Tupperware This recipe comes from Mom’s Tupperware-dealing days. I don’t remember them, but I heard that, when we were little, she took to selling Tupperware to earn some extra money in the evenings. I suspect she also liked to have a party to go to; but, whatever the reason, this coffee cake was a good thing to come out of her experience. The other good thing was an endless supply of Tupperware— although, when divvying up chores after dinner, matching a top and bottom was a job equivalent in labor to doing the dishes. -Nikki Note: this refers to the "Sour Cream Coffee Cake" on page 38. Tupperware cabinet

	Bad Words Dear Diary: Sometimes, I hear bad words. My friends’ older brothers might say them. Or Dad might say one when we are in the other room, but I hear him. He doesn’t know. I’m only in kindergarten, but I have good ears, and I can tell the difference between a good word and a bad word. People say bad words when they’re mad. I can’t say them, or else I get in trouble. I’d always wished I knew what these bad words meant. Until today. Now I know. I’m really embarrassed which is why I’m telling you, because I know you won’t tell anyone. But I learned what the "f" word means. I would spell it out, but I don’t want you to get mad at me. ‘Cause whenever I heard this word, I never knew what it meant, so I wanted to find out. So I did something that lots of my friends might think would get me in trouble. But Mom is good about this stuff, and she knows lots, so I decided to ask her. You see, when Nikki wasn’t there, and neither was Dad, I went to talk to Mom in the kitchen while she was making dinner. She is pretty calm when she’s in the kitchen, ‘cause that’s her favorite place to be. I tried making conversation, but got nervous. So, I just asked her what it meant. And she told me. She didn’t laugh or anything. She just told me. I didn’t say much, but that sure answered my question. She asked if there was anything else, and I said no. We had a real grown-up talk. -Brian Apples and Peanut Butter Snack made by Mom after coming home from school

	July 21st Just before Mom died, she told us that she wanted us to celebrate her birthday instead of the day she died. So, since then, we have all tried to honor this wish. Her friends in San Diego have a gathering each year. I make sure to eat with friends and serve something she made or liked. When I first moved to San Francisco, I had a dinner party and made Spinach Soufflé. I had forgotten how much I missed eating this meal. It was a staple, and one of my favorites. Needless to say, it was a huge hit and the party really turned into a celebration of life, just like Mom wanted. -Nikki Note: this refers to the "Spinach Souffle" recipe on p 83. She loved to drive around San Diego with the top down