My mom also baked constantly. She grew up in a small Midwestern town and spent copious amounts of time in church basements with her dozen (or so) aunties. They even have a family cookbook compiled in the '80s -- she bought extra copies for my sister and me. There could be many stories, but there is one I have in my head today. Less than a year ago I moved across the country from my mom, but when I made her gingersnap recipe last month my kitchen smelled just like Christmas at home. It was the fourth or fifth time I'd made those cookies but the first time I got them right, because she doesn't actually follow the recipe, of course.

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