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chase_gw

Intoductions all the way 'round!

chase_gw
14 years ago

It's been a while since we did a " Let me Introduce Myself Thread" . With all the new folk that have joined in over the last few months I thought it might be nice to give them all a big "shout out" a warm welcome and introduce ourselves.

My name is Sharon, I've been posting to the CF about 9 or 10 years now. I found the CF by way of the GW, perennials are a passion of mine. Cooking for family is one of my greatest joys. I love feeding large groups, the more the merrier.

I live in Oakville Ontario (Canada) which is a lovely little town just west of Toronto. My husband and I share our home with two fur babies, Chase and Maddie as well as a "sometimes here" 23 year old daughter. Meredith graduated from university in Halifax NS last year and is currently traveling in Australia. She has been gone almost a year, hopefully she'll run out of $$$ soon and head home! LOL

Also have a 32 year old son, who only shows up for, food, laundry, and car repairs! LOL Not really he's a great kid except for the fact he doesn't seem to understand that it his obligation to provide me with grandbabies!

Our real love is our cottage in Haliburton, north of Toronto. It is an all year round cottage so we are up there lots now that my DH is retired.

I've learned so much from this forum but what I've learned most is how people with such varied backgrounds can come together over a shared interest, share their tips, recipes, menu ideas as well as provide support through some good and not so good times. You can be involved to whatever degree you choose to be. So welcome everyone........

So that's a bit about me , who's next?

Comments (150)

  • ann_t
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It really is nice to see so many posting to this thread. Newbies and regulars alike.

    Ann

  • jude31
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Tracey Oh, what part of TN? I would love it if there were posters near me. The diversity of the ones who post is amazing. I would never have dreamed so many, whom have never met could be so helpful and caring to others. What a great Forum!

    As others have said, I love to travel...DH does not, my best friend does as well but her DH doesn't either. The good thing is, they don't mind us traveling. I really don't enjoy driving and our trips most often are with groups. One group is mostly made up of gardeners and a couple of years ago we took a garden tour in Tuscany. Wonderful!!

    I also travel, vicariously, with you all. Sharon I loved the Route 66 trip "we" took.

    You all just keep on posting your pictures and acccounts of your trips especially the food.

    jude

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  • Tracey_OH
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Jude,
    I'm clear on the other side of TN-way west :( No pretty mountains in this part of the state. We used to have one or two posters from Knoxville, but I think they've moved on.

    Tracey

  • TobyT
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm Jane. I live in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia and have all my life. I'm 49 years old and live with my DH and twin teenage daughters and two spoiled cats on 5 acres. I have worked at the same job for 25 years, although I am part time now in order to accommodate the girls' extra curricular activities. One dances competitively and one swims competitively and they both play in a concert band so between practices, meets, rehearsals, competitions, performances and all the fund-raising that goes along with, I currently spend a good portion of my days driving. I don't post a lot, as our weekday meals are all about speed, but at least they are all made from scratch. (Okay - we do hit Subway a couple of times a month and I often bring home sushi on Friday night.) I often spend a long leisurely day in the kitchen on weekends. Many of my go to recipes originated here.I love to bake and have recently become interested in cake decorating.
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  • jude31
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks for replying, Tracey. Maybe there is someone lurking out there from my end of the state. Hopefully if another group comes to the Smokies they'll give me a shout and I can at least meet them.

    jude

  • omac
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi all:

    My name is Carol. I live in Glendale, Arizona, but orginally from the FAR south side of Chicago. I have a wonderful husband of 42 years, 3 daughters and 5 grandkids I adore.

    I have been lurking since 2006 but I don't do a lot of positing.

    I enjoy cooking, but not baking. I love making candy for gifts at Christmas and as I write this I have my first batch of tamales steaming.

    I love doing counted cross stitch and reading. My favorite author is Debbie Macomber.

    Chase, thanks for starting this tread. It is really fun reading about other and their interests.

  • jude31
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hey Carol,

    Tamales, huh! Would you mind posting your recipe? I made a bunch last year for the first time but was not thrilled with them.

    TIA
    jude

  • dees_1
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    My name is Dee and I live in West TN. Moved here a few years ago from far western 'burbs of Chicago (born and raised, lived their for close to 20 years prior to the move south). I've lived in PA/NJ (Bucks Co, Trenton, Camden) and CA (Orange Co) over the years.....I've been everywhere.

    Been on these forums since some time in the mid-90s or so (when Spike was new and before the $15 thing came about); had to re-register in 2002 because of some site changes. Started in the garden forums and now read through a bunch. Long time lurker, infrequent poster. Mostly haunt the Appliances, Kitchens, Cooking, Pets, Buying/Selling Homes and some of the Garden forums. Enjoy cooking, reading, sitting on my patootie doing nothing and traveling. Used to collect depression glass but haven't purchased anything in a long time. Love going to antique stores (looky-lou!) and enjoy old cars (both looking at and working on). My favorite outdoor activity is riding my motorcycle. I'll spend a whole day riding the back roads, going 300+ miles in a day.

    Been married for 17+ years; one son who is married with a step grandchild. My son is deploying to the mid-East early next year. We have animals but we're down to a bird (17+) and a cat (16+). No more coming in because they live so long!

    I work from home and most people think I'm insane. They're probably right but the voices in my head tell me I'm A-Ok! *grin*

  • cookebook
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi everyone. Im Kyle. I cant figure how to see how many years Ive been lurking around this place. It has to be at least 8 or 10. I remember the $15 thing. I remember the "Breezy Brouhaha" when you were all so sweet to fellow Houstonian, May.

    I came in on Texas Gardening but made my way here very soon after that have been a LONG time lurker. I will probably seem creepy to yall because I know so much about you and you dont know me at all LOL. I live in Houston but grew up in central Texas about an hour from where your very own Lars was raised. Im 46, male, owner of a beautiful pug named Sweetpea, love to cook, and have been inspired by each and every one of you.

    I have never been so happy for an "imaginary friend" as I was for Annie when she met Ellery. Loved reading about your courtship. No one was ever more deserving of a nice guy. (Does he have a brother? LOL). I think I may even have cried.

    Loved Evil Jessie from the very start for her bawdy sense of humor. She coined the term "food porn" if I remember correctly!

    Watching Bobby turn into the confident cook he is has been inspirational too. You all have really inspired him just as you have me. Im much more of a LindaC-type cook recipes are only a guide. Recently got a new gas range. I look forward to participating instead of lurking. Thank you Miss Chase for starting this thread and for finally getting me to participate after all these years!

  • jessyf
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    (welcome cookebook/Kyle - thanks for the acknowledgement but I can't take credit for coining 'food porn' - and I can't remember who did!)

  • Gina_W
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm sure we can attribute some kind of porn to EJ!

    Wow, all the new names: Kyle (and Sweetpea), Dee, Carol, Lori, Cheryl, Mandie, Jackie, June, Donna, Marsha, Kathy, Chrissy, Robert, Aprile, Joan, Betsy, Mara and my favorite name - Coconut!

    Welcome everyone!

    And Deb - what the heck did you do with your children? I don't remember them tweens!

  • shaun
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Kyle, do ya remember ME?? Huh? Huh? hahahahahah!!! Glad you came out of lurkdom. Psst.. I kinda got teary eyed with Annie and Elery too. I just love happy endings.

  • chase_gw
    Original Author
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi Kyle! So glad you decided to come out...so to speak! LOL
    Really hope you will continue to join in 'cause I can tell you are family!

    PS: Love the Miss Chase, reminds me of the wonderful time we had in Louisiana on our road trip...but suspect you knew that.

    hugs

    Sharon

  • lindac
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Howdeee Kyle...love that there is another out there who cooks in approximation!!
    Keep hanging around....and step out of the shadows so we can see you now and then!
    Linda C

  • jab65
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm Joyce, just posted for (almost) the first time, though I read often. My husband & I retired from jobs in MI and spent the better part of 4 years living in a 1-room cabin on this property in South Puget Sound while we built the house where we now live since a year ago May. I've always been known in the family as the one who brought something "weird" to the dinner table. My three sons are adventurous eaters today!

  • annie1992
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    THank you, Kyle, for the good wishes. And yes, Elery DOES have a brother. Unfortunately, he's on wife number 5. I guess that does at least mean that he is the marrying kind, LOL.

    I love seeing all the "lurkers" come out to play with us, our group is suddenly much bigger, which gives me the opportunity to meet even more of you!

    Annie

  • caliloo
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Amen Annie! I love seeing all the lurkers come out to play. This is an awesome group of people and each new addition makes the "dish" so much better!

    Alexa

  • doucanoe
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow! I never realized there were so many "lurkers"! It's good to see you all stepping forward to let us know you are here! I am anxious to get to know you all much better!

    Please...lurk no more! You have much to offer, whether you think so or not!

    Linda

  • Lars
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I meant to post here sooner, but my time is much more limited than it used to be. I started here in July 2002 and have met a lot of wonderful people from here in person, not only ones from Los Angeles, where I live now. I've lived in Los Angeles since 1989, but my first address was Culver City, even though I lived in the L.A. neighborhood of Palms. I was right across the street from what used to be MGM Studios, and I could see the MGM lion from my kitchen window. Then I moved to Venice (still in L.A. city limits) right after the Northridge earthquake, which almost destroyed my CC apartment. Earlier this year my brother and I bought a house in Westchester (still Los Angeles), which is still considered to be part of the West Side, and so we have been very preoccupied getting settled and putting our own style into the house.

    In my 20s and early 30s, I lived in San Francisco for 12 years and was briefly a pastry chef at a very ditzy restaurant run by hippies. I was also designing and making clothes at the same time and quit my restaurant job when I started making ladies' evening wear on a regular basis, working with two other designers. After going back to university for a design degree, I settled in L.A. where I now work as a furniture designer. It's very important for me to be involved with doing something creative or else I am not happy. Cooking frequently fulfills that need. Creative writing is another outlet!!

    Lars

  • partst
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow look what happens when I dont look in for a few days. Im Claudia here in Kernville on the Kern River in Ca. Older than most of you but young at heart. Ive been married to the perfect man for 30 years and have one DD and DSI and one DGS.

    DH came from a background of women who had a hard time even using a can opener so he thinks anything I do in the kitchen is perfect. I come over from the kitchen forum after remodeling. I remember spike and the tea cups so I must have been here for a while. I mostly lurk and sometime post I really enjoy hearing about everyones daily happenings. I dont think Annie knows just how many people were wishing her and Elery happiness on her wedding day. I have become a much better cook for having found this place so I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.

    DH is getting ready to retire and when he asks me where I want to go and what I want to do I told him I have a long list of people I would like to meet so a road trip across the USA and Canada may be in my future. I would love to meet as many of you as I can in the coming years. And I never knew I would want to visit the Canary Islands I showed DH SharonCBs pictures and he said lets go.


    My week has gone from annoying when my salad spinner broke, I didnt know I needed one until I came here, to really bad this morning when my 2 year and 3 day old washing machine decided it didnt like living here anymore. I would go over to the appliance forum but I believe Jessica when she says they are more brutal and much worse that hot topics. This time I will buy the extended warranty. Anyone have a recommendation on a machine that will last more than a couple of years?

    Claudia

  • spacific
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hey all,
    Another Ann/Annie here, but Spacific works well too. I show up from time to time, and then get crazed with work and drop off the virtual map for a while. DH (Dave - married nearly 11 years), DS (Zeke - age 9) and I (and 2 yellow labs) live in San Pedro, CA, so I've gotten to meet a number of you thanks to the social efforts of JessyF and Compumom and Publicman and GinaW and...

    I first found this place while I was searching for a great new range for a kitchen remodel (LaCanche thread #9,425? Hi Deb!) I love to cook, mostly by instinct, so I particularly like checking in for inspiration and ideas. You probably won't see me posting too many detailed recipes, as I rarely write things down when I cook, and if I start with a recipe, I can never leave it completely as is.

    I grew up in Detroit and still have lots of family in MI. And though we consider moving back to MI, it never seems to quite right to do so. But we try to visit at least 2-3 times/year. I'm a graphic designer and I've had my business for more than 15 years, lucky enough to work at home these days. And a very dear friend calls me OP (for ocean person) since I love being in/on/under/at the ocean. Oh, and I grow a kitchen garden in my front yard (yesterday, I made a batch of pickles from the latest cucumber crop).

  • Terrapots
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Sharon, good idea. I always come in at the tailend being out here in the west and usually don't touch the computer for fun until evening. I found GW looking for answers to my newly found orchid hobby. I lurked for a bit until I needed to post a gardening question, was even willing to pay the $15 to continue as a member. I consider this the best family of friends I have. I suspect I'm the oldest member here but I miss people as I've worked all my life and it gets pretty lonely working alone at home. I started working as a medical transcriptionist right out of high school, continued school for medical records credentials as I ended up director of medical records in a fast growing hospital. When I "retired" I opened up a consulting, coding and medical transcrition service servicing several bay area hospitals until 2000. I have 4 children, all professionals scattered all over California, 17 grands, 2 ggrands and a husband who will not retire. We have several businesses to which DH travels during the week and I keep some of the books and make sure required reports are done on time.

    I like to cook but DH hates to try out new foods so I enjoy the posts and enjoy cooking vicariously through everyone's adventures here. I look forward to family get togethers so I can try out recipes I find here and everyone always comments how good everything is. This is the forum I check most often and occasionally have something I can contribute to but I also check out other sites in GW when I have other relevent issues. The posters here are great people and are very encouraging and helpful to anyone wanting answers, I marvel at the generosity. This is a good place.

    Terry

  • maddielee
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi! I'm another Cathy from the Tampa area. I mostly lurk (and learn) on this forum. We just completed a total redo of our 1968 kitchen, and I'm thrilled to be able to cook again. We'll put it to the first big test on Thanksgiving when we'll be hosting 16.

    I'm married (almost 40 years!) to John, mother of 2 remarkable children and grandmother of 3 even more remarkable children.

    Thank you to everyone for being so generous with your knowledge and recipes.

    Peace,
    Cathy (aka ML)

  • cookebook
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Miss Chase, Miss Chase, Miss Chase. You pulled a memory right out of my head from high school! Our school nurse was at least 100 years old and her name was Miss Skrivanek. She had one of those Resusci Annie dolls lying on one of the beds in the nurses office. However, for some reason she was called Miss Chase instead of Resusci Annie. If Miss Skrivanek thought for one moment you were faking it when you came to the nurses station you had to lie in bed with Miss Chase in front of an open door to the school hallway for several moments of ridicule before she sent you back to class. Funny the older I get I can remember this kind of useless carp but I cant remember what you told me a minute ago.

  • gardener1908
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Annie, I'm 10 mins. outside of Kalamazoo. I have been wanting to make a day trip to Trader Joe's for a while now. Maybe we could organize a group trip!!

  • trudy_gw
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Of course my name is easy to figure out....Trudy.
    Have been with GardenWeb for a number of years. Came from the Hosta Forum, the early years when you had to pay to post on this forum. If I remember correctly you could lurk, but not post.
    Not being much of a cook (would much rather be outside in the gardens) I sure wasnt going to pay.
    Well as I kept lurking, I found a few recipes that I could handle. Mostly dessert and baked recipes. Have to confess, I am a 'sugar bug'!
    Have joined in the cooking ministry at church, making frozen meals for families who are in need of meals.

    Live in Iowa, dutch community not far from Lindac. Two grown children with 9 grandchildren who live in St. Louis and KC. I have turned my hobby(hubby calls habit) into a part time business, selling hostas at the local farmers market.

    Enjoy readying all the post of recipes and TGF, just to see what is going on in others lives. Now with this post of introductions may it be easier for the lurkers to come on out and join in the fun of the forum......

    Happy Cooking to all!

  • annie1992
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Oh yeah, Gardener! That would be fun, Sheshebop is only about an hour south of you! We've been talking about going into Detroit for dinner at Greektown "one of these days".

    Ann Arbor has Trader Joe's of course, and Whole Foods, and Home Goods and IKEA and Zingerman's Deli, it could be a whole day, LOL.

    Annie

  • lorijean44
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Welcome to all the new participants and lurkers who have come out of 'lurkdom' to introduce theselves!! Love that!

    I'm Lori and have been with the CF for about 7 or 8 years. I live in the Dallas, TX area and have been divorced for a few years now. I have two children, both of whom are now married. My son and his wife, who have been married 2 years now, live across town from me, while my daughter & her family live in NY, where I originally grew up. She has 2 little ones, and I'm over the moon being a "Noni"!!

    I also have two little fur babies, one a cockapoo and the other a combo of a Jack Russell Terrier and a Shih Tzu (she looks more like a Jack Russell). They're devoted, following me around wherever I go, funny, and drive me crazy a lot of the time!

    I love cooking. It's generally the one thing I'm up to do, even if I'm feeling down. I downsize recipes when cooking for myself, but love having my son & his wife, and my brother and his family over - I love feeding a 'crowd'!

    I have a food blog, All That Splatters, that I enjoy working on. It's often what inspires me to try new recipes, which I love.

    Thanks again to everyone here - I have learned something from you all!!

    Lori

  • jessicavanderhoff
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I want to read about Annie and Elery-- the courtship. I thought you had just ALWAYS been married to him!

  • lori316
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I checked in this morning to get some ideas for Thanksgiving dinner I'm making for 38 people (!) and found this wonderful thread. Two hours later....

    I'm Lori (shocking, I know) and if you're new within the last two years, you probably don't know me. I'm in New England, a 42 yr old widow with 5 kids ages 8-30. (well, two stepsons, but I claim them as my own as often as I can). Next month will be two years since I lost my husband very suddenly. (Still miss you every day, hon!) This forum got me through it (understatement).

    Since then I don't hang out here nearly as much as I would like to (mostly lurk) because of a lack of time. Currently busy on the college hunt for my 17 yr old HS senior. My cooking is okay, although much improved by this forum, but my true love is baking, which I've started up again, not every day like before, but 3-4 days a week.

    I have a WONDERFUL new man in my life (should probably post an update on conversations!!!!!), and he has a sweet tooth, so I'm back in the baking frame of mind and thrilled.

    I first came here in 2000-ish and remember Spike and the teacups. I miss participating in the swaps, conversation, and friendships here...the best place on the net!!

  • Solsthumper
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Jessica, allow me to give you the (condensed) version of Elery and AB.

    Prince Elery came riding on his white S.U.V. Rescuing Annie with true love's first kiss, from a pricked finger she got while mending the farm's broken fence.
    Prince Charming went on to shower the princess with precious gifts, e.g. food processor, mixers, and other small kitchen appliances.
    The prince and princess rode into the sunset, hitting every restaurant and winery along the way. The I-villagers rejoiced. And they lived happily ever after.

    The end.

    Or rather, the beginning of a delicious love story...

    As for me, I'm Marysol. I've been roaming the halls of GW since 1997. I started out on The Kitchen Table. Then moved to Recipe Exchange, and on to other forums, until I finally settled on this one.
    This site has changed a lot over the years, but the Cooking forum remains pretty much the same. Different people, similar subjects.

    DH and I own an antiques business. I also have a website and a food blog. All of which keep me too busy to post here as often as I'd like.

    Welcome newbies. Enjoy your stay.

    Sol

  • annie1992
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thank you, Sol, LOL.

    Jessica, the Reader's Digest Condensed Version: I was married 30 years, my ex-husband spent a lot of the "family" money building a house which was supposed to be sold for profit. Instead he moved out and into the new house, which he had actually built for his girlfriend. I didn't understand, filed for divorce. I was hurt, angry, and spent my 50th birthday no where near the point in life I thought I'd be. The forum threw me a birthday party, the first I'd ever had! Evil Jessica came to Michigan with her boys and visited. I dated a couple of guys, better left unmentioned. The boss signed me up for eHarmony, LOL, that's where she met her husband. A man from Texas flew up on his own plane to meet me, I met a popcorn farmer from Texas, a pastor from Pennsylvania. Then I met Elery.

    He managed to ride my horse, impress my Dad and live through the Redneck Bonanza, so I decided to keep him. Fortunately, he also decided to keep me.

    We were married a year in May and spent our honeymoon at Joe's Gizzard City. (grin) Well, actually, we've been to nashville to see the Rockettes, to California to visit his grandsons, to South Padre Island, to Chicago. We really DID go to Joe's Gizzard City, though.

    Some of the pictures are gone, but here are some past threads...

    Second (I think) date:

    http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cooking/gal0512482214381.html

    Proposal:

    http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cooking/gal0901265920666.html

    Wedding:

    http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cooking/gal050003525819.html

    And a family get-together not to be missed, The RedNeck Bonanza:

    http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cooking/gal0822502525753.html

    That ought to keep you entertained for a while, LOL.

    Annie

  • stacy3
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    oh soooo funny cookebook!!! and sol...darlin, you always crack me up...

    I love Annie's love story...

    Lori, 38 people???!?!?!??? wow! and yes, you DO need to post on conversations...we need an update. :-)

  • annie1992
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Yes, Lori, you DO need to keep us updated, how could you possibly date a guy without our prior approval? (grin)

    And where the heck have you found 38 people to cook for?

    Annie

  • scotland1
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm Jan (Scotland is my middle name) and live in Atlanta with my husband of eleven years and our two daughters, nine and six. We have twelve pets (a dog, a cat, two hermit crabs, six chickens, a sand boa and a tarantula). Never a dull moment. We're deep in the part of life that consists of soccer practice, homework and sleepovers.

    I am also a technical writer for a government contractor, but work part time now. I mostly lurk, and am amazed by how much I've learned from you folks over the past few years! Y'all have been my personal cooking school, and my family thanks you. My girls love to cook, and my husband is finally learning now that my job requires me to travel every now and then.

  • KatieC
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Here I am, late as usual. Not really a lurker, just an infrequent poster for the last several years. I've been around for nearly 10 years, I think....I remember posting, mostly on the Recipe Exchange (it was very busy back then), before you had to register and then I was happy to pay Spike the $15 to hang out.

    DH and I live in 'out in the sticks' in the north Idaho panhandle. I am the director for our (small) library system and he works at home doing custom woodworking. He says he's going to retire, and is bucking for househusbandship, but he is still in demand and can't quite turn down work in order to cook and clean. He does manage to keep things tidied up and cooks a bit. We have a 24 year-old daughter, Liana, who graduated from college two years ago and became an instant casualty of our poor economy. She has finally connected with a decent job a block from my work and (yay!) moved into town, leaving us with two dogs, an old cat, and our newest addition....a black kitten named Moki.

    I live 14 miles from a grocery store and so have a large pantry that I like to keep stocked because I absolutely hate running out of anything. I gave up gardening when my job went full time, but in the last couple of years we have gotten back into it. Last year the househusband tilled up even more ground, giving us about 1/3 acre to plant. I do a lot of canning and dehydrating, and work with our County Extension teaching classes.. The lumber mills that supported our community are mostly gone, and there has been a huge resurgence in gardening, canning, and all that other back-to-the-land stuff. For me it's a quality issue more than an economic issue....homegrown/home canned is simply better. And it's good for my health and my soul.

    Nice to meet and re-meet everyone!

  • dirtgirl07
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi, I'm Beth in Alpharetta, GA (suburbs of Atlanta). I found GW in '07 when looking for instructions on growing tomatoes from seed, then on to the harvest forum, and here to cooking. All 3 forums have great 'families'!

    On each of the forums, have started back on the last pages and worked my way up thru as many threads as possible. Just a great way to absorb so much of the information and get to know people. It's amazing the diversity in age, background, etc of all the people and how close they are.

    I live in a townhouse with my one tuxedo furkid Sid and love to dig in the dirt... and paint. Cooking is great when there's plenty of time. I'm one of the recent victims of layoff and am looking forward to working again to get enough income to start some canning.

    It's been a great pleasure getting to know all of you!!

  • sooz
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Oh my goodness! ...just a comment to Dee and others from the waaaaay back group... I remember back when Spike had the forum (not sure if he started it or if there was someone before him who set up things) and I was here before we had to pay for it...which I gladly did because I got so much out of it! Love that it's free now, and I'm still getting so much out of this place!

    Special welcome to newbies, lurkers, and familiar folks and regulars too!
    Smiles,
    Sooz

  • happygram
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow! I was away and found this wonderful get acquainted thread. I've lurked and occasionally posted for several years. My husband of mannnnnnnnnnnny years is a wonderful guy but a very picky and boring eater, and so I vicariously enjoy the delicious recipes and beautiful pictures on this forum. When we have company. which is the only time I get to make things besides grilled chicken, steak, hamburgers, or salmon (get the idea?), this is where I come for ideas and interesting goodies to make.

    Thanks you to everyone for your help and inspiration.

    Mary

  • gardener1908
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Annie, I just went to Greektown 2 weeks ago on one of the rare occasions I get out. We went to a resteraunt and I had a veal dish, inspired me to come home and make Chicken Picatta w/ capers and artichokes. One of my forgotten dishes. Only did a bit of gambling. LOL.

  • becky_ca
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Wow - look what you miss when you're gone for a couple of days!

    My name is Becky (big surprise) and I live on the Central Coast of California (another big surprise LOL).

    My husband and I have been married 16 years and between us we have 5 kids, all grown and gone except for the baby boy who just turned 15 and is a freshman in HS. We also have two canine furbabies named Hawkeye and Libby - littermates we got from the SPCA a little over a year ago. Plus my husband's large freshwater aquarium, a parakeet and a gecko named Spot. No grandkids yet, but I'm looking forward to being a Mimi :-)

    I love to cook, and at one time thought I'd like to do it professionally. After taking a few classes at the junior college a few years ago I changed my mind and decided that it was okay to just be my family's personal chef. I'm fortunate that my family really enjoys trying new recipes, and we also love to pair food and our local wines.

    Other than cooking, I love to sew - mostly quilting, but I make bags and home dec items too. I also like to read, but find that it cuts into my sewing time unless I can get an audiobook.

    I've been frequenting the forums here off and on for about 10 years - I think I originally found them through the home decorating forum. I don't post all that often, but I read most mornings while I wake up with my coffee. And I know if I have a question that I can get a quick answer here :-)

    Bon Appetit!

    Becky

  • craftyrn
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi all-- I'm Diane--retired RN with a small craft show business & a BIG family--(2 DDs, 2 DSs,4 great stepsons,17 grandkids, 3 GGkids). I'm 69 , hubby Doc is 70 & is suppose to be retired but the man keeps going into work ! We live in a rural area in CNY near Cayuga Lake . I've been here forever it seems-- started back in '88 I think at GW trading seeds & plants .

    I love to cook & bake , luckily have a DH that will eat whatever is placed in front of him and often a few Gkids underfoot who know just where the cookie jar is.

  • jessicavanderhoff
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I am outraged about your ex, Annie. That kind of systematic deception is just EVIL. Also, I believe in karma. After reading all the threads, I'm still wiping tears, although at this point I'm not sure if they're happy tears about the love story or tears of hillarity about the redneck bonanza- they're all kind of blurring together.

  • Ann Hargreaves
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi,

    I have been lurking on and off for years. This is my go-to place for tried and true recipes. I am 47, originally from Puerto Rico, but now live in Sonoma County, Northern California. Living here, I feel really spoiled by the bounty of year-round, locally-grown produce. I love cooking. I find it very relaxing.

    I live with my husband, Mike, and our golden retriever, Maddie. I have 19 and 23 year old sons, one who likes to eat, and one who likes to cook just as much as I.

    Ann

  • cotehele
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hello all,

    Cotehele is my 8 year old rescue golden. I discovered the Kitchen forum almost three years ago when we began planning a new kitchen. I wandered over here after seeing the Cooking forum mentioned occasionally. Every one is so nice I am still here.

    Ours is a one cook kitchen. I enjoy creative cooking. What that really means is I like the challenge of making dinner from what ever is in the fridge and seldom use a recipe. I love baking anything sweet and breads.

    Indiana has been home for almost 28 years of our 35 year marriage. Our DS graduated from college in May and was married in July. DH would like to retire soon; whether or not he will depends on DS & DDIL's grad school plans. I practiced and/or taught nursing for 20 years. Went back to grad school for historic preservation, managed a professional orchestra. I am enjoying my new kitchen and bakery.

    Judy

  • beanthere_dunthat
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Am I the only CFer in Nevada?

    If I remember correctly, I signed up the first time in 2002. It was definitely in the days of Spike and membership fees. Annie1992 enticed me to rejoin in 2007, although I had been lurking the year I didnt post.

    I'm 48, married to a wonderful guy, no kids -- unless you count a persnickety feline child substitute. I am a GRITS (Gal Raised in the South), but have lived in the southeast, Ohio Valley and west. We figure well be here another year or two, then off to another part of the country.

    I worked many years in the restaurant business, and we owned a food-centric business until 2007. For years and years, DH and I were together nearly 24/7 because we worked together, but now his job takes him on the road for a month or so at a time. As a result, I don't cook nearly as much as in the past. (And when he's home, he cooks, which is something he does very, very well.)

  • phyllis_philodendron
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Sharon (canarybird), my inlaws met on Majorca. Ironically neither of them is from Spain. LOL She was a Dutch stewardess with KLM and he was an American physician traveling around Europe. So romantic (gagging sounds). LOL

    I have been here on and off for 8 1/2 years now! I think I was first directed here from a search about philodendrons, hence my user name. Then I slowly meandered to the cooking forum. I check in from time to time - something got me thinking about the group yesterday and I decided to log on. :)

    I have three wonderful children, ages nearly 6 (in two days!), 3, and 8 months. I am married to a teacher of economics and history and we live on the campus of a boys' boarding school in New York state, not that far from Stacy3.

    In my spare time LOL I love to sew, read, cook, and blog. I have a private blog for friends and family to keep up with the kids, and it's been a blast to keep it up in various forms since David was a mere tot. I have another blog that talks mostly about motherhood, childbirth and pregnancy called The Deranged Housewife, of which our very own Netla was gracious enough to "follow," putting me on the map that is Google Search. (Thank you, Netla!) (A native of Iceland, she has a wonderful blog with photos too, that I often look at ...just a quick plug there...LOL)

    I am a freelance writer/editor/sort of graphic designer and work from home when I can get assignments. Most of my work now is volunteering my graphic design "skills" (I use that term lightly sometimes LOL) for my son's school.

    I enjoy cooking not so much for the meal preparation but I love feeding people. I consider it such a wonderful blessing to have family or guests around my table to cook for. I overheard a woman at the store the other day talking about how she's going on a Mexican vacation over Christmas and is excited to not have to cook. I thought, you can keep your vacation because I'd rather cook for my friends and family!

    And now I must stop blathering on in order to prevent my infant son from eating the Persian rug...excuse me.

  • canarybird01
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I love to read about everyone's life, including our long time members just as much as the first time we did this!

    Phyllis that's interesting that your in-laws met in Majorca (Mallorca). It is such a beautiful and romantic place that I never went back to Canada to live.

    Here's one of my favourite villages on that island, Valldemossa, where Frederik Chopin spent a winter.

    SharonCb

  • vicki_lv
    14 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm Vicki from Las Vegas, Nevada. I have been on THS since it was run by Spike. I had to take a "vacation" from here when we were working 70-80 hour weeks. When we got back to "normal" I couldn't remember my sign in info.

    I am originally from South Dakota and Iowa. I am married to my best friend, Mike. We have two boys, Kiel (pronounced Kyle) 24 and Kelly 21. We don't have grandchildren, but Kelly and his GF will probably give us a few. Kiel and his GF? Not interested. We operate a party rental store and have for most of our married life. We plan to retire in Montana at some point.

    I am mostly a lurker here and post mostly at the KT. I love to see everyone's food photos. I love to cook, especially when my DH or boys want to help. We then call it "Hell's Kitchen", without the hell. We are foodies and we admit it. We are always trying new things. And most of them are made up. We may see something somewhere and just make it the way we think it would be delicious. Our boy's girlfriends love eating at our house, so that makes me feel great.

    My sister and my MIL live with us, so we have a house full. When everyone leaves, we will suffer major empty nest syndrome...or maybe we will celebrate. LOL

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