Mandi and I have been talking about a food blog for the better part of ten years. The conversation  was sparked late one night while packing the kitchen after selling our first house. We were gathering our sacred stacks of notes, pages and addendums loosely organized in to collections of binders and boxes.

Both our families had very American styles of cooking, Gringo Tacos, Ground Meat Spaghetti and other mostly American staples. So, not a lot of exploration, to be fair tho was no internet and ethnic culture was generally lacking. However, there were two major influences. My Grandma Vi baked and decorated as a profession for an elegant restaurant. And then there was my Granni, she could make a southern spread of Fried Chicken, Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens that will never be matched. Joy, Mandi’s Grandma, she lives outside the box, Joy will make a dish and always adds a signature twist. Her creativity is such that few of her own recipes will be featured here.