Handing It Down

I’m back in blogging business after a nice little Thanksgiving break. Hope your holiday was filled with good food, good times with family, and a few extra memorable moments. As the week unfolded for me, I found myself once again carrying out traditions both old and new.

For most of my married life (over 30 years now!), I have spent the day before Thanksgiving making homemade rolls to take to our Thanksgiving gathering with Don’s family. Now these are not just any ordinary rolls, these are my Grandma Hoy’s homemade crescent rolls. The melt-in-your-mouth, pure heaven variety. As far as I’m concerned, they’re the only kind worth going to the trouble to make. At least they’re the only kind I go to the trouble to make :)

Grandma Hoy actually got the recipe for the rolls from Grandpa’s sister, my great-Aunt Alice. I don’t know who Aunt Alice got the recipe from, but I do know that it’s being handed down through the generations. I first grew to love these rolls at Grandma Hoy’s Thanksgiving gatherings. They became even more a part of our family’s life as my mom adopted the recipe and brought it into her generation of holiday meals. I’m not sure about my other sisters, but I do know that Carolyn and I have continued the tradition of making Grandma’s rolls. Know what else is really exciting to me? My daughter Kristin has already taken up the roll-making mantle as well. She made rolls this year and took them on a 7-hour trek to Shawn’s family’s Thanksgiving gathering. It looks like the rolls have secured a spot in yet another generation :)

I love seeing things handed down through the generations. It makes me realize that if I can touch the generations around me and those that follow with something as simple as a recipe or holiday tradition, surely I can impact their lives with more important things as well.

The Bible gives an example of this principle. In one of Paul’s letters to Timothy he says, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV)

I realize everything I’ve handed down thus far may not be as admirable as it should be — you know, things like attitudes or fears, etc. More than any negative thing, though, I pray that I am handing down a love for God and a thirst for His Word and a way of life that is filled with prayer, love for others, and an attitude of service.

Handing valuable things down through the generations, whether traditions or virtues, is not an easy thing to do. It takes effort, consistency, and love. But one thing is certain — it’s always worth it. What would you like to hand down?

**Wishing you could have the recipe for Grandma’s rolls? Here it is!

1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. hot water
1 TBSP salt
2 pkg. improved yeast
5 1/2 c. or more flour

Mix 1/2 of the flour with the sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix hot water and shortening until melted (actually just soft). Add it to the flour and yeast mixture along with 2 eggs and beat with mixer. Add remaining flour (not all at once — in parts). Kneed about 5 minutes. Cover and let rise until double (1 1/2 hr.). Punch dough down and divide in two parts. Roll out each part in a circle, spread with butter, and cut and form into 18 crescents each. Cover and let rise another hour. Bake in 400 oven for 8-12 minutes (depending on your oven — I actually start checking mine at 6 minutes). Enjoy!