I learned to cook from my grandmother and my mother, so that is where I want to begin this cookbook. My grandmother was legally blind. She recognized all seven of her grandchildren and her children by our walks and our voices. Needless to say, she could not see the numbers or notches on measuring cups or bowls, but that did not hinder her from being a great cook. When people have asked me for recipes, it has always been hard for me because recipes require measurements, and I never saw anyone measure anything! I watched my mother and grandmother and my aunt Betty just smidgen and pinch their way right through the kitchen to countless great-tasting meals and desserts. This is one reason my cookbook has taken so long to produce. I had to start measuring! Not an easy thing to do when your natural instinct is to just go to the kitchen and start cooking. Life was hard for my granny, but she knew how to love her family despite all her struggles and believe me, she had plenty on her plate. Granny loved her family, and she made sure that all of us understood the importance of family. She kept us all close. One important way Granny kept the family close was through meals. We always had Sunday dinners and holiday meals together. Cooking was her love language with her family. Granny was proof that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. When we love something that we do so much and the people that we do it for even more, then most all things are possible. Granny passed this down to my mother, to me, and to the rest of her family. I can see her in my mind's eye standing over her kitchen counter, with a kitchen towel hanging over her shoulder, cooking and pouring herself a cup of coffee with her thumb inside the cup so she knew when her cup was full. I am blessed to have family who are so much more to me than just relatives. They are some of my dearest friends. My sister, Bea, and I, my cousins Vickie, Terri, Glenda, and Rena, along with my granny, momma, and aunt Betty all used to get together at Aunt Betty's house on each of our birthdays. We shared food and lots of love and laughter. Now that my grandmother and mother have passed away, we don't celebrate birthdays the same, but we still try to celebrate each other's birthdays together. Being a close family was important to her, and it is important to all of us. I hope you enjoy reading the little stories in the cookbook and enjoy making and eating the recipes. Live. Love. Laugh. And cook!