Growing up, I'd awaken on the weekends to the aroma of food cooking, drawing me to the kitchen where I would discover my father had made us a big, delicious breakfast. I enjoyed watching my dad, formerly a cook in the Army, cook for us. He usually ended the evenings on the weekend with an enjoyable dinner, unlike the meals we usually got during the week from my mother, who did not share our joy of cooking. Whatever took as little time and effort as possible to prepare and cook was my mother's choice, which usually was out of a box. I would watch in wonder as my father searched through the shelves of herbs and spices for just the right ingredients to add to his creation on the stove. He always bravely experimented with different combinations of seasonings for his favorite dishes, modeling fearlessness in the kitchen. That is where my passion for cooking began.
Further inspired by my mother's lack of cooking skills, I taught myself how to cook at a very early age, taking note of my father's skills and cooking style. How I began was by reading cookbooks and watching Julia Child on public television (PBS). As I got older, I had the privilege of meeting two other chefs, both of whom I lived with for short periods of time and learned a great deal from. Buddy was experienced in cooking soul food in large amounts. Billy was more artistic and showed me how to make food pleasing to the eyes and used a light and healthy style of cooking. Through my cooking education and experiences, I discovered that I love baking the most. My first baking teacher was my older sister, Victoria, who I have always referred to as Vicki. Using her recipes, she showed me how fun baking is. I also learned a lot about vegetarian cooking during the 15 years that I did not eat meat or dairy products.
My first published cookbook was "Trailer Park Treasures Halloween Party Recipes". My second was "Trailer Park Treasures Step By Step Holiday Cooking", and my next will be the Spanish version "Trailer Park Treasures Paso A Paso Recetas De Cocinar Para Las Fiestas", followed by the full-size cookbook "Trailer Park Treasures Step By Step Cookbook". I tend to write as I speak, with a sense of humor.
I am also currently writing books in the Self-Help/Psychology genre, including two books - healing from rape and healing from incest - which I will be announcing on this site once they become closer to completion. Although I primarily write non-fiction, I also occasionally write fictional stories and scripts. Check back at this site in the future for announcements of publishing my fictional work as well. If you would like to receive an e-mail announcement of any of my books, just fill in the form on the Contact Me page and write what announcement(s) you would like to receive.
Further inspired by my mother's lack of cooking skills, I taught myself how to cook at a very early age, taking note of my father's skills and cooking style. How I began was by reading cookbooks and watching Julia Child on public television (PBS). As I got older, I had the privilege of meeting two other chefs, both of whom I lived with for short periods of time and learned a great deal from. Buddy was experienced in cooking soul food in large amounts. Billy was more artistic and showed me how to make food pleasing to the eyes and used a light and healthy style of cooking. Through my cooking education and experiences, I discovered that I love baking the most. My first baking teacher was my older sister, Victoria, who I have always referred to as Vicki. Using her recipes, she showed me how fun baking is. I also learned a lot about vegetarian cooking during the 15 years that I did not eat meat or dairy products.
My first published cookbook was "Trailer Park Treasures Halloween Party Recipes". My second was "Trailer Park Treasures Step By Step Holiday Cooking", and my next will be the Spanish version "Trailer Park Treasures Paso A Paso Recetas De Cocinar Para Las Fiestas", followed by the full-size cookbook "Trailer Park Treasures Step By Step Cookbook". I tend to write as I speak, with a sense of humor.
I am also currently writing books in the Self-Help/Psychology genre, including two books - healing from rape and healing from incest - which I will be announcing on this site once they become closer to completion. Although I primarily write non-fiction, I also occasionally write fictional stories and scripts. Check back at this site in the future for announcements of publishing my fictional work as well. If you would like to receive an e-mail announcement of any of my books, just fill in the form on the Contact Me page and write what announcement(s) you would like to receive.