Collecting Cookbooks ~ The Hope Chest

As a young maiden, preparing for the future is very necessary. Something you can do today is start a cookbook collection. You can begin practicing new recipes on your family now and make notes on which ones were favorites and which were failures… Then, dear hubby need not be the experimental victim. These single years are an excellent time to sharpen your kitchen skills and become a culinary queen!

Cookbooks make an excellent addition to a hope chest because they are always in "style" unlike some items you may place inside and lose interest in. If you already have a repertoire of recipes but need a storage system for them, you may be interested in making an "Inspirational Recipe Book" (free printables are included with the link).

Some of our favorite cookbooks are:

• Betty Crocker Cookbook: Everything You Need to Know to Cook Today
• King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking: Delicious Recipes Using Nutritious Whole Grains
• With Heart And Soul (Among Friends Series)
• Keeping Good Company: A Season-by-Season Collection of Recipes, with Entertaining & Homemaking Ideas (Among Friends Series)
• Mrs. Fields I Love Chocolate! Cookbook: 100 Easy & Irresistible Recipes
• Fix Freeze Feast

"When young people marry they are rarely troubled with many thoughts about the details of housekeeping. Their dreams are high above all such common place issues. The mere mention of such things as cooking, baking, sweeping, dusting, mending, ironing—jars upon the poetic rhythm of the lofty themes of conversation. It never enters the brains of these happy lovers—that it will make every difference in the world in their home life—whether the bread is sweet or sour; whether the oatmeal is well cooked or scorched; whether the meals are punctual or tardy. The mere thought that such common matters could affect the tone of their wedded life, seems a desecration.

One of the very first things they discover is the intimate relation between the kitchen and wedded happiness. That love may fulfill its delightful prophecies and realize its splendid dreams—there must be in the new home, some very practical elements. The palace that is to rise into the air, shooting up its towers, displaying its wonders of architecture, flashing its splendors in the sunshine—to the admiration of the world, must have its foundation in commonplace earth, resting on plain, hard, honest rock. Love may build its palace of noble sentiments and tender affections and sweet romances—rising into the very clouds, and in this splendid home two souls may dwell in the enjoyment of the highest possibilities of wedded life; but this palace, too, must stand on the ground, with unpoetic and unsentimental stones for its foundation. That foundation is good housekeeping. In other words, good breakfasts, dinners and suppers, a well-kept house, order, system, promptness, punctuality, good cheer—far more than any young lovers dream—does happiness in married life depend upon such commonplace things as these!"

~ Except from The Family by J.R. Miller

The Hope Chest (What to Put Inside?)

Marmee's Hope Chest

Marmee's Hope Chest

"'What did mother give you out of the treasure-box?" asked Amy, who had not been present at the opening of a certain cedar chest, in which Mrs. March kept a few relics of past splendor, as gifts for her girls when the proper time came."

~ Little Women

When we think of cedar chests or hope chests, we think of new items to be taken with us for use in a future home. I think that we can also glean from Marmee and keep a little chest of treasures that can be stored away for special moments.

Young maidens may want to tuck away items that they have out grown but still hold sentiment such as a dress hand made by grandmother or a special doll (yes, even a teddy bear!). Perhaps one day their daughter or granddaughter will appreciate these little glimpses from their past.

Mothers can stow away items that were precious to her growing up and save them to give delight one day. I used to collect vintage beaded purses as a young lady and I have tucked away my favorites to pass down to my sweet one when she reaches a certain age. There are also some trinkets that were dear to me that I plan on giving in those milestone moments of her life.

What prized possessions will you store away for when that "proper time" comes?

The Hope Chest (What to Put Inside?)

The Hope Chest

GIRL INSPECTING HER HOPE CHEST by Poul Friis Nybo

These days, the thought of a hope chest leaves people thinking old fashioned thoughts. However, there is still a great use for these lovely boxes of carved wood for your daughters. They can be a special place to store special things for their future. Perhaps it won't be the exact items you would find a century back but it can be just as prized. Here are a few ideas of what you can store in them...

• Mother's favorite books of encouragement for her daughter to enjoy as an adult
• A special family Bible
• Scrapbook of her childhood pictures to treasure
• Scrapbook of family ancestors with interesting facts about their forefathers to share with future generations (like a picture style family tree with narration)
• Quilts that have been passed down or other family heirloom treasures
• Mother's wedding clothing
• Recipe book for her future household with all the family tried and true recipes (Printables here)
• Items that reflect your family culture (For example, if you are Russian you may want to put in some Russian nesting dolls, etc…)
• Store handmade objects that mother and daughter have prepared like potholders, tea towels, etc.
• A tea set

Some books that may enhance this project are:

• The Hope Chest: A Legacy of Love by Rebekah Wilson (for older girls)
• The Running Rooster (Grandmother's Hope Chest, Volume 1) by Rebekah Wilson (picture books for younger girls)
• Lucie's Snowflakes (Grandmother's Hope Chest, Volume 2) by Rebekah Wilson (picture book for younger girls)
• Personal Help for Girls Hope Chest Series Volume 1 (Ages 9 & Up) by Pearables
• Preparing Your Hope Chest Volume 2 (Building a Foundation of Godly Character for Tomorrow's Mothers) by Pearables

"Faith is the very first thing you should pack in a hope chest."

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach


(Linked up to: Raising Mighty Arrows and Raising Homemakers)