Acknowledgments

To all the friends, family, editors, fellow writers, and business associates that have helped me along this long and twisted road ... you've been there for me in so many ways. From the first inklings of this endeavor (Elizabeth!) to the help in transitional times (Cindy!), you've all been there in countless ways. It's been in the fabric of daily life  in which our paths cross that have helped me grow and learn on this grand journey called life. What would I have done without all of ya?!!

Thanks especially to:

Ciplex - After six months of research and tons of questions, they made it through the final rabbit hole to prove themselves capable of taking my business idea and turning it into a clean, workable website. From the first days of talking with Adam, through the beginning stages with Jay and Bill, to the trouble-shooting and concluding launch with James and especially Ryan (the patient guy who is willing to fix-and-figure it all out!), I'm so glad that you are my professional team. You truly made my dream come true!

Adrian Gable - He's my photography and technology guy. Adrian's subjects range from cars and engines to food (hey, Mom needs all the help she can get!). A junior at Warwick High School, he's taken all the Digital Photography classes offered at school (yeah, he got A's too), and enjoys this side job. He also stays busy with his lawn equipment service business, and plans to pursue a post-secondary education and career that combines his technical and artistic expertise.

Scott Gable - Not only my Mr. Fix-It, he's the guy that helps keep it all together behind the scenes. I can count on him to help when it's needed most: from whipping up a meal when I'm too busy on the computer to helping get the kids here and there, he's my go-to guy. He meets me half-way (sometimes more!), and manages to survive all my wild ideas. He's responsible for teaching me the ins-and-outs of PhotoShop and Illustrator and helping me actually implement all the design and layout ideas that my brain cooks up. Not to mention keeping our house, cars, and freezer meat supply in A-1 shape.

Jenny Gable - For all the batches of chocolate chip cookies, the snacks, the crafts, the stories, poems and 'ktichen experiments' that we've conducted together, she's the girl I always wanted. It's so much fun to putter around the kitchen together and I've been inspired countless times by her ideas and feedback. She's the one willing to repeat take after take of my goofy kitchen videos. She's the one that has a good eye, a good ear, and is one of the most caring people I know.

Bill Plowfield - He's Dad -- what more is there to say?  For those of you who are parents, you know what a loaded job that is. From helping smooth out all the rough spots during the kitchen remodel to being an A-1 help-ya-with-that-project guy, he's a dad that's been willing to support me, to be there, and to listen. From the days when we mulched flowerbeds together, hauled firewood, and built the wood trailer, he's been a vital support to me.  But it's not all work: he knows how to kick back, hang out and have fun too! Thanks, Dad. 

Clara Plowfield - From the days when I first whipped up a batch of spaghetti sauce (remember Spatini?) to digging into my first taste of lentils and tempeh (the perfect mystery after-school snack), she's been the most influential person in my life when it comes to food. But that's not so unusual for a mom, eh? Then again, when she's someone willing to grow, change and embrace new ways of eating and cooking, it can be a life-changing metamorphosis for her daughter. From pot roast and Jell-O salads to mochi, koji and kombu, it's been a fantastic food journey. I can only hope that we have much more time to explore flavors and life together.

Diane Stoltzfus - Diane is not only an A-1 friend but a fabulous photographer as well.  Her favorite photographic subjects come from Mother Nature, but man-made interests include people, architecture, motorsports racing, pets, and food. Diane is a homeschooling mother of four whose other passions include reading, music, traveling, artistic and creative experimentation, and anything outdoors. She lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Thanks, everyone, for sharing your time, talents and expertise in so many generous ways.

And now the fun begins!

~Christine