In a world where fast food and quick fixes have become the norm, our family recipes blog emerges as a haven for those who cherish the warmth and comfort of home-cooked meals. Our blog is more than just a collection of recipes; it is a celebration of culinary traditions passed down through generations. Each recipe is a story, a memory of Sunday dinners, holiday feasts, and cozy family gatherings. By sharing these cherished recipes, we aim to bring families together, to create moments of connection and joy around the dining table. Family and friends will find not just instructions, but the essence of love and care that goes into every dish, making this blog a true blessing for anyone seeking to infuse their cooking with the spirit of family and friendship.

We believe that everyone has a unique culinary story to tell, and we are eager to hear yours. By sharing your family recipes, you are helping to preserve your heritage and inspiring others to explore and appreciate diverse culinary traditions. This recipe blog will feature your contributions, creating a rich tapestry of flavors and stories that reflect the beautiful creativity and uniqueness we all bring to the table… literally! This collaborative spirit ensures that our blog remains vibrant, dynamic, and ever-evolving, making it a constantly refreshing source of inspiration for home cooks everywhere.

We are deeply grateful to you all for joining us on this culinary journey. Your engagement, whether through sharing recipes, commenting on posts, or simply trying out the dishes, is what makes this exploration truly special. Thank you for being a part of our community, for contributing your unique recipes, and for allowing us to be a part of your kitchen adventures. Together, we are not just cooking food; we are creating memories, fostering connections, and building a legacy of love and tradition that will be cherished for generations to come. Your support and participation are the heart of our blog, and we are excited to continue this delicious journey with you.

I would sincerely like to thank everyone who contributed to this cookbook, either by submitting recipes or providing moral support. I must thank my friend Joe Geoffrey, who had done something similar with his own extended family, and was the original source of my idea. Also, thanks to Jan Oehlman, who gave me a lot of little ideas on structure, on how to fill in the empty spaces, and the lovely paper for the cover. I would like to thank Michael Bratton who helped make it possible to become a Bratton.

Thanks also to my mom, Dora Barnes, who contributed some of the recipes in the cookbook and appear in this blog. But of course, the real thanks goes to all the Habegers and Brattons, their spouses, children, and in-laws, who took the time and energy to contribute these recipes. I also want to thank an those who had good intentions and were unable to “get to it;”‘ because I know how busy our lives are in this day and age. The thought is indeed what counts, and I am just grateful for all the interest everyone expressed..

The cookbook is, as you might have guessed, in some ways an expression of our personalities. Some or weird sense of humor has crept in. But the hope is that everyone will get a chuckle over it :). The microwave hints, pictures and other full-ins are just there for grins. Sometimes I get lucky and a fill-in would go with a recipe, or a picture would somehow set the mood; mostly they just appear randomly..

If you told me something about the recipe, your quote appears, otherwise, the little comments are mine. I had a lot of fun doing the cookbook; I communicated with many people, sometimes for the first time ever. The Bratton Habeger Cookbook can be downloaded here!

I hope you all enjoy it!
(edited and updated for the blog)

Chris Barnes Bratton