Be Kind to My Friend

Who is Kathipsterhandcraft?

I’m Kathipsterhandcraft—a millennial, homeschooled up until 8th grade, and raised in central North Carolina by two Yankee parents: one significantly disabled by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and the other an art teacher who celebrates creative voice. Growing up in an organized chaos household, I was encouraged to try new things, which instilled a deep desire to learn and love for cooking tasty homemade food.

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A Love for Food & Endless Recipe Experimentation

This blog is the result of years of noodling on recipes. And turning kitchen chaos into creativity—some recipes, like banana bread, have been tinkered with so much that a roommate once exclaimed, “Will you ever f**king stop fussing with that recipe?” (The short answer is no. 😊)

I love creating homemade meals that are both delicious and adaptable. Whether it’s baking fresh bread or making homemade pasta from scratch, I believe that cooking should be approachable and enjoyable.

3 Key Ingredients to Remember

• Embrace Imperfection Cooking is about creativity and exploration, not perfection. Let go of the pressure to get it “right” and enjoy the process.
• Make Cooking Approachable – Whether you’re a beginner or overwhelmed by life’s demands, focus on simple, stress-free recipes that bring joy rather than stress.
• Self-Care Through Cooking – Use the kitchen as a space for relaxation and self-expression. Cooking can be a mindful practice that nurtures both body and soul.

Learning to Cook: A Family Tradition

I learned to cook from my mother, who is a master at cooking with love and creativity, letting the cabinet ingredients dictate the meal. Cooking became a foundational skill for me—a way to navigate life’s highs and lows. Cooking as self-care and stress relief has always been a part of my journey. I cook when I’m happy, and I cook when I’m stressed.

During COVID, I fell down a YouTube rabbit hole of Italian pasta grannies. That’s when I realized that finding joy in cooking after burnout is possible when you let go of perfection and embrace the process. I started experimenting more with homemade comfort foods, discovering that something as simple as a warm, fresh meal can bring a deep sense of calm.

Cooking can be a deep joy, but it can also feel like the bane of your existence.

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Cooking as Creativity & Connection

Cooking is creativity. It’s a puzzle. I find joy in tweaking recipes and making meals that accommodate busy, chaotic schedules—especially for friends with dietary restrictions. For me, it’s about embracing imperfection in the kitchen and allowing meals to be a reflection of care rather than a quest for perfection.

Join Me on This Journey

So, I invite you to come along on this journey with me. As I learn, grow, and stretch, I hope you’ll find humor, inspiration, and little nuggets of joy. But above all, I hope you’ll join me in the practice of being kind to my friend—yourself.

Life isn’t about perfection; it’s about embracing this messy, beautiful journey. Let’s create mindful cooking habits for a balanced lifestyle along the way. No one gets a map, but we can turn life’s messy moments into mindful meals and have compassion for ourselves and the people we meet along the way.