About

A Spoonful of Love: Recipes and Memories of our Mudder

This website is more than just a collection of recipes; it's a celebration of a life lived with love, resilience, and the simple joy of good food. It's a tribute to a remarkable woman, a mother, and a baker whose heart was as warm as her oven.

Our mother Lynn Shane, or “mudder” as she was wont to refer to herself as, grew up in the heart of Allegany, New York, in a large, loving family where resourcefulness was a way of life. Born into modest circumstances, she learned the invaluable art of transforming simple ingredients into comforting, soul-satisfying meals. In a household of nine children, where every meal was a shared experience, the kitchen became the heart of their home.

The fertile lands of Allegany provided the foundation for their family's meals, and our Mudder learned to coax flavor from the freshest produce and the humblest ingredients. While she was a skilled cook, her true passion lay in baking. Her desserts were legendary – expressions of pure love and generosity. From golden apple pies to melt-in-your-mouth cookies, she baked for every occasion, big or small, sharing her creations as a way to brighten someone's day or simply to say, "I care."

For Mom, cooking was her love language. It was how she connected with others, expressed her deepest emotions, and left a lasting impression. This website is a preservation of her legacy, a collection of the treasured recipes she gathered over a lifetime, each one a story in itself.

Here, you'll find more than just ingredients and instructions. You'll discover the secrets behind her famous strawberry rhubarb pie pie, the warmth of her holiday cookies, and the comforting sweetness of her decadently chocolate Texas Sheetcake. Each recipe is a glimpse into her life, a taste of her love, and a reminder of the power of food to bring people together.