Sink or Swim

The idea of a BLOG is not new to me. I have read many... laughed and cried, ranted at and even cheered the writers on. I just didn't think one day I would be hoping for the same from the nameless multitude of readers on the Internet. I have to say that, until a coworker began pushing me that I probably wouldn't have considered it. After much research and a lot of thought about the direction I would take a blog I have finally come to the conclusion that I need to just jump in and sink or swim.

So here it is... Dinner at the Downey's.


I love to cook, always have. But until a fire was lit under my butt, almost literally, I was content to be good at just one or two things. Maybe I should have named this blog: The Accidental Culinarian, if that hadn't already been taken I might have done just that. As it is, I've always been courageous in the kitchen. Always willing to try new things and within my budget willing to share my creations with others.

Several years ago now, I had a major fall and had to have multiple surgeries to right the wrongs. But, during that time I entertained myself, and my husband, by working though the many food magazines that come to our door. As I did that I discovered that not only did I like to cook, I was good at it. THEN, upon returning to work (I am an interpreter for the deaf... kind of an oxymoron since I myself am hard of hearing, but that is another story.) I was assigned to a young lady named Amy in our High School that, wonder of wonders, was taking foods classes. She has now taken Culinary I, II and Baking and Pastry through the Career Center attached to our High School. AND, this year they have received the TOP 50 AWARD for having achieved one of the most outstanding Culinary departments in the United States! I feel honored to have just been able to soak in all the wonderful tricks of the trade by interpreting for Amy. I have sat through (interpreting all the while) chef demonstrations from culinary institutes all across the U.S., and helped Amy study for the Serve Safe program as well as made very good friends with both of the instructors. One of the BIGGEST lessons I have learned is that one flop is not a failure.

Having learned that a flop is not a necessarily a failure, I began being bolder with my experiments. >>>Enter Hubby Jeff and the Garden - Jeff is the gardener of the family. I dabble, my babies are herbs, lettuce and weeds. Jeff on the other hand grows: tomatoes, beans, peppers of all sorts, onions, cucumbers, squashes and anything else he can squeeze into our yard. My dad, just before he passed, gave us some horseradish starts and I guess you can say we BOTH nurture those. Our yard-garden then, is my inspiration. We are not preppers. Nor, are we homesteaders. I'm not sure there is a name for a person that lives in town and uses their back yard to fill their freezers and pantry with all sorts of goodies to eat all through the off seasons. Hum... maybe I should coin a word here. Let me think on that and get back with you. (If you have a word you use let me know.)

So here we go. I'm going to jump in with my lunch creation. I'm excited for the feed back... let me know what you think! We are here to grow and conquer those fears together! Do you have something you want me to address? (gulp) Let me know... Woo-hoo! We will do this TOGETHER!

Kerri Downey