Gratifying & Delicious

Yum! is the ultimate compliment! I’m Marilyn Rausch, the curator and lead Muse of this culinary endeavor.  By experience, I am a graphic designer, photographer and design educator. By instinct, I am a foodie and story teller who loves connecting people, places, ideas and food.

In my world cooking is just another way to practice design. It’s the intersection of serendipity and possibility that starts with a base palette of sensational seasonal ingredients and transforms into a tasty alchemy, also known as dinner. It ties together the pleasures of experimentation, and the anticipation of success, tempered by an occasional flop. My kitchen becomes a creative playground as I explore new places, collect influences, and pair them with delightful seasonal ingredients to create something that is both gratifying and delicious.

Food + Food for Thought 

I grew up in Chicago as the fifth of seven children, part of a large Polish family where food and love were woven together like a fine tapestry. Now that I reside in the “Heartland”, I have come to realize that often what I desire to eat or cook is directly connected to what I am feeling. The irony is not lost on me, hence the tagline “Food + Food for Thought”.  Here you’ll find inspired pairings of recipes, meanderings on life, change and the art of reinvention, along with all the stuff in-between.

Nothing makes me happier than a meal shared with family or good friends, where the conversation elevates the entire experience. When the food is inspired, so too tend to be the stories shared by the people who linger at the table. We are all the sum of our experiences, and I love it when I can walk away and say, “I never thought about it like that.” We become one another’s teachers, and profound sources of support, each knowing we are not alone on our journey. My life, like yours, is a work in progress. I hope you will check back periodically to follow my adventures, add constructive comments or share inspiration, as I figure out what’s next in this “season” of my life.

Happy Travels & Bon Appetit!

The Seasonal Muse is a personal exploration of design, photography, writing and my experiences with the world. All opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not influenced by an individual or a brand. I am constantly exploring and trying new things, and experiencing new places. If I love something, it might make an appearance on the blog.  I respect that people work hard to create and propagate a brand or product even though it might not be suited to my/or everyone’s taste. In the event I choose to accept a product and write about it, it will get the proper credit it deserves. If you’re interested in partnering with the Seasonal Muse please reach me: marilyn@seasonalmuse(.com). I am always interested in exploring creative ways we might collaborate.