I started cooking when I was a young girl and made most of the meals for my family as a teen. I guess I got burned out on it, because for years, I didn't really enjoy cooking, it was more drudgery than anything. BUT, I recently got a new stove and suddenly I love it and I'm trying things I've never tried in my life. (Thanks a lot to this site!) It's amazing how good equipment can make you more confident. Still waiting for a new oven, but I'm not using it as an excuse not to bake! I love baking! I enjoy baking cookings, bread, all things sweet and recently I just baked my very first pie of my life (and I'm almost 51!)! Until recently, our tradition was going out for Thanksgiving dinner....there will be no more of that! When my kids were little, I did make them great french toast and yummy chocolate chip cookies!! Lately everything has been turning out well! I guess the latest would be Grandma Ople's apple pie (from this site)....it wasn't the prettiest pie in the world (due to my inexperience), but it was so good, I have no reason to ever try another apple pie recipe! I can't recall any major tragedies. I guess the biggest tragedy is that I didn't learn to love to cook sooner - for my kids' sakes. I'm trying to make up for it now!