I was always a little interested in cooking/baking. Mom was a gourmet cook! I've become more adventurous since taking care of mom, who now has dementia. I am actress/production manager/professional dresser for shows coming through Cleveland and when we have two show weekends sometimes the dressers, and some actors/production crew, get together for a pot luck! The crew room always smells delicious and we have a hard time moving for the second show! I like everything. Soups are great and easy, really like the butternut squash & leek soup. Like baking bread especially in the fall - no machine, as I like kneading the dough and watching it rise - just love that smell. Really like trying new things and, in the family tradition, altering recipes! Use wines, fresh herbs, lots of basil (when called for), applesauce(since we have an orchard). We've always gotten a kick out of squirreling away (freezing) blueberries, strawberries; making strawberry shortcakes in January when the snow is flying! Always amazed when something new turns out great! I've had some, but like a bad memory, tend to keep them out of mind!