Counting my blessings and my cookbooks...

I was thinking today about where I am in my journey in this life,  and the lifestyle that I love. I have many blessings to count as well as the love of my family, and with the end of summer behind us, and my garden put to rest I can really get into the Fall season with one of my greatest  passions and joys  Cooking. I realized I kind of jumped the gun by posting the tomato sauce yesterday so this Friday I will skip a recipe entry. Lets face it ... I love to Eat, Food and Cooking! That includes any & all food.  I don't always know what I will  create but when the mood  hits me I am off on a tastebud tangent. Next to cooking I love reading cookbooks and have been collecting quite a few.  I must also add that to set a pretty table with bright and cheery plates & flowers and cloth napkins compliment my creations. I frequent the kitchen stores and kitchen departments of many stores collecting more "stuff" according to my husband... and yes "another cookbook."

and Today, I purchased a Mario Batali's cookbook "Malto Italiano" and the "everyday Italian" by Giada De Laurentiis. I have started watching the morning Food Network on TV and find it very inspirational as I sit with my coffee, or cup of tea in my jammies taking notes from my favorite chefs and what they are preparing.

Having a full pantry is a must and after scanning mine I see I have accumulated some basics that I can grab when I am charged to cook... I hate to run to the store for an item necessary to create that perfect dish.
 Fortunately my husband is willing to taste test anything I prepare and he has acquired a joy in cooking as well. 
I am no Julia Childs, or Martha Stewart although a fan, but I am also not intimidated by some of the failures and goofs I have made. I often serve new untested recipes to  company and love ones....( don't tell them). I think it's the confidence that I feel cooking that disquises any errors I may have made.  And the chickens and Buster are all to happy to take care of any thrown their way.

In years past I entertained the idea of cullinary school but with 3 children, living  on a tight budget, growing our own fruits & vegetables as well as beef, chickens, turkeys rabbits & pigs was a close as I came to a real food education. My oldest daughter has picked up my interest in cooking and has become quite the chef herself as well as her older brother, He has a few recipes he creates along with his magic talents.

Now that I have an empty nest and plenty of time to pursue my passion I can enjoy this special interest.
I  recently  discovered  a kitchen store here in Klamath Falls that is offering cooking classes,  I signed up immediately and the first class for me will be October 22nd. (As I blog, another of my interests,)
I will share some of the  things I learn with you and invite you to follow me into the kitchen, wash your hands, put on an apron and roll up your sleeves, because we are going to be cookin!