This blog is taking shape in ways I wouldn’t have imagined. It’s a labour of love, and I do love cooking, the scent of fresh baked goods, of simmering stews, and the taste of hot, fresh tea or coffee. You’ll see much more in the way of reviews of kitchen items (well, I hope to be able to ), as well as Kitchen Tools that I simply can’t live without. You’ll notice the category row under the headlines will chage as the blog continues to take shape. You’ll always be able to click on the logo at the top of the page to return to home, as well as click on the categories on the right in order to “jump” to whatever you may be looking for.

Thanks to my commenters — I’d like to hear from anyone if you’ve made any of these dishes, as to what you thought, how you made them your own — that kind of thing. After all, life is all about experimentation, and done in moderation, everything is meant to be enjoyed, from the salad to the dessert.

If you take just one thing away from The Wannabe Gourmet, I hope it is this: good food doesn’t need be stressful or difficult, nor does it need to be slopped out of a can. With a little advanced planning, quality homemade food can fill you as no premade dish could. Remember that you eat first with your eyes, then with your nose, then with your taste buds.There’s nothing wrong with making your plate look as attractive as possible (in fact, I highly encourage it!).

One more thing — please be kind to those you come in contact with. You never know when you might be the only bright spot they have in their day. That, my friends, can make all the difference.