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Hi there! My name is Anita - welcome to Wild Thistle Kitchen - where I share rustic, comforting recipes, beautiful photos, lots of nostalgic food memories, and bits and pieces of my life.

In 2013, when I started this blog (under the OG name cook on a whim) I really had no idea what I was getting myself into; I just wanted to cook, write, and take pictures and since so many of my friends and family members were requesting recipes, it seemed like the perfect place to combine all three of my passions.

The name "cook on a whim" was inspired by the very real fact that I am a creative home cook who is known for whipping things up "on a whim." I am not a meal planner. I am a wizard with leftovers and many meals are created last minute based on what I have in my pantry or fridge - and based on what I feel like eating. My appetite for food, cooking, and all things culinary was inspired early on by my father and has never stopped growing. After losing my dad suddenly in August of 2018, I made the switch to doing this food blogging and food photographing thing full time. The last two years have been full of so much - sadness, healing, growth, reaching goals, setting new goals, working my butt off and loving it. Here are a couple of posts that will take you along on the journey if you're interested.

A Cat Named Gravy

Wild Thistles & Wineberries

2020 - Hindsight

Recently, I changed my name to Wild Thistle Kitchen. I had been feeling for a long time that I didn't really identify with cook on a whim anymore - I mean, I will always cook and do lots of other things on a whim - it's my nature, but I felt like I grew out of that name - like it didn't really represent me and my story especially after the huge changes I've experienced over the past couple years.

And wild thistles are near and dear to my heart. They remind me of my dad, my grandparents, of our land. They are just so representative of me and my slightly wild, non-conforming nature. I find beauty in rusticity. Wildflowers and what some might call weeds will always be my favorite flowers. My favorite photography backdrops were torn off of old barns and salvaged from falling down sheds. This name just feels better. It feels right.

This name change has been a long time coming, and while I'll always love cook on a whim, I feel like I've grown out of that name and really grown into who I am as a blogger and photographer over the past few years.

A bit more about me

I am Virginia girl at heart and have traveled coast to coast, as well as visited far off lands with my dad including Dubai and the surrounding Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, and Turkey. I find inspiration everywhere I go and love bringing new ideas home to my kitchen. With a strong French influence, my meals are simple, classic, and unique. I love baking sweet treats, too. Especially on snow days.

I'm an English major and I have always had a passion for reading and writing. My father and grandfather were both incredible writers and I'm proud to follow in their footsteps.

My grandmother has filled the role of mother in my life, and I can't have an about page without including her. She was indescribably wonderful and I consider it the highest honor to be her namesake and to have been called "Lil 'Nita" by she and my grandpa. I attempted to describe her here: My Grandma. She made her very peaceful exit from this world in November of 2020 and my heart is broken but I am comforted by a lifetime of memories. Her influence over me truly saved me and changed the course of my life. I will always be grateful.

2020 - The Gifts & The Losses 

After surviving several years in suburbia (never again) and a failed marriage, I am now living in the country in an 1889 farmhouse with lots of beautiful acres, married to the love of my life, raising our 5 kids together, chasing after our dogs, gardening, cooking, and loving. I never knew I could be so happy.

I have been featured on The Feed Feed, as well as written several articles for a D.C. based online food magazine, DCfud, freelanced for The Fauquier Times-Democrat newspaper and guest-blogged for BeFunky.com in Portland, Oregon. I am currently a regular contributor to The Georgetowner and The Brookside Neighbors magazine. For more of my brand work: Brand Work and Features

I look forward to sharing my food adventures, childhood memories, travels, and kitchen experiences with you all. And of course my recipes and photos. Thank you for following along and for allowing me into your kitchens. - Anita

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Contact me!

email me at anita@wildthistlekitchen.com or connect with me on the following social channels:

Instagram @wild.thistle.kitchen

Facebook @wildthistlekitchen.blog

Pinterest @wildthistlekitchen

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. littleboxbigstamp says

    November 02, 2013 at 11:05 pm

    Why hello - I wanted to let you know you've been nominated for a Liebster Award by me. 🙂 Have a great day, and thanks for the literary pleasure. -Christine
    http://littleboxbigstamp.wordpress.com/2013/11/03/and-the-award-goes-to-these-adventurers/

    Reply
  2. varinaj says

    January 24, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    yay! a fellow DC-er! I'm so excited to have found your blog!

    Reply
    • Ani Hughes | Cook on a Whim says

      January 24, 2015 at 4:02 pm

      Oh my goodness!! Ditto!

      Reply
  3. Paul says

    April 09, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    Love your story ... continued happiness and culinary coolness from our goofy family to yours!

    Reply
    • Ani Hughes | Cook on a Whim says

      June 04, 2015 at 2:42 pm

      Paul, Thanks so much! Lots of love and happiness to you and your family as well!

      Reply
  4. lucyabakes says

    May 05, 2015 at 10:51 am

    Hello! I have nominated you for the Real Neat Blog award as I love reading your blog and recipes! Lucya x

    Reply
    • Ani Hughes | Cook on a Whim says

      June 04, 2015 at 2:41 pm

      Thank you! I'm so sorry for the delay in my response! You are so sweet and thanks for thinking of me! XOXO

      Reply
      • lucyabakes says

        June 04, 2015 at 3:42 pm

        That's ok 😊 you deserve it! Xx

  5. DisplacedHousewife says

    May 11, 2015 at 12:35 pm

    You just *just* updated this, didn't you? I was an English major too...have we virtually discussed this? I hope you someday (soon) get out to the west coast so we can sit down, have some coffee and chat. And maybe some wine. And definitely some food. Good luck with the writing. My favorite (current) motto is 'why not me?' If other people can be food writers, than why can't you too?? Keep doing what you're doing (and loving) and it will all fall into place. Or, at least that's what I keep telling myself!! xx

    Reply
    • Ani Hughes | Cook on a Whim says

      June 04, 2015 at 2:40 pm

      Rebecca! I am so sorry for slacking on my blog and ignoring this lovely comment! I do not think we have virtually discussed this similarity. I'll add it to the ever-growing list! Haha. Definitely sisters in a previous life. And yes, I just updated this in early 2015. I so wish we could get together, and hopefully we will be able to one of these days. You keep doing what you're doing, too! I am so happy to have found you and I LOVE your photos and posts. You are such a special, talented woman! Lots of love from my coast to yours! <3

      Reply

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Welcome to Wild Thistle Kitchen!

My name is Anita and this is where I share rustic, comforting, seasonal recipes & nostalgic food memories from my farmhouse kitchen. I'm so happy you're here! xo - Anita

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