The Humble Beginnings of a Homecook
Judy Yeager, founder of The Southern Lady Cooks, humorously shares her rocky start in cooking.
Do not think for one minute because I have a cooking blog that I have always been a good cook. In my twenties, I had no interest in cooking and no cooking skills. I remember going to the grocery and buying a whole week’s worth of those little half-size cans for me and my husband. I would open about three at each meal, and that was it, baby! That’s all you get. A balanced meal. A spoonful of peas, one of corn, one of those little canned potatoes, and maybe a beanie weenie or a slice of bologna.
Needless to say, he did most of the cooking. One year, when I was pregnant with my son, I decided to do Thanksgiving dinner for his Mom and Dad. I really made an effort to get things right. I even made stuffing and put it inside the bird. His Mom was helping to carve the turkey and drug out the white bag with all the giblets still inside! Bless her soul; I can still see the tears running down her face while she tried to hide them from me. She was laughing so hard she was shaking. Then, there was the time they came to dinner, and I tried to make dumplings. They all stuck together and made one huge dumpling. I decided we could just cut off whatever we wanted. My father-in-law asked my husband to pass the mashed potatoes!
You are probably thinking to yourself that I am making this all up, but I swear to you they are true stories. During my pregnancy, we lived on popcorn balls and spaghetti. Two of my favorite things to cook and eat as well. My friend (she reads this blog and can verify this) swore my son would be born with spaghetti hanging on his ears.
I am living proof that you are not born a good cook! I really did not get interested in cooking until I lived on a farm when my twins were born, and I did not work at that time. We raised a very large garden. I started reading cookbooks and had the desire to learn. My mother was a great country cook, and my second husband’s mother was a wonderful Southern cook. They began to guide and help me. I never looked back, and today, cooking is one of my favorite things to do in this world.
So, if you are not a good cook or you are just learning to cook, please don’t give up. Practice makes perfect, and cooking is mostly trial and error.
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Thanks for sharing your giblets in the white bag story. Tragically, our daughter passed last year and your story reminded me of when our daughter cooked Thanksgiving when we were returning from our out of town funeral for my dad. She was horrified, but I was so impressed with all of her dinner preparations. So nice to be reminded how really special she was.
Sandra, I’m so very sorry for your loss but I’m happy that our cooking blunders brought you a wonderful memory. You’re in our thoughts this holiday season.
I followed your mom’s blog or website for years and years and now I’m following you girls! I have always enjoyed the southern cooking recipes that both of you girls and your mom have published. I’m 82 and still enjoy it!
Hi Dell! We’re so glad you are here with us and enjoying our recipes! Thank you so much for your kind comment.