My name is Amanda, and I live in Clarksville, IN with my fiancee. I was born in the Midwest, and moved to California when I was just learning how to cook- when I was about ten years old. I've just recently moved back to the midwest, and hope to learn more regional cooking. I love to bake. Anything with chocolate appeals to me. My favorite season to cook is the fall, when all the fall veggies are available. My mom always made her "famous" Betty Crocker coffee cake on Christmas morning. We'd eat it while we opened stockings, and it was great. Now my fiancee and I prepare Christmas Eve dinner together- a new recipe every year! My first meal on my own was vegetarian paella. Nothing will beat the triumph I felt when I served that dish up! (My first all-on-my-own Thanksgiving comes close, though!) Divinity Candy- It turned into marshmallow creme, and I haven't tried it since!