My first cookbook was really just a long, type-written thank-you note.

My sister Melissa threw a Kitchen themed bridal shower for me. The invitation was glued to the inside of a paper sack. It’s the picture on the right.

As explained in the poem, everyone was requested to bring a recipe and spice to start my kitchen pantry.  Most guests did just that.

So for fun, I took a couple days and typed (on a manual typewriter!) all the recipes given me that night.  Then I photocopied them, wrote on the back my personal thank you note to each guest, and mailed them out.

I have one of the originals in my possession. I love pulling it out occasionally and remembering with fondness the women who shared their experience with a young, un-talented bride. Pictured below are my well-worn and used pages of that very first cookbook I ever “wrote.”