I kinda got out of cooking for the past couple years, now back on with gusto. Getting back into baking. Haven't done much in the sweet department for years, due to my lack of self control. I am a cookie, pastry monster!Weight management ya know... Now at 48 decided enough is enough, and my weight is fine. Besides a little pudgy looks good with my merging middle age. I have been a avid garden for 30 years. Always planting something new, especially many varieties of heirloom tomatoes, roses, all perennials, culinary, medicinal, and ornamental herbs. Into Salvias, Hydrangeas, ferns, and English roses. I have had several horses, trained most. Showed english and flat seat. Miss my chickens and thier lovely fresh eggs. I live in Paso Robles, CA, which known for wine grapes, Almonds and horse industry. Several lavender farms. Great farmers markets, and a charming, renovated downtown with some great restaurants and specialty stores. Amazing wineries. Beautiful countryside. Known for my salads and Clipperdale dressing which I kick up and call "Chip-n-dale". Love all seafood and cook what I can afford. Mexian food, especially enchiladas. Persian rice, lots of chicken, vegetarian dishes (was one for 10 years, ova-lacto). Always fresh vegetables.Soups. Casseroles. My guy loves my skillet potatoes. Good scalloped potatoes too. When I am in the mood, I am pretty darn good at anything I try. Very rewarding. The holidays. Turkey with giblet, oyster, cornbread dressing. Big brither always does a silen pumpkin pie, my other big bro make a killer english toffee. My big sister always brings something new for us to try, her tradition , which is the surprise.My Mother is an awesome cook. For the past 40 years she has been making a special oyster loaf with a to die for sour cream, horser radish sauce, for my sister's birthday - which she refuses to share! I have whined but living out of town, I have only managed to get one from Mom once. I make my own and have tweaked it somwhat. I will submit the recipe. My daughter can down a mountian of crab legs and gets them for her birthday every year now. Our tradition. I miss my Mom's BBQ chicken and pies. Mastered gravy! Perfect. Learning to make real Chili Rellenos from a old Hispanic woman at a mexican restuarant I worked at many years ago. The Oyster loaf. It is a tragedy that I am missing out on grilling. Haven't mastered it much, but will. Maybe this summer. Can't seem to make a decent pie crust. Used to make great bread, but haven't done much in quite a while. Need to work on beef a bit. Being a vegetarian for those 10 years,I just didn't get into,and still don't like it much. My guy sure does. He buys a fair cow and a pig from 4-H every year. Somtimes he splits them with his father-in-law. The freezer gets stuffed to the brim.I tend to burn rather than under cook. I like cold, dark toast. Wierd?