A little of this, a little of that—and voila!

It started as an off-handed comment. "I would love to write a food blog." Because, really, who doesn't love food?

And from there, the conversation took off. We talk about food all the time, anyway. Share recipes, ask what's for dinner, lament the things our kids won't try. So, we said to ourselves, sure—why not? Why not do it together, and to give something back.

That's the short story.

The longer version involves how we came together in the first place. All of us moms, each raising a child with special needs, finding each other and fostering friendships within a larger online support group of parents and caregivers, teachers and therapists. We are a modern mixed up virtual blended family.

My name is Kristen Spina. I am a writer at work on my first novel. And I love to cook. Being in the kitchen is my therapy (one day I'll have a kitchen large enough for a couch!). I read recipes for fun, but unless I am baking, I rarely follow directions. For me, cooking is intuitive. A long time ago someone told me, "Baking is chemistry. The formula matters. But cooking? Cooking is art."

I couldn't agree more.

When the four of us started talking about our ideas and what we hope to accomplish with this blog, it was clear that our individual talents and interests were an ideal foundation for what we want to achieve.

Two of us earn our living as writers. All four of us are moms to children with autism. We have three girls and three boys between us, all school age. Ironically, our most adventurous eater is a five-year-old former micro-preemie who only recently "convinced" his parents and his doctors that he was done with his feeding tube—by repeatedly yanking it out! He wanted them to know he was more than ready for a seat at the grown-up table (and wait until you see the incredible meals his mom prepares for him).

Every blog is a work in progress. This one is no exception. We'll open the doors to our kitchens wide and share our favorite recipes. We'll talk food and wine and technique (and kids), and there will probably be a lot of chocolate. We'll use fresh and real ingredients—can you say butter?—as often as possible, knowing too, that sometimes life leaves us no option other than to open a box and add water. Some of us will have a lot to say about gluten free and casein free cooking. We'll share ethnic dishes and desserts. And when words fail us, we'll show you a lot of nice pictures.

We are a geographically diverse group. West coast, east coast and two points in-between. Three of us are heading into winter, thinking about soups and stews and the kind of food that warms the soul. Our fourth will likely be sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner in a tank top and shorts. In other words, four bloggers, four unique kitchens and four inimitable styles—a little bit of this, a little bit of that.

So, please—pull up a chair and stay awhile. We are anxious to hear your thoughts. Visit often, comment a lot. There's plenty of room at our table.

Soon we will be making a decision about the charitable angle we hope to include here. It is our intent to generate revenue through advertising and possibly even sponsorship to donate to a cause within the special needs community we all know and love. A community that has sustained us through so many of our own ups and downs.

But in the meantime, let's get cooking, shall we?

Food. Friendship. Fun.

And to kick things off, tell us, what's for dinner tonight? Chicken, fish, pasta, popcorn?