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