My career and my life would not be possible without all the people I have in my corner. There are many people who’ve got my back no matter what. Let me say, I am one lucky girl! Let me take a moment to talk about the people in my life, the people I can’t live without.
Julie Grace. I’m not sure the words exist to properly explain how amazing this woman is. She is on my permanent staff and keeps Rabbit and Wolves going, handling all the daily tasks that need to be done. This book would not have been possible without her. She edited photos, she proofread, she let me bounce all my ideas off her, she told me I was doing a great job even when I felt like my work wasn’t good enough. Her strengths are my weaknesses and life wouldn’t be okay without her at my side. Not only is she the greatest employee of all time, we have been friends for ten years. We’ve been through everything together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. There is no one I trust more to do the best work and to be there to listen to me. There is no one else like her in the world, and I love her to death. She emits beauty, in every form, out into the world—I am so much better for knowing her.
Chris, my husband. I don’t know how much other people like their husbands, but not only am I in love with my husband but I also really, really like him. I would rather spend the day hanging out with him doing nothing than anything else. Chris is behind me always. When I wanted to be a full-time food blogger, which sounded crazy to most people, it didn’t sound crazy to Chris. He has never doubted me, not for a second. He completely jumped on board when I told him I was going to write a book. Every day, he says, “Tell me what you need, and I will take care of it.” Buying groceries, arranging props, washing dishes, entertaining our daughter—anything I ask for, he makes it happen. He also has a great palate: He eats meat and he loves my food, so I consider that a good endorsement. There is no one else in the world I want to do life with, so I’m pretty happy with my decision to do life with him.
Ethan, Zach and Tia, my siblings. We may not have had much growing up, but we’ve always had each other. My brothers and sister are constantly telling me that what I’m doing is amazing and how proud they are. I don’t care a lot about other people’s opinions, but I care about theirs. They are my heart, and their support can get me through anything.
Ken, my dad. He’s the best. He’s beyond intelligent, he’s beyond loving, he always knows what to do, and he is just the coolest. There has not been one second that I can remember him questioning what I wanted to do. He has always said he wants me to be happy and that I need to figure out what makes me happy. When I told him I wanted to be a food blogger, he was totally on board. My dad is who I call if I just want to talk and he is also who I call if I need advice. He has only ever made me feel loved, and he deserves all the greatest things in the world!
Lenore, my daughter. She gives me purpose. Before she was born, I was a lost twenty-something with a love of food, a culinary degree and no direction. She gave me that direction. I wanted to show her what I could do. I wanted her to be proud of me. She completes our little family and I love her more than I thought was possible.
My mother-in-law, Joann. She’s a big reason I am where I am today. She gives my family so much support. She’s believed in me every step of the way. She makes my recipes, she tells everyone she talks to about me. I owe a lot of what I am to her. Without her, it would not be possible for me to scale the mountains I keep climbing.
Page Street Publishing. They made my dreams come true. Writing a cookbook has been my dream since childhood. I pretended to have my own cooking show in the kitchen when no one was watching. I came up with some really great commercials for my fake cookbook that I would advertise on my fake cooking show. This book is something I’ve fantasized about my whole life. Page Street found me, and I am thankful every day that they took a chance on me!
Everyone who has taste-tested, encouraged me, held me together, told me everything would be all right, told me I was good enough, told me that I could do this. This book is for all of you. Thank you.