Hello, hello, hello

    

          Thank you for visiting my very new and every day improving blog...I am a self/momma-taught-experimental-vegetarian cook.  

      I was first interested in cooking at a very young age. We grew up on a "farm" where we had a lovely garden, pet goats, geese, a duck name Hercules, tons of cats (see picture to left) and a dog or two. We were home schooled and part of our daily routine was cooking lunch or recipes for dinner my mom had stored up. We made Quiche, Tabouli, Cous Cous, Spinach balls  and Pecan Sandy's. On the weekends I can remember my dad cooking all of the yummy greasy foods...potato's with cheese, polenta with cheese and tomato's, grits with Parmesan and black pepper and when I was older he would hide a fresh ball of mozzarella at the bottom of my bloody Mary when I would return from college. Hmmmm this may have what reinforced and possibly created my love for cheese. The kitchen was and still is my favorite gathering spot.

      We were raised vegetarian since I was a wee lass, however I have dabbled a little and crossed over to the dark side ...some by choice and some by peer pressure. Growing up it was not as popular to be vegetarian...peers would put chicken or steak or fish in my face and make a huge deal about trying to gross me out...to make them stop and show them I wasn't a huge baby face scared of meat...I would eat it..Whatever not a big deal.

       Then there was the college phase...mmmmmm Chester Fried chicken was soooo good after a long night at the bar...then one night I found a tendon...or ligament...either way it was white and popped.. And that was it...no more. Gross....so anyhow...I cook for the love of cooking, it really isn't that difficult to be vegetarian and hope that my recipes will show that...simple. Yummy...and always improving ideas.

       I love cheese, black pepper, garlic, onions and Bloody Mary's and most of all I love cooking, for myself, for Ben, for friends, I love hosting parties and having people stand in the kitchen and scarf down all of my vegetarian appetizers and treats. I have a new love for mushrooms and owls, love eating out, very much enjoy the Saturday am farmers market with my momma and most of all love food and wine...wine is good.

      Thanks again for visiting on this new journey. My goal is share my knowledge and growth and hopefully inspire some vegetarian cooking.

Enjoy!!