Hi there! I’m so excited to share a little bit about myself with you. I was born in California, but when I was just a few years old, my family moved to Arizona. I grew up in Gilbert with my two older brothers, and now I live just a few miles away from my hometown.
My husband, Mark, and I have been married for 24 years this year! We absolutely love spending time with our grandkids, and when we can sneak in some time, we enjoy running. Our goal is to run at least a half marathon in every state! It’s given us a chance to discover so many beautiful trails and parks that most people don’t even know about. Some of our favorite marathons so far have been the Dublin Marathon in Ireland and, of course, the New York Marathon!
Before I got into blogging, I spent about 15 years working in banking, and during that time, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. I eventually became a branch manager, but I always felt a pull towards teaching. So, I went back to school and earned my Master’s Degree in Secondary Education, and for seven years, I taught a variety of subjects – everything from business and marketing to yearbook, video journalism, and even culinary arts!
How I Started Blogging
I’ve always had a passion for baking, especially when it comes to fun cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. I love getting creative with recipes and experimenting with different ingredients. Cooking is like a science, and I enjoy the challenge of finding the perfect combinations to make each dish just right.
Eventually, I found my way into food photography and blogging, which led me to meet Jennifer West. We clicked right away and soon realized we shared the same passion and work ethic. Jennifer had already started the Facebook group “Easy Air Fryer Recipes” and thought it was time to create a blog alongside it. And that’s how airfryingfoodie.com was born!
Even though we didn’t meet in person until July 2021, it feels like we’ve known each other forever! We officially launched the blog on January 26, 2021, with just one recipe. Over the next year, we poured our hearts into growing it, and on January 26, 2022, we celebrated our blog’s first anniversary and being featured in the New York Times! What a whirlwind!
Celebrating Simply
Through it all, I’ve always loved creating fun foods and drinks for every event and holiday. That’s how Celebrating Simply came to be! Now, I have a place to share all my recipes and ideas for parties, celebrations, and gatherings. I can’t wait to see how you use them to make your own special memories with friends and family!
Thanks for stopping by to get to know me better!
