Being creative everyday is my life's blood, an interior designer by trade, after studying to be a chef. Food is the ultimate tool in creativity and the smiles from friends and family after a great meal, says it all. It is truly the perfect bond for any occasion. Have knives will travel and cook ! It would have to involve my Weber gas grill, regardless of the weather. My neighbors are accustomed to wonderful grilling scents when there is a foot of snow on the ground, here in Chicago. From whole turkeys and anything seafood, I will grill meats and veggies for meals. Fresh herbs from my garden help create the perfect sauce or dressing for meats and salads as well. I grew up in a home with a fantastic scratch cook, my mom. She taught me the appreciation of slow cooking for deeper flavors and using a blend of spices to enhance everything. Dinner at her home has always been and continues today, to be a wonderful culinary experience. I just hope I can still do that well when I am 80 ! ! Having a great cooking library of over 1500 volumes, has given me the help and reinforcement to try any cuisine and culture. Reading and now television, is always inspiring me to twist and change a standard or try a completely new path. Having taught my better half how to grill a perfect medium rare rib-eye was probably of the more challenging triumphs. Practice, practice, practice ! I learned early on that most 'tragedies' can be avoided by paying close attention during the process, not waiting till the end, to make your grisly discovery. Again, reading and researching always helps avoid pitfalls before they can happen.