ABOUT
Kitchen Thimble is the personal side of a life I am still learning to slow down and savor.
ABOUT
A Full Life, Made
Sweeter in the Kitchen
Kitchen Thimble is the personal side of
a life I am still learning to slow down
and savor.
Hi, I’m Ann.
Most days, I am leading teams, building businesses, solving problems, and caring deeply about the people who depend on me. I am the founder of Syncare, a memory care and assisted living company in Minnesota. It is meaningful work, and it has taught me a great deal about dignity, memory, family, and the small things that make a person feel at home.
But long before Kitchen Thimble had a name, I was simply someone who loved making food for people.
I cook because it brings me back to myself. I cook because feeding someone is one of the clearest ways I know to say, “I thought of you.” I cook because a good meal can soften a hard day, make a celebration feel complete, and turn people sitting near one another into people truly gathered together.
This blog is not about having a perfect kitchen or endless time. I do not have either. It is about making the most of the life we actually have—with food that works, traditions worth keeping, new things worth trying, and enough grace for the nights when dinner is very simple.
I hope you find something here that helps: a recipe you make again, a shortcut that gives you time back, a table idea that makes someone feel welcome, or just the comforting thought that none of us has to do it perfectly.
I’m glad you’re here. Pull up a chair.
My Favourite Recipes
A Full Life, a Quiet Kitchen, and the Space In Between.
Kitchen Thimble is the personal side of a life I am still learning to slow down and savor.
Hi, I'm Ann.
Most of my days are spent building — businesses, teams, systems of care for people who need it most. I am the founder of Syncare, a memory care and assisted living company based in Plymouth, Minnesota, and most of my professional life lives in that world. In boardrooms, in planning sessions, in conversations that carry a lot of weight.
But when I come home, I cook.
Not because I have to. Because there is something that happens in the kitchen that does not happen anywhere else. Time moves differently. The to-do list loosens its grip. Whatever I am
carrying gets set down, at least for a little while, in favor of something warm and fragrant and made with my own hands.
Kitchen Thimble started as a place to share that part of my life — the recipes I return to, the wellness habits that keep me steady, the products I genuinely love, and the small rituals that make a busy life feel beautiful rather than just full.
I hope it feels like sitting across from a friend. Unhurried. Honest. With something good to eat.
— First Steps.
How I started Cooking in the first place?
I didn’t grow up thinking I’d love cooking. At first, it was just something practical—figuring out how to feed myself without relying on takeout. But somewhere between trial and error, burnt pans, and surprisingly good meals, it became something more.
Cooking turned into a way to slow down, experiment, and create something real with my own hands. I started simple—basic ingredients, quick recipes—but over time, I became more curious. I wanted to understand flavors, techniques, and how small changes could completely transform a dish.
This space is a reflection of that journey. No perfection, no complicated rules—just honest recipes that work, and the joy of making something from scratch.
This journey is still ongoing, and this space is where I share what I’ve learned along the way.
— My Motto
Cooking is Exploring!
Cooking is more than just following a recipe—it’s a way to explore. New ingredients, different techniques, unexpected flavor combinations… every dish is a chance to discover something new.
Some experiments turn out great, some don’t—but that’s part of the process. The more you try, the more you learn, and the more confident you become in the kitchen.
The Recipe Book
My Favorite Recipes,
All in One Place
These are the recipes I cook again and again—the ones that never fail. From quick weekday meals to comforting dishes you’ll want to share, everything is designed to be easy, satisfying, and full of flavor. Think of it as your go-to kitchen companion, ready whenever you need inspiration.