About Me

What should I write about rhymeswithsmile?

I started this blog shortly after my husband started working on his PhD.  I needed a creative mental outlet.  Instead of doing something cool like learning to play the banjo, I started a blog.

My mother taught me how to cook.  I've always admired how seamlessly she could put together a dinner for our family of six or a surprise crowd of fifteen.  There are a lot of recipes I share that are from her.

I wouldn't say I'm accomplished or anything, but I do like to cook real food in simple, flavorful ways.  I really like having a food budget (weird, I know).  I have been heavily influenced by Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food and by the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook.  My ideal food day would definitely involve a crazy salad (the more stuff in there, the better) and something with beans and cheese.  Oh, and donuts.  Definitely donuts.

Aforesaid mother also passed on to me a love of sewing, which means that I like to dabble in a little bit of that too.  I started sewing baskets in 2013 and haven't been able to stop.  I knew I was onto something when the thought of buying rope by the mile didn't startle me, and folks started offering real money for what I was making.  I mean, I'd have taken blueberries and fresh eggs, but those are a little harder to deposit at a bank in the city.  The tellers don't take kindly to produce.

I love making connections with my community and helping others do the same.  This is my tiny little way of doing that.