I was raised thinking I would be a farmer's wife and a Lutheran Church basement woman. Today, I am a Lutheran pastor. Life in the church is a lot like farming and I'm glad I learned to cook for threshers when I was young. I get to cook and bake for lots of folks. It's one way to love...to set a welcome table for all who are hungry. I love cooking with potatoes. I enjoy baking bread. Kneading the dough and then shaping it into loaves or buns is creation in my hands. I love to make a good bean soup. Canning is also important in my life. I love tomatoes year round. Our traditions are pretty upper Midwest Scandinavian. Lefse and apple pies along with good meat and potato meals. We also celebrate ethnic foods. We really enjoy Indian, Creole, and Asian. I courted my husband with my grandmother's apple pie recipe. The Lefse I rolled out secured the deal. Not so much. You would have to ask my family.