After dealing with a chronic illness for several years, I had major surgery last year that took care of it. Now, I have a new lease on life, and one of my resolutions post-surgery was to make dinner every night for my family. For some, that wouldn't be a big deal - but for me, it was huge. You see, I hated to cook. I didn't feel confident in the kitchen, and the kitchen was the last place I wanted to be. Add poor health on top of that, and you get...a lot of take-out! So, over the last 18 months, I've watched a LOT of Food Network and become a student of cooking. I'm learning as I go, and my confidence has really blossomed. And now, my husband (who's a bit of a foodie) says I'm the best cook he knows! It's really a testament to the fact that you can learn anything if you really put your mind to it. I love all things baking! I also really enjoy creating my own pasta and soup recipes. Other than that, I'm looking for tasty ways to feed my family. My mom would bake tons of pies the week of Thanksgiving. She also often had homemade muffins or cookies for after-school snacks, and I have such fond memories of that. my mom makes the BEST pies ever, and just in the last few months I feel I've finally mastered her crust and pie technique! woohoo! I've also grown a lot more confident and knowledgeable in the kitchen in the last 18 months. I've been watching a TON of Food Network and I've gone from a cook that was so bad, my family used to make fun of me, to now...I'm the best cook in my family. (Don't tell them I said that!) too many to list...but most of them were many years ago when I was single or even when I was a newlywed, before kids. I didn't really HAVE to cook back then, so it was okay if I didn't know what I was doing. Now I have a family of five to take care of, so I've really tried to become a student of cooking in order to provide the tastiest meals for my fam. I think it's working!