Hi! I’m Debbie…a wife, mother of 6, grandmother of 14, and someone who is striving to live the simple life by returning to the basics. This means cooking healthy, from-scratch meals for our family and friends, learning to preserve foods, making soaps and lotions, raising animals on our mini-farm, and an assortment of other things.
I grew up in a family that owned restaurants. I “waited” my first table when I was 9 years old. (That should give you a BIG hint that I am “old” because current laws would NOT have allowed that!) While I didn’t carry on the family business, there were definitely values that were instilled in me from a young age. The love of food, the love of family and friends, and the desire to bring everyone around a table to enjoy good food and share life experiences.
My personal life experience has been a roller coaster. I went from the restaurant business to seeking success in the corporate world. Although I did attain some measure of success, there was something missing…it took me years to realize that it was the intimacy of relationships that I yearned for.
Going from a financial officer of a multi-million dollar company to a stay-at-home wife and mom was an adjustment, but one I wouldn’t trade for anything! It was exciting to cook a simple meal for my family and friends and sit around the table laughing and sharing stories about our day.
This website began as a way to share recipes with my kids. It was all about their favorite recipes that they could share with their spouses and loved ones. As I have “matured”, it has become so much more. It has become a way to bring people into relationships with others, whether that is over a delicious meal, or offering advice to those who are starting out on a path to be more self-sufficient. I hope this website will be a help to you. We have been there, we ARE there, and by God’s grace, we hope to continue.
