Eat, Drink, and Be Merry...

My Mother often told us to "Mangia!" as she set our plates before us at dinner. It's Italian for "Eat!" No, we're not Italian but your general mix of European bloodlines headlined by German and Irish. I'm not sure where she came up with that command but mangia we did, especially if it was lasagna or spaghetti and meatballs. I think she channeled an Italian Grandmother as she cooked those dishes because they tasted deliciously authentic. I'm sure she had no idea that a simple word would become my mantra, my touchstone, my lifestyle, and my obsession over the years. I've worked in restaurants, cafe's and bakeries but my favorite place to cook is in my home with completely free reign-although without the extensive ingredients available. There have been times when I've been worried, anxious or just not able to sleep and I've cooked and baked my way through. Life as a single mother had its challenges. My problems never disappeared but they became manageable and we had good things to eat. Life always seems easier when you're eating a piece of bread fresh from the oven and lavished with sweet butter. I hope I can teach my daughter to enjoy eating with balance in her life. Our life is much stabler and happier since I met my husband almost 8 years ago. He's the man of my dreams, and I know I got lucky. Now I cook out of happiness and employ all my creativity and senses. We both love to eat good food and drink good wines and dance to the blues. I can never understand the people who have told me that they forget to eat! Just like I can't stand those women who can eat whatever they want and stay slender without exercising. You Know Who You Are! I am forever planning my next meal or the next dinner I'm going to cook, or if I should make homemade pizza on Friday night. I have to fight hard at the gym to be able to eat well but it's worth it. If I die today I can say that I didn't deprive myself of blue cheese melting on a ruby red bite of filet mignon, or the chocolate kahlua soaked tiramisu I made for my last birthday. I had that extra glass of wine and probably partied a little too much every weekend during Football season. Let's not even talk about Superbowl Sunday. The only thing I will regret is if I don't accomplish my writing goals and this is the year for me to write my heart out. So this blog is the beginning of a journey for me. I'm not sure exactly what the destination is but I hope to hit all the wild and fun spots along the way and eat, drink and be merry like nobody's watching.