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Arts & Entertainment

Local Cookbook Connects Families

The "Picture Me Cooking" cookbook created by four Richboro women is a big hit with children, parents and grandparents.

What do a pharmaceutical consultant, a banker, a chemistry teacher and a former Fortune 500 company employee have in common? Children and families who love to eat!

Back in 2005, four "bus stop" friends with school-aged children chatted about some of the great entrepreneurial ventures they had seen in the news over the years. One of them said she had always wanted to create a children's cookbook. That's how the four women decided to do exactly that.

After months of experimenting with recipes for "Picture Me Cooking," Maureen Petrie, Rebecca Dubas Rice, Amanda Coopersmith and Colleen Kennedy were official cookbook authors. Each of the 55 recipes in this combination cookbook/photo album has an heirloom-quality photo pocket where you can keep pictures of your kids creating recipes and memories.

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"Every Friday, we'd all get together and cook up recipes all day," Petrie said. "Back then, our kids' ages ranged from 3 years old to 13. The kids tested the recipes and served as the food critics, as well as models for the photos in the book."

The book has received a great deal of publicity. Nearly three years ago, the women garnered a spot on QVC. They have also appeared on NBC's Philadelphia affiliate.

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"So many memories happen in the kitchen," Petrie said. "Kids can learn about science and math as well as developing their senses of taste and smell. They feel proud of what they've made."

Some of the recipes are very simple, while others have a few more steps.

"Each recipe has a chef hat that denotes ease of cooking," she said. "Some recipes kids can do on their own, while others such as a chicken recipe would need a cooking buddy in the kitchen. Kids get more proficient the more they cook."

Part of the fun is taking pictures of the kids with their delectable creations.

"Memories are made in the kitchen. They feel empowered when they create something," she said. "The photos provide them with lifelong memories they can share with their own children."

Petrie encourages everyone to get into the kitchen and cook up some family fun this holiday season.

Here are a few holiday recipes from the website: Cranberry pie contains a base of cranberries and walnuts. Pumpkin cheesecake parfait contains pumpkin, vanilla pudding, sour cream and cream cheese. Banana Berry Smoothie, a super-quick recipe, contains cranberry juice, a banana, yogurt and frozen berries.

Think of all those memories at Grandma's house that involve tantalizing smells from the kitchen.

"Grandparents love the book," Petrie said. "Cooking is a great activity that they can enjoy together. The best part is that they get to enjoy the fruits of their labor."

You can purchase the book through Amazon as well as in several stores including Learning Express in Richboro and Newtown, Newtown Bookshop, and Milk Money consignment store in Newtown. In addition, Autism Cares sells the book as a fundraiser. For more information, please email: picturemecooking@comcast.net.

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