I have always loved cheesecakes so when I was 12 I began collecting cookbooks for these and the experiments began! I became pretty good and then ventured on to other things to cook. Now I really enjoy trying new recipes and testing them out with my family. I like to make pasta and other Italian dishes with different combinations, I also like to try baking dishes for family functions and potlucks, It's very satisfying to have the "hit" dish that gets rave reviews. My mother used to always make goulash so this all too simple dish is still one of my favorite comfort foods I always make when I just can't decide what's for dinner. I love cheesy scalloped potatoes and made them so many different ways but after dozens of tries I feel I finally have them perfected, I am always asked to bring them to parties, and my kids love them too! I have had soo many failed attempts, and still do occasionally have disasters but I think you just mess up to learn another cooking lesson, my husband just laughs and says, well, it was a good effort..