In article , "The
Goods" wrote:

A little background he

My mother-in-law has made a lovely white fruitcake for years. In
fact, it was a country fair prize winner. For several years I have
repeatedly asked her for the recipe, especially because my oldest son
(HER grandson) likes it and I would like to have it to pass on to him
(you know - "here's your grandmother's beloved fruitcake recipe",
etc.). Well, for reasons known only to her, she just smiles
(smirks?) and says nothing (ok, maybe there are some issues here).
Imagine my surprise when her other daughter-in-law (the "favorite")
announced to me recently that MIL gave her the recipe ages ago (and
no, I will not ask SIL for the recipe - more issues). Okay, I give
up.

Oh, heck -- you quitter! Are you ever with the two of them at the same
time? That would be the perfect opportunity to ask MIL, in SIL's
presence, why she gave it to her and will not give it to you. She might
have a reason. She might squirm. She might give you the recipe. She
might ban you from her home (maybe not a bad thing). Hell, tell her
you'll sign a paper saying you won't post it to a Usenet cooking group;
have it notarized.

In family things like this, I go with the folks who say that if it's
your husband's relative, he should be the one to 'deal' with them.
Couldn't he do a credible job of groveling with Mumsie to get the recipe
so his little darling won't be deprived of the yummily delicious treat
when Granny croaks?

Thanks for any help. You may just avert a family crisis.

Or stir the pot. :-) HTH.

Jan
--
-Barb
www.jamlady.eboard.com
"If you're ever in a jam, here I am."