The kitchen really is the heart of the home. It's the first place family and friends gather, not only to prepare and eat food, but to chat, sip tea, snack on home-baked cookies, unwind after a tough day, and reconnect with loved ones.

The latest in the Simple Pleasures series of books, Simple Pleasures of the Kitchen captures the essence of the kitchen. It offers a cornucopia of recipes, food-based crafts, and family activities, as well as stories from kitchens around the world. Simple Pleasures of the Kitchen is a book - and a gift - sure to warm anyone's heart, no matter what the weather.

Organized by season, the book offers:

• Spring Flings
• The Savor of Summer
• Autumn's Abundance
• Cozying Up in Winter

Susannah Seton's Simple Pleasures books continually delight readers with their down-home, heart-warming recipes, crafts, and activities that bring the whole family together.