"Our Family of Foods," A Cookbook for the Generations, by Barbara Herron Matzigkeit is a collection of favorite family recipes, genealogy, and recollections. During the author's growing-up years the kitchen was the center of the home. She watched and learned the art of food preparation from the two preceding generations, cooking with her mother, step-mother, grandmothers, aunts and contemporaries in the family. Because the Dairy where her father lived was the gathering place for all the family, she had the singular opportunity to learn from all the family's cooks. The care given to preparing the best food possible and the sacrifice of the time and effort required showed love within the family. The spiritual dimension of sharing both food and lives was experienced at the table. This inspired the author to strive for excellence as a cook herself. She also realized the importance of passing on this heritage. For the most part, the recipes found in "Our Family of Foods" are for everyday fare, the cuisine of a lot of country kitchens. You will find foods to prepare daily for your family that are tasty and healthful. The recipes have the virtue of not being overly complicated and demanding too much effort in an already busy life. The recollections which accompany each recipe are particularly personal to the family. However, one will also find some helpful cooking tips. This conversation with any who use the cookbook was spontaneous, what one would say as a recipe is shared. Although the original motivation for "Our Family of Foods" was a loving gift to the author's children, that gift is extended to any who find its contents helpful.