I asked some friends on Facebook to share some memories of cooking with their parents while growing up or cooking with their kids when they were young. I got some fabulous stories. I heard everything from the joy of baking Christmas cookies together each year to being tormented by siblings while cooking. These are cherished memories that stick with you for your whole life.

I didn’t cook much at home until I was in my 7th grade Home Economics class. We made a delicious braided-cinnamon bread and I wanted to try it at home. It became a favorite and I made it many more times. We ventured a little further and took a cooking class together at the local technical school. That was great. I was 14 and the only “kid” in the class. I loved it and learned so many good tips.

My husband is a great cook. He helped a lot in the kitchen growing up and has a good sense of what goes together well. I’ve learned a lot from him. Cooking and food do make some of the most memorable times. I’ll never forget the time when he was making lentils in pressure cooker. Not having much experience with the pressure cooker, I was concerned that it would explode. He assured me there was nothing to worry about. Wouldn’t you know, this was the time, it actually did explode? We had lentils everywhere and it was quite a job to clean up. The newer models of pressure cookers actually have a safety valve so that doesn’t happen.

When we talk about upcoming camping trips, the kids always ask about making s’mores and roasting marshmallows. At Christmas, they enjoy baking and decorating cookies and can’t wait until it’s time to make the gingerbread houses. It wouldn’t be movie night without popcorn.

When your kids are grown, what will they remember?