I grew up in a family where eating out was a rare occasion and fast food was only on car trips. The cooking in the house was shared by all members of the family and many traditions and recipes have passed down from generation to generation. I used to be a Navy cook and have a wide range of cooking genres from which to pull. Above all else, I love baking. I have a major sweet tooth. I enjoy putting together nice breakfasts and for special occasions I have been known to go a tad overboard. Probably my single favorite tradition is putting together "cookie plates" for my neighbors at Christmas. My #1 favorite treat to make and to eat is Scotcheroos. My biggest triumphs recently were hosting a Christmas dinner w/ my wife for a pair of couples who also were unable to get away from the Navy long enough to go home; and, also, this past Valentine's dinner. Nothing really, other than a couple of cakes which got away from me, but nothing too disasterous.