About Me: Part Two

Three words to describe my childhood? Full, fun, and treasured. Now, I may not have used those words as a fourteen-year-old, or even ten years ago, but being a parent myself and practicing gratitude has helped my outlook to be more positive. Although like everyone else there was trial, difficulty and tragedy, I truly feel I had a wonderful, lovely childhood that echoed love, family, and Jesus. My parents are proudly blue collar workers, whom I believe to be some of the wisest, loyal people I know. They appreciate work ethic and sacrifice and embody grit. My parents know the value of honesty, and possess an all-in-a-good-day’s-work mentality coupled with frugality and simplicity. My siblings and I were frequently encouraged to be curious, independent, thoughtful, and brave. Being independent is what empowered me to start cooking at a young age, thus aiding in my passion for food and meal creativity. Instilling values in us, like serving others, helping when needed, and being your authentic self has left a lasting impact on me.

Starting in the third grade, I had my sights set on being a teacher. I loved being creative, learning, helping people, and I actually marveled at the classic teacher style, as worn by my third grade and favorite teacher. The denim jumpers, themed sweaters, and student-made macaroni necklaces worn as if paying homage to them delighted me. As I got older, things started to change. At one point I thought about becoming an actress, zoologist, or author. Some desires morphed and grew, as some stayed the course, like how I loved helping people and my desire to be a writer. Even after completing my time as an educator, my desires continued to evolve as I grew through different phases and stages of life.

Learning lessons along the way, I am still certain of these things: I will always love helping people, I will always be willing to take the road less traveled in order to grow, and I am a hard-worker. As a hard-working, former educator and mother, I know the demands life asks; the juggle and struggle of it all, and how (to no one’s real fault) we as parents rarely feel appreciated, or even noticed. Born a small-town girl who was raised with little financially, but had much in wisdom and experience, I understand life’s most precious resources are time and the love we receive and give. I believe we have been created to share our gifts with others, and use our God-given talents to bless and serve. This is why Everything’s Albright is here: for you. So you can have more time devoted to loving your people and creating memories (and food) along the way. So you can not only feed theirs and your belly, but nourish your mind, body and soul with simple meals, sound encouragement, and ways to feel more sane, if I’m being honest!

Truth be told, Everything’s Albright is everything I just mentioned, but also a blessing and joy for me. It’s a creative outlet for me, someone who still loves to utilize my creativity, write and learn. If I could plop myself into your kitchen, I would. I’d sit with you and enjoy a warm beverage (I’m equally a coffee and tea person) while getting to know you–your strengths, accomplishments, areas of growth, favorite food and go-to meal, to name a few things. In turn, I’d hope you would get to know me as well, like my love for animals and nature, and how I am mostly unstructured, but highly motivated. How I typically have an abundance of energy, and can sometimes talk too much. And maybe how my deepest insecurity is feeling like I’m too much for people. You would possibly get a glance at one of my odd talents, such as being able to accurately quote movies and do impressions; a skill for which I have still not figured out its purpose. Maybe we’d share a love of movies, music, and exercise, or have a deep conversation over our love for Jesus. 

My overarching hope? I hope to share your day-to-day burdens by helping pick up the slack from afar in your kitchen. I desire to help you create space in your life through planning and shifting your thoughts on meals. I believe a good, simple meal, whether it’s fancy or not, can do so many things for you, from giving you joy through your taste buds, or by boosting your confidence through meal completion. Knowing these things about me and glimpse of my heart will, in a way, allow you to see how you could belong in this community. How you’re similar to me in at least one or two ways. How I can figuratively help take something off your plate, while literally putting food on your plate. Through this, I would love to be a small part of your life, and have a place in your kitchen and heart.