This is the recipe box of my paternal grandmother, Betty Grace Sears Hanley (1924-1981). I have very few memories of her and hers is a life story that I have always wanted to know better. When my grandfather, Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015) died, this was among his possessions. What I love most about this piece is seeing so much of my grandmother’s handwriting. It helps me feel connected to her. 

By the looks of the recipes included grandma was no Julia Child. But, she was a very resourceful, efficient, traditional, and caring 1950s and 1960s homemaker who provided meals for her husband and five children. 

Included in the box were many recipes torn out from magazines and newspapers like “Fiesta Shrimp Saute” (sponsored by Blue Bonnet) and “Thrifty Peach Bavarian”. Pictured in the photo above is also a handwritten recipe for “Honeyscotch Sundae”. 

A quick google search for “Thrifty Peach Bavarian” turned up this 1950 Mary Lee Tarlor cookbook. Here is a page from that pdf that seems to match the photo in my grandma’s recipe box.

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