I'm first generation American from Austrian-Hungarian war refugee parents, so have a frugal European background of kitchen know-how and tastes. My two teenage sons' favorite foods are tacos and Pizza-Hut, and my husband is perfectly happy with a tossed salad for dinner. I received my first cookbook when I was 10 yrs old from a dear family friend who passed away a couple of months ago. I still have that cookbook. I have been told I make a truly great lasagne, which I enjoy making during cold weather. I like to make Haamantaschen anytime. I used to love making chocolate chip cookies, but it takes so long to make enough to last more than 5 minutes in my house. I have to make them when no one is home. No traditions. My favorite cooking activity is usually making up care packages of homemade cookies, or preparing for family gatherings (of 25-30 members). Preparing a complete lasagne dinner for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary for about 50 people. My first dinner for my family when I was 10: meatloaf, mashed potatoes, buttered peas, and cake with strawberry meringue frosting! The first time I made really good biscuits that my brothers couldn't call hockey pucks. I have always loved to read. I have burned more hard-cooked eggs and potatoes, ruining the pots. I'd put something on to "boil" and start reading. I'd get so involved with what I was reading, that all the water would boil away and the eggshells would be burning. My Dad would get so angry, because invariably I would burn part of dinner on a night that he was really hungry and tired.