A first post is a difficult thing.  I’m not naturally a writer, and this is my first blog.  I guess I’ll start by way of introduction and a little history.

The first twelve years of my life were spent helping my mom in the kitchen, learning from her how to bake her trademark chocolate chip cookies, and cook basic meals for a family of nine.  As the sole daughter of age, and with brothers who had no interest in being momma’s helper, I often found myself called upon to prep ingredients or stir the pot.

When I was growing up my mother made me an Easter dress every year and with time and motherly patience, she also taught me the basics of sewing.   By the time I was ready to enter Home Economics in Junior High School I already knew how to bake cookies, cook spaghetti with garlic bread and make pajama bottoms.  Throughout the rest of my public school years, I often undertook sewing projects for my friends or myself.  All of my brother’s punk rock buddies came to me to stitch their patches on their pants and jackets; though I maintained all along that it was more “punk rock” to do it yourself with dental floss.

As time has gone on, the era of punk patches and garlic bread is over, I still make the occasional pair of pajama pants for my high school sweetheart of a husband.  My sewing skills have progressed quite nicely, with formal gowns being my favorite. I cook dinner every night for our small family of two, and I still love to bake as often as I can.

In a way this blog is a tribute to my mother who has taught me most of what I know.  This blog will chronicle my cooking, baking and sewing projects.   I will provide tips which I have found useful and share my mistakes so you can avoid them.  Enjoy