Welcome to "In the Kitchen with Mamie" -- an homage to my mother, with a little self-exploration tossed in for good measure. I figure if Julie could get to know Julia through preparing her recipes and blogging about it, I might be able to do something similar with my mother.

To begin, here's a photo of Mamie - in the kitchen, of course. 

Mamie in the Kitchen, Pueblo Drive, Circa 1973

I love this picture. It is emblematic of her joy in preparing for so many family gatherings. She loved to feed her family. And she was happiest when she was creating, whether in the kitchen, at the sewing machine, at the easel or in the garage conjuring up beautiful candle holders from other people's discarded lamp parts.

A child of the depression, born in the dust bowl of Oklahoma in 1923, Mamie was also one of the thriftiest people I've ever known. I thought about her this morning as I made my cup of coffee, certain she would have enjoyed the freshly brewed single cup of coffee with its delicate layer of crema, but knowing she would have balked at its cost. You see, I own a Senseo coffee maker (alas, Senseo is to Keurig as Beta was to VHS), and the coffee pods are both hard to find and darned expensive.

In this uncertain economic time (not to mention the fact that the facility where my husband, George, works will be shutting down by year-end), I find myself thinking more and more about the wisdom of her frugality. Growing up, I never felt that we wanted for anything. But looking back, I can recall the deft way she reused items that today I throw away without a thought after a single use.

In this blog, I hope to share recipes, family stories, entertaining ideas, thrifty tips and more.

So, here's to you, Mom! I love you. I miss you. I appreciate the lessons you've taught me -- many of which I am just now realizing. And I hope they have Wi-Fi in heaven so you can read my blog!

Fondly submitted,

Mamie's daughter

Next time, you'll learn about a Mamie-worthy gathering for 18...stay tuned!