The Keepsake Box – Recipe for Chocolate Cream Pie

Discovering the Keepsake Box

While browsing through an old box of keepsakes that belonged to my Grandmother Headrick (Mamaw Headrick is what we all called her!), I found several folded newspaper ads, a quilting pattern, postmarked letters from her family in Mississippi, and numerous handwritten recipes. The image that came to mind as I glanced through the recipes was her kitchen. Each time I entered her home through the back door into the kitchen, I would find leftover biscuits with smoked bacon or maybe her teacakes fresh out of the oven. She passed away in September 1977, and I am sure this box of keepsakes was stored long before her death.

The Lessons I Learned at the Feet of my Grandmother

My grandmother was not only a wonderful cook but also an excellent seamstress and quilter. Folded neatly in the keepsake box, is the pattern used to make a quilt. That time-worn that is now gently folded at the foot of the bed in my guest room. I remember many times sitting underneath the quilting frame as she and my mom spent hours quilting by hand, taking pride in their evenly spaced tiny stitches.

I recall specifically one cold day in February 1956 when my grandmother put a needle in my small hand and began to teach me quilting skills. After several attempts, I proudly showed her my beautiful stitches! But, Mamaw Headrick kindly let me know without hesitation that even though my efforts were a good start, my stitches were unacceptable. She pointed out that someone could hang a toenail in my one-inch long stitches! I have never forgotten the visual she painted for me with her words. Through the years as I snuggled beneath the time-worn quilts made by loving hands so long ago, I think about toenails getting caught in my long stitches! (Note: I have improved on the length of my stitches due to persistence!)

Vintage Ad October 1948

The Keepsake Box, a Box of Memories

Amazing to me is the story this box of keepsakes tells. Even if I had not known my grandmother, the box with its folded newspaper and magazine ads tells much about her interests and the things that she enjoyed. The letters from her family in Mississippi tell me about life as it was back then, mostly simple things of everyday living. The recipes, both handwritten and clipped, show me the type of foods my grandmother enjoyed cooking and serving her family.

Inspiration to Create Your Keepsake Box

Perhaps you are interested in creating your keepsake box filled with special memories? Check out my collection of Keepsake Boxes on Pinterest and get inspired! Keepsake Boxes on Pinterest. Also, I a great article on A Handcrafted Wedding about creating a Wedding Keepsake Box. Great tutorial if you have a wedding coming up or just feel inspired to create one for your collection of wedding keepsakes! And another tutorial you will enjoy is found at Melissa Samuel’s blog (great blog, so spend some there checking out her pages!).

What Story Will Your Keepsake Box Tell?

We each leave our mark, whether in a box tucked high on a closet shelf as my grandmother did or maybe as many of us do today, sharing our life on social media networks. What type of image are you leaving for future generations? What are the words they will use to describe you? As I look through the keepsake box, so many memories come to mind. The words I use to describe my grandmother are creative, caring, thoughtful, and resourceful.

Remember Who You Are

One of my favorite scriptures is printed and hangs above my office desk. It is clearly visible for me to see each day as I pour my heart into writing or creating with pens or paint brushes. It is my reminder of who Christ says that I am. He says that I am redeemed and forgiven. What God says is the most valuable words I will ever hear or read!

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV)

Be intentional in remembering who you are! It gets tough out there on the highway of life at times. We each have to remind ourselves who we are and what is the most important.

Something Else You Might Like…

You might also like the recipe for my Grandmother’s Teacakes. Yum! I think I will get the flour out and bake a batch. Makes the house smell so inviting and they taste incredible!