I live with my husband on a ranch in northern California. I learned to cook and bake at a young age, under the guidance of my grandmothers. They taught me Southern and Mennonite/German cuisines which I continue to enjoy making. Simple, basic dishes like grilled chicken or basic casseroles are favorites of ours these days. Cookies and cakes are my creative outlet. I like to send the cookies to work with my husband for him and his coworkers and also to send cookie care packages to young relatives and friends all over the world. Fixing special dinners for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve. I also bake holiday cookies and make batch after batch of microwave peanut brittle (using recipes found on Allrecipes.com!) as part of holiday treat platters. I have learned how to preserve and can using produce from our garden. This year we gave our friends and family homemade goodies for holiday gifts. We gave jars of red sauce, green sauce, grape and strawberry jams and apple butter with honey. No "tragedies" per se, but one of my favorite quotes says it best: "If we learn from our mistakes, I am getting a fantastic education!" LOL ;)