It is amazing @ginger how certain scents of feelings can elicit such strong memories. A number of years ago, early in my marriage, we went to a restaurant in Boston. When they brought the bread basket and I had a roll it had exactly the same taste like the bread from the bakery we loved! On some cold, brisk days when I am outside walking, I am transported to walking around Aspen at night. Just such a strong association I guess.

My mother was a great cook too but unlike me, she didn't try new things. She was very narrow in the desserts she made, but they were all delicious. When I was first married we would spend a lot of the summer weekends at our rustic camp in Maine and my husband's daughter and son would be there. I always made a German chocolate cake for her because it was her favorite. It is delicious but it is a bit labor-intensive and fairly expensive to make if I recall correctly. I haven't made one for years now.

I think my favorite dessert was a fudge cake she made occasionally. You could only have a small piece, but it was delicious. I have made it but it has not been a big hit with my kids.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon making cookies to bring across the street and send some to my daughter -- St. Patrick's Day sugar cookies and white chocolate almond brownies for my daughter and her husband too. My cookies do not get fancy, just colored sugar.

So, Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone if I am not on tomorrow.
JK