I love to cook for a crowd! Feeding people is my passion. I started my married life living in Egypt for two years so Mediterranean and Egyptian cuisine is interesting to me. I am developing an edible yard, by not only planting a traditional garden but including mulberry trees, apple and cherry trees, etc. I won third prize in a state-wide recipe competition a few years ago for my Easy Black Bean Lasagna recipe. My young family has kept me from entering recipe contests since then, but I am starting to get the itch back. I don't mind being a little fussy with the prep if the flavor or wow factor payoff is big. I use fresh ingredients as much as possible, which is why I'm trying to grow as much as I can! Garlic, citrus, or ginger really inspire me because of the mouthful of flavor they deliver. We let the kids go gangbusters on designing their birthday cakes. We've done a volcano with a beach hut, dinosaur scape with tar pits, and a tidal wave with surfers. I enjoy letting my kids create in the kitchen (although it was hard to give up control at first). For four years I auctioned off gourmet dinners for a mother's group. With help, I prepared an authentic Egyptian meal, a Hawaiian feast, a Southwestern meal and a Fondue fete. The good times (in the kitchen and by the guests) will never be forgotten. I once dumped a piping hot lasagna onto the floor, with hungry guests waiting. Pizza was the only option after that.