Good hints...I will keep them in mind...yes, I am sure my mom cooked more from scratch, more often than I do...I guess my favorite thing to make from scratch is any type of dough that is yeast based...whether I am making bread, or coffee cakes, or doughnuts, I love making yeast based doughs......I love the smell of yeast based doughs rising...that smell permeates the whole house, and I just love it...
I love to make bread, too. Much more forgiving than pastry.