I'm a mother of 2, in my 50's and still can't classify myself as an expert on this profile. Do we ever reach that? People do love my cooking, especially my husband, of course the kids have their favorites. My cooking skills were challenged about two years ago when my husband became Vegan. After a year of cooking really scrumptious foods for him, I finally converted as well. I am happy to say we have found it to be a very healthy and delicious way of eating. I have an artsy side, so I love to make things look good. I like grilling,(less clean up) and love Asian, Italian and Mexican dishes. My favorite cooking traditions center around Thanksgiving meals, holiday pies and Christmas cookies. As the baby of 5, all the girls had a job in the kitchen for these holidays.(that's sexist I know,but that is how it was.) As a young kid, I folded napkins and set the table. As I got older, I moved the food to platters, and worked on the relish tray. Then when you live on your own you bring your own dish to share. Mom was an excellent cook, she would not let anyone bother her recipes or help her cook. Her food was so good, we didn't mind. We use to call all the time for advice. She is heaven now and I miss calling her so much! I don't really have a recipe I made up but one time I won a dessert contest with a Pampered Chef recipe called the Red,White and Blueberry pie. This pie is awesome! My biggest cooking tragedy was a split pea soup that called for cinnamon. The ingredients sounded so wierd that I thought it must be good. I couldn't even eat it. Bless my husband though, he went back for seconds.