On tonight's menu at our house: Homemade pizza topped with caramelized onions, walnuts, and gorgonzola crumbles.

I love to cook, and I never met a vegetable that I didn't like. At our house we have a loose policy known as "the two vegetable rule." No matter what else we're having for dinner, we make it a point to include two vegetables. Preferably grown in our backyard garden or our Project Grow garden at Greenview. More about Project Grow in a future post...

I'm not a vegetarian, but as far as I'm concerned, there's only one kind of meat: Lamb from Hannewald Lamb Company in nearby Stockbridge. Judi Hannewald (we call her the "lamb lady") can be found on Saturdays at the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market. More about Hannewald Lamb in a future post...

Here at AnnArbor.com, I'll be writing a blog about the bountiful local food scene in Ann Arbor — I'll be posting about area farmers, food artisans, cooks, advocates and others who are devoted to local foods. Upcoming topics include edible landscapes; pie-making and pickling; food foraging for free; local fresh foods in our hospitals and schools; gardening for all ages and more.

I welcome you to share your opinions, information, events and comments. If you're part of the area's thriving local food scene, I want to write about you or your organization and events. (Growing Hope, I'll call you soon! And Brandon Johns, over at the soon-to-open Grange restaurant, let's connect!) A little more about me: In addition to cooking and gardening, I spend my spare time reading, hiking and traveling. I'm crazy for bargains. Quick tip: Find cheap flights at airfarewatchdog.com. You can get fare alerts e-mailed to you for your destinations of choice. I just got back from a quick trip to Seattle and Portland — free ticket.

I've been gone from the news business for a while, and I'm thrilled to be back. I joined AnnArbor.com in June, where I'm working on the Community Team. For the past few years, I took a detour to become a small business owner at Lexicom Publishing Group. Prior to that, I spent 14 years as a reporter and editor at The Ann Arbor News.

I'm an Ann Arbor townie, married to a fellow townie, Charles Child. We graduated from Huron High School and have raised two children in Ann Arbor.

Thanks for reading. Call me, e-mail me, leave comments or stop and see me at AnnArbor.com. I'll be working with the Community Team — you'll find us in the first floor office at 301 East Liberty.