A Family Dream "Grandma Myrtle's"

 This big old house that was built in the early 1900's by my husband's great grandfather is full of history and rich with a legacy.  It's the home where my husband's grandfather Art grew up from the age of 4.  Art married Myrtle, and they had  3 daughters.  Helene and her sisters Dori, and Marcy were all born and raised here.  Helene, and her husband Norman had 5 children, my husband is one of them.  They too, were all born and raised in this big old house that is simply, and lovingly called "the farm".  Helene and Norman still live here today. 

Art & Myrtle Ryen

Wedding day August 29, 1936

This beautiful view of Bromseth lake is one we all love  when we visit the farm.  One of our favoite pastimes as a large family with many siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, young and old, is to sit out on the deck and enjoy conversation, food, and the peaceful setting of the lake.  Over the years we've watched children grow, get married, have children of their own....we've had reunions, Birthday parties galore, and every holiday imaginable. It's also how Grandma Myrtle's came to be.  Our vision started right here...overlooking the lake on a warm spring day.

Myrtle Ryen was the epitome of hospitality and gracious living.  I never had the privilege to meet her as she passed away when my husband was only 8 years old.  But even today you will find people throughout this community who knew her and still talk about what a special woman she was.  Grandma Myrtle had a strong faith in God and believed in living out that faith by serving others whole heartedly and with joy.  She was well known for her generous heart, giving of her time, her home,  and anything she had that would bless someone.  She would share at ladies' Bible studies, she would visit the sick and take in the stranger who was down on his luck.  She was the hands and feet of Jesus in the most beautiful and practical ways.   And Grandma Myrtle was downright famous around here for her wonderful cooking!  Her recipes were that of legend at church potlucks and summer picnics.  Her daughter Helene, who happens to be my mother-in-law,  has not only passed down these recipes from generation to generation she is quite a kitchen diva herself!! 

We are entering the 5th generation of people to be eating the delicious recipes of our dear Grandma Myrtle.  As a family we knew there was something special.  Helene would actually get phone calls periodically from people.  Those calls always went something like this. "Hello..my great uncle was a farm hand for your mother Myrtle many years ago..and he used to talk about this amazing syrup.  We used to have the recipe but lost it...can we get it from you?"  This didn't just happen once...but on many different ocassions we were asked for her recipes for one thing or another.  So after a few years of talking, dreaming, thinking, planning, we launched Grandma Myrtle's Specialty Foods & Gifts in the fall of 2009. 

Four generations!  Great Grandma Helene, Grandma Vicki,  "Meemaw"

Mommy Nicki, and baby Gracie!!

Grandma Myrtle's is growing quickly and we are excited to see where our family's dream takes us.  Right now we have several products with many more to follow in the coming months and years.  We have a pretty big vision and are taking the steps, one at a time to see it unfold.  We currently make all of our own products in a commercial kitchen that we rent.  However, we're in negotiation with several co-packing facilities so we can increase our capabilities. We currently sell in our local stores and online. We have some regional and national chain store contracts on the horizon.  We're right on the cusp of that next level.  It can be tricky to manage growth at the right pace...but we're doing it and going full steam ahead.  It's been such a great learning experience for us as a family and we are continuing to learn as we keep taking the next steps.

My hubby's sister Debbie, doing what she does best...

Mixin' up that Grandma Myrtle's Sloppy Joe Mix! 

The legacy that Grandma Myrtle left for my husband's family is being passed on to our children and our children's children.  Her faith in God, her service to people and her kindness is not forgotten.  We talk often about what she'd think of all this.  She'd probably think it was pretty funny!  I'm sure she'd be like any other woman and not like seeing her face on every jar of syrup and Tangy sauce.  But I also think she'd love knowing that her recipes, are still being enjoyed by so many.  She'd love that we are passing on her heritage of loving people, serving people, and giving them some really good, wholesome food from an era gone by.  Our companies' tag line is...

  "From our home to yours, make Grandma Myrtle's your family's traditon."

I love family traditions.  I feel really honored,  and blessed to be part of this family and be part of this great adventure we're on together. 

If you ever have questions, want to read more, or order some products there is a link on my homepage to our Grandma Myrtle's website.  Thanks for reading!!!