When I was a young girl, my dad would make hand cranked ice cream. While he cranked it, mom would tell my brothers and I stories of the "good ole days"! Now, with both mom and dad in Heaven, this brings back very special memories that I can tell my kids and grandkids.

Here in the New Orleans the Italian stuffed artichoke is a favorite during the holidays. This savory cheesecake spread has all those wonderful flavors in an easy and beautiful presentation for a party appetizer. Just serve with a basket of toasted thin slices of french bread or assorted crackers. Stand back and wait for the compliments.

Pro-life pastor Rick Warren will give the invocation at President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration. It makes a whole lot of sense. Even though Warren and Obama disagree on the life issue, they do see eye to eye on many social justice issues.

I remember as a child going to her mother's, Grandmother Rosie, where there always was a plate of these cookies in the center of the kitchen table inviting everyone to sample. Grandmother Lillie, my father's mother, made these as well. She kept them in a big round tin box in the spare bedroom. When she brought them out they were cold, but still so delicious.