I am a wife and stepmother and I love to cook and bake...especially bake. I have been cooking for about 6 years now, and I was tempted to call myself Expert, but I truly feel like you never stop learning...I may have to consider myself Intermediate forever!! Desserts, breads, anything I've never made before, desserts, breads, stews, pasta, desserts, breads....and...oh yeah! Desserts and breads! It's not really a tradition...more of a memory. When I was little my dad was too ill to work, so my mom did. One of my fondest memories is of my stay at home dad, cooking and cleaning. He truly impacted the way I viewed relationships and household roles. My husband and I cook together more often then not. This one will take some thought... Oh, the tragedies! I actually have a long list. I have quite bad luck in the kitchen!! Unfortunately, it always takes place on a special occasion...burnt pumpkin bread for Thanksgiving...baking powder when baking soda was called for on Valentine's...frosting that wouldn't set up on Christmas. As the years have gone by though I have had fewer and fewer mishaps. Chalk it up to experience and more patience.