Dedication
I was inspired to write this cookbook by my three children. Children are life’s greatest blessing and although I love each of mine very much, God has doubly blessed me with children that I really like as well. Funny, strong and very cool, my kids have grown into adults that I always want to spend time with.
To Cody Elizabeth, my cowgirl diva, I want to thank you for always encouraging me to try new things. Any far out idea I’ve come up with, I know I can voice it to her and get a hearty, “Oh yeah! You should totally do that, mom!” I hope that I have been half as encouraging to you as you have been to me.
To Chelsea, my airborne missile operator, I thank you for being brave enough to get out there in the real world and face down the scary things that most of America doesn’t even know exists. Mostly, we all thank you for being brave enough to ALWAYS ask the question, “When are we having some cast iron cooking?” We all want it, but you manage to remind us just how badly.
And to Jake, my only son, my baby and the strongest young man I’ve known, thank you for never letting me take things too seriously. Whether we are crashed in front of the t.v. or out for a ride, you make the simplest things so hilarious that I can never stay mad about anything. (Ooooh, look at the campers…)
Finally, I can’t thank my awesome husband, Mark, enough for introducing us to this amazing world of cast iron cooking. You bought me that first Dutch oven as a Christmas present that seemed less than stellar, but turned into something the whole family craves on a regular basis. Thank you for knowing me better than I know myself.