I grew up in a large family, on a farm and remember eating out twice, as a child! We had a large garden, fresh eggs and milk and bought minimal groceries, so of course I was encouraged to learn baking early. It really took no persuasion - I started inventing recipes very early, which were sometimes quite disastrous! I have always wanted my food to be as pleasing to the eyes and nose as it is to the tongue , I remember my mother requesting that I make the toss salads when I was about 9, because I took the time to cut the vegetables in appealing and uniform shapes. I will always be grateful to my mother for allowing me to experiment and for the skills I learned, just from watching her. My husband now gets to reap the benefits of being married to someone who loves to cook. I like to try my hand at anything to do with food, from the garden and chicken coop to decorating cakes and making intricate dessserts. Pies - they truly are magical! The Holidays, I love to make the traditionals with new spins. Really, planning and cooking for a meal or party is as fun as for me as the party itself! Wowing my 25 colleagues with a gourmet luncheon, planned and prepped by muaw. Not sure I have any, because I look at everything as a learning experience rather than a tragedy.