I'm back in my hometown, working and playing. Good friends call me their "personal chef," although cooking at their house is usually a tag-team event. After a recent kitchen re-modeling, they can't get rid of me! My biggest "hobby" is my dogs, a Shar Pei and a Golden Retriever. Dutch (the Golden) and I compete in AKC Obedience. It's great fun and makes him a well-mannered dog. Since Pickles (the Shar Pei)is blind, she's our cheering section. I love breads, have recently discovered scones, and am in love. I got a vertical smoker for Christmas and have kept it busy ever since. I have perfected a rub and mopping sauce that makes my ribs a family/friend favorite. My grandfather handed his roast recipe down to my mother, who eventually gave it to me. I was surprised by the secret ingredient, but not as surprised as some of the people who taste the roast! And no, it's not alcohol... At a chocolate dessert contest I made a "hotdog lunch" out of sweets and chocolate. It was GREAT! These happen less frequently than they did, but the most recent was making some rice pancakes that Emeril had featured on his show. Even though I followed the instructions to the letter, they were HORRIBLE.