I grew up in farm country on the eastern plains of South Dakota. I come from a Scandinavian background. I grew up learning to cook basic "country cooking". Through the years, I've ventured into Italian cooking and of course after moving to Texas, I've learned a little about TexMex and southern cooking. My love for food has always not only been important as the nutritional value but also from the social aspect. I'm not one to measure (unless it's baking). I describe myself as a "dump cook". I love experimenting with different flavors. If I see a recipe, I think about how I can add to it. I could easily get addicted to Food Network. I'm already addicted to Allrecipes. Nothing is more enjoyable to me than to cook for someone. I love to bake although I'm not real good at it. Holidays are definately on the top of the list. The more the merrier. My family always gathered at holiday time. Now that I'm in Texas, I miss my family. But I've adopted a "new family" so I can carry on the tradition. Making sauce and Lasagna for my Italian boyfriend when we first got together. When he said it was very good, I felt like I passed the test Years ago, I made baking powder biscuits and forgot the baking powder. Not something that I want to be reminded of.