I live in rural Arizona with my daugther and parents. I've always cooked with my mom and gramma who were excellent cooks and teachers, but it is only recently that I've begun to really learn how to put together ingredients on my own to make a great meal. Growing up in New Mexico instilled in me a love of New Mexican style food. I love all things spicy - not just jalapenos, but Asian and Cajun food, too. I also love Italian and I very much love having a variety of recipes to choose from, so as not to get bored with the "same ol', same ol'". We have GREEN chile enchiladas on St. Patricks Day and mom's scalloped ham and potatoes for most birthdays. I love it when my family says, "This is really good!" I'll never forget the first time I cooked for my former fiancee and he took one bite and said, "Wow! You really can cook." The time I didn't cook the potatoes long enough and they wouldn't mash, the time I made the burgers too thick and they wouldn't cook through, and the time I cooked the whole chicken for several hours and it was still PINK in the middle.