Oh man - my mom came from a big Missouri farm family, and they were po'. So she grew up learning how to cook, and do the best possible with what they had to work with. As a young adult, she went to some cooking school and really honed her skills. By the time I came along in '56 she was pretty damn good at it. Dad was an electrical contractor and it took a few years before he was really successful, but mom always had what she needed for the kitchen. To say we had plenty of calories is an understatement! We didn't eat fancy, but we ate well and it was always homemade. No wonder I'm a fat boy.

She made a chicken and dumpling dish with big, fat, thick homemade noodles in it that was to die for! Some simple cabbage, potato and pork stuff in the crockpot that I still dream about. Spaghetti and homemade meatballs and sauce. Her SOS was made with tuna, and just killer. And the cakes, pies and cobblers - jeezus.....

So much, this really brings back some memories.