I live in beautiful Sonoma, California, so I am lucky enough to be in the area were so manyy wonderful cooking-related things happen. Wine is made here, amazing produce is grown in and around Sonoma, and we have world-reknown chefs and restaurants. I like to hit the Farmers Market for produce, and specifically cook with it when in season. As with so many, the economy is really effecting my cookng budget, but that's just a great way to cook fresh adn get creative! I am recommending travel values on a new site called valueweekly.com, so stop by and see my week's recommendations if your looking for a value. I also work at a Travel Agency and can recommend great trips. See www.teamodyssey.com for more details. (I am particularly proud of that website as I did most of the copy, editting and posting!) I love potatos of any kind, and am learning Thai, Indian, Asian and many ethnic dishes. Any recipes send my way! I like to make new dishes for my friends when we have get-togethers, so new and unique appetizer dishes are always a great find for me. Salads are always fun and easy, specially when I find a recipe that utilizes my leftovers. Spinach dip and gaucamole. Cheese with virtually everything ;) Learning how to cook boneless, skinless chicken without making it dry- and I discovered it myself through lots of trial and error. Anytime I cook and succeed with a new ethnic recipe I call that a triumph! Failing horriblly at making fresh turkey stock (just this last Thanksgiving). If anyone needs a recipe for Turkey jello- ask me! Before I mastered boneless, skinless chicken breast I had a lot of dry chicken dishes.