The Heart Behind the Recipes

For years, friends & family told me I should start a recipe blog. The thought lived in my mind for forever, but I never knew where to begin. As 2024 was about to come to a close, I had a burning desire for change but wasn’t sure what that would look like. After years of pouring myself into everyone else–raising kids, homeschooling, managing everyone’s day-to-day–I wanted to build something that was just mine. I decided to take a leap of faith and go all in on my dream. One night, standing in the kitchen (because, where else would I be?) frustrated & unsure where start, I tearfully joked to my husband, “What am I supposed to do, film myself cooking dinner & call myself The Paper Plate Gourmet?” Well, it stuck. Once I said it, it was all I thought about.

A week later I posted my first Instagram Reel.

I’ve loved food since I was a child. I have memories of baking chocolate chip cookies after school on Friday afternoons with my neighbor, being excited for Uncle Eddie’s breakfasts when we went to the mountains. I was the kid that spent all her money at the church bazaar’s tasting table and every penny on the Swedish fish & chicken salad sandwiches at the carnival every summer.

When my husband enrolled in culinary school, food became an even bigger part of our lives & 35 years later, nothing’s changed. The kitchen is where my heart feels at home — a place where I can serve joy to those around me through food — and nourish my soul at the same time.

Now I get to share that joy with you, too. So pick out a mug, grab a seat at the island & I’ll make the coffee.

I’m so thrilled that you’re here with me!