I am the mother of 5, and have been cooking since I was a kid. My father taught me, as my mom would rather do the dishes! He was an ingredient "dumper", a trait that I also inherited, sometimes with not so perfect outcomes! My family's favorite dishes are my "Pot Pie Surprise". The "surprise" is that I never seem to make it the same way 2x!The other favorite is Pork Chops topped with Stuffing. I the kids help out in the kitchen often and we always have a good time making the food and using ingredient suggestions from the kids. Sneaking carrots, eggplant AND spinach into spaghetti sauce undetected!! My first attempt at a Thanksgiving Feast in 1986. Sadly, I did not know that the turkey had to be all the way thawed and the neck and giblets were stored in the cavity of the bird. YUCK!! Raw and gross!