Lillian Henriksen, Grandmother, 1902-1983

I credit my grandmother for my love of cooking.  She showed me, not only should food taste good, but it should be fun with flair and presentation.  I love that my grandma was always trying new recipes, which is my passion today.  Always trendy; I remember in the 60’s my grandma having a Fondue party with chocolate covered strawberries.

As a child we would always visit my grandparents at the time of the North Iowa State Fair.  My grandma would bake a cake for competition.  As I watched her baking, I told her “I hope you don’t win the Blue Ribbon”.  She felt hurt, then I explained that if she won the Blue Ribbon, the cake was auctioned off and we wouldn’t be able to eat it.  I thought I was giving her the best compliment I could.

Children have always been the center of the family.

Food was always part of our family celebration.