Whenever someone in the family talks of cookies my Mother's name is almost always mentioned. Very few times did we boys not head for the cookie jar after closing the front door. And it was first come first serve. This routine was passed on to our wives and the children. We did make the kids say hello to Grandma and Grandpa first. As the family grew, the cookie jar became the cookie jar and cookie tins. I can not remember a family gathering that my Mother did not bring some of her famous cookies. She usually brought several kinds, because everyone had a favorite kind. It was My older brother that had the idea to substitute raisins instead of chocolate chips, because he wasn't that fond of chocolate. These also became a favorite of mine. all three of us Boys had our own cookie jar. My older brother would always offer the cookies from our jars to visitors and keep his hidden in the corner. As kids, we would have carnivals in the neighborhood. One of the best money makers were my Mother's cookies. The other Mother's would send their kids to buy cookies first and take them home and then return to the carnival. Sometimes I would sell cookies on the sidewalk in front our our house to neighborhood kids. Mrs. Home was my best customer. It always solved her problem what to serve for dessert. This also embarrassed Mother to have the neighbors buying her cookies. Now whenever we use one of her recipes, we ask our kids "do these taste like Grandmas?" the answer is always "close, but not quite". For anyone who did not have the pleasure of eating one of my Mother's cookies, these recipes will help you come close to that treat. Her cookies were the BEST ....... Trust me.
