I am mother of 2 boys,a wife and elementary school cook. I love to entertain and try new recipes. And yes, I do read cookbooks, in bed, like some people read novels. Just about anything. Home canned pickles, jams. Breads are a favorite and Christmas cookies. Hubby and I have been decorating cut-out Christmas cookies since before we had children. Now the boys help and it has become a holiday tradition. Authentic Austrian Apple Strudel, Grophens (polish doughnuts) pork roast and knodels as good as my mom's, rolls as good as my nana's. Chocolate carmels for my husbands last birthday, what a dissapiontment. Carmels that were so hard they would have broken your teeth off. (turns out the candy thermometer was way off)