Cookbook Giveaway : Savory Sweet Life: 100 Simply Delicious Recipes for Every Family Occasion

Just over two years ago I embarked on a journey to write and photograph my first cookbook. When I started the process I did not realize how this process would challenge me to grow as a writer, recipe developer, and photographer yet it did. The book itself began as a creative seed, growing organically without a clear vision of what it would become years later. As I poured myself into the manuscript, the book started to take form into a work I could be proud of. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to write a cookbook I myself would want to cook from. I wanted each and every recipe to be accessible, and easy, and build culinary confidence in the kitchen. Now, with the finished cookbook in my hands, it is far more beautiful and wonderful than I could have ever imagined and hoped for. It is said that writing a book is like being pregnant pregnancy weight gain and all. It's hard to imagine what the book will look like and understand the depth of how it will change your life until the book is actually released on publication date just like delivering a baby. But now that I have it in my hands, I'm wrecked with the kind of pride and love a mother has for her newborn baby.

Separated by chapters themed around everyday life moments, I wanted readers to be able to look at each recipe and find inspiration in the everyday happenings like birthdays, game days, or what to make on Christmas morning as the kids are just waking up. The recipes are personal and comforting yet memorable and joyful. Each recipe is also accompanied by a color photo photographed by me.

You will not find glamorous party or table settings in this book or picturesque scenes out of a trendy magazine or catalog. No, not in this cookbook. Instead, you will see glorious family-centered food like Banana Cream Pie, Thumbprint Jam Scones, Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cookie Frosting, Chicken Marsala, Hearty Beef Stew, and so many other wonderful recipes. There is even a visual step-by-step photo tutorial on how to frost a cake because as simple as frosting a cake may seem, there is a right way to do it so you don't have crumbs showing everywhere and have cake pulling off.

Tuesday, June 5th, is the official publication date of the book. I'm so eager to share my cookbook with you and the world. Excited by the anticipation of hearing the special everyday moments people will celebrate with the recipes in the book, my hope is that the book will be a blessing to you and your family.