The billfold of memories

By Millie The Accidental Cook

Ah! There it is! An old billfold from way back, way, way back. Though tattered and worn, it still holds those old photos and memories as far back as 1960. I haven’t heard anyone say billfold for many years. I think we refer to it as a wallet now. Mine is ivory in color.

Somewhere through the years, it must have gotten wet. Most of the photos are now glued to the little cellophane enclosures, so much so that to remove them would be to lose them. Hidden behind one of the photos is a receipt for my Mister on March 28, 1966, from Dr Joe, the dentist, for the large sum of $4.00 for pulling a tooth. Wow! How times have changed.

In that same enclosure rests a birth announcement for our first son. There are photos of Jean, Tina, Sybil, Tommy, Jimmy, Linda, Eunice, Susan, Charles, Cecil, David, Carolyn, and oh so many more. Perhaps the most treasured of all of the photos is the one with my Momma and me. There I am, perched on the back of the old ’54 Chevrolet Bel-Air (aqua and white in color), with Momma standing beside me with that big smile on her face. Oh how I wish that I could take that one out and have it enlarged.

My Daddy had two ’54 Chevrolets: one was the Bel-Air, which he said was my graduation present, knowing that I did not have a driver’s license, and the other was a sedan. Later on Daddy sold the Bel-Air. It was some years before I obtained my driver’s license. I think he realized that the Bel-Air didn’t work.

Oh. now there is a photo Carolyn! She was one of my very best friends. I kept her ring for her in school. It was so pretty. It was such fun going home with her on occasion. Then there is that photo of Sybil and me. Her brother took it when we wore our evening dresses in the parade. She, too, was a good friend.

There is that Clemson Ball schedule for 1966 and a photo of my very handsome Mister when we first met. You know, it’s funny, I don’t ever remember reading what he had written on the back of that photo: “United States Navy or bust,” signed Mike.

Oh my, it must be time to do a recipe. While plundering through those old photos and keepsakes, I found a recipe that I don’t remember ever seeing before. The recipe is for meringue using brown sugar and I can’t wait to try it. I believe it would be great on a pumpkin pie. I cannot claim this one as my own. It is one of Betty’s recipes.

Brown Sugar Meringue

3 egg whites

¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

6 Tablespoons brown sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Beat in brown sugar, 1 spoonful at a time;continue beating until meringue is stiff and glossy, then beat in vanilla. Note: I used to place my meringue-covered pie in the oven under the broiler for a few minutes until it browned. I have learned that it is better to reduce the oven temperature after baking the pie. Cover the pie with your meringue and allow the meringue to cook slowly for approximately 5-10 minutes. (it tastes so much better) Remove from the oven when browned. It will have an almost crunchy taste.

Oh, by the way, my Mister never did get to the Navy.