I'm a very active wife and mother. We live in a semi rural setting on the Manitoba prairie outside of Winnipeg. As a family we have worked hard to create a welcoming and relaxed setting inside and out. We love to unwind from our hectic days around a fire, with friends great food and when the weather permits, the flicker of many candles in the garden! besides gardening and cooking I love to write. I am very interested in ethnic cooking, (I have never met an ethic restaurant I didn't like!) I make soups summer and winter and I am always looking for new ones. casseroles are a favorite in my house too. I like to make up my own recipes. I will spend a lot of time looking through books and then use parts from several recipes. I'm not so good with the desserts so I always look for the easy but great recipes. among the fondest memories I have of my mom is watching from across the table while she made dinner, right from a child I was interested in her talent. She loved to entertain. She had a Christmas eve party every year and made fabulous appetizers.I have carried on this tradition for 20 years. I love the preparation and the social activity around these events. Sometimes my kids and husband and I will get together and make a great theme meal with everyone taking part! I think my biggest triumph came many years ago when I attempted gnocchi for the first time and had the whole family over for dinner, much so my relief, they were a great success! I have to say I have been lucky so far. I love to experiment on my friends with new dishes. I love to hear the yummie noises around the table. my biggest tragedy was when I made homemade salsa from scratch, hours of chopping and skinning my garden tomatoes. I had two huge pots on the stove. I came in the house to the smell of something burning! Both huge pots were ruined! needless to say I have never made it again so far any way!