About me

Being born and raised in Alabama and entrenched in southernism was a gift. It gave me an identity. I am part of a culture that embraces gracious hospitality, manners, love of God and country, frugality, family values and good honest food. That’s who I am and that’s what I’m all about. A career move in 1985 brought my husband, two daughters and me from Mobile, Alabama to Tampa, Florida. Our son was born after we moved to Tampa. Mobile is a southern city that has retained its southern personality. Tampa is a city located in the southern part of the United States that doesn’t have a southern personality. While raising our children in Tampa, it was important to me that I teach them about southern culture and their heritage. They don’t have my accent, but they are Southerners. I’m proud of that.



Currently, I reside in Valrico, FL with my husband, Sam, and my Basset Hound, Belle.



After a successful career as a nurse, corporate executive and business owner, I hung up my ballet slippers and retired in April 2009. Since retirement, l have busied myself with doing anything I wanted to and nothing I didn’t want to. My days are filled with writing my first cookbook, “Apron Strings”, maintaining my foodblog, Syrup and Biscuits , gardening, enjoying grandchildren, family and my husband. Life is good. I always knew that.