Thursday, June 21, 2012

Who Inspires You?

“Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward.”  
~Henry Ford


In my life I have been inspired by several amazing women.  
My Mom (the rock) has been a very important influence in shaping who I am as a women.  While my mom and I have butted heads in the past 
I know I can always count on my mom to lift me up when I’m down and be there for me when I need her most.

My paternal grandmother (Granny) was a strong homemaker who taught us proper English manners and etiquette.  Granny was born and raised in England and moved to the States in her 20s. Granny was a big part of our lives with regular weekend visits, working in the garden, cooking and trips to the Navy base during the summer for swimming in the officer’s pool.  My maternal grandmother was a hoot.  She was a wild child of the 60s.  She was creative, liked to sew and taught us that it’s okay to be different as long as you’re having fun.

Last but certainly not least is my Great Grandmother who was the inspiration for Mary’s Real Food Cookbook.  My sisters and I would visit Grandma Peg when we were little and listen to stories of her travels around the world.  My mom told me that she was very active in her Women’s Club and even became president.  I too am active in my local Women’s Club (a local non-profit) and find it very rewarding to give back to the community with the programs were are involved in as a club.

Why Real Food?

There are many definitions of what “real food” is.  I’m not a food snob but I like healthy, simple and delicious meals.  I try to use organic ingredients as often as possible but most importantly, our meals are homemade.  I don’t always cook “from scratch” but at least I know what went into my food, how it was prepared and I can control portion size.

“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Because giving back is so important, 10% of all pre-order sales of Mary’s Real Food Cookbook will be donated to Feeding America and Feeding South Florida.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Have a great weekend!

*Back to the Basics is being featured on Eye Heart*
Be sure to check out Friday Shout-Out and Anything Goes, two awesome link parties hosted at Eye Heart.

The side-yard project
Homegrown Turnip

Homemade Key Lime Marmalade

17 comments:

Nicole said...

Great post. We all really need to get back to basics! My amazing Grandma is definitely top on my list of who has inspired me. Thank you for linking up. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Mary Smith said...

Thanks Nicole!

Unknown said...

Oh yes, I too love to enjoy the basics (the simpler things in life) I love to cook from scratch (but don't always) and I love the way you appreciate the women that came before you. I do believe we can learn so much from them. They had their own trials like us and was able to solve them. I am glad to get to meet you and thanks so very much for sharing at Freedom Fridays:) Have a marvelous week.

Little Susie Home Maker said...

My mom is a great inspiration to me. Your turnip is big! I planted some and they are still on the s,all side. I also, keep my own chickens. I love the fresh eggs. I like your post!
Blessings,
Susie

Mary Smith said...

Thank you for stopping by! Check out Eye Heart and link up!

Jessi @ Practically Functional said...

Thanks for sharing this at The Fun In Functional! I'm inspired by my mom and her mother in the food department as well; they both loved to cook so much because they love feeding people. And I think that's a great reason to cook!

Unknown said...

Mary, this was such a beautiful post. I felt you could have been speaking for me, your thoughts of your mother and grandmothers ring so true to me also. Thank you for linking up to my Our Favorite Things Link Party.

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Love your "real food" philosophy!! I'm afraid it's a new concept to my mother who raised me on Captain Crunch and Mac and Cheese!! But, to her credit I think that's why I'm so interested in growing my own food today!! Your cook book sounds like it will be a success, good luck to you!!
and Thanks for linking with Farm FResh Friday!!

Diane Stringam Tolley said...

Found you through Show off Friday! What wonderful women you hail from. I love to hear stories of how the people in our lives affected us for good (and sometimes bad . . .) Thank you for sharing!

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing the wonderful women in your life. We too are getting back to basics and eating more real food. Thanks so much for sharing on Tout It Tuesday. Hope to see you next week.

Mary Smith said...

THANK YOU everyone for your positive feedback! I'm so happy to have had these wonderful influences and I'm happy to share them.

Trish - Mom On Timeout said...

What a lovely post! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

Betsy @ Romance on a Dime said...

It was great to read about your mom and grandma. This was a great post. Thanks for sharing at Romance on a dime!

Mary Smith said...

Thank you linky hosts for stopping by. I love all of the new projects I have on my to-do list from your awesome followers!

Liz @ Quirky Vistas said...

I enjoyed hearing about the inspiring women in your life. Love the stories. I found your post at Create with Joy. Hope you'll stop over and see me at Quirky Vistas sometime!
Liz

Jeanine Byers said...

Glad you had such strong, inspiring women in your life! I am trying to do the real food thing, too, with organic or natural food as often as I can. And limited junk food. :)

Pamela said...

Our mothers and grandmothers are so important in forming who we are in our souls. My mother-in-law had a big impact on my life as well.