I've been following recipes and sustaining life for quite some time, but I wouldn't say that I really "got cooking" until about 3 years ago. I love slow-cooker meals and caribbean meals that I make according to my mother's "hand." I also have grown fond of the ease and flavor of grilling. There are also a few cookbook and cooking magazine meals that have become new staples in our house. On Thanksgiving eve or on the eve of any of her childrens' birthdays, I remember my mother staying up until the wee hours of the morning preparing and pre-cooking. As an adult I now understand the precious quiet of everyone else being asleep and having the time to plan, focus and be sure that everything comes out right. Since my sister and I have grown up we still can call each other or my mom after midnight on any such occassion and find the other in the throws of preparation, yet completely relaxed. My first perfect Thankgiving meal made all by myself. It was just last year. Ribs gone wild. A grill too high, too thin foil, and way too many guests. You can gather the rest.