Millard “ Don “ Carriker and I are first cousins . He is also a member of Legacy Stories . Matter of fact he is the one that told me about this program . To my memory we have never met in person but a few years ago we met on the internet . The reason we have never met in person is he fifteen years older than me . His mother and my mother were sister’s and his mother was also fifteen years older than my mother . Our paths never crossed and our lives took separate paths . But I am glad that have finally crossed . His Mom and Dad was always one of my favorite Aunts and Uncles . I have many fond memories of them . Don’s name and his siblings names were always coming up when his parents were around for a visit, so I feel like I’ve known him longer than I really have .  They lived 160 miles north of where I lived when I was growing up so they didn’t come too often .

My Grandma Beavers was 57 years old when Don was born and had become a widow only about a year later.  When I was born she was a mellow 72 years old so I have a lot of older cousins to thank for mellowing her out for me . My memories are a lot different than some of theirs were . I guess it was pretty tough on her after her husband died . She still had my mother and a son at home . Of course I think the son helped out a lot .

Grandma Beavers

about 1964

One of my precious memories was when I was in Jr High walking to Grandma’s house after school and having a glass of ice cold milk with her home made peanut butter cookies . I still make them sometimes just for memories sake . And boy are they good . Here is the recipe .

                Grandma’s Old Fashioned

                   Peanut Butter Cookies

              This is a recipe from Mary Isabelle (Belle) McNabb Beavers

              Born May 4 1875 Scotland , Van Buren County,  Arkansas

             Died August 24 1967 Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma

2 ½ cups flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 cup shortening

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar (Packed)

2 eggs

Mix flour, salt, soda set aside

Mix shortening and peanut butter . Add both kinds of sugar mix well.

Add eggs beat well.

Stir flour mixture into peanut butter mixture .

Drop dough from teaspoon on baking sheet . Flatten with fork .

Bake at 375 Degrees F Moderate oven .

10 to 15 minutes until lightly brown

Makes 4 to 5 dozen