I began this blog in November of 2015, five months to the day after my mother passed away from metastatic breast cancer, and just about 7 months after I married my partner in crime. (In July of 2019 I’ve also just had my first son! More on that soon). Each of these events shifted my perspective in both challenging and wonderful ways. Most profoundly, I now carry a deep desire to spend my time surrounded by loved ones and being intentional about prioritizing things that I love such as experimenting in the kitchen. So – here I am!
What began as an outlet for my grief has morphed into a robust documentation of my journey gaining confidence in the kitchen. Over the first year of blogging I’ve tried my hand at a range of recipes and now feel confident preparing meals for friends and family. With every post I tag the ingredients in an attempt to create a ‘file box’ for my future self, as well as my ‘thoughts for next time.’
One of my favorite questions to ask when first meeting new folks is “If you had to rid the world of either chocolate or cheese.. which would you remove?” While I have found myself in the minority on this one, I’d have to remove chocolate. Pass me that cheese!
I spend my days working with kiddos in a K-6 school and spend the rest of my time playing board games, being inspired to try new recipes and chasing Truffles & Cheese (our two cats) around our apartment new house! I grew up watching my parents prepare simple evening dinners and tradition-filled festive holidays and this space has exceeded my expectations as I work to document the wisdom they passed on as well as the new insights that I gain as I learn the tricks of this fun trade.
Feel free to email me at: ThePantryPortfolio@gmail.com
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Follow me on Instagram: ThePantryPortfolio
The Pantry Portfolio 
Thank you for following my blog!
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Thanks for the follow on my cooking blog. I’m going to enjoy exploring yours too.
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Thanks for liking my post! I look forward to exploring your blog.
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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a note. I have enjoyed reading yours and look forward to more!
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Thank you for following my blog. I look forward to reading yours.
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Hi, I just wanted to stop over and say ‘hi’ and thank you for the ‘like’ on my Garlic and Herb Bread. I really appreciate it and look forward to reading more of your posts.
I am a cat lover too, and love your cats names 🙂
Take care and I am sure we will be chatting soon.
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Hi Lynne, thanks for coming on over. I’m so glad to have found your blog and look forward to sharing and connecting even more in the future. I’ve always wanted a cat named Cheese, and she sure lives up to it!
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Hello, I’d keep cheese too, without a doubt!
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Clearly the only option in that debate! Thanks for stopping by.
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I am a year round veggie gardener in Phoenix Arizona. I am following your blog to gain inspiration for new recipes.
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Thank you for following! I’m honored and look forward to hearing what you create and being inspired by you as well.
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I can see that you are a user of Dribs & Drabs! Love your experiment page and look forward to following you.
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Thanks for stopping by and following my blog. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy sharing my recipes in food and life with you. Bienvenue!
And I have to side with you on the cheese vs chocolate issue. I love both but cheese takes precedence.
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Thanks for visiting my blog. Good on you for deciding to prioritise things you love. It’s so important.
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A wonderful blog! Very informative.
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Thank you for the kind note. It made my day to see that you find the posts helpful! I have learned SO much in my first year of blogging – as a home cook, a writer, and even about myself. I look forward to your other feedback and ideas. Keep ’em coming.
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I’m with you on the cheese/chocolate thing! Not that I don’t like chocolate!
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Agreed. I do enjoy a good chocolate treat, but if one had to be cleared from the planet I just couldn’t say goodbye to cheese.
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Dear friend, I have nominated you for a Sunshine Blogger Award. Here is the link https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/12/06/three-awards-and-a-thai-style-chicken/. You are not in any way obligated to accept, and I fully understand that not everyone has the time and inclination to participate in these self-and-others-promoting exercises. Therefore, I will truly appreciate if you accept the nomination, as I sincerely think you deserve it, but I won’t get offended if you don’t. Nominating each one of you is my way of giving credit to some exceptional bloggers and perhaps attracting attention to your work.
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I would choose cheese! No way I could give that up. 🙂 Thanks for following my blog. I’ve done the same and look forward to seeing more of your posts.
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Definitely it would be the cheese! I am in agreement with you. I started mine the year after my mother passed away as well, I always wished she had written one that I could read. Thank you for following my blog.
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Wow, thank you for sharing. How long have you been writing your blog? I find writing to be such a great way to reflect on memories and honor some of her favorite dishes.
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Great to find your blog! I think your mother would have been proud of all you’ve done. and– I was a teacher too (recently retired) and love making food for family/friends. Fun to browse through your posts!!
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