I'm married to a wonderful man who has nine terrific kids, a gorgeous daughter-in-law and a strikingly beautiful granddaughter - and I have one daughter who married her high school sweetheart in September 2008, so between us ... holy cow - there's hardly a month that goes by without a birthday! None of the kids live at home anymore, but we see them on holidays, birthdays, and such. My husband just retired his medical practice and we have a beautiful yet ever-changing-and-in-a-constant-state-of-remodel home. Two cats, Chloe and Busy, even out our empty nest along with "Nitschke" ... our 3-year old Pomeranian/Australian Shepherd. The name was my husband's idea ... coming from Wisconsin he's a huge Green Bay Packer fan. If that still doesn't strike a chord for the name, ask your hubby or boyfriend if they've ever heard of Ray Nitschke, former linebacker for "The Pack." I love chicken and fish dishes, my husband prefers vegetarian so I'm getting better with that. We entertain quite a bit so I'm good with appetizers and desserts and love to throw a party (I'm an old event planner). Thanksgiving: my daughter's birthday sometimes lands on this day and she loves my rum cake for her "birthday" cake. Christmas: COOKIES!!!! Easter: Since we live in northern California, we're thinking of making a tradition out of something "on the grill." A 4-tiered wedding cake, my first go at it and it was a smash hit; making hors d'oeuvres, main meal and desserts for 40 guests a few months ago - I was exhausted but it was a fabulous success; decorated Christmas cookies delivered to a couple of board and care facilities ... made the people there very happy. Only 1000 characters are allowed in this space for SO MUCH STUFF! Where to begin? Burned appetizers at a dinner party (no one's returned from THAT one!); cooking the giblet sack inside the turkey one Christmas and getting the biggest laugh from the family when I pulled it out at the table! ... ugh, so many more ... but I keep on trying and my successes far outweigh my disappointments.