Welcome! I've finally gotten around to opening up my diary of good cooking ideas. Thank you so much to Chuck, Amy and Ashley for promoting my endeavors and for all the good folks who visit Charlane Plantation and test these recipes for me.

For generations upon generations, my family has been all about hospitality, good food and drink, entertainment, etc. My Mom, Rosaline Denson White, has been a great inspiration to me. She can really lay it on thick. My Grandmothers were both great, too.

Mamie Denson could make the best caramel candy. She lived at St Simons Island, Georgia, in her elder years, and at this point I learned the true meaning of island cuisine. I will be sharing some of this with you as time goes by.
My fraternal Grandmother, Julia Faulk White was the consumate entertainer. She didn't cook anything but "real" mayonnaise and divinity. But, Bessie Williams worked for her for 45 years. Wow! This woman could cook! I love to tell everyone that there was never anything in the refrigerator, but she could turn out a five star meal every time. Her biscuits were angel fodder. Luckily for me, when Grandmother passed away in l981, Bessie stayed on here at the plantation and worked for my family. She raised Ashley and taught her to make biscuits, too. I learned so much from this wonderful woman about cooking! So, that gives you a little history about what makes me tick. I have made notes from all the talents of these wonderful people.

Amy, Ashley, Rose Lane and Chuck Leavell
in the kitchen of Charlane Plantation's main house.

Chuck and I also love to sample different cuisines as we have traveled around the world. I haven't been too many places that there wasn't something new that I have added to my cache of recipes. Needless to say, this has been a highlight of our travels. Just for your personal information, I am quite a gardener, too.

There's nothing better than fresh, organic vegetables grown right outside your kitchen door. We've got a heck of a herb garden, too. I will try to give you a sampling of some recipes that are appropriate for the season. Even if you don't have a garden of your own, these vegetables should be available at your local farmer's market. However, if I may sugggest, you might want to consider a garden plot somewhere in your yard, because there is nothing better for the psyche than digging in the dirt. I think it goes back to mudpies and sandboxes.