Brain Dead in the Burbs and Cooking Your Way Back to Sanity: A Memoir

Laura Edwards-Ray, St. Louis wife and mother of two, makes us her best friend by the second chapter by entertaining readers with anecdotes from her colorful life. She shares hilarious stories about her first husband (who she married twice) job, girlfriends, dating, and spoils readers with recipes that will make you a hit at any party. Once, when her young daughters snuck into bed to snuggle, Laura guiltily asked them, How can I be a better mommy to you? The oldest looked at her and said, Oh Mommy, just never leave me again [at grandma s] when I m sick. Laura then turned to her youngest daughter, who without hesitation looked up and said, MORE BEEF. Predictably, that chapter includes a recipe for scrumptious and beefy meatballs. With each struggle or bizarre incident, Laura brings us further into her world with a witty tone and positive yet slightly twisted outlook on life. Her insights will ring true to anyone who has ever questioned her own actions, sacrificed for love, or taken a stand to get what she wants. The book contains 24 recipes with full color photos and true stories that will make you laugh, cry and then cook.