I grew up with a Home Economics teacher as a mother. Kids scrabbled for invites home, knowing they would get good food and lots of it. My mom passed her recipes on to me, and gave me a love for the creative process in the kitchen. I don't like to get to fancy, but I've never heard negative comments on my hearty food. I live with my two cats, who love my broiled salmon. I cook mostly for myself and my fiance...who gratefully has adventurous taste buds. I love desserts and other baked goods. That's something my mother and I do not share...she's a better cook than me, but I can bake. Cookies... all the wonderous variances...are my favorite. My mom makes the best Manicotti. She starts by making crepe like egg noodles in a tiny iron skillet. Someday...I'll inherit that skillet. The first time I made Thanksgiving dinner all by myself...right down to the dessert. It was just four of us, but everything was wonderful and perfect. Particularly the candied sweet potatoes that had my own spin on them with a made from scratch caramel sauce. I made this bumble berry upside down cake that looked and smelled delicious. When I flipped it, the inside of the cake started oozing out the sides...guess it wasn't done just yet.