Ginny, Part 12: What are neighbors for? Sharing Recipes!

Neighbors watch out for each other.
Neighbors see you "at home"; a different perspective than anyone else.
Neighbors help each other.

Whether you're a "nosey neighbor" or not, you've probably picked up on some of your neighbors habits. Maybe they always put the trash out the night before, only mow their lawn every other week, tend to keep to themselves, or always offer a helping hand.

You may have neighbors who you've never met, or some that you talk to every day. You may have neighbors who you only know through social media despite their proximity to your house or a friendly wave as you drive off to work.

No matter, there is a special kinship about neighbors. When a fire truck goes down the road or an earthquake shakes things up, you all come together in your own way to lend support.

But, there are those neighbors you share a special bond with. And, so often, that bond includes FOOD! Come on...you know the image of borrowing a cup of sugar from a neighbor, right? Have you actually done it? We have! We've also shared some other food stories with our dear neighbor Ginny:

Ginny wasn't much of a cook.

Being a single woman, on the road so much, and working late hours, Ginny didn't do a lot of cooking for herself (until the last couple of years when she changed her diet.) It was kind of a running joke. I'd borrow her crock pots and have to dust them off before using them. We'd borrow her oven for holiday cooking and it was spotless from lack of use (except for the time she made Amish Friendship Bread and it overflowed ;-). )

Actually, Ginny WAS a cook, she just didn't do it often. But when she did, she rocked it! Ginny's "go to" recipe for a party was Buffalo Chicken Dip. Several years ago she tried it at a party, got the recipe, and made it her trademark. She was so excited about it that she just made it one day and brought it over to share. Then she started bringing it whenever we had a pre-planned gathering. One year, she made a batch just for Pierce for his birthday. And, of course, she made a batch for Kayla's graduation party last year. The recipe is common, but the love she put into hers made it special.

In the last year or so she picked up on a recipe for a dessert made with ice cream sandwiches. This stuff was so sweet and versatile...and she loved making it so much she even posted a picture:

"Desserts made for tonight's WBB team gathering. 

Heath, caramel ice cream cake and Oreo hot fudge ice cream cake."

I visited with Ginny's mother and brothers yesterday and Mrs. Doyle shared a recipe with me...I'm so excited to try...and so glad the tradition of sharing recipes continues!!!