I forgot to tell you!

Okay, so Saturday, I went to MIL’s house to learn to make a particular Christmas cookie that has been a tradition in her family for as long as she can remember. Since she is as old as dirt, that’s a long fucking time.  Anyway, she tells me to wear comfortable shoes and dress casual because it is a lot of work to make these cookies.

I love these cookies. They are one of my favorites.  So, dare I say, I’m mildly excited.  I love the cookies, I love to bake, this is a win win for me.  Plus, she is making dinner after and I don’t have to cook OR do dishes.  Even better.

I show up at 1 p.m.  We got done at 5:30 p.m.  It took THAT long.  One batch.  Made something like 60 cookies.  During the process, I was taking pictures because I was going to load them and the recipe on this cool recipe site I know.  Then MIL says “what are you taking pictures for?” so I tell her and she says “You can’t do that. This is a family recipe.”

I said “it’s a secret family recipe?” and she said “yes, and you cannot give it out to everyone.” 

Me:  *blink blink blink*

I said “you gave it to XXX and they aren’t family” and she said “so.”

Me:  *blink blink blink*

What I don’t understand is this:  if you have a recipe, that you know makes a damn good something, don’t you want to share it?  Shouldn’t it be written down somewhere so other people can enjoy it too?  Otherwise, what is the point?  It dies with you if you don’t pass it down and swear that person to secrecy?  I think that is a waste.

Before we left I said “if the fate of this family, eating these cookies, for the next several years rests upon me, they better damn well enjoy them this year.”

Her:  “blink blink blink”