The Books in Grandma's Hands

Thanks to the teachers in Red Cedar Writing Project (Arlene and Vicki, in particular), I have been introduced to two books I definitely want to have on this grandma's bookshelves when our first grandchild comes along. I wonder whether there are others that you would recommend...

Grandma's Cookin'

Do you have some fond memories of your grandma's cooking? As you can tell from the short story I offer here, I sure do! Sometimes I lament how fast cooking is today...anticipation was always part of the pleasure of eating at Grandma's table. The sounds, sights, and smells preceded the tastes!

One new cookbook I've been using lately is Church Suppers. I always thought as a kid growing up in the Church of Christ that the women in the church brought their "best game" to church dinners. My life in the United Methodist church has only confirmed that conclusion.

Are there cookbooks that you recommend?

I'm in Charge of Celebrations!

I still remember the time when a friend recommended the children's book, I'm in Charge of Celebrations, and I felt like I had finally found a way to define my role as Meg and Matt's mother--I was in charge of celebrations (I think I was successful in teaching them to be independent celebrators, though. It's best, I think, if we're each in charge of the celebrations in our own lives).

The hubbub of daily life can so easily make us forget to celebrate the hear and now. So...how do you celebrate the hear and now? And who is in charge of celebrations in your life? And what did you do to celebrate the 4th of July? Or to make other holidays real celebrations?