Saturday, February 20, 2010

Gram's Special Vegetable Beef Soup

It's been 25 years since I lost one of my best friends, my precious mother-in-law, known to all as "Gram". I can remember stopping in on weekends at her house and walking in to the smell of the most delicious smell, her famous vegetable beef soup. She created the recipe and one day when she was preparing it, I took notes and am so glad I did. It has become a tradition in our home to cook a pot every now and then. The special ingredient is the "Bay Leaf". I actually put several of them in. Steph started a family tradition that if you get the bay leaf in your bowl, it brings good luck. I had the pleasure of teaching my daughter how to make this special soup recently and when her hubby tasted it, he said he loved it so much, he wanted to marry it.....Now, that's a compliment!
I passed the recipe on to my sister in Louisiana and it was a big hit with her family. Today while I was cooking the soup, my hubby kept saying how it smelled so good. I can feel Gram's presence when I cook her soup and the smell brings me back to her kitchen. I even use her spoon that she used, which was passed down to me.
Something very strange happened when I tried to snap several pictures of the recipe to post with this picture. The picture would not capture the words of the recipe. It kept turning white, like nothing was there. I don't know the meaning behind that, but, I left it alone.
Thanks Gram for remaining near and dear to my heart. The tradition will go on.

10 comments:

Bacardi Mama said...

Such a sweet post. I was just going to ask you to share the recipe, but maybe you aren't supposed to. It sure looks good. When are we going to meet up somewhere?

E said...

Yum Yum!

chrissy said...

So fantastic! I love the memories that are brought to our heart/mind when using family recipes! The heart that comes from sharing recipes and meals is amazing! Maybe it's because we actually take the time to enjoy those moments! Sweet post and the soup looks yummo!!

Bacardi Mama said...

Your third comment is exactly like one I got today. Very weird!

Sharon - Mom Generations said...

Rhonda... I can smell it from here!! What a lovely, lovely post, so filled to the brim with love "stock"! I love the tradition of the bay leaf, too. Steph's children will always remember the afternoons and nights of finding that bay leaf! I think I know why the photos didn't come out... I once read that in the presence of spirits, electronic devices do not work. Gram was most definitely in the room when you were taking the photos of the recipe! She was holding that special spoon as you were creating your own memories. This post touched my heart in a special, special way. Thank you for sharing Gram and her wonderful beef soup with all of us!

designHER Momma said...

fantastic post. makes me want to hole up and do some serious cooking.

Sarah said...

That soup looks SO yummy, especially on the cold days we've been having.

Anonymous said...

I keep listening to the news speak about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one.

JackeeG4glamorous said...

Please post the recipe!! I LOVE soup!

designHER Momma said...

very, very sweet post. Sometimes, the best things in life are passed down.