I love it when my parents come to visit. Even at my age (I’m thankful to be here, but you don’t need to know how long it’s been.), I still get presents every once in a while from them just because I’m the best daughter they’ve ever had. Just don’t tell my sisters. I look forward to their visits not because they bring gifts, which is pretty nice, but because it’s great family time and I enjoy watching my children interact with them. My parents adore their grandchildren and granddaddy makes for a great

punching bag, laughing toy and anything else they want him to be. When I was younger, I once described my dad as “crazy,” and he still gets a kick out of that.

My Dad brought the children books for school and I GOT A NEW COOKBOOK! I get gushy all over every time I think about it. When I was growing up, my mother used to do all of the cooking. My dad probably had it in him then, but his cooking talent wasn’t discovered, by me, until my mother starting working fulltime again. Since my dad was/is self employed, that left him at home with us more and the new chef in the house. He rose to the occasion and we would line up to eat his delicious food. My mother does a pretty good job too.

Well, take a look at my new book (shown above) and try not to be too jealous. I’m going to find something special to make and it will be featured in “What’s Cooking?” next week (Thursday). Yes, I’m back. My children are tired of eating peanut butter sandwiches.