I have loved to cook for years now and started around high school, mostly learning from my dad and mom. When I got to college and was on my own, I began to make up my own basic recipes and my college roommates loved me, b/c I was the only one who could make dishes more complicated than PB&J, Mac & Cheese, and of course the college staple Ramen Noodles :) A good friend and former roommate had dubbed me the "Queen of Casseroles" and the "Duchess of Breadcrumbs", as I love comfort food and cold weather dishes. In the spring and summer, I am usually a little more health conscious and cook lower-fat, healthy dishes for the most part, but occasionally prepare more indulgent meals as well... everything in moderation! I enjoy cooking a lot of chicken, pasta, vegetables, seafood, soups,and love trying out new things. I have gotten so many ideas from this site, but almost never stick to a recipe! Many are great, as is, I am sure, but I always tend to put my own spin on everything I make- My mom makes spinach lasagna (with an amazing white cheese sauce) and my dad makes the best scalloped pototoes in the world. And I love meat stuffing at Thanksgiving from my Uncle Tom... and my brother's "Tasty Manicotti" :-) I made Christmas dinner for my former in-laws who are from Alabama and love their food... my father-in-law had praised me throughout the whole meal and said that everything he ate was delicious and 'just like mawmaw would make' :) Also, my dad is a great cook himself and has been impressed with the meals I have made, so I certainly take that as a compliment as well. I once made cornbread that was the consistency of a brick... I also tried to make risotto once and it was a 'no go'... still trying to figure out where I went wrong with that one!