I grew up in Maine but now I live in Florida. I find that my cooking changes depending on where I am. Back "home" it's comfort foods to get through long cold winters. In FL it's healthier and quick so we can get out and enjoy our beautiful surroundings. I love to cook party foods for entertaining. Little morsels of yummy finger food. I also love to cook big meals like Thanksgiving feasts. I tend to do this for no special reason but I always have plenty of guests to help clean up the plates. I believe home made is best made. I may get some ideas from the cooking shows but I alway look for ways to make it lighter. The latest triumph was finally trying fondant while making a special birthday cake. It was easy and came out so beautifully I can't wait till our next occassion requiring a cake. When I was a little girl (7 yrs old) my father decided to show me how to make french fried potatoes. Well, the pot was too full of oil, the potatoes were too wet and I remember dumping salt on the fire while my dad grabbed the pot and tossed it into the sink away from the heat source. I don't remember my dad ever attempting to cook again after that.