mom tried to teach me how to cook, but it didn't take. i wasn't going to have kids, and i was going to earn enough money with my amazing brain that i'd never have to spend any time in a kitchen if i didn't want to. ROFLMAO!!!!!!! now i have 2 kids, quit my job to homeschool, and coupon like mad. i like the ease of one-pot meals and i tend to stock up on sale items, so i'm always trying different things w/ basic pantry or freezer stuff. i think the only food traditions we have are eating hot dogs around the fire pit as often as possible, and popcorn during movies. we enjoy trying penzey's different spice blends on the popcorn. "Mom"balaya -- endlessly varied mystery meals based on rice-n-sauce and whatever's in the freezer, elevated to an art form that my kids actually dig! i try to let the disasters go, but i'll always remember the elaborate, homemade, kid-assisted ice-cream cake that got put into an unplugged freezer the night before the party.