This week we welcome Louise M. Gouge to Author Memories.
Award-winning Florida author Louise M. Gouge writes historical fiction, calling her stories “threads of grace woven through time.”
With her great love of history and research, Louise has traveled to several of her locations to ensure the accuracy of her stories’ settings. When she isn't writing, she and her husband love to visit historical sites and museums.
Her favorite Bible verse is “He shall choose our inheritance for us” (Psalm 47:4), a testimony to her belief that God has chosen a path for each believer. To seek that path and to trust His wisdom is to find the greatest happiness in life.
With her great love of history and research, Louise has traveled to several of her locations to ensure the accuracy of her stories’ settings. When she isn't writing, she and her husband love to visit historical sites and museums.
Her favorite Bible verse is “He shall choose our inheritance for us” (Psalm 47:4), a testimony to her belief that God has chosen a path for each believer. To seek that path and to trust His wisdom is to find the greatest happiness in life.
Vintage Dolls, Vintage Recipe
by Louise M. Gouge
When my father went away to war (WWII), my mother and three older siblings moved in with my widowed, maternal grandmother, Lacy Cain.
Grandmother Lacy Cain at 104 yrs old
I was born soon after that, and Grandmother was an important part of my life from that moment until she died at 104. Everyone in the family says she spoiled me, and I suppose that’s true. But she also set an example of patience and goodness that has stayed with me all these years. Once when someone was rude to her, she gave a gentle reply. Later I asked her why she
didn’t tell that person off. She quoted the Scripture, “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1 KJV). While I must admit her answer annoyed me (I was about ten years old, so
maybe that was conviction about my own unruly temper), I have never forgotten her Christ-like attitude.
didn’t tell that person off. She quoted the Scripture, “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1 KJV). While I must admit her answer annoyed me (I was about ten years old, so
maybe that was conviction about my own unruly temper), I have never forgotten her Christ-like attitude.
Lacy Cain, 20 yrs old, circa 1895
Grandmother was born in 1875, and she was a true Victorian lady, despite modest means. She was an excellent seamstress and made many of my clothes. She also crocheted. When I was about five years old, she crocheted some beautiful doll clothes for me and put them on small display dolls.
While the dolls were long ago broken from being played with often, I still display the clothes on new dolls. I also made a shadowbox containing Grandmother’s picture and a few of her belongings. Each time I pass this little display, I think of Grandmother and the way she
chose to live her 104 years of life for Jesus Christ.
chose to live her 104 years of life for Jesus Christ.
Another enduring legacy my grandmother left is one I passed on to my children and grandchildren. When she was young, a neighbor gave her a recipe for Lepkuchen, German Christmas cookies. These delicious molasses cookies are best made up in late November, then stored to age.
Grandmother Cain’s Lepkuchen (Christmas Cookies)
Photo credited to The Opulent Opossum (permission pending)
2 quarts of molasses
1/2 to 3/4 lb. of citron or mixed candied fruits
1 1/2 lb. shortening
1 quart to 3 pints chopped nuts (mixed, pine or walnut)
1 ounce nutmeg
1/2 cup cinnamon
3 tablespoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup soda
2 cups sour milk (or cultured buttermilk)
2 cups hot water
1 1/2 oz. Lemon extract
1 box raisins
10 lbs. of flour (pre-sifted is good)
Make dough up stiff at night.
Next morning, divide into batches.
Roll as thin as possible.
Cut into squares.
Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes.
***Long ripening improves the flavor of these cookies.
If desired, an icing of confectioner’s sugar and water may be spread thinly over
cookies.
Loosely translated, Lepkuchen means “sweets of happiness.”
Recipe comes from Grandmother Lacy Aris Neal Cain (1875-1979) and was handed down to daughters and subsequent generations. Original recipe comes from Germany by way of Lydia Pregge, or Prague, (not known to be related to Cain family) in Sedalia, Missouri, on November 12, 1922.
1/2 to 3/4 lb. of citron or mixed candied fruits
1 1/2 lb. shortening
1 quart to 3 pints chopped nuts (mixed, pine or walnut)
1 ounce nutmeg
1/2 cup cinnamon
3 tablespoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup soda
2 cups sour milk (or cultured buttermilk)
2 cups hot water
1 1/2 oz. Lemon extract
1 box raisins
10 lbs. of flour (pre-sifted is good)
Make dough up stiff at night.
Next morning, divide into batches.
Roll as thin as possible.
Cut into squares.
Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes.
***Long ripening improves the flavor of these cookies.
If desired, an icing of confectioner’s sugar and water may be spread thinly over
cookies.
Loosely translated, Lepkuchen means “sweets of happiness.”
Recipe comes from Grandmother Lacy Aris Neal Cain (1875-1979) and was handed down to daughters and subsequent generations. Original recipe comes from Germany by way of Lydia Pregge, or Prague, (not known to be related to Cain family) in Sedalia, Missouri, on November 12, 1922.
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GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment with a valid email address
by midnight, June 17th
to be entered in a draw for a copy of
Louise M. Gouge's latest Love Inspired Historical,
A Proper Companion.
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A Proper Companion, Love Inspired Historical, June 2012
Back Cover Blurb
With her father’s death, Anna Newfield loses everything—her home, her inheritance, and her future. Her only piece of good fortune is a job offer from wounded major Edmond Grenville, whose mother requires a companion. The Dowager Lady Greystone is controlling and unwelcoming, but Anna can enjoy Edmond’s company, even if she knows the aristocratic war hero can never return her love.
Even amid the glittering ballrooms of London, nothing glows brighter for Edmond than Anna’s gentle courage. Loving her means going gainst his family’s rigid command. Yet how can he walk away when his heart may have found its true companion?
Ladies in Waiting series by Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical imprint:
Three young ladies come to London to work as companions for wealthy women, but
find romance instead.
Book One - A Proper Companion (June 2012)
Book Two - A Suitable Wife (will be released in December 2012)
Book Three - TBA
Three young ladies come to London to work as companions for wealthy women, but
find romance instead.
Book One - A Proper Companion (June 2012)
Book Two - A Suitable Wife (will be released in December 2012)
Book Three - TBA
In addition to numerous other awards, Louise M. Gouge is the recipient of the prestigious
Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award for her 2005 novel, Hannah Rose.
You can find Louise online at her website and blog:
http://blog.Louisemgouge.com
Thank you for sharing your grandmother and her recipe with us, Louise.
Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award for her 2005 novel, Hannah Rose.
You can find Louise online at her website and blog:
http://blog.Louisemgouge.com
Thank you for sharing your grandmother and her recipe with us, Louise.
