I always keep a close watch on bananas that are getting overripe, wondering what muffins or cakes I might make when I get two or three too far gone for anyone to eat.

Mothers do so many things for their families every day, it seems a shame that Mother’s Day comes only once a year. I decided to keep the celebration going all month, starting with these elegant little Lemon Clove Cookie Sandwiches.

During March my son Kyle and I joined friends on a cruise of the Mexican Riviera. It was a wonderful escape from the snow and cold of Minnesota. While on the cruise I enjoyed taking a tour of the ship’s kitchen. It was during the tour that I discovered that most of the beautiful and delicious desserts served on board were actually made from scratch right there on the ship.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and visions of pumpkins are swirling around in my head. Questions, really … Should I make a classic pumpkin pie for this year’s feast or something new and exciting? When I found the recipe for Pumpkin Cake Roll, I decided on the latter.

I love to dig into a good book, and over the years I’ve found friends, family and co-workers who feel the same. We share laughs, our ideas and our recommendations. And though it’s fun to discuss books casually, this love of reading has often made me wish that I could be part of an official book club. The opportunity just never arose… until now. At the end of this summer I thought, “Why don’t I start my own book club?” So, I gathered some friends, we set an autumn start date and our literary society began. First things first: we voted on a kick-off book – a memoir from a local Holocaust survivor (a fascinating story, by the way). Then came the next crucial question, “what will we do for food?”

I can’t eat a piece of carrot cake without thinking of my sister. Ever since I can remember, she has chosen to have a homemade carrot cake for her fall birthday. I should mention she is my older (and only) sister. I like to remind her that she will always be the older one, even though we are only 20 months apart.