to hold my projects from my office supply store – also, I will probably need to incorporate a ribbon on the outside edge to allow me to tie it closed – Thanks so much for sharing – you are so talented!
That is a very nice project that will be loved by your whole family for years. I love it!!
I absolutely love this post – I love the idea of handed down, tried and true, time tested recipes written on index cards or tucked away in cookbooks that have stood the test of time. What a wonderful way to spend the days together – preserving the sweet memories, not only of the how-to’s, but the history behind each recipe, and the laughter around the table. It will be a handed down book to treasure. And the cookbook cover – wow, Dori, as they say, that’s the icing on the cake – oh-so pretty! So glad you had this time together – a lot of hard work for both of you!
Mary
.Rural Farmgirl
What a gem that will be. I did something similar in a families smaller scale. My friend inspired me. She did a small cookbook of her families favorite meals over the years and printed them up and gave them to each of her children. I asked permission to steal her project with my own and I did.
My children absolutely loved it. In fact, my son gobbled it up. We had our own names for different meals. We call them” awful waffles” even though were not awful at all! that
And interestingly enough, to my surprise, my son, even though my daughter appreciated the book my son kept referencing it whenever I’d see him and he was so glad to have those recipes.
Hi Terry!
This sounds like the THE BEST cookbook!!!! What a great gift to your children. We do forget how much the boys in the family love our food and our recipes!
Thank you for sharing!
~ Dori ~
Beautiful Dori, I too love the binder. But was special to me was hearing about you and your working together on the recipes for a book. You and your mom created lasting memories for others in your family☺️
Thank you for sharing your time with your mom.
Sadly I do not sew on the machine I will hand sew if I must. At 70 I just not sure I could make the binder cover. I am anxious to see some of the girls who replied that are friends of mine their covers.
Thank you so much, I do love your blog💕
Hi Debbie,
I loved the time helping my mom on the cookbook! It will be a special keepsake for all of us.
Hugs…
~ Dori ~
I found that I was losing special recipes and decided to type up my recipes and print them off and place them in a binder. I placed the recipe pages in sheet protectors. I then made several binder cookbooks for my young adult children for christmas gifts. My husband then asked that we add childhood stories and photos to the recipe pages. We have made several new editions and will now be adding recipes and stories from our daughter in law. Such fun!