I grew up with a very loving family! I then married a military man and was able to live in places I only dreamed of. I met all kinds of people from around the world and even made life long friends. I now have a mondo recipe collection from my travels and friends I have made. I have since divorced and my social life has slowed down (I now live in a county with only 450 people and 1 traffic light that is a far cry from Hawaii huh?). In 2008 I made a promise to get back in the swing of things and start up a recipe swap in my area. I can't think of a better way to meet new people. However, this area has presented me with some challanges...I need to learn how to cook fresh kill. Anything new I'm game to try. I absolutly love when I go out to eat, trying something new and if I like it, I try to create it at home. I'm getting pretty good at this. I also enjoy cooking with fresh seasonal vegetables. Every holiday we have a special "holiday meal". New Year's is pork & sourkraut. Valentine's Day is Chateaubriand. St. Paddy is cornbeef & cabbage. Easter is ham. 4th of July is our back yard BBQ bash. Summer vacation is my dad's famous clambake. Halloween we party this always changes. Thanksgiving is our turkey cook-off it could be injected, glazed, stuffed, or fried. Christmas is my mom's favorite meal...roast beef, yorkshire pudding and German carrots. Now if I got in to the desert traditions, I would need way more than 1000 characters. Making my mom's favorite meal and having it taste exactly like hers. Throwing a pig-picking picnic for over 100 people. My most recent triumph is that I cooked a perfect crown roast of beef for 10 for our New Year's party. Meatloaf!! Any way, shape, size or form.