Alumni to Follow is a blog series that features interviews with a variety of Darlington alumni about their careers in blogging, social media, music, art, and more and how you can follow them.
Today's post features Molly Kelly Steeves (’98, LD ’12), creator of "My Shelter in Taste".
Tell us about My Shelter in Taste.
My Shelter in Taste is my Instagram page where I post pictures and recipes of things I am creatively cooking using items I find in my pantry, fridge, and freezer.
How did you get started or come up with the idea for My Shelter in Taste?
I have been an event planner for nearly 20 years and spent the majority of my career planning and managing events around the world in conjunction with sporting events (Tennis Grand Slams, Olympics, Fifa World Cups and Rugby World Cups in the UK, Australia, France, Brazil & Japan). With sporting events being cancelled worldwide, I found myself without things to plan, no international travel soon to look forward to and my budget took a hit. I love to plan and see the results and this was suddenly taken away. One day in the spirit of trying to stay positive and not feel sorry for myself because I had to cancel a trip to visit my sister in Italy, I started the process of making a batch of Limoncello out of lemons. This evolved into a bit of personal therapy. How could I challenge myself to make something I had never made before? What things could I make from things I had on hand or inexpensive to procure? How could I make them into something delicious and beautiful? On the day the Governor declared shelter in place I desired an opportunity to find enjoyment and a purpose outside of my normal routine. It became My Shelter in Taste
Can you share any tips or tricks for people managing life at home during this time?
I have a very hard time relaxing so I have been trying to focus on having an open mind about things I cannot control. Doing this through food has been a fun experiment and as a result, it is helping me to relax a bit. To help manage through this time, I suggest trying something new - you have nothing to lose! I have never baked a day in my life but I started baking bread. I have made so many mistakes. Today I realized 3 hours after I made dough that I forgot to put in the yeast! I just added it and crossed my fingers. It might not turn out gorgeous, but I still have bread for peanut butter sandwiches tomorrow.
Not wanting to waste any food or money I found a container of newly expired Greek yogurt and I wanted to try something different so I made drop biscuits and they were amazing! I posted it on my Instagram and Facebook and so many people started making them - so easy and delish. I loved connecting with friends all over the world too!
Here’s how - combine 1 cup self-rising flour with ½ Greek yogurt and ½ stick of melted butter then drop with a spoon on a sheet pan or mini muffin tin (a suggestion from a friend) and bake at 425 for 15 min. They will disappear fast!
Anything else you want to know about you?
My husband, Charles, and I have a 4-year-old daughter, Mary Alston, who will be a 4th generation Darlington Tiger when she starts Pre-K in the fall. I am so excited for her future at a place that has meant so much to my family and me.
Darlington’s Motto is “Wisdom more than Knowledge, Service beyond Self, and Honor above Everything.” What ways have you applied the motto to your life?
I am a fan of Servant Leadership. Honoring others before yourself and the other principles of Servant Leadership parallel Darlington’s motto. I believe wisdom comes from serving, honoring, and learning from others.
Tell us how people can follow you.
Instagram - @myshelterintaste
Facebook - Molly Kelly Steeves
Blog - coming soon! www.shelterintaste.com
Are you interested in being featured in the Alumni to Follow series or know of a fellow alum whose work would be a great feature? Email Becca Wood for more details.
