For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

When an author writes a book, he or she will typically always dedicate it to someone...be it their friend, spouse, children, parent, or simply that one special person that has inspired them in their life.

I suppose writing a blog is like authoring a book, except that it is always evolving and expanding for everyone in the cyber-world to read and experience.  You never know who (if anyone) will read a blog or how it reaches out to a particular person or group and perhaps even touch someone's life.  

In that spirit I am dedicating this blog to all of those people of my yesterdays, today and tomorrows who have inspired me.  You will read more about them in the coming weeks, months

  and hopefully years.

First, I have to thank my friend Toni who inspired me to take on this venture (and introduced me to Nutella and Prosecco).  Toni started her blog over two years ago and I love reading it. Her posts are hysterical - they make me laugh and cry all in the same paragraph.  If you want a true taste of what life is like in Alaska, 

check out her site, http://atasteofalaska.blogspot.com/.

My inspirations of yesterday are two very dear ladies that have passed and are missed often...

my mother-in-law Janis and my sister-in-law Jodi. 

I have all the respect for Janis who was able to creatively feed their family of 11 each and every day and still find the time to put on a beautiful dress, wear her set of pearls and 

display an amazing pot luck party for all of their friends.

As you have probably surmised, I married into a very large family.  My husband is the youngest of 9 and with that comes many wonderful in-laws, nieces and nephews....all of which are excellent chefs (they even published their own family cookbook).  Jodi was one of those - the sister I never had.  She and I loved to cook together and had the utmost respect for each other's kitchen. 

To those in my life today, it goes without saying my greatest partner in the kitchen is my husband Mark. 

He can grill, bbq and smoke meats like nobody's business. 

 You gotta love a man that loves to clean a kitchen too!!!!

My mom Meredith who has lived her entire life in Alaska (not an easy thing to do) truly inspired and taught me to cook, work hard and never give up.  She is the most giving and caring person - mom would do anything for someone in need.  Her Chicken Cordon Bleu is out of this world and still one of my favorites to this day. 

Stay tuned for that one to come....

My grandmother Helen, one of the greatest and respectable ladies you will ever meet.  Her award winning Snickerdoodles and Chocolate Layered Pudding are those "can't eat just one" recipes.  More to come on this one (fair season is right around the corner - bring on the blue ribbons!!)

My high school and best friend Felicia.  I don't know how she has put up with me for all these years - a true friend indeed.  She is a vegetarian, which has helped me step up my game and challenged me to create menus when we are together, like my Churchill Downs Signature BBQ Shrimp.  (I can't help it - I do love a good steak). She has been gardening her entire life and I have much to learn from her.  

Her biggest weakness though is my husband's Cosmopolitan - oh so good!!

I also have to thank my very dear friend Carole.  I have known her for over 20 years and she is one of the most gracious, creative and kindest ladies.  She has prepared some of the most amazing old school Italian dishes for us and have shared our Puttanesca with her on many occasions.

 Mangia! Mangia!

And last but certainly not least, Annie and Debbie.  Two sisters from Kansas that have unbelievable tried and true family recipes that I love to make.  Stay tuned for Annie's Sunday Night Pot Roast - 

a favorite at any family gathering we have.

For those special people of the next generations, this is dedicated to my twin girls, stepson Tyler and his wife Rachel, twin grandchildren (yes, that's right mother and grandmother of twins) and sweet granddaughter (who loves to make cookies with her Nana Suzie).  I love each and every one of you.

Now, let's get cooking and start Corking Life's Moments!!