Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Cookbook. Debbie Macomber

cooking and dozens of memorable meals. I hope these recipes will be as treasured in your family as they are in Charlotte’s (and in mine).

      It’s a privilege to share my own “kitchen heritage” with you—a heritage of good food and good times.

      Happy reading…and happy eating!

      Breakfast

      at 16 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD with

      Olivia Griffin

      I should begin by introducing myself in case we haven’t met before. I’m Charlotte Jefferson Rhodes and I’ve lived in Cedar Cove for much of my life. My beloved first husband, Clyde Jefferson (may he rest in peace), has been gone about twenty years now. We had two children—Will, our oldest, and Olivia Griffin (formerly Lockhart). Olivia lives in Cedar Cove and Will, now retired and divorced, recently moved back here. I remarried a few years ago, and Ben and I are very happy. There you have it—my personal history in one short paragraph.

      I’m going to take you around Cedar Cove and share recipes I’ve accumulated over a lifetime—recipes I’ve discovered or created and many that have been passed to me by family and friends.

      My daughter, Olivia, a big believer in the value of a nutritious breakfast, so I think it’s appropriate to start our journey of food and cooking at her house.

      I’ve noticed, and I’m sure you have, too, that children develop their own personalities very early in life. Even at the age of two, Olivia was an organized little girl. One day I found her in my closet straightening my shoes. At two! That same year at Christmas, she took charge of clearing away the wrapping paper.

      From the time she was three or four, Olivia decided she wanted to help me in the kitchen. I let her, although she couldn’t bear to crack an egg—for fear of dirtying her hands. She never licked a beater or a spoon, either. Several of the recipes I’ve included here are favorites of hers from childhood. Dishes she made herself from a young age. By the age of five, when Olivia started school, she could already read and do simple math. Clyde was convinced she’d grow up to become an engineer. Back then, there were few women in such professions and as her mother I dreamed lofty dreams for my daughter. But I never would’ve guessed she’d become a family court judge!

      In high school Olivia and her best friend, Grace, used to hang out at the Pancake Palace (established, as the sign proudly says, in 1950). In fact, the girls still meet there at least once a week. I replicated the Palace’s pancake recipe for Olivia because she liked it so much, and I included it here.

      Shortly after they graduated from high school, Grace married Dan Sherman, while Olivia went on to college, where she met Stanley Lockhart. I will say one thing, and only one thing, about my daughter’s ex-husband. Stan turned out to be a bitter disappointment—to Olivia, to the kids and to me. Enough said. I may not have a high opinion of Stan but he is, after all, the father of my grandchildren. The Sour Cream Coffee Cake you’ll find in these pages was one of his favorites, and it makes a nice addition to Sunday brunch.

      Soon after her marriage, my daughter had twins, Jordan and Justine, followed by younger brother James. Olivia had set her sights on obtaining a law degree and with her usual sense of purpose she pursued this, all the while juggling family responsibilities and numerous other commitments. Thinking back on those early years I stand in awe of her.

      I can hardly believe how much she accomplished—and how effortless she made it look.

      A few years later, Olivia was practicing law in Cedar Cove, and Stan was working in Seattle, taking the ferry into the city every morning and coming home at eight or nine in the evening. Efficient as ever, Olivia managed to keep the household running smoothly and still do well at her career. Then in August of 1986 our world was turned upside down. On a bright summer’s day, Jordan and Justine went to the lake. Jordan dove into the water, broke his neck and drowned.

      Olivia rarely mentions Jordan, although I know he’s always in her thoughts. The death of a child forever scars a mother’s heart. A grandmother’s, too.

      I was desperately worried about Olivia the year after Jordan’s death. At the same time, Stanley chose to announce that he wanted out of the marriage and quickly filed for divorce. As you can imagine, Justine and James both faltered under the weight of these losses. But even then Olivia held the family together. Thankfully, Grace was there for her. During that horrible year Grace was the one constant in Olivia’s life. I’d always liked her but that’s when she won my unflagging love.

      Despite the tragedy my daughter experienced, let me reassure you that Olivia’s story is by no means depressing. She became a judge when Justine was still in high school. I like to stop by the courthouse now and then to watch her in action. (Frankly, I get some of my best knitting done there!)

      A real turning point in Olivia’s life came when she met Jack Griffin almost ten years ago. If ever two people were polar opposites it would be Olivia and Jack. He’s the editor of The Cedar Cove Chronicle and about as disorganized as any man I know. The word slob must’ve been invented for him. He fell in love with Olivia so fast I still shake my head in wonder. I was delighted by their marriage, although it got off to a rocky start. Can you imagine my methodical, organized Olivia married to Jack? Still, their love is strong enough to allow them to compromise and they’ve figured out routines that work for both of them. Like eating a healthy breakfast. Jack used to grab a coffee and a couple of doughnuts on his way to work and call it breakfast. Olivia’s finally persuaded him to have some granola or her Good Morning Strawberry-Banana Smoothie instead.

      Remember Olivia’s little saying: The better your breakfast, the better your day!

      Good Morning Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

      C reamy and satisfying—a true morning treat. Want it sweeter? Increase the sugar by using flavored yogurt.

      Serves 1

      1 banana, cut into chunks and frozen at least 15 minutes

      1 cup frozen strawberries, blueberries or raspberries

      ¼ cup orange juice

      1 6-ounce container (¾ cup) nonfat plain yogurt

      1. In blender or food processor, combine banana chunks, berries and orange juice. Puree until blended. Add yogurt; purée until smooth. If needed, add more juice to achieve desired consistency.

      TIP

      Don’t throw out overripe bananas! Plan ahead for future smoothies; peel and freeze those black bananas in resealable plastic bags.

      Best Banana Bread

      T oasting walnuts add a nice crunch to this super-moist bread. Just spread the nuts out on a baking sheet and place in a preheated 350°F oven for 10 minutes.

      Makes 1 loaf

      1½ cups all-purpose flour

      1 teaspoon baking soda

      ½ teaspoon salt

      3 large very ripe bananas

      ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt

      ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for pan

      1 cup granulated sugar

      2 large eggs

      2 teaspoons vanilla extract

      1 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

      1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly butter bottom and sides of a