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About Me

Is it bad this is the best picture I have of myself in the past 5 years?
Sheesh, I need to be in more pictures... 😅



Welcome to Nibbles & Dreams!

Hello, fellow food enthusiasts! I'm Emily, a 40-something mom of five (yes, you read that right!), currently navigating the chaos of motherhood and the joys of cat-herding. After spending over 16 years in the culinary trenches as both a cook and a kitchen manager, I've decided to trade in my chef's hat for a keyboard and share my love of food with the world.

Nibbles & Dreams is my whimsical haven where I'll be conjuring up delicious recipes, sharing kitchen secrets whispered by seasoned chefs (and maybe a mischievous kitchen spirit or two), and offering my honest opinions on culinary gadgets that range from "genius" to "utterly baffling."

A little bit about me:

  • A kitchen witch in training: I believe that good food is a form of magic, and no matter how long someone has cooked, there's always room for growth. Even with all of my knowledge, I still am learning new techniques and recipes.
  • Mom of many (and their furry overlords): Juggling five kids and two feline companions has honed my multitasking skills to an Olympic level. It has also scrambled my brain to epic proportions and it takes little for me to forget what I was doing. It's a constant balancing act that I like to think I have perfected over the years (still a work in progress, but that's okay).
  • A secret nerd: Don't tell anyone, but I have a weakness for fantasy and romance novels, epic video game quests, and anime that will make your head spin. Throw in a good superhero movie, and that pretty much covers it.
  • Crafty hands: When I'm not stirring up trouble in the kitchen, you might find me crocheting fantastical creatures that look nothing like their patterns, cross stitching something fun and nerdy, or attempting to resurrect a vintage recipe with disastrously hilarious results.

So grab your favorite mug, brew a pot of something magical (or maybe just some strong coffee), and let's embark on a culinary adventure together. Make sure to follow along on my social media for updates, new recipes, tomfoolery, and shenanigans!

🦋 𝕏 📌 📸 @


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Black Forest Cake

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