Cooking has always been very satisfying to me, beginning with Home Economics classes in school. By the time I was married I felt comfortable preparing fairly basic meals, and grew to love the whole process of choosing recipes, buying the freshest ingredients, and making my meals visually appealing as well as tasty. I don't consider myself a highly creative cook, preferring to follow a recipe and tweak it to accommodate mine, my family's and friends' tastes. I love to try new things, and read cookbooks and new recipes the way others read novels. In the winter, there's nothing like a roast, stew, or soup cooking and spreading its aroma around the house. In warmer months the outdoor grill beckons, and the tastes of the season, such as barbeque, roasted corn, and watermelon salad, are heavenly. Whenever possible, I like to prepare healthy meals and to use fresh ingredients. I am always looking for new ways to use old favorites, as well as learning to use new (to me) items. Ham at Easter, with fresh asparagus, and a special gelatin/gingerale salad. Turkey, of course, and all the trimmings, at Thanksgiving is a must. Forget about the calories, eat big! Christmas allows for a little more variety. We may have ham or turkey or roast beef, and side dishes can vary. But we always have Martha Washingtons (a homemade candy) on hand, as well as eggnog and rumcake. Leg of lamb with rosemary, marinated in red wine for 48 hours prior to roasting, Fish chowder, New England style, Veal Oscar, Baked salmon Chili Bread tht failed to rise, A creative chicken dish I named after myself which was horrible, "Fossil chicken" (as named by my children) cooked in the microwave