Cooking from the Heart

It's that time again. It's great to be back. I hope everyone had a wonderful week!

I would like to start this week by thanking all of the incredible viewers for inviting us into your homes each week.

I especially want to thank everyone who has been so very kind and supportive towards me and my family on this blog and other social networking sites. Your wonderful and encouraging comments have meant so much to us.

OK, OK everyone I get it. I know I'm supposed to talk about the episode when I blog. Last Monday I was coming off of a very long weekend, and I was feeling great and looking forward to the summer, so try to understand why I just wanted to enjoy the positive place I was in.

I also know this isn't an advice column, and no, I don't think I'm Caroline, nor do I care to be. Caroline is doing a great job on her own. She certainly doesn't need any assistance from me.

That being said, I will talk briefly about last week's episode, because I have received so many comments in regards to it.

First I would like to clear up the many misconceptions about my visit to Caroline's house. I didn't go to her home to ask for forgiveness or to apologize for what happened at the fashion show. I simply tried to explain to her that it was not my intention to start any trouble or cause a scene that evening. My family and extended family have been patrons of The Brownstone for over 25 years. Never, and I repeat, never, has my family nor any member of my family been associated with any kind of problems or scenes at The Brownstone or any other catering facility for that matter. It's just not our style or who we are. Furthermore, I don't feel there is an apology required for trying to have a talk with my cousin. However, the results of me trying to have a quiet conversation with my cousin were unfortunate. But I can't be held responsible for the way she reacted to what I was trying to say. Please note that when she lost her self-control, I did not react. Not because I had nothing to say, but because I didn't want things to get further out of hand.

I can see how many of you might take my following statements as hypocritical, "You only get one chance to make a first impression" and then saying "Teresa blew it for me." Only to say later on, "I don't need anyone's approval." I would like to clear that up too. When I meet someone for the first time, I think it's only fair for an impression to be formed on the way you are treated and your interaction with that person. Unfortunately, the circumstances that night changed everything. I didn't want Caroline or anyone else for that matter to form their opinion of me based on the conversation that turned into an argument with Teresa. I chose to speak to Caroline in particular, because The Brownstone is her family's establishment, and I as I mentioned above, both Rich and I as well as our families have been loyal patrons of The Brownstone for many years, and I wanted to keep our family's reputation intact. Caroline also had a strong reaction towards Melissa and me, so I wanted to clear the air.

I got a lot of comments concerning my new car. Do you really think that was a reward for the fashion show incident? Not! We had been car shopping for my daughter, Victoria, since she would be getting her driver's license soon. I can't believe my little girl is now a driving teenager. How time flies and how quickly they grow! Talking about growing up, looks like Ashlee is growing up too. So proud of you and the steps you're taking towards your positive future! Seems like Jacqueline and Chris' message got through.

OK sorry I got sidetracked for a minute. Now back to my new car. It happened to be my anniversary with Rich, and he decided to surprise me with a new car. Wow! Watching that scene and seeing how excited my kids were for me still brings a smile to my face.

Thanksgiving has to be one of my all-time favorite holidays. I love it because it's a holiday that everyone in our country celebrates. There isn't as much preparation required as some of the other holidays, except of course for the cooking. Since I love cooking, I always get excited about it. I had so much fun making the desserts for Melissa's Thanksgiving dinner. It made me feel so great knowing I could do something to help her with her Thanksgiving meal.

We always do something different too. Sometimes we are with Rich's side of the family, or we are with mine. Other times we pack up and take a trip with the kids. The most important thing however, whether we are together with friends or family, away or at home, is that we always take the time to thank God that we are blessed to be in good health and have so much love from our large circle of family and friends. Thanksgiving for our family is a great time for reflection upon the year that is about to come and the one that is about to end. It's also a time for prayer, and our thoughts are always with those who haven't been as fortunate and may be alone or struggle to make things happen for and with their love ones. To all those people I say keep going forward! You may not have all the answers, but choose to live with confidence and faith, because God promises to give us exactly what we need each day.

OK see you next week. Lot's of love.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @kathywakile and like my Public Profile Page Kathy Wakile. Stay tuned to the launch of my website coming soon.