Live in Northern California, the mother of three, the grandmother of eight - six girls and two boys. Married to hubby since 1960 after meeting in college. Education is important to all in family. All adult family members, (including son/daughters-in-laws have college degrees - five family members with Masters, three with Bachelors). Basically, learned to cook the ol' fashioned way... by trial and error. Learned to cook more sophisticated in the eighties by joining gourmet dining and cooking groups. Anything new! Love reading new recipes and trying them. Always looking for good appetizer recipes needed for accompany cocktails "mingling" with friends, family, and new acquaintances. Enjoy preparing well balanced meals with outstanding flavors. And "kicking it up a notch" sounds great! Do not care for sweets, so desserts would not be a forte. Salads. Wonderful salads with meats, cheeses, nuts, fruits, veggies, chips, etc. - you name it. Frozen Chocolate Torte! All loved it!!! And even for someone who doesn't like sweets, it is so good! (AND THE RECIPE IS LOST - HELP!) Swedish meatballs (flavorless) and at another time, homemade bagels (like rocks).