I have been married since October 9, 1993 and have a daughter born in January of 2003. I worked as an elementary teacher for 12 years, but am now a stay at home Mom. I now have more time to cook since I am home and my daughter and I enjoy cooking together. Since she was just over a year we have been reading cookbooks togehter. Now that we are on one income, there is even more of a necessity to be cooking at home! Several years ago, my husband and I moved into my grandparents home. I found my grandmother's collection of cookbooks. It feel it was like a special gift she meant for me to find! I like cooking just about anything and trying new recipes. Now that I have the time, I do more holiday baking. I like to try things from different cultures-Chinese, African, Southern, Mexican, you name it. If it sounds good, I'll try it. I really don't stick to any one thing. I like to prepare a special dinner for my husband's birthday which is on Christmas Eve. I try to make the occasion as separate from the holiday as possible. I have started making the same cookies with my daughter that my mother made with me. The first time I tasted the cookies after so many years, I was propelled back 33 years to my family kitchen! Without a question, the authentic Chinese luncheon I made for 25 guests for my daughter's baptism. I had a chicken dish, beef dish, fried rice, egg dish, scallion pancakes, and white rice. I cooked for days and practised for days before that! It was a big hit! When we were first married I was just learning to cook. One of my main dishes was beans, broccoli, and mushrooms. I don't know what I was thinking! About a year later, I tried to make low fat mac and cheese. Big mistake as non fat cheese does not melt but turns into a rubber ball! Several years later, I had prepared Wasabi Mayo Salmon (from this site) the oven caught on fire, I sprayed the extiguisher all over the place, including the salmon!