Great-Grandmother

Character Inspiration: Great-Grandmothers and Secret Recipes.

If you've read Witch Grannie, you know that age-old family traditions are at the heart of the story. A lifelong love of family history helped spark the creation of Witch Grannie’s Great-Grandmother. She is a character whose kindness and intuitive wisdom are woven into the narrative.

Passing along her secret recipes to Witch Grannie ensures the ancient candy making traditions will continue to delight children on earth forevermore.

When it comes to recipes, I was lucky enough to be inspired by several grandmothers.

Ma Young

Ma Young’s Marshmallows

A favorite that she served during holidays and when friends gathered to play bridge.

Ma Bella’s Recipe Book

Ma Bella’s recipe collection was found it in the basement. We now know what she would have served friends when they called upon her at home each week at her regular time - before the age of telephones.

Ma Bella

Marge's secret recipes

Working at A & M Fine Catering in the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1970s and 80s, the owner and mentor Marge Sternlieb had big circle glasses often fogged up. Her shoulders hunched over just a bit. She looked just like Great-Grandmother in the story. She did not share her hard-earned secret recipes with many but I was lucky enough to have a few.

Take notice of the grandmothers, whether in your own biological lineage, or someone you happen to meet. You may find they have something meaningful to share that turn into your treasures as your carry them into the future.