I have been cooking since my mother to work full time when I was around 10. My sister and I split the meals during the week. We had always been involved in the kitchen though. Even earlier than that. These days I work full time and cook almost everynight. On the weekends I like to do something special as we usually have company. Now I love to cook and to try new recipes. I love cookbooks, for the recipes and just to find new ideas. My husband likes regular meat and potato meals but is getting more adventurous. I like to try anything but really enjoy Italian food and making fresh pasta. We also love chicken wings, pizza, etc., which we make at home as well. Growing up we always had Christmas and/or New Years with my mothers side fo the family. Usual holiday fare made better by sharing with family. These days most holidays are spent with my husbands family. They are a large and close knit group. Chirstmas brunch is with my side of the family and a great time. My sister always makes cookies for everyone to take home. Fresh pasta is my special skill. I like to try new deserts as well. Figuring out how to make a meal that I've had in a restaurant is the best and most times I can get pretty close. Sometimes even better as I can make it just like we want. A lasagna made with low fat cheese. That cheese was like plastic. More recently, a shrimp and mixed vegetables dish. I mixed up the cornstarch with icing sugar. Sugary shrimp anyone?