Welcome to my table! I'm Chellie, the author, recipe developer, and photographer behind the blog Art From My Table.
I've spent the last 12 years making it my mission to provide you with easy-to-follow real food recipes that everyone will want to devour. If you're looking for recipe inspiration, you're in the right place!
At Art From My Table, you'll find hundreds of mouthwatering, tried and true recipes made with real food along with all my tips and tricks for making your time in the kitchen stress-free.
As a mom of 4 active children, I know the importance of making every minute count!
How It All Started
I grew up in a family that ate dinner together almost every night of the week. As a child, it was my 'normal' so I didn't really think twice about it.
After starting a family of my own, it became very important to me to spend that time connecting as a family. There are scientifically proven benefits to eating together, but I mostly just love feeding and connecting with people. Food is my love language. 😊
While I have great memories of my mom's cooking, we didn't really spend time in the kitchen together. I'm a self-taught home cook.
I've taken many culinary classes throughout the years to increase my knowledge and skills, and have incorporated what I've learned into my recipes and blog posts to share with you.
I teach cooking classes locally, and it's one of my favorite activities. Some of the topics I've covered are:
- How To Use Your Instant Pot
- Knife Skills
- Easy Salad Dressings To Make At Home
- Sous Vide Cooking
- Perfecting Mocktails and Cocktails
Often I'll mentor aspiring cooks by having them work alongside me in my kitchen.
Art From My Table started as a paperless way to share my recipes with others, since they so often asked, and to keep track of all the things I was creating.
Over the years its turned into an online destination visited by millions of people that cook Art From My Table recipes and share them with the ones they love around their tables.
In addition to all the photographs on the blog, I also have a freelance photography business and am a published photographer.
Art From My Table has also been featured in many publications, such as Brit + Co, Buzzfeed, Health, Parade, Today food, and many more.
What You'll Find Here
I'm a big fan of making things from scratch, they are so much more flavorful, not to mention better for you! I promise it is far easier than you might think. Check out the Kitchen Basics section for making some homemade staples.
Our recipes contain detailed step-by-step instructions along with photos to ensure you can make them perfectly at home.
This blog is not diet-specific, I've always been an "everything in moderation" kind of gal. I tend to be 80/20 with healthy and indulgence. I rarely use any ingredients that are processed. The recipes here reflect those things.
Getting Around
To browse recipes, visit the Recipe Index. There is also a search bar in the top right-hand corner to type in any keyword or recipe you might be looking for.
Here's a list of our top ten recipes to get you started!
- Award Winning White Chicken Chili
- Breakfast Banana Split
- Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Strawberry Mojito Mocktail
- Leftover Carnitas Casserole
- Ground Turkey Skillet Dinner
- Birds Nest Easter Treats
- How To Freeze Strawberries
- Peppermint White Russian Mocktail
- Tender and Juicy Meatloaf
Behind the Scenes
I was born and raised in beautiful West Michigan, aka "the other west coast". I'm a beach girl all the way! Give me all the warm weather and sunshine, please!
My faith in God, family, and relationships are my top priorities. Life is full of challenges, and without my relationship with the Lord, I wouldn't be able to get through it.
My husband and I are celebrating 20 years of marriage this January (2022).🎉 We have been blessed with four children. It's probably pretty obvious, but fostering to adopt is part of our journey. If you ever have questions about foster care or adoption, feel free to reach out.
Aside from cooking and photography, I absolutely LOVE to read! I'm in a book club and it challenges me to read things that I wouldn't have on my own. Book club night is always the highlight of my month. These women go all out and the table settings, food, and themes are always incredible! We have a lot of fun.
A Few Fun Facts
- My favorite time of day is early morning before anyone gets up. Just me, the quiet, my bible and coffee.
- I was super shy as a child- you'd never guess it if I didn't tell you.
- I was a very picky eater when I was growing up. I've learned all the secrets to getting around that one, let me know if you need suggestions.
- I have my cosmetology license.
- I love "the drop in"- you know, when friends just drop in without notice? Relationships are very important to me, they always trump housework. Even if my house is a mess, I'll stop what I'm doing and gladly share a cup of coffee with a friend.
- I read cookbooks as if they are novels.
- I learned photography in order to save a few dollars on my kids portraits.
- I don't do it all! I have a cleaning lady, a super supportive husband who does anything I ask, the kids do their own laundry, we eat plenty of tacos and spaghetti, the kids have family contributions that help to keep this place running, and I get up really early.
Keeping In Touch
If you're interested in working with me, head over to my Work With Me page to see what services I offer.
Subscribe to my mailing list to stay updated on the latest recipes and receive a copy of my Smoothies E-Cookbook.
Follow me on your favorite social media platform.
Pinterest|Facebook|YouTube|Instagram
Email~ chellie@artfrommytable.com
Thanks again for stopping by, I'm honored that you spent some of your time with me.
Blessings to you,
Chellie
Chellie Schmitz
My pleasure! Thanks for stopping in. 😉
Chellie Schmitz
Thank you so much Sheila!!
Sheila Thigpen
Chellie, I loved reading your bio! Keep up the good work and keep sharing your fabulous recipes. Your photography is simply mouth-watering!
Kathleen Pope
I just love this Chellie, such a sweet little window into your life! Thank you for sharing my friend!
Chellie Schmitz
BSF stands for Bible Study Fellowship. If you google that, their website will come up for you. They have bible studies for Men, Women, Young adults, and kids. They also offer online groups. They have about 10-12 studies they rotate through, and I have enjoyed all of the ones I've done. Enjoy the soup!! 🙂
Robert Johnson
I’m wondering what BSFBible study is all about. I love lentil soup and want to try your recipe.
Chellie Schmitz
Hi Kathy! Thank you so much for checking out my blog and your sweet words. I'm so happy you're finding it to be a great resource for you. I'm definitely passionate about real food and the healthiest options. There are certainly a few indulgences too--because life is too short to not have a sweet once in awhile. 😉 Please stop back rate the recipes after you try them, and feel free to leave a comment (or tag me on social media) letting me know of any ways you made it your own. I love to see what you do at YOUR table. Blessings to you!
Kathleen Rasmussen
Hi Chellie, I only know you from church (GCF), but I'm so glad I clicked on one of your Facebook posts to check out your food recipes. I am so impressed and love the way you give many other options for making all of your recipes. I have printed out 4 of them (Sweet Potato Crunch, Healthy Slow Cooker Turkey Chili, White Chicken Chili, Easy Roasted Vegetables) and can't wait to try them! I too want to cook with the best and healthiest ingredients, and from what I can tell, you do too! I subscribed to your newsletter and look forward to getting your recipes by email. Thanks so much and God bless you!
Chellie Schmitz
Awesome, I'll reach out to you when I'm ready. 🙂
Debbie
Oops *aunt's*
Debbie
If you want my great aun'ts Concord Grape Pie just let me know, I'll share !
Chellie Schmitz
Debbie, Thank you so much for taking the time to introduce yourself! I loved hearing about your adventures in the Midwest. It sounds like we have a few things in common. And I best get my hands on a concord grape pie!! Or see if I can make one. My neighbor grows grapes, but I'm not sure what kind they are. I might be able to sweet-talk her into giving me some. 🙂 See you in the next newsletter.
Debbie
Hi Chellie! I "found" you through Kathleen (The Fresh Cooky), and I and so glad!!! I am originally from northwest Indiana, and my husband and I would come up to Michigan for the lake perch at Clementine's. I now am in Colorado. I don't really miss the midwest except I do miss going to Founder's Week at Moody Bible every year. I agree that food gifts are a great Love Language and I do the same thing. I miss the days when people would just "drop by". Out here they don't do that at all, but when we were still in Highland, Ind. I had friends that would still do that. I do miss that, too.
One recipe that I've "introduced" to a few people out here is Concord Grape Pie. It is a recipe that I got from my great aunt back in the 70s, but the problem is that they don't sell concord grapes out here, but fortunately I have a good friend from church who grows them, and I go to her house for grape picking.
I will be signing up for your newsletter, and can't wait to see what's cooking.
Chellie Schmitz
Thank you so much for taking the time to introduce yourself, Marilyn! It blesses me to hear that you are inspired. I hope and pray whatever health issues you have are healed and you are fully restored. Don't give up gathering the people. It doesn't have to be fancy right? The community and connection are so needed!
You know Gary?! How cool is that! Thanks for passing my suggestion on. LOL. Happy 75 (and a half). Love the plaque. 🙂
Marilyn
Chellie,
I don’t know how I came across you, but so thankful I did. You have been a blessing already.
I’m anxious to continue being your friend & being inspired by you. I have always used our home & food/entertaining with old & new friends.
The last 10 yrs. have been different because of health & other issues.
I’m trying to get this changed, but it’s been hard.
By the way Gary Chapmen is our pastor and friend of ours, so I’ll pass on the 6th love language suggestion!😃
Blessings to you & I look forward to hearing more encouraging words & ways to grow with God’s gifts.
I turned 75 in April, so maybe I’m just getting old & worn out. In my mind I think I’m still young, but i don’t have the zip anymore. My kids used to call me zip-zip.
I have this plaque that says “When did my wild oats turn into shredded wheat?”
God bless you!
You don’t need to post this, too much rambling on. 😍
Marilyn
Shawn Crawford
I sure like your hair cut. Wanting to do something like that
chellie
Janet, thank you for your sweet encouraging words. It was such a pleasure to meet you and talk with you for a few minutes. I feel like I could talk to you for hours. Our stay was fantastic! We loved every minute of it. The staff at The Wickwood is first rate! My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough. Haha! Blessings to you friend!
chellie
Thank you so much!! Your kind words mean the world to me!
chellie
Laura it was great to meet you too! Thank you for sharing the link~you are speaking my language, which is food of course! I want to come Eileen's backyard party! Oh my goodness, it sounds amazing! I'll be sure to check out your other posts about the missing love language, I loved your writing. Blessings to you my new friend!