With Gratitude

 By Joan Ricketts Locke

When this project began, I had no idea that we had so many excellent cooks with such a variety of cooking styles.  The editing process of the cookbook revealed so much to me about the recipe authors.  Reading back over their recipes afforded me the opportunity to see personalities emerge through the author’s recipe.  All of these wonderful, creative folks enjoyed cooking as much as I did.

The James Walter and Hattie Case Ricketts Family 1949

To all of the recipe authors, I thank you for your contribution to our family cookbook.  It is with great hopes that you will treasure these recipes for years to come, and continue to share them with future generations.  

I offer a huge thank you to all the folks who have taken the time to "journey along with me," as I entered the cookbook online. I hope you will continue to enjoy "The Ricketts Family Cookbook."  Your comments and messages regarding the cookbook were sincerely appreciated.  Your words of kindness and support of this endeavor inspired and cheered me on during this six-and-a-half month process.

The W.T. Ricketts Family 1986

One of the reasons for the lengthy time placing the cookbook online was to prepare most recipes at home and take photos of each one.  

As I have enjoyed making and tasting these recipes it occurred to me that the recipe authors, my family, well…these folks can cook!  As you sample these recipes and share them with other folks, I think you will discover the cooking talents of our family. With recipes spanning generations, you will taste the differences.  As time moves forward…so do cooking methods.  From tried and true old fashioned tastes to the bright, fresh new pop of flavor that the newer generation of cooks offer.

Grandma Louise and her Grandchildren
in 1998  (missing Chris)

Grandad Ricketts and his grandchildren 
2008   (missing Christina)




                                                                                           

The Ricketts Family and their extended family members greatly thank you for stopping by.  We hope you enjoy our recipes.  

We have one more recipe to share...

 Gather your loved ones together, prepare some of our favorites, and cook some of your own favorite dishes.  Make an effort to seat everyone at the same table. Give thanks for your bounty and the wonderful folks you will share this meal with. Most of all listen!  Listen to the clatter of dishes being passed around the table, the voices of folks you love, their laughter, and their unique stories.  Cherish the time spent with your family.  

As Dad says, (a phrase he fondly remembers from Red Skeleton),

“May God Bless!”

BIOGRAPHIES

  WILLIAM THOMAS RICKETTS, SR.

"W. T."

William Thomas Ricketts
born the ninth child of
Hattie Case and 

James Walter Ricketts Sr.

 Born in the family home on 

Old Hundred Road, Barnesville, Maryland
and lived there until he was
15 years of age.

Married to
Margaret Louise Pumphrey 

on June 11, 1949.  They were married for 59 years.  

Five children:  Rosie, Joan, Terry, Billy and Buddy. 

Nine grandchildren 

fourteen great-grandchildren.

As a General Contractor by trade, Dad built homes throughout Prince Georges, Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County, Calvert County, to name a few.

Raised a country boy, one of ten children, on a 600 acre farm, farming is definitely deep in his roots.  Since retirement, Dad enjoys gardening, raising cattle, growing crops,

 repairing and renovating farm tractors and equipment.  He has shared this knowledge with all of his children.  Even his neighbors stop by often to gather some wisdom, advice, and occasional good joke from Dad on gardening and life in general.

 Dad can cook, but he is much better at giving directions

 on "how to cook!"  He enjoys sweets, especially the ones 

Momma use to make, but today he monitors his intake due to diabetes. Though many try to recreate Momma's recipes for Dad, he will thank you for the effort, but promptly tell you, "No body can duplicate Momma's cooking, absolutely nobody."

Topping the list of importance to Dad is "Family." 

 Dad offers his home full of love and wisdom, listening ears and understanding, constructive criticism and strength.  He ensures that "The Farm," home, is a truly safe haven,a place for spending time with loved ones at Christmas and all year long.

Dad's strong belief in God is always evident to all.  He thanks our Father at every meal, and at every night his recital of "The Lord's Prayer" stays forever on the hearts of those who listen.  

He will forever miss Momma and their life shared together. Until he rejoins her in the years to come, well...we'll all continue to be blessed with his wisdom, humor, generosity and love.

BIOGRAPHIES

  SALLY "PEARL MAE" LOWERY ROBERTS

Sally was born Pearl Mae Lowery.  Daughter to Mary Katharine Ricketts

 and Charles Loring Lowry. .

Married to Howard (Herbie) Roberts.  Three children:  Denny, Tanya Sue

 and Tim. 

Sally was a nurse and was close friends/cousins with Dorothy Ricketts (Dad, W.T. Ricketts' sister).  She was the private duty nurse to her Grandpap, Ernest Porter Ricketts,

 when he was in Suburban Hospital.  When Sally and 
husband, Herbie retired, they moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Sally's mother, Mary Katherine Ricketts Lowery, was 

James Walter Ricketts sister.

It is clear from all the wonderful recipes which Sally shared 

for the cookbook, that she loves to cook.  Thank you Sally for allowing us to enjoy recipes from your Mother, Katie, and from your kitchen as well!

BIOGRAPHIES

MARY THERESA RICKETTS REDELL

 "TERRY"

Mary Theresa , "Terry",

 born the third child, third daughter to

 Margaret Louise Pumphrey and 

William Thomas Ricketts.

Married to Louis R. Redell on 
August 26, 1972 

  Two children: Wendy Sue Redell Binkley and Richard Aaron Redell
  two grandchildren.

Terry  loves cooking and feeding her husband, Louie. In fact,

Terry enjoys cooking so much that she started her own cooking blog.  She shares her favorite recipes and weaves a story to go along with each one.  Dad has tutored and labored right along side of Terry and Louie teaching them gardening skills. This past year they raised a half acre garden.  She spent countless hours canning vegetables, enough to feed an army!  There's just no stopping her...she's off to an event to sell her goods and share some stories.

Terry's interests include swimming, decorating, crafts, ancestry research, gardening and spending time with her family. 

In Terry's words: " I was put on this earth to be Louie's wife and Wendy and Richard's mother. I've done my best to be a good wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend and an excellent grandmother!"

She loves to laugh, especially during a serious time.  When most people are crying… Terry laughs!

BIOGRAPHIES

   MARTHA REDDINGTON GORHAM

"MARTY"

Marty was born the only daughter, second child to  

Mary G and Francis J. Reddington 

(the liveliest Irish gentlemen, you would ever meet!)

Married Douglas K. Gorham

 June 17, 1972. 

 Two children:Catherine Michelle Cohrs 

and David Gorham,

 four grandchildren.

Joan brought Marty and Shelly home to meet Mom and Dad Ricketts in 1970. A  family bond was immediately established and she became an "adopted daughter."

  Marty loves to cook, swim, dance, travel, tell a good joke and live life to the fullest.  She takes life's bumps in her stride. Marty's an excellent cook and enjoys preparing meals for her family and friends.  Everyone in the Ricketts Family loves her Sausage Balls.

Marty is a true caretaker for all of her family and friends. She is always there to listen, pitch-in and give a helping hand.  Marty and Joan have solved many a problem with a hot cup of tea, glass of wine or an ice cold beer.  

She loves being a grandmother to her four grandchildren and has been the daily caretaker for two of them since her retirement.

 After twenty years working as an Admin. Assistant to the same lawyer, she retired.  Marty spends her time now…she says, "trying not to kill husband Doug after 40 years of marital bliss!"

.

BIOGRAPHIES

     MARGARET ROSE RICKETTS MENCER

"ROSIE"

Margaret Rose " Rosie" 

the first daughter, first child to 

Margaret Louise Pumphrey and

 William Thomas Ricketts, Sr.

Married to Norman Mencer 

on Nov. 20, 1970.  

Two children: Aprel Ann Mencer Greene

 and Christopher Mencer,

 four grandchildren.

Rosie loved life!  A devoted mother, wife, sister and daughter.  Always looking out for her family members and their well being. Her interests were teaching Sunday School and working for Queen Anne School.  She was adamant about her children attending church, Sunday School, and that they participated as good citizens in their community.

 Rosie loved cooking and creating new recipes.  She loved food!  She always brought a new taste treat home for her family to try.  Rosie was an active member of the Epiphany Church Women and the group would cater weddings and other events. You could always count on Rosie to bring a different jello salad to every occasion we celebrated. If the church ladies were trying something new...well so were we!!  

Her hobbies and interests consisted of painting, crafting and playing a good prank on you.  If one of her siblings were screaming with fright...not to worry...they had been pranked by "Sissy."

Sissy was the peacemaker in the family.  It just never mattered to her what happened, get it straightened out and get on with the business of living and loving your family!  Her motto:  "If you aren't living life to the fullest, you're taking up too much space!"

Sadly, Rosie passed away on 

October 23, 1992.  She would have loved being a "Grandma."

Our family will forever miss this wonderfully funny, mischievous,

kind, compassionate and loving woman! 

.

BIOGRAPHIES

       JOAN FRANCES RICKETTS LOCKE

"JOANIE"

Joan Frances "Joanie"  
born the second child, second daughter to Margaret Louise Pumphrey and 

William Thomas Ricketts, Sr. 

 

Married to Wayne D. Locke, June 27, 1980.   Mother of two children,
 Angela Dawn Locke Harper and
 Andrew Ronald Locke,

five grandchildren.

Joan loves spending time with her family in Midland, Virginia and at The Farm in Maryland.  When Momma passed away in 2008, Joan began her "every other week" trips to Maryland to help out Dad.  You just never know what new adventure Dad has in mind when she gets there.  One time it was a trip to Barnesville, Maryland to visit Dad's first home.  Another trip Dad told Joan "we're off to visit family."  Sounded exciting and it was, but they were all long ago deceased folks. Visited a lot of cemeteries. Nice trip to catch up on some ancestry though!

 Her interests include cooking and baking, playing the piano, reading, raising cattle, gardening (vegetables and flowers) canning vegetables, refinishing furniture, compiling research for family history and Grandkids!  

She feels, "Grandkids…it's a whole new kind of love!  These little folks are the spark of life you've almost forgotten when your own children grow up and move away from home.  Life is a blessing and so are Grandchildren...all five of them!"

Joanie says, "I am blessed to have Wayne as a husband.  All my travels home to Maryland keeps me from home in Virginia.  I just wanted to share of his love and support, for he never complains of how much or how often I'm gone...just a welcoming hug when I return!"
 

 

BIOGRAPHIES

  JENNIFER MENCER

"JENNY"

Jennifer born to Daniel Anton Smith Sr., 

and Mary Jeannette Grimes.

Jennifer and Christopher Mencer were married on Feb. 16, 2001. 

Three children: Kassandra Rose, 

Jordan Thomas and Tyler.

Jennifer is a Tupperware Consultant and enjoys meeting people.  She also is a Consultant for "Simply Said Designs."

She loves her family and is a very supportive wife and caring mother.  One has to admire her "fuss-free" style.  When something happens, she usually laughs, handles the situation and gets on with life.  Most of her time is spent with her three children. You just never know what new story Jenny is going to share about her boys.  They keep her on her toes for sure!

 Jenny has made a "Blue Ribbon" hit with this family serving her Macaroni and Cheese.  Thanksgiving Dinner at The Farm just wouldn't be the same without Jenny's Mac-n-Cheese, especially for

Uncle Wayne!!  

BIOGRAPHIES

   GEORGE WALTER RICKETTS

"BUDDY"

 

George Walter "Buddy" born the fifth child, second son to Margaret Louise Pumphrey and William Thomas Ricketts, Sr.

Married to Elizabeth Tetlow,

 Sept. 9, 1989.

One daughter, Christina Michelle Ricketts,

 two step-sons, Matt and Shawn Bohrer,  Seven grandchildren.

Buddy is a retired General Contractor, a trade he learned from Dad.  He is also a generational farmer, raising steers and the crops to feed them.  Bud and wife, Liz, raise a huge vegetable garden every year with Dad.

 

Buddy is a great cook.  His specialty is Ribs cooked on the grill. He is always eager to try out a new recipe and new seasonings.  

Relaxation and hobby time include watching football, baseball, boxing and Nascar races.  

He loves to fish, especially Perch.  

Bud is a devoted son to Dad, assisting with all of Dad's projects and helping to maintain The Farm.  

.

BIOGRAPHIES

     ELIZABETH TETLOW RICKETTS

"LIZ"

Married Buddy Ricketts on 

Sept. 9, 1989

Two sons:  Matt and Shawn Bohrer,

 Step-daughter, Christina Ricketts,  

Seven grandchildren

Liz loves her family and she loves to feed her family great food.  She is a good old-fashioned cook, yet she throws some modern twists on some old recipes. Though she didn't share her recipe for yeast rolls in the cookbook, this gal cooks the best yeast rolls in Southern Maryland!

 Liz is one of the hardest working ladies around.  Dad says, "there isn't a lazy bone in that girl's body!"  She is a devoted caretaker for her entire family, but most especially for our Daddy and her chickens!  She awakes every morning at 4:30 am so she can tend to her chickens before leaving for work.   Now that's dedication!!

.

BIOGRAPHIES

    CHRISTINA MICHELLE RICKETTS

TAYLOR

Christina Michelle Ricketts born the only child to 

Theresa Collins and 

George Walter Ricketts

Christina and Jeff Taylor are blessed with son, Bailey Thomas Taylor, daughter, Lauren Michelle Taylor and daughter Aurora Taylor.

Christina comes from two very large families, The Collins family (Mom, Theresa) and The Ricketts family.  Both Grandma Collins and Grandma Ricketts loved to cook, so cooking is in her DNA.
Growing up Christina spent a lot of time on the Ricketts Farm, helping with cattle, chickens and gardening.  She now enjoys raising her own garden.

Christina, Jeff, Bailey, Lauren and Aurora enjoy happiness in their home in Tampa, Florida.

.

BIOGRAPHIES

     MARGARET LOUISE PUMPHREY RICKETTS

Margaret Louise Pumphrey born the first child to

 Ethel Louise Farrell and Sidney Rector Pumphrey.

Married to William Thomas Ricketts, Sr. 

on June 11, 1949.  They were married  

59 years.  

Five children:

Margaret Rose (Rosie), 

Joan Frances (Joanie), 

 Mary Theresa (Terry),  William Thomas, Jr.( Billy), 

and 

George Walter (Buddy),

 nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Momma loved her family with her whole heart.  She taught her family to celebrate life with her special traditions of all God's seasons.  Raising her children in the Episcopal Church was a priority for Momma.  

No truer act of giving was shown than by Momma's generosity to others.  Her love and laughter shown brighter than any gift that comes wrapped in paper, 

for gifts from 

Momma 

were always…Gifts from her heart!

Momma passed away on August 30, 2008,  leaving a legacy of family traditions, recipes, a generous heart of giving and true spirit of life.

.

BIOGRAPHIES

  APREL ANN MENCER GREENE

Aprel Ann born the first child,
 only daughter to 

Margaret Rose Ricketts and Norman Walter Mencer.

Married to the late Ira Greene.

 Aprel has one daughter, Rose

Aprel loves cooking so much…she  is a baker by profession. 

 She has always enjoyed making her Mom, Rosie's, recipes. 

 One tradition she continues is making Quiche every Christmas morning.

Aprel and daughter, Rose, moved to Delaware in 2008 to live close to brother, 

Christopher Mencer and his family. 

 She loves to entertain, paint ceramics and make crafts. Aprel is a very active Mom participating in her daughter Rose's many activities.  Selling Girl Scout Cookies and camping  trips top the list!

.

BIOGRAPHIES

     ANDREW RONALD LOCKE

 

Andrew Ronald born the second child to 

 Joan Frances Ricketts and Wayne Dennis Locke.

Andrew has one son,
 Aaron Christopher Locke
and one daughter, Alexis Caroline Locke.

Andrew is a generational farmer by trade.  He owns and operates "Nightingale Farm" a full service company providing multi-tasking talents for custom hay, crop harvest, and crop management.  A former 4H and Angus Cattle showman, he gained educational experience and expertise working at local farms and in South Dakota, planting and harvesting crops.

He enjoys cooking.  His culinary skills increased during his  employment as a Firefighter in Loudoun County, VA. 
Andrew is a Virginia State Certified Firefighter and EMT and a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT at his hometown Fire Department for the past fifteen years.

 

He enjoys hunting so venison has become one of his culinary specialties.  Outside of the farming and fire department world, he enjoys raising cattle, four-wheeling, the beach, spending time with friends, family, but most especially his children.
 

Easter Sunday before Church
Andrew, Suzanna, Aaron and Alexis

.

BIOGRAPHIES

  OF OUR RECIPE AUTHORS

The following section contains biographies of the recipe authors.  

In our original version of the printed cookbook, pictures and biographies were provided for all recipe authors.  Most authors chose to participate in the online version with their recipes, but for personal privacy on the internet, requested not to have their biographies included.  We certainly understand and appreciate their request.

But for the rest of us....enjoy a quick glimpse of information about our lives.

VEGETABLES

    Some thoughts and info on veggies!

One bit of info regarding vegetables is a true fact passed on to us from Dad.  In order to enjoy vegetables as they were meant to be they should be washed just before cooking, cooked just after picking, and eaten just as soon as they are done cooking.  Dad isn't fond of leftover anything, especially vegetables.  The exception to that rule is: pickled beets, three bean salad, coleslaw, Momma's Candied Sweet Potatoes and Joan's Baked Beans.

Picking out vegetables:

Always choose the freshest vegetables available for cooking.  If the vegetable is old, perk it up with seasoning.  Try butter, fatback, herbs, spices and sauces.  Salting veggies just after they begin to cook will help firm up the veggies and help to retain color and flavor. 

Veggies are so versatile.  They can be eaten raw, cooked and served as a side dish, added to a casserole, baked with a roast, sweetened and used in a pie, cake, muffins, just to name a few ideas. 

Storing Vegetables:

Vegetables can be canned, frozen or stored fresh in your refrigerator for a period of time.  Some veggies should never be stored together.  Apples give off an ethylene gas that makes carrots bitter, and onions will speed up the spoilage of potatoes.

Cooking Vegetables:

Veggies can be: steamed, boiled, broiled, sauteed, stir-fried, baked, grilled, microwaved, fried, etc.   Whatever method you choose, read your recipe well before beginning.  Not all cooking methods will work for every vegetable.  One tip to remember in boiling veggies, as soon as they hit the water...they begin to lose nutrients.

Eat your veggies every day:

 Depending on the age of an individual, lends to the amount of veggies one should eat.  The recommended amount is 3 to 7 servings a day.  Remember vegetables provide a great deal of fiber which is needed in a healthy diet.  Also be mindful of the amount of sugar that each veggie contains, especially if you are diabetic.

Whichever vegetable you choose to add to your daily diet, choose a method of preparation that will enhance the flavor, maintain the vitamins and nutrients so you will continue to enjoy veggies every day!

VEGETABLES/MARINATED CARROTS

       BY: TERRY RICKETTS REDELL

Ingredients:

Marinated Carrots

5 cups carrots sliced
1 med onion sliced thin
1 green pepper chopped fine
1 cup sugar
1 10 oz. can tomato soup
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 cup vinegar
1 tsp. prepared mustard
1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Cook carrots slightly crisp, drain and cool.  Mix remaining ingredients and pour over carrots.  Stir, cover and marinate for 12 hours.

Keeps well.  Great to take to cookouts as it doesn't spoil easily.


"This recipe was given to Terry Redell by her sister-in-law, Vera Wilt."



Vera Redell Wilt, sister-in-law of
Terry Ricketts Redell





Photo of Aaron Locke holding his 2013 Carrots.

VEGETABLES/ LOUISE'S SWEET POTATOES

               BY: W. T. RICKETTS, SR. (Dad)

When Dad asked Joan if she added Momma's Sweet Potatoes to the cookbook, the answer was unfortunately "no."  So here you go Dad...Momma's recipe is now in the online version of the cookbook.  If you have leftovers, that's ok.  These sweet orange jewels are better the next day after sitting in the syrup.    We hope you enjoy!!







Ingredients:



Six (6) medium sweet potatoes

one (1) stick butter (or margarine)

3/4 cup brown sugar

 two cups Log Cabin syrup (more or less)

Cook, peel and quarter sweet potatoes.
(Dad now prefers his potatoes cut in 1" slices)

Place potatoes in a buttered casserole dish.

In a medium saucepan,
melt 1/2 stick butter and 3/4 cup
brown sugar.  Add one cup of syrup.
When liquid is heated thoroughly,
pour over sweet potatoes.
 This is where more or less comes in...
add more syrup, if needed, to just
 cover the sweet potatoes.

Dot sweet potatoes with butter pats and
place in oven at 350 degrees for 30 to 40
minutes.  Liquid should be bubbly.

This sweet candied side dish always graced
our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner table.
Sometimes we enjoyed them at Easter dinner
too!

The sweet potatoes were always too hot to
pass, so whoever sat in front of the sweet
potatoes served them to everyone.
The question of the server was always:

  "Want any syrup?"


Some special folks at "The Ricketts Family Thanksgiving 2011"






Can you find the Candied Sweet Potatoes??