Ah, the smell of bread baking. Few things say "homemade" quite like the sweet smell of bread rising in the oven or being sliced into while it's still warm. We've even heard of people who roll down the windows of their vehicles when they drive by bakeries, just to take in the scent.

It's probably been a long time since you tackled baking bread, what with breadmaking machines available in many stores and busy schedules keeping you out of the kitchen.

Debbie Skinner of Abilene prefers things the way they were.

"Everyone loves fresh bread right out of the oven. It makes the house smell good and there is just something about working with dough that I like," she wrote to What's Your Specialty, a series that spotlights Big Country people and the dishes they make best. "I've been offered a bread machine, but I have never wanted one.

Her recipe for Easy Refrigerator Rolls sounds easy enough. But Debbie urges you to make this when you have the proper amount of time. We're not talking about cracking open a tube of dough and waiting 15 minutes. This recipe allows you to get your hands a little messy and practice some of those skills you haven't used in awhile.

How often do you make this?

I always make bread at Thanksgiving and Christmas. I also make bread for special occasions.

When did you begin making it?

My first recollection of making homemade bread was when I was in high school home economics. We made an English Tea Ring in class. I thought it was fun to cut and shape the dough. I made it again at home on my own.

My grandmother often tried out new recipes and she came across one for Monkey Bread. It was a wonderful bread, so I got the recipe from her and began making it.

I have made numerous kinds of bread, but I bake rolls most often. I first made this recipe 12-15 years ago. I found it in a cookbook. It looked easy, so I decided to try it.

Have you refined the recipe over the years?

No. I tried making the rolls with whole wheat flour once. They were really dry and not very good. However, I have used this same dough in making delicious cinnamon rolls.

What is your favorite memory associated with making this recipe?

I associate bread baking with family and special times. I cannot think of one specific memory, but a collection of good times -- usually holidays.

What advice would you suggest to other cooks to make sure this recipe is as tasty as possible?

Don't rush. Bread takes awhile, so don't try to make it when you are running short on time. I never use the rapid rise yeast.

Easy Refrigerator Rolls

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup vegetable shortening

2 teaspoon salt

1 cup boiling water

2 eggs, beaten

1 envelope yeast

1 cup lukewarm water

6 cups flour

Melted butter, cooled

Place sugar, shortening and salt in large bowl. Pour boiling water over sugar mixture. Stir well; cool to lukewarm. Stir in eggs.

Sprinkle yeast over lukewarm water. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir well, then add to sugar mixture.

Add flour and mix well with wooden spoon. Cover with foil and place in refrigerator for 2 hours or longer.

Roll out on floured surface into rectangle; brush with melted butter. Roll up as for jellyroll; cut into 1 inch slices and place in greased muffin cups.

Let rise for 2 hours or until doubled in bulk. Bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes or until brown.