I love to cook! Slow cooking is my specialty, followed by soups and gravy. Fresh ingredient cooking is another favorite of mine; even in winter months. To me cooking is something I find relaxing and educational. I enjoy using different spices, fresh and dried, in all my cooking. Comfort food and soups in the winter, grilling and slow cooking in the warm months. I was fortunate in that my great grandmother taught me how to make a great gravy. I can make gravy out of just about anything that has a base. We ate alot of good "comfort" food too, potatoes and veggies at every meal. I try to instill that in my children; a good balanced meal is important. My first "free range" turkey at Thanksgiving. It was so expensive I didn't want to make a mistake and it turned out the best turkey I've ever had! My first apple pie. And a birthday cake that was supposed to be like a big creme filled cake. Too horrible to list, take my word for it, they were bad.