I could always make something out of nothing and was considered a 'good' cook. Late in life I learned from a friend married to an Italian how to use spices and olive oil, and my cooking has jumped up several notches. We're retired, living on a lake and run with a crowd our age that are all good cooks. We have potlucks often & trade recipes. We also get together & go RV'ing. At this time in our lives it's all about the FOOD!!! Spaghetti, Fettuccini, low-carb enchiladas, a Mexican steak/pork and peppers dish, shrimp stuffed avocado, low carb stuffed bell peppers, anything with pastas, anything on the bbq or on the rotisserie, we are big meat eaters. Tri tip. Anything considered Mexican. None. T'giving does not have to be turkey! Neither does xmas! We do have to have black-eyed peas and rice on New Years! Holiday veggies: broccoli standing up around the edge of a bowl with baby carrots in the middle covered with lemon butter and parsley. Spinach souffle. Corned beef and cabbage a must mid March, with red potatoes, carrots, celery and lots of onion. Lots of onion and garlic in everything...... Missed winning a chili contest by one vote. Maybe I shouldn't have put the potato pieces carved to look like fingers in it. My first 'tostada's' at age 17. A real mess - I cried. Was a child bride.