About Me
I was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, and spent many a summer with my family in a small town on the Potomac River not too far away called Colonial Beach, and still continue to do so. I am a newly early retired teacher now living in Las Vegas near my daughter, son-in-law, and 4 year old beautiful granddaughter, Claire. Similar to those brave souls who can finally come to a point in their dreary, empty lives where they are able to stand up and finally admit they are either an alcoholic or drug addict, I now have the courage to stand up and admit I am a recent widow (it took me two years to come to grips with this sad event in my life). I am now ready to finally move on, and this is exactly where san lorenz & friendz come into my life.
My husband, Joe (born and raised in Lakewood, Ohio), and I were married for twenty nine wonderful, fun years, filled with many laughs, lots of romance, and many fond memories that now I find out will get me through. We entertained frequently, and I loved every single minute cooking for family and friends, and sharing our wonderful bounty. I also enjoyed cooking for Joe, often times turning him into the guinea pig for a new recipe (he was often times a true gentleman, not telling me exactly what he thought of this new recipe). Joe was a true Irish meat and potatoes kind of guy, and went along with my test kitchen recipes.
As much as I enjoyed cooking for others, I enjoyed setting the table even more. I have about ten sets of different dishes (thanks to many a sale), allowing me lots of freedom of choice depending upon the occasion and/or my mood! I also am a fresh flower fanatic. I always have fresh flowers on hand...they seem to cheer me up and open my heart to gratitude. My favorite just happens to be San Lorenzo's favorite as well...the beautiful, magnificent sunflower!
Joe also taught me to pray to saints, asking for their guidance. I grew very attached and dependent upon St. Anthony, Patron Saint of the Lost. Whenever I would lose an item, I would pray a very short prayer to him three times, and most of the time the lost item would be found within an hour! I do believe in finding one or two particular saints and praying to them. It really does work, so much so that I now share St. Anthony with many a non-Catholic who are also now true believers in the power of prayer to saints!
For the past two years, sad to confess, I have turned into sort of a recluse, a hermit, living a lonely and dismal existence of a so called life. I now have no one to cook for on a daily basis, no one to share that wonderful sense of accomplishment with that only the smiles and thank you's after a scrumptious prepared meal can bring to others. Like most women, we put our own dreams, needs, and wants on hold while we raise a family. I am now forced after all these years to look inside and ask myself what I want, need, and dream. That is where San Lorenzo and his saintly friends come in.
I first fell in love with San Lorenzo during the 2003 movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun" with Diane Lane. She played Frances Mayes, famous author and book reviewer, who had just been dumped by her husband for a younger woman, facing a major crossroads in her life. During a spur of the moment trip to Italy, she purchases a huge villa on a whim. Buyer's remorse soon sets in, and similar to my situation, Frances implores to her realtor that she so longs for people to cook for in that big house. In response, her realtor presents her with a Christmas gift, a small beautiful wooden statue of San Lorenzo. He tells her that if she prays to San Lorenzo, her prayers will be answered, and as if in a fairy tale, her prayers were indeed answered beyond her wildest dreams.
Since that movie, I have had dreams of starting a business that centers around San Lorenzo, and my husband was helping my dream come true right up until his untimely death two years ago. I am ready now to launch san lorenz & friendz so that I too can pray to him, just like Frances, asking him to send me people to cook for, to share my lost passion with, and partake of nature's bounty with new friends and loved ones.
I am now so ready to begin my new journey, the next great chapter in my life with my three new best friends, San Lorenzo, St. Vincent and St. Arnold. They will be proudly standing side by side in my kitchen, giving me comfort and guidance, as I pray for friends to cook for, drink my glass of wine, and look at all those beautiful dishes on the shelves waiting patiently to be dusted off and used once again. Please share my journey with me on my san lorenz & friendz blog. I have finally found the confidence not only to launch my new business with the guidance, love, and support from the three new guys in my life, but to ask for the opportunity and courage to open up my heart and share my kitchen once again. And whatever your journey or dreams, needs or wants you too are seeking, I know that San Lorenzo, Saint Vincent, and St. Arnold will be with all of us every step of the way!
San Lorenzo, Saint Vincent, and St. Arnold...so that no one will ever have to cook, drink, or feel alone again in their kitchens...what a comforting thought.
And the most important part is that for every saint print sold, portions of the proceeds will go directly to Food Network's partnership charity, No Kid Hungry, assisting those 1 in 5 kids right here in America struggling with hunger each and every day.
I feel so lucky to now have three new guys in my life right now, San Lorenzo, St. Vincent, and St. Arnold whose presence in everyone's kitchen will help feed the millions of hungry American kids at the same time those saints are watching over our own kitchens.
Bon appetite and cheers, San Lorenzo, St. Vincent, St. Arnold and to all our new friends, and new journeys, wherever they may take us! To new beginnings!
About the Artist
This amazing, creative, and truly gifted artist resides in Croatia with his wife and three year old son. He is a professionally trained illustrator, graphic designer, and digital artist. He studied fine arts and graphic design at the University, and recently taught for the Faculty of Art Teacher Education. It is with sincere appreciation that I thank him for making my vision for my saints truly come alive.