Born and raised in the south, my early experiences with cooking all seemed to involve corn meal and vegetable oil. When I became pregnant with my daughter, I fell in love with my oven, and wanted to learn to "cook like a mommy." I LOVE cold-weather foods. Soups, stews, and heartier fare. Also, I love to bake homemade breads (to go with the soup!) Summer grilling--my husband won't let me near the grill, and I won't let him in the kitchen, yet somehow, everything always turns out great. Also, the first pot of cabbage and sausage when fall's first chill hits the air. Two years ago I prepared Christmas dinner for my vegan friends. It was a fun challenge to create a festive meal without egg yolks or bacon fat. I once left a pot of boiling potatoes and forgot about them until they turned to mush. When I went back to try to salvage them, my spoon hit an air pocket and they exploded. There was potato paste everywhere, even the ceiling. .