I always wondered what it must feel like for contestants in beauty pageants when their big moment comes and they need to walk down a long flight of stairs in the longest dress possible wearing the highest heels possible. Now I know. It's the same feeling I have right now writing my very first blog post.

It's kind of funny - I have never written on a blog before. Never. Really. As a matter of fact, I'm not really sure what the whole blogging thing is about. But I'm about to find out ... and I hope you're going to help me.

I so enjoy writing my monthly newsletters, Table Talk, and hearing back from you via email or telephone about similar stories and traditions you share with your families. So that got me thinking about blogging. Rather than waiting each month for your comments, I thought this would be a wonderful way to communicate with all of you on a regular basis and actually have you TALK BACK TO ME!

I believe that food brings people together and cooking for others is the most giving act of love you can show a person. I grew up AROUND THE TABLE listening to stories I knew I would cherish my whole life and I want my daughters to grow up with that same luxury.

In this age of technology, cell phones, emails and text messaging, I find it is almost impossible for kids to communicate face to face anymore but ... they still have to eat ... and the dinner table is an opportunity each and every night to start communicating by striking up conversations about anything because you have their undivided attention (although usually their mouths are full but they REALLY like to talk when their mouths are full!)

It is my hope that this blog will allow me to get to know you better by sharing stories about food, family and traditions. Please visit frequently but most of all ... please be patient with me. I'll get the hang of this and I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how to make this blog a place where we all feel as comfortable as we would sitting around the table.

Learn more about us at http://www.aroundthetablechef.com/.