This collection of recipes is dedicated to my children who have asked for the details and recipes of the foods and meals they have enjoyed over the years. For the years of cooking and baking I give credit to my Italian mother who never let us leave the house without eating something first. That something was always the equivalent of a full meal. My daughters have been fortunate to learn the secrets of homemade pasta and ravioli from my mom. At 81 she still makes the ravs and noodles that we all love. My grandfather and father owned a meat market back in the day. Along with Italian specialties, my mother could cook a great roast, steak or anything dad brought home.  Spaghetti sauce in some form found its way into many dishes. And although I never knew him, my paternal grandfather was a baker. I sometimes think his spirit was kept alive by the sweets baking in the house. There was always something sweet tempting and calling my name. I would eat dessert first every time if I could. This blog is dedicated to my children and all the family members – mostly Italian who have influenced my love for cooking – especially my Mom.