Today I am thinking of my mother-in-law. I am not sure why, but I am. Both my mother and mother-in-law died just before Christmas. For several years we lived on the farm in a trailer. She let me have a section of her freezer to keep my grocery things. I also used her cellar for my canned goods. I learned many things from my mother-in-law. She was my go-to person when it came to canning. I also learned some recipes from her. She was a great cook.

In the days when Dick and I were dating, I traveled almost every weekend to Russell. I was teaching in Kenmore, NY. Dick of course, lived on the farm – Meldick Farms. Since he was not able to come to me, I traveled to him. I had some rather bad weather in my travels. When I got to Cassadaga, I was always happy to see a plow. I happily Followed behind the plow since I knew it was on the road.

My mother-in-law always made me feel welcome. I helped her while I was visiting. When I arrived, my mother-in-law was usually gone shopping with her daughter and her children. It would be dinner for all of us that night.

Either she had goulash in the oven or she made something quick when she got home. It was years before I found out that my then husband did not like goulash. I figured he liked it because she always fixed it. Of course, she served bread with it plus peanut butter. I guess he filled up on the bread. I never noticed. By the time I discovered his dislike of the dish he was doomed because that was something that the children loved.

I have many recipes from my mother-in-law. She made wonderful homemade bread and rolls. I have those recipes. I learned to cook many of the dishes that she made although my husband never gave me credit for my good cooking.

Another thing that she made was chili. She could whip a pot of chili when she got home from shopping. Although I seldom make this, it is in my cookbook for those times when I need something in a hurry. Usually when I make chili, I make a large batch. I give the Quick Chili recipe to you so you can whip it up in a hurry.

Quick Chili

1 lb. ground beef

2 cans tomato soup

1 sm. chopped onion

1T. chili powder

1 can kidney beans or you can use pork and beans if you prefer

(add liquid and all )

Brown 1 lb. ground beef and chopped onion. My mother-in-law always used her electric frying pan. Mix in the soup and chili powder. If you like your chili thinner, use a soup can of water. Simmer for 25 – 30 min. If this quantity is not enough for your family, double the ingredients. While your chili cooks, make a pan of corn bread to go with it.

Corn Bread

1 c. sifted all-purpose

¼ c. sugar

3 teaspoons of baking powder

¾ tsp. salt

1 c. corn meal

2 eggs

1 c. milk

½ c. softened shortening

Sift flour with sugar, baking powder, and salt; stir in corn meal. Add eggs, milk, and shortening. Mix using a rotary beater just until the batter is smooth. Pour into greased 9×9 pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Serve warm with butter.

My mother-in-law either had ice cream for dessert or cookies. She made a lot of cookies, but most of the recipes I use for those came from my grandmother. She was a great baker!

My mother did not do as much cooking. She never had to. We lived with my grandparents so grandma cooked the meals while my mother was at work. We all helped with the dishes. Mother usually did the wash when she came home to help grandma. She also did the ironing. I remember that she had a dress on one night when she was ironing. She touched it with the iron and it melted. I loved to use grandma’s mangle. Some of the ironing was done on that.

These women sure made a huge impact on my life. Many of the things I do today I do because of them. Now they have all gone one to their eternal rest. God bless them for the help they provided to me.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell. Contact her at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.