I was fortunate to have been raised in a house at the end of a cul-de-sac on a quiet street.  We had neighbors but, not without a fair amount of woods in between homes.  Mom loved our house; our private hideaway.  In the kitchen she found comfort and, when sick, took refuge.  She often cooked for parties and graciously hosted momentous occasions in our yard.  Even when the weather turned colder, she’d transform our carport into a make shift freezer.  In the dead of winter, she could be seen outside in her winter coat, using our grill to cook … [Read more...]