Yes, it will take me all week. 

Joy in my kitchen begins with not only the heart to desire to be in the kitchen, but creating a workable space to enjoy the process.

I don't plan on spending much, if any money this week. But I want to get started right, and that begins with cleaning the kitchen and organizing a few things the way I need them to be.  I must keep reminding myself this is a year long journey. Everything will not commence on day 1.

So, my goal for today is to plan out what I need in my kitchen, and what I can do away with.

Two lists:  Keep.  and   Go.

The holidays gave me the opportunity to clean out the fridge, and organize for family that came into town, so there's not much to be done. But I want to catalog necessary kitchen essentials and things that are just taking up space.

Well, there's nothing special about who I chose to take this journey with. It's really more of a play on words.

Paula Deen is a Southern cook. I am Southern.

But more interestingly, I have a twin sister. Her name is Paula.  Yes, we've always been Pamela & Paula. So, who better to pick than a Southern cook with my twin sister's name?

It brings a childhood familiarity to my cooking while I go on this journey. I'm not a big cookbook purchaser. In fact, the first few recipes I make here.....will be ones from online.

But I am purchasing the electronic version of Paula Deen's Southern Cooking Bible just to add to my collection.

Maybe Paula Deen will read this one day. Who knows?  I hope she's not offended that I may cut the butter, or oil, or leave out the pork, or add more veggies.  God gave me this home, with this family, so if something feels too much, I'll cut back.

I may add some of my mothers favorite recipes here, like her famous Cornbread Dressing.  Paula Deen can't touch it...seriously.

So, thank you Paula for being Southern, and having the same name as my twin sister. Thank you for making a cookbook for me to use as I find joy in my kitchen.

With that said, I'll start my showing you my kitchen.....

I need this journey. Maybe you need to journey too.
Well, it's all about learning, living, and experiencing joy in my kitchen. 

I love food.

 I love cooking (at times). But with three kids, homeschool, the joy can just get taken out of it.

In my life, something's gotta change. We all have to eat, and the Lord knows I need to enjoy cooking.

So, armed with scriptures, quotes, my IPad cookbook, and some southern motherly guidance, I set out at 37 years old to find joy in my kitchen.  To become the kitchen creative and  I invite you to journey along with me. 

I'm Southern, as you have probably read in my About Me.  Yes, from the beautiful state of Mississippi, where I grew up on fried chicken and German chocolate cake.  As I feed my own family, I like to introduce some healthy twists to Southern food, as well as indulge in some good old favorites.

Yes, I cook meat.  I am not as much of a fan of meat as I was in previous years, so my recipes curtail large amounts of meat and emphasize vegetables and fruits.  My ultimate goal is to get to a 70% plant based diet to feed my family.

While I cook, I also decorate, run, homeschool, wife, mother, work, lead, and serve.  You may get a few of my musings in those areas as well.

I hope this journey encourages you. Let's begin.

Now, let's get to cookin'!