The Story That Started It All…

My name is Vanessa, and I started All Things Good in June 2010 when I was 19 years old.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved cooking, crafting, and creating things for people to enjoy. I remember my stepdad giving me $100 and telling me I could cook whatever I wanted, but I couldn’t spend more than the money he gave me. I was definitely up for the challenge, and I immediately went to Pinterest to find some recipes to take with me to the store.

After my research, I walked to the local Ralphs and bought everything I needed to make a delicious five-course dinner for myself, my mom, brother, and stepdad. When I got to the store, I knew I could only spend about $85 because I needed the last 15 bucks to call a cab to take me home with all my groceries. So, I set out down the aisles, grabbing all the ingredients I needed to make the following:

  • Endive Stuffed Crab Salad

  • Mac and Cheese Cupcakes

  • Shrimp Scampi

  • Spinach Salad with Homemade Lemon Vinaigrette

  • Homemade Lava Cakes with Vanilla Ice Cream

Now, clearly, you can tell this was in 2010 because there’s no way in 2024 that you could go to the store, buy all the ingredients for this luxurious five-course meal, and spend only $85. Those were good times.

After my taxi dropped me off at home with my groceries, I began to prep and cook my meal. My mom would come in, try little things, and give me an impressed look (though I didn’t quite believe her because, well, she was my mom, and I was sure she was gassing me up). Later, my stepdad came in and was super excited to try the appetizers I made, and he LOVED them. Finally, my brother came out of his room and was so excited and grateful that I was cooking.

I finally finished all the food after a few hours, and it was dinner time. I set everything out nicely on the dinner table, and we all sat around together and enjoyed our meal. I was so freaking nervous that it would be bad, but when my notoriously picky-eating brother smiled after his first bite, I knew I had done something great. Then, my mom and stepdad started to compliment my flavors with surprised looks on their faces.

There are no words for how I felt in that moment. I still don’t have words. It was the first time I made something that brought together my somewhat fragmented family. It was the first time I planned and executed something on my own (of course, with the financial support of my stepdad). It was the first time I felt like my hands had made something that brought joy, love, and happiness to other people. I knew then that I wanted to continue to make things that elicited that feeling in others and within myself.

After this successful dinner, I started a folder in my Yahoo Mail account called “All Things Good,” and I put each recipe I made that day in the folder. I started scouring Pinterest for all types of recipes and crafts. I was obsessed with the idea of making all things good.

Now, nearly 15 years later, after multiple tried and failed businesses, I found myself coming back to my little old folder in my Yahoo account. This story came rushing back as I looked at these 15-year-old recipes, remembering the pride, drive, and joy I felt after that dinner. I knew I had to come back to the idea that got me here, which is: I can do anything I put my mind to, and I love making things that bring joy to others.

I hope you can find something here that brings you joy. Cheers to enjoying all the good things your life’s journey will bring you.