About Marisa

I was born in Hollywood and lived in Eagle Rock, CA until I was almost 9 years old. My parents had been looking for a way to escape the smog and rot of LA when my mom had a dream about living someplace with snow-capped mountains. They looked around, checked out Portland and about a year later we were living there. More than 20 years later, they are still there.

I went to Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA and while I love the west coast, after college, I was looking to be someplace else. About three months after I graduated, I came to Philly to visit my grandmother (both sides of my family are from here), and as I got off the plane I knew I had to move. It was like I had been hit in the head with with a long, heavy piece of wood, so powerful was the message. Always one to try to listen to the little dribbles of guidance the universe sends my way, I transplanted myself to the east coast. Five Six and a half eight years, three four jobs, a husband and the same old 1992 station wagon, it still feels like the right choice.

I have a younger sister who is well on her way to making her living as rock star (okay, she’s more of a folk star) and I write about her on occasion. In addition to all her musical talents, she has the best head of hair I’ve ever seen close up. If she wasn’t my sister, I’d be really jealous.

I am sort of organized but have a natural tendency towards clutter, wear a lot of black and have an herb garden that lives in the basin of an old dry sink by my dining room window. I collect canning jars, wooden spoons and pens. I get rid of the books I’ve read, so I tend to have cases full of books I’ve have yet to open. I never pass a penny on the ground without picking it up, no matter if it’s heads up or heads down.

I started this blog as a way to help me figure out what I want to do with my life and I’m happily on my way towards an ever-evolving plan. I want to write (and get paid to make food video). In December 2007, I finished a Masters in Writing at St. Joseph’s University. These days, I work for the agency that markets and promotes Philadelphia as a web producer (it includes quite a bit of writing, which is a delight) and on the side, I write about putting food in jars and teach canning and cooking classes.

These days, my posting here is daily, featuring a daily photo throughout my 31st year. You can find more of my writing at Food in Jars and uwishunu. You can find me as marusula on Twitter if you’re inclined. If you want to get in touch, feel free to shoot me an email at apt2024 AT gmail dot com.

7 Responses to About Marisa

  1. spacer Cynthia Marx says:
    September 27, 2010 at 11:37 pm

    Hi Marissa, I have been doing some research about blogs because I, too, want to write one. So, I researched blog titles like: most beautiful, utopia, writers (don’t go there!), art, food, etc. Then I just decided I would search “old fashioned” because all I really want to do is write a reflection a day along with a photo. I found your blog and enjoyed reading about your food interests and journey to Philadelphia. My sister is also a singer, though she does not make a living at now. I know where Eagle Rock is because I had a friend who lived there, when I lived in Sierra Madre while attending Pasadena High School…But that was a very long time ago. Since then I have lived in New York for many years, then in Silverdale, WA. I’ve been to Walla Walla. Love the Columbia Valley. Today, I am an English and History teacher in Juneau, AK. This is a temporary position while I sort out a new direction for the last half of my life. Anyway, just saying thanks for your inspiration. I’m not expecting a reply. It feels strange writing to a complete stranger, but I guess that is the way of blogs. Cynthia

    Reply
    • spacer Brandee says:
      August 5, 2011 at 11:09 am

      I found Marisa’s Food in Jars on accident, and follow her almost (embarrassingly) religiously. I love her writing. I recently started a food blog for my friends and family….none of whom actually read it. It;s amateurish. But I enjoy it, when I get a chance to write.
      I’m responding to you because I lived in Silverdale for 10 years. Born in SoCal, raised in Eastern WA, after Silverdale spent a few years in Hawai’i, and now am in Ohio.
      You’d think I would have a endless supply of material for my blog. Ha!
      I’d love to share ideas.

      Reply
      • spacer Mary Ann Sweeney says:
        August 14, 2011 at 7:22 pm

        I don’t believe in ‘accidents’ (unless their physical). I too, ‘stumbled’ upon this website while I was frantically searching for how to can produce that I’ve grown this summer for the first time in my life (I’m almost 76). I love this site, and I’ve come to love Marissa just through it. I may never meet her because I live about 350 miles northwest of Philly (originally a Bronx girl – never been to Philly), but her words, encouragement and recipes with all the interesting info added are a joy to behold to this old lady just beginning the best part of my life! Thank you, Marissa!

        Reply
  2. spacer Almaz says:
    March 18, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    I heart this blog. Not just because you write it but because the images are stunning (simple, sublime, evocative) and the writing is straight forward. It’s just delicious.

    Reply
  3. spacer sandra says:
    June 2, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    i just found this site and your canning food site and your photos are just beautiful! especially the simple pics of drinks, plates of food, etc. do you carry a camera around with you all the time? thanks for sharing your life with all of us who visit with you through your words!!

    Reply
    • spacer Marisa says:
      June 13, 2011 at 11:29 am

      Sandra, thanks for the comment! I’m so happy to hear that you like what I do here. I do have a camera with me nearly all the time. I’m totally in love with capturing moments of life.

      Reply
  4. spacer Justine says:
    August 29, 2011 at 7:19 am

    I’m so glad I found your blogs! They are quite inspiring! I’ve just set my foot on my first garden here at our new home and I’m excited about the outlook! Canning may be in my near future! What a great place to go to for information! Thank you!

    Reply

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