I CAN’T BELIEVE it’s been a year since I first started, like Alice down her rabbit hole, exploring the crazy culinary world of the Ladies Auxiliaries. If you’ve missed out, now’s your chance to see just what’s lurking out there. Join me, won’t you?
When we talk about the Ladies Auxiliary here on TSP, we mean, of course, the fundraising cookbooks created by church groups, charities and social clubs all over the country over the last 80 or more years. 
(My oldest example, from the Sisters of Pythia in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, dates to 1929, but I’m always hunting for older ones!)
With the ladies as my guides, I’ve examined recipes both delicious and despicable.
I’ve planned picnics, mastered meatloaf, and contemplated tuna casserole.
I’ve perfected potato salad and come to a greater understanding of Jello.
From the 'Silver Anniversary International Cook Book' by the sisters of Beta Sigma Phi, 1956
Don’t get me started on what I’ve learned about making food for Thanksgiving. (Yams, anyone? Cranberry sauce?)
My Favorite Ladies Auxiliary Sweet Potato Recipe: Basic
I’m extra thankful to have collected more of these treasured books on my own, and received them as gifts from knowing friends. What’s clear is that sisterhood in the kitchen is powerful, and enduring.
Take a look through some of our favorites from this treasure trove, and share your favorite hand-me-down recipes and recipe books with us.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Paige,
I want to start this comment with a big Thank You to you. It was because of the original post on this blog of Sisters about old family recipes that inspired me to ask my mom during our monthly phone call if she had any recipes from her mom or my dad’s mom. I really didn’t expect any thing because I never heard tell through out my childhood of any family cooking stories. But my mom’s answered happily surprised me, she said she did have some. That was early last year and when I got to visit her last November I reminded her of my question. She showed me a blank book she received when she was a young bride – filled with typed and handwritten recipes plus menu planning and even journal entry’s of my mom’s. She didn’t let me have that book but she did give me my great-grandmoms cookbook from 1929. It was the type of cookbook you describe in this entry – a Friends of the Library fund raising endeavor. It has a black hard back cover and includes advertisements. Such a treasure and I would have never known of it’s existence if it wasn’t for this Sister Blog! (and of course the recipes are amazing!)
I want to share (as if I haven’t written enough! ) the opening poem from the book
Oh weary mothers mixing dough,
Don’t you wish that food would grow?
Your eyes would shine I’m sure to see
A cookie bush or a pancake tree.
But when you see these rules so new,
You’ll surely wish to try them, too,
And then such wondrous things to eat
Your happiness will be complete.
Oh one more inspiration from this blog – I asked my sister to share my blog with me – so during her summer visit we redesign my blog to be our blog.
Thanks again to all you gals!
Megan
Welcome, Megan W. Paige is away from the computer today and your comment was just too lovely to leave hidden a moment longer. I know she will say hello shortly…but meantime, a big greeting from The Sister Project. Great poem. Thank you.
–”Sister Margaret”