Hi, I’m Chris, and I have an insatiable curiosity about all things food-related. I’ve loved to cook and bake for as long as I can remember, and find myself fascinated with the infinite variety of delicious ingredients. My inspiration for new recipes comes from literally everywhere. Magazines, farmer’s markets, family and friends’ kitchens, cookbooks, restaurants, grocery stores, my pantry or refrigerator, other blogs, coffee shops… and of course, Pinterest.
Scott laughs and says that I read cookbooks, “like normal people” read novels. He often calls me, “the crazy chemist” in the kitchen, since I’m forever tinkering, testing, tweaking and trying out new ideas in “my laboratory”.
What kind of recipes do I like to explore? Every kind you can imagine! While some kitchen enthusiasts enjoy baking and others like the more savory side of cooking, I love it all! Good nutrition is important to me though and it’s a fun challenge to keep our meals healthy, but at the same time, delicious. We definitely enjoy occasional, indulgent splurges, but to me, it’s really important to keep things balanced. And while I try to keep things on the simple side (as all of us seem to stay so busy), I think you’ll find recipes that cooks of all experience levels will be pleased with. I hope you enjoy your visit!
Believe it or not though, there are a few things that I’m even more passionate about than food…
My Faith
How do I share with you something that totally revolutionized my life 40 years ago and continues every day?
Just like many young adults, I began to question life’s meaning, purpose and how I fit into “the big plan”. To make a long story short, in that quest for truth, I wandered down many dead end pathways which eventually caused me to sink into deep depression. One day, I found myself at rock bottom, feeling hopeless, without direction or purpose and questioning whether life was worth the effort. It was from this pit that I cried out a very simple prayer; “God, if you’re real, if you truly exist, I’m begging you to show me!”
No lightening bolts struck, nor was there a revelation from on high, but gradually, over the course of the next year, my life began to change. The culmination was the realization that I had to answer the most important question any man or woman ever will face; “Who is Jesus Christ?”.
I knew I had to decide whether this man, who lived two thousand years ago, claiming to be God, really was divine. Was he deserving of my loyalty or was he the greatest impostor who ever walked the face of the earth. I pondered his claims to be God, “the way, the truth and the life” and his profession that “no one comes to the Father except through me”. Could it really be true that his death on the cross all those years ago was the answer to my desperation? That Jesus was my rescuer, paying the price himself, for my sin and the mess I’d made out of my life?
Some have said he was merely a good man, others believe he was a great teacher. But a good man doesn’t weave preposterous tales about himself and a great teacher doesn’t make lofty declarations that aren’t true. I examined all this carefully, to determine the truth. In the end, I chose to believe what Jesus said. I confessed my sin and admitted my hopelessness without Him. I gave my life to Jesus, asking Him to be Lord and Savior of my life.
What a wonderful journey it’s been! I could never turn back and, 40 years later, I can honestly say that each day I become more in awe of Jesus. I’m convinced that life with Him is better, in every circumstance and situation, than anything this world has to offer.
My Christian faith is much more than religion, rules and regulations. It is the life of Christ in me and who I am at the core of my being. My faith is definitely what I hold most dear in life. Is my world perfect? Nope, absolutely not. But my relationship with Christ has given me hope, purpose and joy. This is true when the journey is wonderful, but also when it’s genuinely difficult. I can live free of doubt, guilt and depression, because Jesus is constant, faithful and good.
If you are searching for truth, don’t take my word for it. Cry out to God! Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He won’t let you down. Here’s a promise from the Bible, taken from the book of Jeremiah. It’s found in chapter 29, verse 13; “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart”. I promise you, if you pray that prayer with an earnest heart, He will reveal himself to you! It won’t be the same journey I’ve had, but one custom tailored by our magnificent Creator, for you and your life.
If you want to know more or have questions, feel free to email me. You can also view this beautiful video that addresses the life questions that many of us have pondered.
My Family
Scott is my best friend, confidant and cheerleader. We celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary this year, and I must say, being married to this wonderful man is one of life’s sweetest joys.
We are blessed with two children, Cait and Nick, who are now grown with families of their own.
I didn’t have the option of choosing their spouses, but if it had been up to me, I would have chosen both Josh and Lindsay. I love how all these grown kids encourage me, help me stay focused on priorities and never let me take myself too seriously!
And where do I even start with the grandchildren? There are now six of them, each one so unique and special. I’m a Grammy who’s crazy in love with these little ones! The joy and laughter they’ve brought into our lives is simply priceless.
There’s also extended family living all over the country who make our lives sweeter and richer. I just wish we didn’t live so far apart.
My Friends
Life would be sad without friends. They pray me through the tough times, cheer me through the victories, laugh with me, don’t mind my silliness and in general, help me navigate this crazy life. I’m thankful every day for the blessing of friends – those near and far as well as the virtual friends, (like you!) that I’ve had the pleasure to meet through this blog.
So there you have it; a peek into “me”. I hope you’ll enjoy your visits to The Café; stay long and come often. I look forward to getting to know you better in the days, weeks and months ahead.
Bon Appétit!
Thanks so much for stopping by!