It Must Be the Noodles is a whimsical recollection of the author's memories of growing up Wendish in rural Central Texas, centered around the food and stories dished up at his mother's kitchen table. From Mama facing off against her pugnacious rooster, Smarty Pants, to her homemade wine's hot air balloon ride across the kitchen, these heartwarming and humorous tales take you on a journey through the major food groups of a Wendish kitchen (pickles, noodles, cheese, pecans, and, of course, firewater). Many of the recollections were first published in Spitzenberger's beloved newspaper column, Images, paired here with lively new introductions and 11 family recipes from Mama's recipe box.