I've been a single mom for 26 years and now an empty nester. Finding new recipes to try is kinda fun. I'm probably better at desserts for some reason, but I like trying new stuff of any kind or culture. My mom and grandma were both cooks from the south. What a blessing! I finally conquered a great pie crust and rice is never a problem for me. I seem to be better at making desserts even though they are the least that I need! In my young days, I used liquid smoke for the first and ONLY time. I added it to some gravy - way too much! YUCK!!