I am a cook of uncertain talents. I can make dinner and bake just about any dessert, but the extent of my abilities remains to be seen. As a kid, I was NOT interested in cooking. But after I got married, I grew tired of my husband telling people, "Oh, she doesn't cook, I do most of that," in a very look-at-me-aren't-I-clever tone. So I started cooking. Much to my mother's delight, who confided in me that because she'd sent her daughter out into the world sans cooking confidence, part of her felt like a failure. Cookies (all kinds) Chicken (because I find it hard to burn) A bunch of Norwegian Christmas desserts, which I can't spell I will never forget the experience of baking the most perfect lemon cake I've ever tasted. Unfortunately, I HAVE forgotten both the name of the cake, and where I got the recipe. I've had many, but one that stands out is the time (as a kid) I baked brownies with my sister and my best friend. First, we ran out of chocolate chips and had to substitute Nestle chocolate milk powder, then my sis melted the spatula in a bowl of freshly melted, piping hot chocolate chips. I, of course, received the brownie piece with the hunk of melted plastic in it.