Where the food is...

Laughter is brightest in the place where food is.

- Irish proverb

If that's the case, then put on your shades, because my house has seen a lot of food lately! Family and friends joined me for a great evening of food and conversation. We had so much fun just being together, telling stories, sharing ideas, eating... and laughing. There's nothing better than looking around and seeing people in your home smiling and laughing. They are well fed, happy, and relaxed, so they can enjoy one another. It's a little bit of heaven on earth to me. Somehow I think that's what it's going to be like when we get to join in the Great Feast one day.

Feast your eyes on this menu and these photos taken by my fabulously talented friend, Robyn.

Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip

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Mini Beef Wellingtons with Horseradish Cream

Mexican Shrimp and Grits

Summer Succotash

Lemon Pepper Zucchini Skewers

Watermelon-Tomato Salad

Cucumbers

White Mountain Bread

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French Mint Tea

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Pound Cake Cookies

Death by Chocolate Cookies

Mini Beef Wellingtons

The buffet...where the food is.

I couldn't have pulled off this party without Mama!

My favorite photo--see how happy everyone is? Bright laughter, indeed!



Do you like having dinner parties, but don't enjoy the prep so much? You're in luck--Nourish will come right in and do the prep work for you! Then you can revel in the atmosphere and be a guest at your own party. Call me and we'll make it happen!

Who's Who

I'm getting to know the insides of a lot of different kitchens, and I love the stories they all tell! (I mean that in a good way, of course.) Seeing baby bottles out to dry, some doggie dishes for babies of the other sort, pretty dish towels, and my favorite, Who's Who On The Fridge. If your mug is on a family refrigerator, you've made it! You know you are tops on that family's list. (That or they're expecting you for a visit and want a few brownie points.) Generally people surround themselves with things that make them smile or inspire them. Here are a few loves on my fridge...

First off, we need to establish this fact: Southern Cookin' Makes You Good Lookin'. Friends in the Heart of Dixie, look around you! You are surrounded by beautiful people. If you are well-fed, you will be a lot happier, and doesn't that make for a good lookin' person? This sign was always a little affirmation as I made my way on I-24 through Tennessee, headed to college in Searcy, Arkansas.

Next is a Christmas scene from 1981 (or -2?) chronicling the beginning of my cooking career. Daddy--I mean Santa--stayed up most of that Christmas Eve putting together my orange and cream metal kitchenette. I even had a real cast iron mini-skillet! We still enjoy working in the kitchen together.

One of my most treasured photos is this one of my Aunt Deda. She was my Papa's sister, but she was like another grandmother to us. Miss Ada Margaret was a most excellent cook. This photo shows her making little cinnamon rolls. The left-over pie dough always became these delicious treats that we could eat without guilt any time. Aunt Deeder-Weeder always took time to do things the right way, and so her food was always the best. I always have her up as my Kitchen Muse. I love to think of her spirit being with me as I gin around in her favorite space.

I also have a few Dilbert cartoons that are horrifyingly realistic, some fab Chinese fortune cookie fortunes and souvenir magnets of my travels. A clean, neat refrigerator door was a nice, neat sight I used to think. Now I say, "Pish!" to that and fill it up with people and things that make me happy.

Who's on your fridge?