My great-grandma, Nellie, passed away in 1993. I wasn’t quite three years old, so I never really got the chance to know her. That probably isn’t surprising, though. Most people don’t get the chance to know their great-grandparents. If you did, how blessed are you?

My husband’s last living great-grandparents passed away about ten years ago. They lived long enough to know all of their great-grandchildren and two of their great-great-grandchildren. I often wish we’d been given that kind of time.

My mom often talks about my great-grandmother, Nellie. She talks about how amazing she was, how faithful she was, and how much she wishes she could have more time with her. To hear my grandpa talk about her is even more special. She’s left a wonderful legacy. A legacy of family, traditions, and the values she passed down. She is really where Great Grandma’s Kitchen started.

I wanted to know her. I have a few of her things, including a rolling pin, some noodle cutters, her old mandolin, a stockpot, and a few other things. I received these from my mom at my bridal shower. And last Christmas, my mom gifted me my great-grandmother’s recipe box. It’s, potentially, the most special thing I own. This box contains many of my great-grandmother’s handwritten recipes.

I figured I’d start there. Making these recipes with my own daughter, Nellie-Anne, while we both learn more about who she was named after.

I have her biscuit cutter, which she made out of an old can. So, I think we’ll start there.