Let's Review - a cookbook

We all have tons of cookbooks. Some were handed down, others were wedding gifts. There's those that we just had to have! But how often do we use all of those books collecting dust? I find that I always go back to the same tried and true cookbooks every time while the others sit there, broken-hearted, thinking that I don't love them anymore. It just can't be helped ... when one has proven itself over and over, always faithful, you know that there's no going to any other. For me, the Company's Coming cookbooks by Jean Pare (pron. Perry) are my go-to books, every time. They're beautiful, with lots of color photos so I know what it's supposed to look like and she has great little tips throughout.
Company's Coming Most Loved Treats is one of my all-time favorites. Pare shares some of her best recipes from cakes to cookies, desserts, squares & bars as well as sweet snacks. Every book includes a measurement table for conversion and each recipe offers Nutritional Data which is especially helpful for those counting those dang calories or fat intake. Jean Pare also shares her story, which is an interesting read. I love her "golden rule of cooking" and it's a philosophy I've lived by in the kitchen as well, "never share a recipe you wouldn't use yourself." That's why I trust the Company's Coming cookbooks. The recipes are clearly written, use ingredients that are either already in the pantry or easy to get & the recipes work! Nuff said.

It's all about the aroma...remember the days of waking up early in the morning with the smell of homemade bread wafting through the house? Ah, there's really nothing like it - except perhaps for the shear pleasure of hacking off a thick slice of same bread (while still warm, of course) and smearing it with butter and molasses. As a mother I've always tried to create that same type of wonderful memory for my kids - no, I can't say that I faithfully get up before the birds to have fresh bread out of the oven before they go to school but they love to come home from school and before opening the door, they can smell that great aroma of chocolate chip cookies. All their friends think I'm "cool" because I actually bake my own goodies - who'da thunk - me, cool!
And there's no better way to share some quality time with a friend than over a cup of tea and a blueberry-lemon scone (it does NOT rhyme with phone, it really is pronounced SKON, it's a British thing and that's what they call it and so that's what it is, I'm not just trying to sound snobby).
So let's get acquainted. Let's share our favorite recipes, memories and experiences in the kitchen. Hopefully we can learn from each other and help each other along the way. After all, that's what friends are for. So come at sit at my kitchen table and I'll put the pot on while we wait for something delicious to come out of the oven!