I am a farm wife with 2 kids. I am a stay-at-home mom, although I think I am busier now than when I worked outside the home! I help with some of the messy things on the farm as well as take care of the bookkeeping. I love to cook, love to be outside, and am hooked on stamping and scrapbooking--when I have time. I am also a do-it-yourself-er and have had lots of practice remodeling our century old farmhouse. We are very proud of our family farm and my kids are the 4th generation to live here. We hope to pass it on to them to continue the family business for many years to come. Because we raise beef cattle, beef is the main course most of the time, but I have learned to be very creative in fixing it so it's not the same old supper night after night. Creative things are my favorites, although the family requests sour cream enchiladas and triple chocolate brownies more than anything else. Good thing they're both easy to make! I love finding new recipes and try to cook over the fire pit as much as I can. When I was a kid, I would stay at Grandma's house every summer for several weeks. My Aunt Linda and Grandma and I would bake tons of goodies while I was there. My mom also loves to cook and that love was passed on to me in the time we spent together in the kitchen. Now I love to have my daughter and son help me with baking and meals, and it gives me some quality time with them doing chores that need to done anyway. They don't even know it's supposed to be work! We have a tradition on my husband's side of the whole family getting together at one house each month for a big Sunday potluck. Each family takes a turn being the host home. I love to put on a huge spread when it's my turn and almost always get a hug from my husband's uncle--who is normally a very reserved guy. I really look forward to out-doing myself each time to get that hug! I don't know if I have one specific tragedy, but I have sure burned my share of things. Family and friends call me all the time for cooking advice and recipes and say what an awesome cook and baker I am. I credit all those burnt offerings to my current success. If I had given up back then, I wouldn't be the cook I am today. My best advice to a new cook is to not be discouraged. Practice makes perfect. That's the only way to succeed with anything in life. (I sound like my Mom. Oh, boy.) :)