Food + Stories
One day as I was walking into my eighth-grade choir class, I had an undeniable happiness written across my face that could be seen from miles away. I walked partially down the steps and turned to the right where my desk was each time I am to come to class.
I was holding my purse tightly. The strap started on my left shoulder, going across my chest to my right hip, you know, like those cross-body purses, except I don’t think this purse was a crossbody purse. I was just wearing it that way.
I had some good news that I just had to share with at least one of my classmates . . . any classmate. To my left entered a classmate, ready for class. I called her over.
“Look!”
She had curiosity written in every inch of her demeanor. She walked over. I removed my purse from across my chest, pulling it up as I turned my head slightly to the left to free the strap.
‘Are you ready?’ I asked.
I don’t remember if she even answered the question, but she stood waiting for the seemingly good news.
I unzipped my purse.
“Look!”
I started calling out all my favorite snacks that were in my purse. I grabbed a pack of cookies, swinging them in the air. I think it was the Grandma brand cookies. Those reeeeaaallly good vanilla sandwich cookies? Yes! Those!
“Look! These cookies are soooo good!”
She didn’t smile not one bit. She asked, ‘You get hungry during class or something?’
At that point, I thought she was one of the weirdest humans on the planet. Who doesn’t get excited about food? Like that! Ha ha!
I replied, “No, I just wanted to show you all of these delicious snacks.”
I had some good news that I just had to share with at least one of my classmates . . . any classmate.
I didn’t know it then, but that was the foodie in me. Not everyone shares this deep love of food. This may sound unbelievable, but some people can eat food and not be excited about it. I don’t understand it. I really. don’t. understand it.
I have had a few different blogs over the years. I would include food on it, but it wasn’t a food blog. I always kept my deep passion for food offline. I mean, if you’ve followed me back in the day, it was clear that I loved to cook and eat, but being that it wasn’t a food blog, I didn’t talk about it the way I do now.
I remember when I launched Love-Jane (blog), I immediately felt that this was IT. I was supposed to launch it in 2019 but decided I would in 2020. I’m multi-passionate, so for so long I thought my food passion was just something I would share with family and friends. I have written some recipes down and saved them over the years, but I didn’t think to start a blog to develop more recipes. If I’m not developing recipes for the blog, I don’t measure, unless I’m baking. I always thought that process would be less interesting than just getting in the kitchen and creating delicious dishes. Well, I was wrong. I love everything about developing recipes. The deciding of what recipe is next, the thought process of which ingredients I will use, the measuring, coming up with amazing recipes and even the recipes that are not good. Of course, I don’t post those, however, those mistakes make room for my growth as a recipe developer and a food blogger. I have even learned that my background in fiction and non-fiction writing doesn’t necessarily make me an exceptional food writer. I’ve always been a visual writer. That’s my goal for Love- Jane (blog). Trust me when I say writing an entire blog on a new recipe can sometimes feel like having an essay to write up right before it’s time to turn in. Y’all remember those school days. Lol!! Although I used to strive to have mine written early, there were definitely times I was a little close to falling short on that. Lol! But I’m learning to focus on the memory and meaning of each dish. Writing it that way, is what makes it fun for me. Like nachos remind me of my childhood. I used to go to Spurs (name of store) and order nachos with extra cheese and jalapeños. I used to get fried turkey wings. Tearing open those grease-stained brown paper bags . . . that was exciting! Hot wings, chocolate chip cookies, my mama’s crab salad, jelly cake, and so much more. Red beans! That was the very first food I cooked for my husband when we were engaged. I wanted that pot of red beans to be amazing! Lol! And it was. I remember how much he loved it. I baked some cornbread with it and fried chicken wings. He loved every bit of that meal. Lol! I love how much my children enjoy my food. I love seeing the expression on Kiley’s face when she eats her first spoon full of mommy’s seafood gumbo, each and every pot cooked, each and every bowl. I love to see how much Kyla enjoys each and bite of chocolate chips cookies that mommy bakes. I love seeing how much Kenny enjoys chocolate cake and homemade buttermilk pancakes that mommy makes. I warm his syrup just a little and drizzle it over his pancakes just the way he likes it. It doesn’t matter to him if the syrup is warmed or not, but he loves to taste syrup in each bite. Lol.
Growing up, I saw Mama cooking and loving every bit of it. I am so happy I love food the way I do. I am so happy to be a foodie. It makes me, ME. Mama would be so happy to entertain and serve others. I know firsthand of what beautiful feeling that is. I remember riding through our neighborhood as a little girl and seeing a small vacant building. Mama used to say how nice it would be to turn that into a restaurant. It eventually became a Domino’s pizza. She really loved the idea of food, entertaining, and hospitality. She did it beautifully. Even when she ached and couldn’t move around in the kitchen as she once could, I was right by her side to keep her dream going. We moved a lot because of my uncle’s career. I remember my uncle coming to pick me up from school one day. Everyone was so fascinated seeing the man they see on television come pick me up from school. To me, he is and has always been just my uncle whom I love deeply. I am soooo super proud to be his niece. That would be even if he wasn’t a public figure. As a matter of fact, when I talk to him, I’m not talking to a public figure. I’m talking to my uncle. I love seeing the expression on his face when we visit, and I cook his favorite meals. I remember one visit where I saw he swiped his finger through the food. The plate was clean, and he wanted every part of what was left, even the sauce. He didn’t do it in front of me, but I saw the finger swipe mark. Lol!
Being in a different state, we had visitors throughout the years when I was growing up. I would cook in the kitchen while Mama would taste test the food and guide me with her instructions.
It’s beautiful to see how my children love cooking as well. They have other hobbies as well and cooking is one. They love to be in the kitchen. They help me come up with recipes to develop as well. I can’t wait to share a recipe that is an idea thought of by Kyla. Kenny loves helping mommy and daddy stir the food and Kiley has a delicious macaroni and cheese recipe that’s better than mine. Lol! I love making memories with my family. I cherish all of the beautiful moments we shared with mama.
Dear Foodie,
I want to thank you for supporting the blog. I hope I can assist in making each meal for your family exciting and delicious. I cook so many different types of foods. Some recipes take a little longer than others to prepare. While each recipe I share with you is approachable and easy, know that sometimes I may share a recipe that may take a little longer than others. These are the recipes I tried not to share on the blog, but the truth is; sometimes, cooking takes a little longer on some days. Even if that longer is 30 minutes. Don’t be overwhelmed when you see those recipes though. They will still be easy, approachable, and delicious. That’s the beauty of cooking. The flour on your shirt, and the butter on your hands are memories that we get to own. The reward of seeing your family and friends enjoying something they consider special is beautiful. A great recipe goes far beyond what’s on the plate. So many meaningful, full, and fun conversations can happen right there in front of a meal. It’s the emotions and the memories of that moment and moments before that that makes a meal shared amazingly special.
