I'm a medical examiner. Cooking is a diversion for me. I find it as relaxing as a nice, long bath and a good book. I'm married, with 2 dogs and 2 cats, who sample my cooking and think I'm a goddess. I love to bake. I have a wonderful Swedish grandmother to thank for that. I also love slow cooking, whether it be in the crock-pot, stove or a Dutch oven. To me, family is what cooking is all about. I grew up in an era when America was moving away from the kitchen, but not in my family. We love to cook and we LOVE to eat. The kitchen is as much a "living room", as any other part of the house. Sundays were always a traditional day for family, friends and big meals, and they still are. I plan Sunday dinner early in the week and even though it's just my husband and I, it's a big ordeal and I get a huge amount of satisfaction from it. My pies! They're well-known and always requested. My husband insists when I retire I should open a bakery. I never look at my less desirables as tragedies...they're learning experiences.