Yes, this is the society fundraiser-cookbook that took Houston by storm when it debuted in September of 1996.

As well it should have. The Junior League of Houston assembled a blue-ribbon team of professional consultants -- writing, design, layout, photography, food styling, marketing and more -- and took its advice. The book itself is as conceptually and graphically fresh today (2015) as it was 20 years ago. It's full of fascinating little sidebars: tips, background information on ingredients and techniques, culinary history, menus, customs, traditions and manners.

As for the 20-year-old recipes. . they read like today's menu selections from Houston's most au courant restaurant tables. Ingredients, spices, approach: they're mainstream/progressive today, but in '96, they were mind-blowing.

If it's been awhile since you've browsed through this gracious 'foodie-era' southern living classic, pull it out, feast your eyes and fire up your inspiration levels. Don't have a copy? Don't despair. It's still in print, thankfully, because it's pretty tough to find at used book sales. ( )

What? No reviews here at Library Thing for Stop and Smell?? Rather shocking since, there for awhile, it seemed like everywhere I turned someone was raving about one or another of the recipes from this one book! (Possibly, most of the raves were from forum members over at Cooking Light's popular Good Food section at CookingLight.com. Lots of foodies over there. Love the place.)