Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother also brought her amazing sense of wonder and curiosity into the kitchen. She was an incredible cook because she was not afraid to try new things. She had learned her love of cooking from her mother and, in turn, passed that on to each of her children. Mother could certainly turn out those classic 1960s casseroles expected of all housewives in her day. But, she also enjoyed experimenting with more complex dishes like chilled elderberry soup with creme fraiche, grits wurst, a type of German breakfast sausage, cream puffs made from pate au choux and vanilla custard, topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. These wondrously unexpected dishes stirred within her children a desire to learn more about cooking. In fact, Mother’s influence sparked my sister’s interest in culinary arts, and she is now a much-respected instructor in the field. And, today it’s not only the women in our family, but the men also, who take charge in the kitchen. Thanks to Mother, we all now have a sense of adventure when it comes to cooking, planning meals, and sharing new delights around the family table.