I am a 55 year old wife, mother of 4, grandmother of 6 who loves reading cookbooks and providing treats wherever I go. I have so many favorite recipes handed down from my mother and grandmothers that I use on a regular basis. My kids always loved bringing friends home to dinner, and because of their exposure to many different kinds of food, enjoy anything I serve. I love "tweaking" recipes and adding my own special touch. I especially enjoy baking with my grandchildren and letting them do their own thing because, as I tell them all, "when you are coloring or baking, anything goes.....that is what is so great about creating" My favorite meals include homemade spaghetti and meatballs, my own special italian salad with made-from-scratch dressing; roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, wilted lettuce salad and milk gravy with cornbread; my own recipe for chili (with a secret special ingredient); fresh, old fashioned green beans with bacon; and of course cakes, cookies, pies; grilled pork chops with fresh squash; fettucini alfredo is a favorite also. On birthdays, my kids could always choose the dinner. My mother started this tradition when I was a young girl and I have continued it. I would cook whatever the birthday child wanted, and we would look back through their baby book and laugh and smile about their antics growing up. I have had many recipes published which I have sent in to the St. Louis Post Dispatch in response to recipe requests from readers. My meatloaf was featured in a special dedicated to "Newlyweds - the recipes every newly married woman should have" in the same newspaper. I have recently been named one of three finalists in the Betty Crocker "Sweet Inspirations" recipe competition. When my husband and I first got married 20 years ago, I asked his ex for her meatloaf recipe......it turned out like soup. Still not sure if that was intentional, but have since used a different recipe for meatloaf!