And away we go!
My Love Affair with Food!
It all started in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1966. I was born to a Central Pennsylvanian mother and father from the Tidewater area of Virginia. Her family cooked typical Amish influenced food, heavy on the carbs which would fuel the Amish farmers while working hard in the field. My dad's father was a grocery store owner and a chef with a very rich heritage of Southern cooking. My brothers and I were probably the only children in a 150 mile radius that not only knew what grits were but actually loved them, double buttered with fried eggs, bacon and toast. Of course growing up around kids from the North made us seem like a bunch of weirdos. They wouldn't go within 10 feet of a "grit" let alone a bowlful. Then again, when we moved to Hampton, Virginia we were often asked what died and was putrefying in our house every time mom made Pork, Sauerkraut and Mashed Potatoes, a classic northern New Year's meal and to this day my daughter's favorite. Needless to say I am very thankful for this variety of food that I grew up eating. It gave me a love for new tastes and food experiences. I look at food first thing when learning about a new place or culture. What people eat is absolutely fascinating to me. I love to hear people talk about food especially when they talk about something they grew up eating. Hearing them reminisce about something their mom made for them and watching the look on their face suddenly soften as just the mention of the meal transports them back to their childhood is so endearing.
The first thing I do when someone comes to my house is offer them something to eat. To me, food is love. I'm a nurturer.....it's in my blood. My mom would do the same thing and our home was always the one everyone came to just to hang out. I think the reason for that is because they knew that my mom was going to make sure they never left that house hungry. They'd always find love, laughter and a full belly! I would help my parents cook and came to love making new things that tasted great. Add to that the feeling you get when someone thanks you for making their day with an awesome meal.....priceless.
So, with this blog my plan is to share recipes and the memories that go along with them. Even if I'm the only person who ever reads it I'll be happy just to share and have the recipes written down for posterity sake. So....get comfy. The next great food adventure begins :)
It all started in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1966. I was born to a Central Pennsylvanian mother and father from the Tidewater area of Virginia. Her family cooked typical Amish influenced food, heavy on the carbs which would fuel the Amish farmers while working hard in the field. My dad's father was a grocery store owner and a chef with a very rich heritage of Southern cooking. My brothers and I were probably the only children in a 150 mile radius that not only knew what grits were but actually loved them, double buttered with fried eggs, bacon and toast. Of course growing up around kids from the North made us seem like a bunch of weirdos. They wouldn't go within 10 feet of a "grit" let alone a bowlful. Then again, when we moved to Hampton, Virginia we were often asked what died and was putrefying in our house every time mom made Pork, Sauerkraut and Mashed Potatoes, a classic northern New Year's meal and to this day my daughter's favorite. Needless to say I am very thankful for this variety of food that I grew up eating. It gave me a love for new tastes and food experiences. I look at food first thing when learning about a new place or culture. What people eat is absolutely fascinating to me. I love to hear people talk about food especially when they talk about something they grew up eating. Hearing them reminisce about something their mom made for them and watching the look on their face suddenly soften as just the mention of the meal transports them back to their childhood is so endearing.
The first thing I do when someone comes to my house is offer them something to eat. To me, food is love. I'm a nurturer.....it's in my blood. My mom would do the same thing and our home was always the one everyone came to just to hang out. I think the reason for that is because they knew that my mom was going to make sure they never left that house hungry. They'd always find love, laughter and a full belly! I would help my parents cook and came to love making new things that tasted great. Add to that the feeling you get when someone thanks you for making their day with an awesome meal.....priceless.
So, with this blog my plan is to share recipes and the memories that go along with them. Even if I'm the only person who ever reads it I'll be happy just to share and have the recipes written down for posterity sake. So....get comfy. The next great food adventure begins :)
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