I'm a recent empty-nester. I've been married for almost 27 years to my first love and we have three kids: a son who's 25 (who just got married last May to a girl we adore), and two daughters, 22 and 19. I love to make hearty recipes that aren't too complicated or fussy, just different and delicious. Every Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law and I cook dinner, spending the day together. We plan the list the week before, shop early that week together, and just enjoy spending time together while we cook. My husband always makes the pumpkin pie. For Christmas, my sisters and I decided many years ago that we would each bring a fancy appetizer and a dessert, instead of the traditional dinner. This works beautifully and gives us each a chance to showcase a new favorite recipe. Once I brought some Warm Bleu cheese, bacon, and garlic dip to a baby shower. I heard people practically screaming my name from the room the buffet table was in - they wanted the recipe from me right there and then! Right after we got married, we had my husband's parents over for dinner. It was a disaster, as I wanted to show off and make roast beef and gravy for them. I miscalculated how long to cook the roast - it was really underdone - and brought the beef juices to a boil before whisking in the cornstarch and water. Voila! Dumplings - really gross ones!