Hi folks.

I am thrilled and honored to be featured in our local newspaper. My column is going to have a lot of delicious easy meals, adult beverages, and desserts. These recipes are an accumulation of dishes I have learned and curated throughout my years of cooking and catering for locals and summer guests in our Boothbay region.

I am proud to say that I am a sixth generation on this awesome little peninsula. My husband Richard Hallinan and I have five beautiful children that live close by (Cory, Chris, Cody, Dana and Evie) and we’ve been blessed with four beautiful grandchildren (Mason, Lilly, Kate and our little wild man, Phillip). In our free time, my husband and I enjoy spending as much time as possible with them all! Richard (aka Pops) even gets on the trampoline with them and plays hopscotch. He is a big softy at heart.

Honestly, if anyone asked me a year ago if I thought I would have a column in the Boothbay Register I’d be like no flippin’ way … But, I am trying to do new things and get out of my comfort zone. And feel truly blessed with all of the career opportunities and challenges I have had this year. Bring it on I say.

I have made a couple of commercials for Spirits of Maine and that was a total blast! A lot of people have been wondering how this happened. I’m happy to say a high school friend (Shelia Gibbons) thought of me. She texted me on a Wednesday to see if I was interested and the following week we had a camera crew at our house! It all happened just like that!

It has been a wonderful experience and I want to thank all of the people who called me or texted me to let me know how much they enjoyed the commercial. I’ve been blessed in so many ways and I am looking forward to new challenges and fun ideas to bring to your home kitchen this year!

My goal and hope for this column is that it enriches others' lives and brings them some laughs, good food, and fun! So if you’re ready to have a good time, climb aboard and let’s go!

FYI, I’m given ya a little hint on what’s cooking next week. I’m going to be sharing a dish of mine that I have been told is Sarah Morley’s favorite! So stay tuned…

Live, laugh and love!