My husband and I got married and bought a house 4 yrs ago. I told him I would be doing a lot of entertaining, and I've sure keep my word! I love to bake and cook for my friends and they are quite impressed with my talents! I grew up watching my dad doing most of the cooking. Thank God I took after him in my cooking talents and interests! Never thought when I was 10 yrs old and preferring to watch cartoons that someday I'd be watching cooking shows with him! I actually prefer to bake nowadays, but still enjoy cooking as well. I really enjoy making garlic rustic mash potatoes, and a nice pork loin or standing rib roast. I also love to bake cakes from scratch, I try not to use box mixes unless I'm adding my own twist to them. Cookies are a never fail treat too. I watch Food Network 24/7 and get ideas and inspiration from those shows. Well, my dad did a lot of traveling, so even though he was the chef of the house, he didn't influence most of my cooking/baking memories. My fav memories are from Christmas. The "Grandma's Pink stuff" frozen cranberry mold is a hand-me-down recipe that I now make every year. Also as kids we did the cut out sugar cookies and decorated with frosting. I have continued that as well with the same recipe. Most recently was the pork loin and rustic garlic mashers. The pork was so tender and moist and pleased the most pickiest eater, my mom! Also, my first Christmas dinner in my house I made the standing rib roast, will go down in history as the very best according to my husband. I get rave reviews on my Guacamole, and my chicken salad. And of course, mom can't have just one of my cupcakes! I tried to make a boxed angel food cake into chocolate cake by adding cocoa powder and coconut, it was too dry to eat! Common mistake, I couldn't find the bag of goodies in my first turkey-so I assumed they weren't in there. Boy was I wrong!