Life in our house really does revolve around the kitchen. Our suburban, 10 by 12 foot kitchen, with mismatched countertops, a ceramic tile floor that is hard on the feet and appliances that are not top of the line. But it is the place where I bake bread, fix dinner, try out new recipes and make more desserts than are good for us – in short, have fun while feeding the family. My husband, Rich, and son, Calvin are right in the thick of things usually. There are times when I really enjoy playing around in the kitchen all by myself. But I can’t argue with the coziness and fun of baking cookies on a cold winter weekend, complete with dough eating, quality control tasting and extra hands to do the dishes.
I forget sometimes that not everyone gets as much enjoyment out of cooking, baking and messing around in the kitchen as I do. Sure, I have the days when I absolutely can’t face cooking one more meal, or we have “nothing” in the house to cook, which usually means I am out of inspiration. Those days we end up going out, having breakfast for dinner or having grilled cheese sandwiches. I should confess that grilled cheese around this house usually involves homemade bread from the freezer, cheddar, fontina and Parmesan and a little garlic spread on the inside of the bread, but that is a future post…
After 10 years as a stay-at-home mom, I am figuring out how to juggle freelance writing, taking care of the household chores and all that entails (since I usually write only part-time), volunteering at church and playing in the kitchen (and updating The Cook’s Life fairly frequently). So expect a lot of posts to concentrate on quick and easy, but still fairly healthy recipes. And I will always fit in dessert and other fun recipes. I have figured out through trial and error how to fit the more involved recipes around my various commitments – some are better suited to the weekend, but many can be fit in around work, family and whatever else eats up your time.
I tried to figure it out but this computer hates me – eventually you will have one more follower!!
Karen
Yay! There should be a follow button or a place on the left side to enter your email. Let me know if you can’t figure it out.
Sarah, don’t know if you got my first message so I’m resending one. I am a friend of Linda & Becky in Caruthersville, MO. Love those girls! I enjoy your blog and will continuing to visit.
I did see your first message. Welcome! I am so glad you are following the blog. Please feel free to post any questions or comments you have!
Love your approach and intro! I’m always looking for “family-style” meals so I’ll follow along.:)
I just nominated you for the Sunshine Blog Award. You can check it out on my blog here…http://justafrugalfoodie.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/thanks-guys-ive-been-awarded-the-liebster-and-sunshine-blog-awards/ Happy Blogging!!
Guess what? — you’re my giveaway winner!!! I need to figure out how to contact you via email to get the details on how to send your prize!
Cool! I sent you a message on your Facebook page with my email address.
Sarah – love your blog! Hope I am signed up now!
Nice family, Sarah! 🙂
Hi Sarah your wonderful Mother-in-law finally got me signed up to your blog. In case u don’t know it she thinks u r pretty special. I love to cook, but don’t do as much as I used to. I actually even wrote a cookbook of my favorite recipes. I have always said if you can read read you can cook. I think those who say they can’t even boil water don’t want to boil water..ha ha.
Thanks, Barbie! I think my mother-in-law is pretty special, too!
Glad I found your blog. We love to “invent” fast, healthy dishes as well. Look forward to reading more.
Sarah… mom and I won your night of bread making at the church trivia night. Can’t wait to have you over again. Last time was lots of fun! Denise
Denise,
Wonderful! Start thinking about what you want to make, and I will think of possibilities. Now that you have had the beginner class, we can move on to more complicated things.
found your blog via the Ranting Chef… definitely my kind of foodie blog 🙂
I’ve nominated your blog for the Inspiring Blog Award! Check out my post (http://cookingwithcorinna.wordpress.com/2012/12/16/inspiring-blog-award/) for details.
Thank you! I am so behind on replying to this. I will catch up soon!
You and your blog are inspiring, so I nominated you for an award! http://wp.me/p18CG9-FU
Thank you! I will do my part very soon, I promise.
You’re welcome; you deserve it! No rush, it took me ages to get to writing my post too. I’m looking forward to seeing who you nominate!
I’ve nominated you for a Liebster Award:) Keep on blogging
http://aroundthetable.me/2013/02/08/ive-been-nominated-for-a-liebster-award/
Thank you! I will get my act together ASAP and reply to your nomination, and a couple of others I am behind on. 🙂
Hi! I own The Urban Farmerette page and nominated you for the Liebster Award. Check out my post to participate to see your nomination. This award is to help get pages like ours, that are trying to build a following (300 or less followers), some better exposure.
http://theurbanfarmerette.com/2013/02/25/the-liebster-award/
Thank you! I am so behind on these…I’ll catch up soon!
I love your blog! 🙂 That’s why I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award: http://pocketfulofsugar.com/2013/03/22/liebster-award-embracing-new-bloggers/ Have fun with it!
Thank you! I am so behind on awards…I will get my rear in gear soon!
Happy Monday! I wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! If you wish to accept this award you can follow the rules on my latest post. Totally up to you, but I love your blog and wanted to share the love.
http://misschriscreations.com/2013/04/22/dessert-overload/
-Christine
Thank you! I will get around to doing this soon!
I came across your blog today and I noticed your cover picture. It looks like pulla to me. Pulla is a Finnish sweetbread, so, I scanned through your blog, but, I didn’t read anything about pulla. I did see some great recipe’s that I would love to try. I love thin crust pizza and have never tried to make the crust myself, but, I think I will now. There are so many recipes that I noticed that I will hopefully try soon. Basically I love your blog!
Thank you for your kind words! The picture at the top is of homemade soft pretzels. I don’t think I have blogged on them yet – might be time for a soft pretzel post! Pulla sounds interesting – do you have a recipe?
Do try the pizza. And post back if you have any questions about making it. I love it when people try my recipes! Glad you found the blog!
Hi Sarah,
I always enjoy your blog posts. Thought I might nominate you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. It would be fun if you decide to play along. Take a look at it here – http://happyandharried.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/look-what-i-found-an-egg-and-an-award/
xo,
Anjana.
Thank you!
Congratulations, Sarah! You have been awarded: Best Moment Award
I do not expect any action to be taken, or for you to generate a post (unless you wish to pass on the award nominations). Nevertheless, your blog has been awarded at: http://fae-magazine.com/2013/08/28/award-august-2013-part-2/
Enjoy your Award! 😀 Fae.
Thank you, Fae!
Congratulations! I’ve nominated you for the the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! You can find more information here: http://refreshedandfit.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/ ~ Anneli