I do not use mixes. I cook everything from "scratch". I enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that I derive from making/baking something that is new and different than what anyone has eaten previously. Not drastically different, but just different enough to make them say hmmmmmm. I love to bake quick breads, pies, cakes, cookies etc. I also make a mean pot of chili. Grandmother's pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. Turkey roasted in the old wood range. Eggless, milkless, butterless cake my Grandmother made (I still make it from her recipe too) Pies. I make exceptionally good (tender, flaky,) pie crust. Put most anything inside a pie crust and it tastes good. Roast beef is my enemy. I have never managed to become accomplished at roasting beef.