My mother in law was a baker extraordinaire. Every Monday, she baked, all day, according to my dearly beloved. She made great cookies by the hundreds. She made outstanding pies. And she made fine cakes. Just last night, my dearly beloved said, "She always decorated her cakes. It was her hobby."
So, a few years after we got here, my mother in law brought me her prized collection of cake decorating books. For over 20 years, they've been carefully stored in the cupboard with her everyday dishes, which she also gave me. I guess I was the only person she thought might like her books.
And what an assortment it was.
Since this book is published in 1976, I have to presume that she winged it for a long time.
Because she did make wedding cakes for 2 of her 4 children.
She also made the cake for her in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary. This was approximately 1957, and while her 3 boys were in school, she made this with her 3 year old daughter clambering around her. I, for one, am impressed.
(Why do people who are 80 and 87 always look so dour, even on a happy occasion?)
I think Louise would enjoy this one!
Big Bird cake, anyone? It's in a Celebration for Everyone, after all!
My mother in law died last Wednesday; she was almost 96, so this is not unexpected. Rather than be sad, I feel that we should celebrate the long life of a good wife, mother, mother in law, and grandmother. Truthfully describing her as good in all of those categories is the best testament of all.
This is Cookbook Wednesday, which I'm hosting while Louise is on hiatus.
Leave me a message, and I'll link to your Cookbook Wednesday entry!
Edited to add:
Debbie's
Church Cookbook! Her potluck looks like it was fun.
Poppy's
Woman's Glory - The Kitchen! Featuring "Fresh Orange Juice Goes Into Cake!"
12 comments:
Awwwww.... I love it! I love those old keepsakes. A Great collection.
Okay Marji.... I got so excited about the cooking magazines, that I didn't read your last paragraph. I'm so sorry to hear of your mother-in-law's passing. Even tho she was 96, and we expect it, it is never easy to lose someone you love.
I'm glad you celebrated her life.
What a wonderful way to be remembered -- with humor, love, laughter, and cake. We should all be so lucky.
Seems as though she lived a long and happy life of baking. Glad you got her books to use and hopefully your kids will want them.
What a great collection to have... oh the memories!
It sounds like she was an amazing baker! I am sorry for your loss but I am glad she had such a long life happily baking.
Sorry for your loss but it sounds like she had a great life and you have many happy memories. I think that dour expression in old photos is something to do with them knowing that one of those funny old box cameras were pointing at them! Take care Diane
How cool to have that special collection
Lily & Edward
I'm sorry for your loss, but glad you have such fond memories.
My grandma decorated cakes and I got her collection of Wilton yearbooks when she stopped. I have the bottom two... Pretty sure I've featured pictures from them a couple of times. They are a lot of fun to look at.
I hope you will make a fancy cake in her honor. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Mango momma
great collection! sorry for your loss, though this is a wonderful way to honor her. :)
I'm sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. I greatly admire those who can decorate cakes or cookies and produce such works of art. I guess I just don't have the patience. Will those books give you the incentive to try a cake masterpiece?
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