Hi! I’m Michele! Welcome to my Lively Kitchen. 

I was born and raised in Ringgold, Georgia with my wonderful parents and my sister and I am a true southern girl at heart.  I live in Palm Beach, Florida with my amazing wonderful husband Roger.  We have 2 beautiful daughters, Brittni and Julie, 2 handsome sons, Roger Jr and Ryan and 4 fur babies. 3 Teacups Yorkies, London, PJ and Teddy and a chocolate Labrador, Sophie.  All of our children are now grown, getting married, and/or having babies.  BUT…no matter their age they always come back home for a some of Mom’s cooking.

When I was a little girl I always wanted to be a Mom.  I never really wanted a career other than being a country singer.  My first meal I really ever cooked was in my first apartment for my parents.  I set the table and made them chicken alfredo, talk about a making difficult meal.  I sat there waiting for my Dad’s approval on how it tasted with such anticipation and he loved it!  I have always loved to cook but it wasn’t until our children got older and I started throwing birthday parties that is when I found my true love and passion of cooking and party planning.  I love good food, collecting salt and pepper shakers, chocolate, my dogs but most of all my FAMILY.  I am a Food Network junkie.  I didn’t go to culinary school but I have put myself, and my family, through years of watching countless food shows and cooking those meals for dinner.  So basically I have a Food Network culinary degree.  My dream would be to go to the Hamptons on a cool fall day and cook with Ina Garten at her home!  A girl can dream!  I just love the whole process of planning the menu, the party theme, the tablescape for a holiday or birthday, grocery shopping (I REALLY love grocery shopping), preparing and plating the food.

Food is my love language.  It makes me feel good to cook something for my family and friends.  My family is everything to me! Food is how I share my love on a plate and at the end of a meal when their plate is empty, or even licked clean – yes that has happened, my heart is full.  It’s about the love for the people at your table and the special moments you create.

I love to take recipes and adapt them for my family and what they like and don’t like.  I like to make recipes easy and approachable.  Cooking should be fun and easy…not complicated and confusing.

Simple ingredients + simple directions = delicious food.

My Lively Dishes are made with love.  I hope you love and enjoying making them with your family as much as I have over the years with mine!