Like most cooks, I get my recipe inspiration from many sources.  I subscribe to several magazines, read cookbooks for fun, peruse many online cooking blogs and websites and have many friends and family members that cook.  I don’t just mean cook as a means to feed yourself and your family..but, cook for fun.

My Grandmother was/is a wonderful cook.  I have many memories of the dishes she has made over the years.  I have been lucky enough to be given several of her “trusty recipes” and I will treasure them always.

Although nothing tastes exactly the same as when Grandma makes it, I’m pretty proud of my version of her classic Hoosier cream pie.

My Mother, Susan, is also a great cook.  Both from necessity and pleasure, she has whipped up some tasty meals over the years.  I have several cousins that are no stranger to the kitchen so I would like to think we keep it all in the family, so to speak!

This holiday fruit salad is a memorable family recipe that’s given me lots of recipe inspiration.

My husband’s family line is deep with good cooks on both sides.  I mean, good southern cooks.  His Aunt Sue makes a chicken pie that I think of at least once a week.  I could go on for hours about her cooking.  When we got married and I met Matt’s family, I really paid attention to these fine ladies when they were in the kitchen.  His Grandmother Lucy, his Mom Flo, Aunts Sue and Lynda and several cousins make the list of some of the best cooks I know.
These women that have taught me so much over the years are great women and great mothers.  They have all been down the same path I now am on.  Working (both in the home and out), keeping a home, cooking and making a life.  A good life.   King, Tallman, Flannagan …

I also get a lot of recipe inspiration from friends.  If I know someone who has made something that they like, that was a successful dish, chances are I am going to try it.  I go on the opinion of other ladies in the know 50% of the time.  I think a lot of us do.  I have reconnected over the years with several old friends and for that I am grateful.  What I have noticed is that several of them are like me!  We have a busy home life.  With kids, work, personal interests, husbands…the list goes on…we have a lot in common.  One such friend, Liz, recently shared a recipe with me that is awesome. I could retype it all for you….but the website is so much prettier!  It is from MyRecipes and here is the link.

Roast Chicken with Pears, Shallots, and Walnuts.

I did and I hope you will too!

Thank you all for your recipe inspiration and feedback ????