I'm a newlywed living in Virginia Beach with my husband and 12 year old step-daughter. I've had a passion for cooking since I was in my early teens. I jump at the opportunity to entertain friends and family. I love to experiment. Being raised out West....I love to cook Mexican food....but, now living at the beach....I love to experiment with seafood. I have fond memories of my mother's holiday baking. Today I carry on that tradition in my family and relive those childhood days in my own kitchen baking the goodies that I grew up with and loved so much. The first time I used Splenda in a recipe...I didn't realize that you didn't use it in equivalent amounts to sugar....needless to say...my poundcake turned out a little heavy and didn't taste to good.