Where do I begin?

I have been in the kitchen since I was old enough to stand on a stool and stir anything to help my mom. I was so lucky I even got to help wash dishes when it was all over. My Mom gave the appearance of having endless patience with me. She always encouraged, never chided and secretly rewashed the dishes that I didn't get quite clean enough. Not to mention eat the rubber pancakes graciously when I wasn't quite sure how to get them fluffy.

By the time I was 8 I was able to cook quite a few things. I loved the weekends and the summers when I didn't have to rush off to school so I could stay in the kitchen. My childhood dream wasn't to grow up to be a chef. It was to grow up and be the best housewife I could be.

 That plan got sidetracked for quite a few years as I discovered that being married wasn't all about cooking. Then there were kids, and going back to college and divorce and work and well, life just happened. I was able to use my skills to make people happy though. I spent time cooking on a line boat going up and down the Mississippi River and some time as a head cook at a restaurant. Those were two of my very favorite jobs. But still life happened and circumstances changed and I moved on to my career. Several years later I met the love of my life. I could now devote myself to my childhood dream of being a housewife. (Even if it meant cleaning house too!)

Even though the Army takes my husband away for whatever reason at times, I can still find happiness in sending him food or cooking for an ill family or just baking some goodies to give to security guards or clerks.

I am not a gourmet chef. In fact I am opposed to gourmet cooking. I want something basic, something filling. I don't want to look down at my plate and see a few weeds thrown on top of a sliver of meat. I want the people I feed to feel satisfied. I want to hear the 'mmmm' when they are eating. To see the eyes roll back in pleasure when they bite into one of my desserts. I don't need words from them to be gratified.

What you will find in my posts are foods I have cooked and changed and perfected over the last few decades. If you're looking for something gourmet you won't find it here.

I am not sure where to begin. I like to do many things the 'old fashioned' way. I don't even own a food processor! Then there are other things that using a shortcut is the only way to go. Like my Saffron Chicken and Rice. (I'll get to that in some other post.) Alright then, I'm going to just jump in and start with what I have saved to my computer. Next post: Barbecue ribs (without a grill!)

Also, if something I post doesn't make sense to you, just ask me. Sometimes I forget what is obvious to me but may not be to others. 

Comments

Anonymous said…
Love it !!!