When I was 9 years old, Mom took me into the kitchen and asked me if I wanted to learn to cook, particularly bake. Of course I did and so she proceeded to show me how to make biscuits. She did not have a cookbook. All of the ingredients were in her head and so she told me I must keep them in my head too. The following week she taught me how to make yellow cake and so, too, I was to learn the ingredients and keep them in my head. (I suspect she taught the other 15 children in our family as even the boys are self-sufficient.)

As the years went by she taught me many things, but I've always remembered how to make biscuits and yellow cake. You, too, can make them and with the same loving touch Mom had. It is with great pride that I write these 2 recipes down direct from memory as Mom told them to me.

3 tsp. baking powder
2 pinches salt
2/3 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. milk

Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl; add shortening and mix with hands until crumbly. Make a well in the middle and add the milk all at once. Mix with a spoon. Dough should be soft. If not, add a little more milk. Roll out on floured board 1" thick. Cut out with cookie cutter or use a glass. Bake at 400 degrees for about 1/2 hour.