Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Around Grandma's Table

I've spent a lot of sweltering days standing over my kitchen stove this summer.

But when I think I'm sweating hot, I remember the hottest place I ever visited.

Before I was married, I visited a friend who is a missionary nurse in Guatemala. She took me to visit a tiny mission outpost near the coast. We spent the weekend with Brian and Janelle Yoder, who were newlyweds living in a tiny two room house with their newborn son.

I was impressed with Janelle's joyful hospitality. She cooked up wonderful meals on a stove out on the porch. We enjoyed great conversation seated around their tiny table and then washed up the dishes in a pan of water heated on the stove.

On Sunday morning, the rainfall almost forced us to walk the couple miles to church. But we clung white knuckled to the back of the pick-up truck while bouncing through the rain washed gullies and splattering mud. The tiny tin roofed, dirt floored church was unlike any I had ever worshiped in before, but the spirit of the Lord was present despite the stifling heat and incessant buzz of the insects.

Though eleven years have gone since that memorable visit, Brian and Janelle are still serving the people of Guatemala. Right now they are on a needed furlough. I was excited to run into Janelle recently and learn about her new cookbook.

Around Grandma's Table is compiled of recipes from Janelle's 90 year old Grandmother and other family members. The cookbook is beautifully done and stuffed with around 800 recipes. I've flipped through and marked numerous recipes that I can't wait to try once my life slows down this fall!


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The cookbook also contains old photos and stories from the Paul Hoover family, lending to the vintage feel. I like the way the book is organized with separate categories for slow cooker and menu ideas, for example.

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Want your own copy of this cookbook? Email Janelle at yoder4@gmail.com. The cost is $15.99 plus shipping.

7 comments :

  1. As you were describing your trip to Guatemala reminded me of trips to El Salvador and yes the heat - the type that your clothes stick to you the moment you leave the airplane. But what fun riding the back of a pick up is :0) The cook book sounds really interesting.

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  2. The pictures aren't coming up in your post.

    I have this cookbook!

    And I absolutely love the recipes in this book......our family especially loves the Layered Coleslaw (I didn't think they would like it and now they beg for it)
    and the $250,000 MEXICAN DISH....awesome!

    We've visited to that same place........and anybody that can be a good hostess in that HEAT deserves a crown on their head!

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    1. For some reason I've been having trouble with photos on the blog the last week. That is why I haven't been posting (plus the general summer busyness!)

      Gina

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  3. My son is serving a mission in Guatemala right now. He will be back in 2014. He's in Guatemala City right now but he started out in the hot, hot, hot area of Puerta de Hierro on the coast. He loves the people and their love of God. Thank you for this "remembrance".

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  4. I have been to Guatemala! Was a very enjoyable trip! LOOOng time ago, before I was married.
    I wish the pictures would show up!! I can get only one picture per post to load. I think there's a glitch somewhere!!!

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    1. Sorry about the photos. They look fine to me, but I know I have been having trouble loading photos.
      Gina

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  5. Interesting!
    It was 15 years ago this July since I spent a summer in Puerto Rico, living most of that time with Janelle (she was single & in VS then). I decided that summer that she's one of those rare women who is "near-angelic"---completely & genuinely sweet, and full of the love & grace & beauty of God.
    I am not a cookbook collector, but "Around Grandma's Table" sounds like one I'd really like to own! Thanks for the recommendation!

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