Used to work in the food industry (years ago) so LOVE cooking, but like to make everything from scratch. Also like to try to recreate a dish I had "out" someplace because I like to feed people in my home. For my family, and to try new things. Dinner at home around the table w/a full on table setting. Yes, you get china & cloth napkins everynight. Yes, it seems outdated. No, it's not stuffy at all we laugh and get loud TALKING - it's what we DO! Getting two children to grow up liking nee' LOVING to eat their vegetables! My first batch of sweet pickles - BOMBED!!! I had an incomplete recipe that I was using and wasn't sure when in the rather involved process to can and cook them! Found someone with pickling experience and the second batch was AWESOME!