Hi, welcome to my "About Me" page! I am always flattered that someone would want to know a bit more about me. If my mother were alive, she would be surprised to know that I have a food blog! I was the third of three daughters, and the baby of five kids! My mom was a good and adventurous cook, but when I was young I didn't spend a lot of the time in the kitchen! I was born and raised in Wisconsin. Some friends used to tease me that I won the "Cheese Queen" crown. Well, I do LOVE cheese!
When I graduated from college with a Master's Degree in Public Administration, (MPA), I accepted a job in California working for a non-profit organization that served the lobbying, training, and information needs of all the cities in California. I worked for nine years at this organization. One perk was to receive the major newspapers in California. I enjoyed reading the food sections of these newspapers and began to take advantage of the fresh and unique cuisine of California.
I dressed up for work, traveled, stayed in nice hotels, ate in amazing restaurants, and met interesting people. When we were expecting our first son, I decided to become a stay at home mom, a.k.a., DOMESTIC DIVA, and get to know our interesting son. Later we added two interesting daughters. I am also a step-mom to my husband's two interesting sons.
Mid-life my husband decided to pursue a doctorate in mechanical engineering. We had four children and while he was back at school we had our fifth and last. He was in school for many years and money was tight and he was supporting five children. I realized then that I could just schlop meals on the table or for just a little extra effort and money I could make interesting and different dishes. Maybe I couldn't afford nice furniture or clothes at that time, but I could make good meals.
When we finally got out of school and I had the opportunity to buy my first, new to me, couch, I chose red! I think red is exciting and vibrant. When all the little girls at school were choosing pink as their favorite color, I always chose red. My red couch sits near the kitchen and has a great view of our dining table and all that goes on there. We live in Utah now.
I am crazy about cats and think all of them are cute; for the most part I fear dogs. Any cat that shows up on my doorstep will be fed. Currently, we have one indoor cat and an outdoor cat -- she belonged to the house when we bought it. All the cats we have owned have been strays. My husband doesn't share my love, and my children's love, for cats. I am happiest when we have lots of cats we are feeding and loving. We just added two chickens to our family -- Melba and Zach -- my youngest (Talley -10) loves them.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love my Savior Jesus Christ who made all good things possible. I am so thankful to be able to pray to my Heavenly Father and know that He hears and answers my prayers. At church, my husband and I team teach a group of 9-12 year old. This year's course of study is the New Testament. I also am the Activity Days Leader of girls, 8-12 year olds, who meet twice a month at my home where we work on gospel principles, craft, and eat..it is like a big party. They help me consume some of the things that I bake.
My Attribution Policy
I get my recipes from many sources. I always try my best to attribute where they come from. Sometimes that is difficult to do because many of them, in the old days, were just ripped from a magazine or newspaper.
