I am a 31 year old mother of two and a wife to an absolutely amazing man. I have been working in the kitchen ever since I was very young. At age 8, I was baking goodies on my own....I did have to follow my mother's only rule...Clean up your messes when you are done! I like trying new things and have learned that even though some ingredients may not sound like they would pair well, try it. I have come across many tantalizing tastes:) I work two jobs which I love and am currently going through college to become an RN. I enjoy many activities from cooking, camping, cake decorating, sewing, crafts, yard saleing, and just spending time with my family. I love to cook many things but I get the most enjoyment from Christmas baking. Friends and family continue to look forward to my goodie baskets each year which are filled with yearly regulars and always an array of new ones! When I got the news that one of my recipes made it into Taste of Home, I almost cried. It was not a grand prize recipe, but did make it in the top ten....Also, certain foods that friends and family repetedly ask for means a lot to me and my abilities! I made several cakes for all occassions and a handful of wedding cakes which I enjoy doing very much. My first attempt at homemade brownies at about age 9 turned into a disaster as I did not have enough sugar and was missing one other ingredient but I figured I would try it. They were terrible enough that I cried! A hard lesson learned and since that day, I pull out all ingredients prior to starting! Another funny, my teenage years, I was helping prepare Thanksgiving dinner and was delegated to cut up and start the Turnip. Well, I did not peel it, just chunked it up and got it started on the stove. We all had a good laugh about that!