Treasure Chest Thursday

Today is Treasure Chest Thursday in the genealogy blogger world. 

This treasure is a pocket-knife owned by my great-grandfather: Charles Younger Gifford.

A treasure you ask... and I say: "Yes" emphatically. You see he was a gentle old soul (remember as my great grandfather I only knew him as old). When I would visit, he always opened a box of Ginger Snaps cookies with this knife.  I don't know if boxes were sealed differently back in the '60s or not but he would pull this out of his pocket and open the top of the box...

He used this knife in many ways and I recall it being a tool - never a weapon or anything at all to be afraid of. Think about that in our times... we are not "allowed" to carry something like this!

Always with him and I have the wonderful privilege to possess this treasure!

My Grandpa Gifford:

Granpa Gifford was born in Michigan on June 17, 1880; died on December 13, 1965 in Beacon, New York.

Wedding Wednesday

Today is Wedding Wednesday in the genealogy blogger world.  

Today I present for your pleasure: Virginia M. Flynn and Leonard Flynn.  Virginia was born to Gustave and Catherine Wassweiler on November 17, 1918.  Based on information I believe that Virginia was born in Beacon, New York. She was certainly raised in Beacon.  Sadly, I don't know which bride is Virginia - nor who the other is.

Update January 16, 2013: I've heard from a relative... Virginia and Leonard are the couple on the left. The girl on the right is Virginia's sister, Jeanne Wassweiler Kirkup, born July 26, 1924. Jeanne and the gent on the right "stood up" (Maid of Honor and Best Man) for Virginia and Leonard!

Family Recipe Friday

Today is Family Recipe Friday in the genealogy blogger world.  This recipe is a favorite frm my grandmother, Charlotte Caroline Gifford Pavlovic:  Italian Christmas Cookies!  I believe that this recipe came from her very good friend, Milly Policella. Mind you we have a large family and this makes a large batch!!

Italian Christmas Cookies

6 sticks butter (1½ pounds)

3 cups sugar 
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
6 tablespoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

12 eggs
5 pounds flour


Directions:

In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs;

stir together flour, salt and baking powder - add to mixture above; knead with hands until bowl comes clean.  In pieces about the size of a golf ball, roll the dough into ropes. Cut each rope into a 5-inch piece and tie like a knot or make a horse shoe shape and twist them over. 

Bake cookies on a ungreased cookie sheet about 8 to 10 minutes at 400º. Cookies should be set but not brown.

Frost with desired icing, if desired.  Traditionally Maama used buttercream.  Allow the icing to dry before storing. These cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container for about a week.  If freezing, do so before frosting them.

ENJOY!