My mother is 100% Italian, so I think I get my cooking gene from her. I have been cooking and baking since my teens, but it wasn't until college where I learned to the art of cooking (especially for cheap). Currently, my husband and I live near his parents' organic dairy farm where he works full time. My husband and I love using fresh meats and milk from the farm and raising a produce garden each year. I love to bake cookies, any kind, it doesn't matter. There is nothing like the smell of baking cookies to draw family and friends into the kitchen. I love to serve warm cookies with a cold glass of fresh milk. Since my mother's family is Italian, we have some special Christmas cooking traditions. Homemade stuff shells and raviolis are always served. This year I finally get to learn the family secret recipes:) Since, my husband and I have moved into our new home in June 2006, we have rarely have had the same meal twice, except for tacos. Tacos are our favorite! Another triumph of mine is the other day I was successful in making my first Angel Food Cake. I used a recipe off of this website (Angel Food Cake III). I remember growing up and seeing my mom burn cake after cake. Angel Food cake scared me, but since it is my husband's favorite I thought I would give it a try. Well, all went well and I think I have broken the family curse. :) The first time I tried to grill, I tried to make beer can chicken. (Why start easy). Well lets just say, I couldn't keep the grill hot enough and the chicken never was done. Luckly, my husband came to my rescue and tended the grill for me. I have since become a grilling pro and grill everything from veggies to fish to stakes.