Hey Friends,
As I look back over the last year, actually my whole little life, I just can’t believe the goodness of God. Life has its ups and downs but by and far I am blessed beyond what I deserve. And I’m not talking about material things; although He has always provided everything we needed and the health, strength, and ability to work. I’m talking about the things that really make a person rich – faith, family, friends, a beautiful area of the world to call home and the precious folks that live here alongside me. And one of my greatest blessings is our community here at In The Kitchen With Momma Mel; somehow you’ve found your way here and I hope it feels like home because now you’re family. And a totally unexpected blessing that has come from this community has been the opportunities I’ve been given to meet and talk with new people and learn about new (to me) organizations. It’s been an honor to do in person cooking demos, interviews, meet and greets, and more. But there is none that I am more proud of than when I got to be a guest on The Mountain Spirit Podcast of Christian Appalachian Project hosted by Tina Bryson. The mission of Christian Appalachian Project is building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia. They provide food for hungry children, connect families in need to essential resources, and offer compassionate services to seniors. And when disaster strikes, they are ready to provide Appalachian communities with resources and support. Together with their generous donors, partners, and volunteers, they serve as the hands and feet of Christ here in the mountains. My podcast episode aired in September 2025, Hunger Action Month, and Tina and I had such a fun and meaningful conversation about everything from our Appalachian Roots and childhood memories to how I learned to cook, and we were reminded that food isn’t just fuel – it’s love, faith, and family. Friends, I felt like this was most deserving of a permanent home here on the website. So as you are prepping for your Thanksgiving dinner, or relaxing afterwards, I hope you will take a listen. You’ll probably laugh, maybe shed a tear, and hopefully your heart will feel where my heart truly lies.
You can click the photo of me to go straight to the podcast, and all the links for the podcast and Christian Appalachian Project website are in blue text.
Happy Thanksgiving and love from my kitchen,
Mel
