What is this all about?

My passion for food started at a very young age. Eating it, preparing it, attempting to grow it, did I mention eating it?

I think like most families, food was the center of our family gatherings, more accurately, food was the center of pretty much all of our daily activities. I never once had a conversation with my Great-Grandma Crowell that didn’t include the following questions, “What did they have to eat there? Did you get enough? How was it?” Apparently her spirit lives through me now as my sister always makes fun when I find myself asking her those exact same questions when we’re on the phone. I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with my Grandma Crowell. I remember standing in her kitchen, watching her fry a dozen chicken strips and asking with absolute concern, “Will this be enough or do you want Grandma to make you some more?” How I got the nickname bonezy is a mystery I still don’t fully understand. Not because I wasn’t a skinny little kid but how I was actually a skinny little kid with the sheer amount of food that was always at my disposal when visiting Grandma’s house. It wasn’t just one Grandma either, I had three. Three who were always willing, able and ready to make sure I wasn’t going hungry. The matriarchs in the family definitely expressed their love in food…my mom, aunts & cousins included. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact my dad taught me a few tricks of his own.

I think I was about 7-8 when I started paying attention to what was happening in the kitchen. I was always impressed when one of the women in the family would find some protein in the back of the freezer, combined with some other random ingredients, throw it all together and a couple of hours later feed me the most delicious meal I had ever eaten…until the next time they cooked. I thought, I want to be able to do that. I mean, who was I to stop the legacy of amazing cooks in our family? So, I began my own journey in the kitchen. After many years of watching, experimenting, countless numbers of epic fails, I’ve gotten a handle on things. This blog is to share my love of food and cooking with some of my best recipes. Also, my family never really knew how to cook for just one or two or even a family of four. We were more about feeding our family, friends and neighbors… so anticipate most of the recipes to serve anywhere between 4-12. Moderation isn’t our thing.

To all the strong women (and men) in my family who molded me into the woman and cook I am today, thank you, This blog is dedicated to you. Enjoy!