I don't know how my husband managed to survive our first year; fortunately, his grandmother was VERY patient and taught me how to cook (along with a LOT of other things about life). She's now 86 and I still call her 3000 miles away for her advice. I prefer wholesome, farm traditional meals and we stay away from overprocessed, precooked prepackaged "foods". Our family is a LOT healthier as a result. To us, a good time with family is always accompanied by a good meal. Lingering at the kitchen table, sharing life, is our greatest enjoyment. Anything easy to make during the hectic work week and my family's handed-down for generations lasagne recipe. Christmas dinner for my husband's VERY large family - one dinner was for 30 people! Although I have brought that tradition back to my own family, incorporating the two family's traditions, it's just not quite the same without being surrounded by the extended family and food. Creating my first two recipes: baked potato soup and a seafood chowder. Let alone that Christmas dinner for 30 people! The first dinner I made for my husband's grandparents. I had to work that day, so I turned on the crock pot and walked out the door. When I got home, the roast was VERY over-done!