I treat recipes like photographs–something to be preserved.
That’s what has been done with this innocent recipe for Jello cookies that was written in my great-grandmother’s handwriting. The digital image preserves it in it’s original form–better than a transcription which always has the potential for an error. The digital image also provides an example of her handwriting, which might be helpful for someone later in potentially identifying handwriting on the backs of photographs or other family ephemera.
For some of us, handwritten recipes (if we are lucky enough to have them) are the best and only places to get copies of someone’s handwriting.
The one thing missing from the commentary made on this image is who identified the handwriting. When known, that’s an important detail to add. How we come to know information helps us to analyze that information for its perceived accuracy.
I prefer to include this data right on the image itself. While most graphics software allows for the inclusion of metadata (details about a photograph) that information is not seen as a part of the image and can be lost when images are simply shared online and preserved by screen captures.
5 Responses
Hi! I have a question. I was reading over your recipe and I cannot for the life of me make out what it says after add Eggs 1 at a time. This is a great way to preserve recipes as you said.
Sounds like they would be good. I’ve never heard of Jello cookies.
I’m sorry, I should have specified I cannot read what is to be added after the eggs. I understand sifting the flour and the rest . Thank you!
I’m going to have to try and figure that out.
I think it says add jellified milk. That’s the trouble with personal recipes. They aren’t designed for anyone else to follow. Presumably she made up the Jello with milk beforehand?
Now that I look at it again it does look like it is some kind of milk. Thank you both for your replies! Happy New Year!