Much has changed for our family since the second edition of the Frugal Family's Kitchen Book came out in 1985. Bert and I, who had known each other only six weeks when we got married in 1977, will soon celebrate our 26th anniversary.

Our combined six “kids” are all in their 30's now. We feel blessed by the wonderful spouses and significant others they have brought into our lives, and through the experiences we've shared with them, each and all...

One thing that hasn't changed since the last edition of the Frugal Family's Kitchen Book is my passion for cooking. I truly thought that as I got older and our household got smaller, cooking would become more ho-hum, my interest waning. Not so, although it is quite a challenge to find eaters for all the recipes I just can't wait to try.

It was eye-opening to work away from home, a valuable experience that left me with a far deeper understanding and appreciation of just what it takes to balance a demanding job with home and family. I've always been a pretty energetic person, I really thrive on juggling a zillion things at once, but teaching with my usual intensity made for a challenging, and humbling, ten years.

The past few years I've focused on what has always been my first love, writing. And, so, here I am, sitting in your kitchen again. You know... I bet there have been just as many interesting, and perhaps sometimes unexpected, changes in your life over these past years... Life's quite an adventure, isn't it?

Thanks for stopping in!