And dishesbymum is my little corner of the internet!
I’m the voice, author, and creator behind dishesbymum. The first recipe I posted was a simple lemon‑garlic chicken in March 2016, right after I’d taken a break from teaching third‑grade math to focus on my two kids, Lily (7) and Noah (5). I was looking for quick, wholesome meals that didn’t require a kitchen full of gadgets, and I started scribbling notes on nap‑time napkins. Those notes became the first blog post, and the rest, as they say, is a delicious mess.
By the end of 2017 the site had 3,000 monthly visitors and my first e‑book, 30‑Minute Family Dinners, sold out its initial print run of 500 copies. Fast‑forward to 2023: I’m sharing more than 120 tested recipes, the newsletter reaches 5,200 subscribers, and the blog averages 48,000 page views each month. In September 2022 we launched the “Weekly Meal Planner” tool, which has helped over 2,300 families save time and reduce food waste. I still love writing each post by hand, photographing the dishes in my kitchen, and watching the comments roll in.
I live in Asheville, North Carolina, with my husband Mike, who is forever stealing bites of my experimental sauces. When I’m not in front of the stove, you’ll find me hiking the Blue Ridge trails, tending to the herb garden behind our back porch, or curled up with a good mystery novel. My three favorite things are fresh basil, a well‑timed sunrise, and the sound of my kids laughing while they help me stir a pot. One quirky habit? I name every spoon I own – “Sally” is my favorite.
Thanks for stopping by. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a pantry staple into a family‑favorite, or just want a place where the mess is real and the food is honest, you’ve come to the right spot. I’m glad you’re here.