Tasty Traditions: Favorites from Ella's Recipe Box

There are a handful of recipes that Ella is known for - her signature dishes - that were often present at family gatherings or holidays. Last December, several of us gathered around the small island in Ralph and Ella's kitchen while we looked through Ella's recipe box, laughing and remembering occasions when some of these dishes were served. And we chuckled when we came to the recipe for Salmon Party Ball, as there were multiple copies of it. We assume it was a crowd pleaser and she must have frequently been asked for the recipe!


Below are photos of her original recipe cards for blonde brownies, carrot cake, hard candy, salmon party ball, Scotch broth (soup), Scottish shortbread, and vanilla tablet. Bon appetite!



Blonde Brownies
(please save me a chewy edge piece)



Carrot Cake


Hard Candy
(A Christmas favorite, often anise flavored)


Salmon Party Ball


Scotch Broth


Scottish Shortbread



Vanilla Tablet


From the Findlay Family Photo Album

We've been pouring over old photo albums recently from Ralph and Ella's home, and there's something both sweet and thrilling to see these images of loved ones from years gone by. It's fun to see them at ages we can relate to: as children, teenagers, young marrieds, young parents. And it gives us glimpses into other facets of their personalities and the dynamics of relationships. I love it so much. I'll post photos from Ralph and Ella's albums as it's relevant.


Related, cousin AD reached out as she found some photos of Ella and other Findlay family members, which I've posted below. Check out snapshots of Ella's folks as new parents, and see Ella as a pre-teen, and see the grandparents, aunties, and cousins that were such a part of Ella's life, especially before they emigrated.


These are such a treasure! Thank you, AD!


Ella's father George Findlay on the far left, next to his sister Ethel Findlay, wife Kate (Ursula Katherine Bruce Beattie Findlay) holding their baby Ina (Charlesina Findlay Slade), and George's sister Carrie (Caroline Smith Findlay) on the far right. Photo must have been taken in 1928, as Ina was born in May 1928 and still looks quite small in Kate's arms. 



Sweet Ella on the far left, next to her grandmother Charlesina Smith Love Findlay, holding Ella's cousin Sheena Leith (daughter of George Findlay's sister, Carrie), unknown person in the middle, George Findlay (senior) holding Ella's cousin AD, and cousin FG on the far right (AD and FG are children of George's sister Ethel). On a picnic, assuming near Aberdeen, guessing in the mid 1940s. All dressed up! 



At the same picnic. Ethel Findlay on the far left, then Lizzie (Elizabeth Love Findlay), Charlesina Findlay holding AG, FG in the back, sweet Ella next to her grandmother, George Findlay (senior) holding Sheena Leith (daughter of George Findlay's sister, Carrie), then Carrie (Caroline Smith Findlay) just behind George, and unknown person on the far right. Assuming near Aberdeen, in the mid 1940s.



Charlesina Smith Love Findlay (Ella's grandmother) with her son Jack (John Heatherwick Findlay) and holding baby Madge (Marjorie Love Findlay) - these are Ella's uncle and aunt (her father's youngest siblings). Likely sometime in 1925, as Madge was born in February of that year, and that would make Jack 4 years old (born in May 1921). Assuming this is in Aberdeen.



The Findlay women in 1952. From left to right: Lizzie (Elizabeth Love Findlay), Madge (Marjorie Love Findlay), Charlesina Smith Love Findlay holding baby MC (daughter of Madge), Carrie (Caroline Smith Findlay), and Ethel Findlay. These are George Findlay's mother, four sisters, and his niece (Ella's grandmother, aunties, and cousin). This photo was taken just before Madge emigrated from Aberdeen to Australia.



George and Charlesina Findlay at the marriage of their daughter Madge (Marjorie Love Findlay) to Max Duthie in 1946. The woman on the left is Mrs. Duthie (not sure of her first name), the mother of the groom. 


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Source: Photos in the personal possession of AD. Thank you for sharing!