Cooking is an art. Knowing what flavors and textures work together is a great challenge. I love to watch others eat my creations, If they enjoy it, of course. My greatest cooking influence was my mother and grandmother. I loved watching my mother throw a meal together from whatever she could find around and it was always a hit. My grandmother brought her Eastern European cooking and baking here and shared it with me. She would start cooking and baking about 8AM each morning for every evening dinner. I enjoy baking the most and have created my own recipes which I plan to market. I also enjoy making everything from scratch. There is no better feeling of accomplishment. I sometimes prepare the day before by cutting up all the vegeatables that may be sauteed. I also have made cookie dough and refrigerated it till the next day so that all I had to do was bake it. I don't waste much. I used leftovers and incorporate them in some meals whenever I can. I have goofed many times but that's how you learn what not to do. I make a special dinner for each special holiday or occasion. My family looks forward to each holiday for my food alone. The house smells so great when I'm cooking. But, I must admit, I hate the cleaning up. I made Tiramisu a couple months ago for my husband's birthday cake. My family could not believe how great it looked and tasted. I found it to be a time consuming preparation and expensive but worth the oohs and ahs I heard while they were eating it. Once I made a large pot of soup. When I strained it to get some of the greens out of it, I forgot to put a pot or container underneath. My garbage disposal enjoyed my soup and I had none for my family. I felt horrible but later, I laughed at how stupid I had been for what I had done. I certainly learned and have never done that again. Also, one time I thought I was making carrots but didn't realize it wa s actually cut up papaya I had in my freezer. What a surprise when I tasted it.