I'm struggling with empty nest syndrome and that 'joyful' stage of life that makes sure that my home-made nest stays empty! My best friend/husband and I live in Germany at the moment, and I'm ashamed to say I haven't collected ANY local recipes. I adore the train systems in Europe--we really need to get far more into that at home, I think. Taking a flight (anywhere, but in and out of the U.S. is most exhausting) has become such a hassle, and is so uncomfortable that train travel has become more attractive--plus, instead of driving, the driver gets to enjoy the scenery! I love animals of most kinds, and my pets are helping with the empty-nest thing! I love a bargain--can't seem to NOT buy anything anymore without trying to negotiate price (it's "paid off" many times--'scuse the pun). Well, it's easy to tell by my shape that I love to eat (darnitol)--the whole family is prepared if there's ever a time we have to live off our fat! teehee...lots more to say, perhaps some other time per My favorite things to cook are those things my family likes (same as all of us), but as I get older I'm gravitating to mostly easy recipes. I love to make soup--its possibilities are endless! Big roasts with special gravies are popular at my house, meatballs with Italian dishes, there's a certain enchilada casserole that we like, and salads that're pretty simple can be interesting to me. Since it's just my husband and I eating at home most of the time, I'm ready to explore and branch out! Will add later... This begins the combo cooking "triumphs" and "tragedies" in my time--not enough room in one section (and, no, I can't shut up in only 1,000 characters (as I flush with embarrassment--oh well). One thing always comes to mind when discussing cooking disasters. When I was fresh out of high school I moved to a new area, and told some nice young men I knew that if they helped move my stuff, I'd make spaghetti for them. They jumped at the chance for some home cookin.' Continued below (part 2) I began the sauce as they worked. My sister had taken over all family cooking, but I forged ahead, asking one of the guys how he liked his sauce, and he said "thick." So...I opened a couple of cans of tomato paste, put the contents in a pan, added large chunks of uncooked onion and green pepper, and cheerfully added “seasoning”. I let it heat up, and proudly presented my culinary delight. Can you imagine the finished product? I asked everybody if they liked it, and bless their hearts, they all said, "Oh, yeah! This is goo-ood!" and other nice things (after I asked). Uck, what a disgusting, barely-cooked mess! As I learned to cook, I learned also that cooking doesn't just come at birth, and when I realized just HOW dreadful that stuff had been, I cringed--then laughed. I learned how to make "thick" spaghetti sauce—by acquiring and using a cookbook!