When she arrives in Toms Brook, Kendra discovers the warmth and friendship of her neighbors, as well as their fabulous country cooking, guaranteed to put back the pounds she lost in the hospital.
Cissy Claiborne is young but already an accomplished cook and famous for her biscuits, which she brings for Kendra to enjoy.

CISSY'S BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 teaspoons white sugar (If you add more, these are good for shortcake)
1 stick unsalted butter
3/4 cup buttermilk (shake well before pouring)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 C).

In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. With two knives or a pastry cutter chop butter until crumbly. Add buttermilk and stir gently just until mixed. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead just until it holds together. Handle the dough as lightly and briefly as you can to keep it flaky and tender.

Cut into 12 round biscuits with a floured drinking glass or biscuit cutter and place on an ungreased baking sheet. (Cissy uses an insulated pan to guarantee these won't brown too much on the bottom). An easier alternative is to transfer the dough to the baking sheet, roll into a 6"x6" square, and make two cuts in one direction, three in the other, dividing the dough into twelve pieces. Don't separate.

Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Separate into biscuits if necessary, and serve hot.

Cissy serves hers with honey. Or if you slice and add good quality country or smoked ham, you have Virginia ham biscuits, a staple in the Old Dominion state. Emilie likes honey mustard with her ham biscuits.

Helen Henry, an elderly neighbor and master quilter, doesn't cook much anymore. Now that Cissy and her family live with her, Helen eats well without turning on the stove. But Helen's macaroni and cheese is well known at church potlucks, and when Kendra moves into the cabin Helen brings a pan for her to enjoy.

There's some speculation that macaroni and cheese was first created by Virginia's own Thomas Jefferson, who served it in the White House in 1802. Was there anything this Virginian couldn't do?

HELEN'S OLD FASHIONED MACARONI AND CHEESE
(serves 4 as a main dish)

8 Ounces elbow macaroni—try one of the whole grain macaronis for extra flavor
1 ½ cups grated cheese (Helen uses American, Emilie uses sharp cheddar)
3 Tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper
½ cup milk
1 egg
1-2 slices of buttered bread, crumbled. (Try day-old whole grain.)

Boil macaroni in salted water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.

Beginning with macaroni, make several layers in a greased 2 quart baking dish: Macaroni, cheese, bits of butter, sprinkles of salt and pepper.

Whisk egg and milk together and pour over the top; sprinkle with buttered bread crumbs.

Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes, or until cooked through

As extras, add layers of chopped ham, tomatoes, sautéed peppers, or bacon. Imagination is a wonderful thing.