I was raised in Maryland. When I was 10, I moved to Bangkok, Thailand. I lived there for 2 years, then moved back to the States to complete my education. I went back to Thailand to teach and then again, had to return to the States because of my health. In Thailand, I learned to love Thai food and Asian food, in general. I met my husband and spent several years in Maryland, enjoying crab and other seafood. We moved to Alaska in 2008 and have continue to learn to love seafood and basic Alaskan dishes including moose, bear, and elk. I love my slow cooker. It is a life saver with 4 kids and a very busy household. I also love recipes with 5 ingredients or less as well as ones that have basic pantry ingredients. We have always had big feasts at Thanksgiving and Christmas. My mother cooks my grandmother's corn bread casserole and cherry salad. My mother and I normally split the menu and she cooks some and I cook some. It is always such a great time, a lot of work, but a great time. My first turkey! It turned out a bit dry, but I had tasted drier ones. Leaving things too long on the stove and completely burning them.