I am a 50-something grandmother raising our 13-yr-old granddaughter, married 36 years to my husband/best friend. I am a Christian, Jr. High youth leader, artist, potter, writer, homeschooling parent, a former restaurant owner/chef. We share our home with 2 Shih-Tzus and a Siamese cat. We love to travel and enjoy movies and books, as well as remodeling our 1887 home. My precious only child went to be with Jesus in 2002, and we know we will see her again one day. My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11---"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, " plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." Savory dishes, Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean, often quick and easy but from scratch. Southern classics and comfort foods are high on our list of favorites, too. My heritage on my mother's side is Czech and so every Thanksgiving we have dumplings and sauerkraut along with the traditional turkey, dressing, and sweet potatoes, etc. It would not be Thanksgiving without it! We have a family gathering of approx. 17-20 and have at least 40 different dishes every year--it's a big deal! For several years in a row, I entered a Pilgrim's Pride Chicken contest and won the grand prize twice and placed 1st or 2nd every other time, along with the recipes my daughter and husband also entered (who also won or placed.) We also had a successful restaurant for 3 1/2 years and 13 years later still have requests for many of the dishes/recipes. When I was first married, I found a recipe in a magazine for some sort of chicken dish which included both peanut butter AND tomatoes--it was inedible and the SMELL alone made us SICK! I can't imagine what I was thinking to even consider it! 36 years later, my husband and I both remember the dish and the SMELL!!