I'm from a big Italian Family where everyone knows how to cook. No one really ever taught me, we just hung around the kitchen and learned. I enjoy looking at new recipes to get ideas and then putting my twist on a dish which usally means lots of garlic! Pasta sauce is my speciality. I don't follow a recipe so it turns out different every time, but oh so good. My mother got a great recipe out of Sunset magazine in the 70's for Christmas bread. She started making it for everyone: family, our teachers, coaches, neighbors, etc. People waited all year for that bread. I started making it in college and produce several batches each year for co-workers and friends. It is a great recipe to pass on in the family and the smell immediately takes me home for the holidays, even when I am far away. This Christmas I had my first dinner party with 3 other couples. I made a turkey, ham, and got several ideas off this website. Everyone raved about the food. I just love cooking for other people. Mac and Cheese. No fail-- it is so easy I usally end up not paying attention and burning it...go figure.