I come from a big family and my mama taught me to cook and bake at a young age. She always encourages me to make up recipes, and to use the old "trail and error trick". I prefer whatever I make to be not only appetizing to look at but also to eat. I'm on a limited income so I have to choose my recipes carefully,so it still tastes like I paid a lot for a lot when I didn't. I like knowing what I have in the pantry and fridge so I whip something up at the drop of a hat. Spontaneous cooking on a dime :) I use to love only making sweet things but I've slowly made my way to the savory side of the kitchen. Anywhere from cookies to ladyfingers to carrot cake to roasted salmon with a pineapple teryaki sauce glaze. I love my chicken 'n' dumplings and adore my mama's homemade chicken potpie. I love to try something that sounds VERY challenging, if I read it and I think "whoa...how do you do that!?" then I know I have to try it! I'm always looking for new things to try. Thanksgiving and Christmas are the 2 holidays that I can ALWAYS remember cooking with all the women in the kitchen and normally something seriously hilarious happening! My latest triumph sounds silly but it was deep frying, I only got a few burns from hot grease. Otherwise I like to consider it a triumph if I make something (and it turns out super well)from an extremely challenging recipe or from one in my head. WHERE TO START!? From tears to laughing at myself. From second degree burns to blowing things up to making the turkey fly...there really is never a dull moment when it comes to cooking!