Giving credit where it is due.

I am so excited! I just reconnected with a very dear friend of mine Erika Jane. Now think back to the 60's (if you are old enough) and remember the Mary Tyler Moore show's theme song, "She can turn the world on with her smile"?  Well, that is Erika except it is her personality!  Oh my goodness, you cannot not like Erika!  Smart, Funny, Beautiful with that personality wow. Well quite a few years ago, we lost touch for one reason or another but recently, I connected with her daughter and sought her out.  Oh my goodness, it was as if no time had passed.  We caught up with the many years of kid stories, she has an empty nest, mine is almost there.  But, the reason this is on my blog is not because I am excited about Erika Jane but about what Erika Jane did for me food wise.  We worked for an Insurance company and on some nights before we would leave or through out the day, we would play "what are you cooking for dinner tonight"?Now back then I was not as experienced with the types of food I cooked and with my little ones at that time, selection was limited.  But Erika, well she would cook it up.  No fast food for us, home cooked meals each night for our families.  When I think about all the influences I have had that have brought me to the point I am as a personal chef, I add Erika Jane to that list.  I still make her Crawfish casserole and Potato soup.  I am a better cook because she stretched me all those years ago.  I am happy to have reconnected with her again.