I love baking, especially cookies and cakes. :) I love cooking too, but I like to experiment, which can occasionally mean take out! ;) I grew up in the convenience food era. My parents were divorced and I was a latch key kid. There weren't a whole lot of home cooked meals in my childhood, but lots of packaged and frozen goods. I try to make dinner every night for my family, though sometimes it's take out due to sports activities, etc. I'm envious of those that have their grandmother's recipes, I don't have anything like that. i've created a few recipes of my own, one I even won a contest for :) I love experimenting and finding new ways to combine flavors. I feel triumphant every time I bring something to my neighbors, they always give me rave reviews! I try to prepare whatever I can early in the day, so that the hectic afternoon is less... well, hectic! I tend to be pretty frugal, so I'm always pantry diving. I also menu plan every week, it saves me from A) running to the store in the middle of the week and B) getting take out.