memories - in recipes

I was hunting through my recipe book yesterday, and memories came flooding back.

I've only had my current recipe book for about twenty-five years. My previous one must have dropped apart or run out of space, so I started another.

The memories begin with the handwriting - one of my then-young sons copied across most of my older recipes for me and even now, seeing that childish handwriting stirs feelings of nostalgia.

Then it's the recipes themselves. A lot of my recipes came originally from my mum or my nana, so every time I see those recipes I think of them. I also vividly remember many occasions where those foods - mainly cakes - were on offer. I remember the old Bero book from which I copied others, and my first, not always successful, attempts to make them.

Next are the numerous loose, handwritten recipes that I have slipped lazily between the pages of the book ever the years. Again, I can remember exactly who gave me almost every one of them. (Sue B, if you happen to be on Gransnet, I'd like you to know that I still have your "fool proof meringue" recipe that you headed "guard with your life", and think of you every time I see it. ).

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a dreadful memory for faces, but when I see those recipes, I can picture the faces, the occasions and so much more from the distant past. I don't know why it is, but food stirs my memory like little else!

Is it just me?