Notes from Val's Kitchen: About Me

Here are the facts: My mother’s name is Val. She is a spectacular cook although I didn’t always see it that way. She has a kick ass organic garden that I hated when I was a child. She can fix just about anything especially old furniture and worn out clothing. She has won more ribbons and state awards at the Barnstable County Fair for sewing, knitting, cooking and gardening than you can possibly imagine. Before the internet, everyone called her for the info. My most treasured memories took place inside the house on 540 Old Meeting House Road where my parents still live today. The cookie baking, the prom dress making and lugging all those buckets of seaweed to mulch the garden before Val would take us to the beach in the summertime, I love it all. I’m doing my best to finally pay attention to whatever I can learn from the master and this is the place where my real, messy life intersects with her teachings.

It's not very easy but I'm trying my best to follow in Val's footsteps while raising my two children whom I often refer to as "The fighting Irish" along with my husband Rob. My trusty companion, our rambunctious lab, Boomer is by my side whether in the kitchen, at the keyboard or roaming around outside in our tiny yard.
I am also a guest culinary instructor at Highfield Hall and Gardens in Falmouth, MA. Here I highlight my love of local ingredients through cooking demonstrations and recipe sharing. Being a member of the board for the Falmouth Farmers’ Market allows me to promote local producers and healthy eating initiatives. When I am not in the kitchen, at my computer or running around town, I can usually be found at the beach, my feet in the sand and breathing in the salt air.

Thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoy the stories and recipes. Come back often and leave some comments. And if you want, you can reach me by email: andreahardingnorris@aol.com and I'll try to answer in a timely fashion.

-Andrea