about

Hi, my name is Cassie. I am a 29 30 year old Mama, wife, student, substitute teacher, behavioral skills therapist, travel-loving, book-reading, sun-adoring, scrabble-addict, learning-how-to-cook, family woman. I am a happy, yet realistic and sometimes, anal person. My husband would say I am book smart, not street smart. Eh, who asked him anyway. Like all Moms, I think my kids are funny, smart, adorable, athletic and kind, yet if another kid is crying, I'm the first parent to ask my kids, "What did you do?". There are many other random facts about me that may or may not interest you so I'll keep the list short. My oftentimes crazy life can be fun, interesting, frustrating, rewarding and very lovely. Amongst the blur, I am learning how to cook - anything and everything - for my family.


about my family...
Because my family is a huge part of my inspiration for cooking and blogging, it's only appropriate that I introduce them to you. I started dating my husband when I was 15 and am lucky to still have that same crazy school-girl crush I did back then. My husband is a high school teacher and a coach. He loves his career and wouldn't change it for anything. We have three awesome kids. Emily is 11, Hudson is 6 and Brooklyn is 3. (Yes, you did your math right. I was a statistic - teen mom, gasp!). Thank goodness they are spread apart in age because they keep us incredibly busy. Between sports, sports and more sports we are always on the go, but definitely know how to relax when we get the chance. My family is a loud, crazy bunch of characters who loves to laugh, dance, eat, play sports, be outside, travel, watch movies, enjoy friends and family and try anything that looks like fun! It is very likely you could walk into our house at any moment and witness a Berni Dance Off or any one of us hitting a baseball or playing catch in the backyard. 

about this blog...

My love for cooking started several years ago... I have always enjoyed cooking for my family. I appreciate the entire process. From thinking about the meal I am going to prepare, to planning out a timeline, buying ingredients (wait, never mind, I don't like going to the grocery store!), making the meal and serving it to my family and friends. It involves so much love and thought. I am by no means a chef, and am no stranger to a disastrous meal that results with a phone call to the local pizza place. But, I am an ambitious Mama who is teaching herself to cook by trying recipe after recipe after recipe after recipe....you get the picture. This blog was inspired by my love for cooking and trying new things. Here you will find many great recipes as well as average ones and a handful of disasters. Truly a Mama learning how to cook good meals for her family, while feeding her soul at the same time. My ultimate goal is to hear my family say the words, "Mama makes it best!"


I am incredibly lucky that the Berni house is full of good eaters. My husband will eat anything I make for him, unless it includes goat cheese...oh yeah, and capers (I don't get what the big deal is, but whatever). He rarely complains about a meal and typically only offers suggestions if I ask for them. I am lucky, I know this and truly appreciate him for it because I can be somewhat sensitive when it comes to my cooking, or so I've been told. My kids on the other hand do their share of complaining but are complete troopers through all my experiments. Emily has made it quite clear that she'd rather I never make Eggplant Parmesan again and I kindly honor her request. Hudson is my biggest fan and loves just about everything I serve him. At his sweet age of six he is aware of my blog and constantly asks me, "Mom, did you use a book with instructions to make this?" When I tell him that I did in fact use a book with instructions he urges me to try out my own recipes. Gotta love him. And Miss Brooklyn, such a firecracker. This little cookie can eat like a horse. She's always saying, "I huuungee," and rarely does she push away a meal with the remark, "I don yike it."


about my equipment...
I just became the proud owner of a Canon EOS Rebel T1i. I realize it's not the fanciest of fancy cameras, but it is a major improvement from my last point and shoot camera.


So, I thank you for stopping by. Whether you're here in search of a new recipe idea or to read the ramblings of my everyday adventures, or just bored I hope that you enjoy yourself. Get in your cozy chair, grab a coffee or an iced tea and stay a while.


xo
Cassie

PS. I love hearing from you!! Leave me a comment or email me at cassieberni@gmail.com