I love to garden, and I love to cook what's in my garden. I grew up vegetarian and went through many styles of diet until I ended up where I am today. I love vegetarian food, seafood and poultry. I love to try new things and every year in the garden I rearrange what I'm growing - one of these days I'll find the perfect balance for me. I love to bake bread and desserts, and since the man joined me in the house with two crazy dogs, I get to bake a lot more. My friends and neighbors still end up the lucky recipients for anything he doesn't scarf down though. Cajun and southern food is a particular favorite, I never met a grit or a fricasee that I didn't LOVE! I am the family baker, so I get to play around with desserts every year for all of the holidays. I am not allowed to skip the brandied pumpkin pies for thanksgiving or christmas, and we have to have lemon something for easter. I also make huge batches of apple butter every winter and that's become my favoite part of fall. Hosting Thanksgiving last year I served 12 with no assistance. I made the soup, rolls, salads, sides, turkey and desserts. It was a treat for me to be able to do that for my family instead of the normal potluck that we do. No one else had to lift a finger and I got to do what I love! I have a few, but last year's jalapeno fume cloud takes the cake. I was making a jalapeno pickling liquid and forgot to turn the vent fan on. I ended up having the get my dog and leave the house for several hours while the vapors diminished! Thank goodness I did not throw the habaneros in the pot too!