I live in a dome in northern Michigan with my hubbie of two years, who is also my high school sweetheart. I have a degree which has absolutely nothing to do with my career, two chocolate labs, some acreage with a pond and completely happy life. I have a penchance for sweet things and always make time for a chapter or two of my latest book before bed. We live down the road from my parents, and are close enough for a regular meal, and to borrow a cup of sugar when necessary. Cooking is something I like to do, but rarely have time for at this juncture in my life...but I always have room for desserts. ;) This should be obvious from my prior entry...I love making/serving sweet things. Ironically, my husband doesn't really enjoy sweet things -- but never one to let a detractor slow me down, I bake for everyone else instead. Desserts aside, I absolutely adore summer foods: BBQ ribs, fresh sweet corn from the garden, a kickbutt pasta salad and (my personal fave) fried green tomatoes - -that would be a meal made in heaven. Strange that a girl who was born, raised and currently lives in Northern Michigan would have such a desire for southern cooking, but my mum is a southern to her core, so I grew up with such things as sweet tea (always a pitcher in the fridge), boiled peanuts, shrimp gumbo, fried okra/green tomatoes as staples. I'm probably the only woman my age within a 300 mile radius who knows the smell of a roux cooking. My dad, meanwhile is brazilian, and mum has also mastered the art of south american cooking. Hence my name: Brajun girl-half brazilian/half cajun. It sure makes for an interesting palate. Mastering a genre that my mum (can you tell we're a close family) hasn't really ever focused on: gourmet desserts. Tiramisu, flan, creme brulee, it's all unique in a family where homemade strawberry shortcake is the norm. I have never been able to master this recipe that I have for coconut chocolate chip meringue cookies. I've tried again and again, and I can never make the meringue RISE to the occasion.