Life can be compared to a book. I've turned the pages on raising children, teaching special education (30 years), dabbling in real estate after obtaining my broker's license, working as a Mary Kay Consultant, serving in the church and community, especially within the music areas, caring for elderly and sick parents, and am now in the grandchildren chapter, in the Heartland setting of Indiana. We love living in the country, farming, and enjoy working hard, staying healthy, and living a good, blessed life. I enjoy cooking anything that is delicious, serves easily, and appeals to a variety of tastes. I regularly cook for all ages, and prefer to cook with fresh, or natural, whole-food ingredients. We have a large garden, raise our own beef, sometimes raise our own chickens, and I have access to country eggs, peaches, plums and apples. I enjoy being creative in the areas of desserts and main dishes, and love appealing presentations of simple foods. A fresh fruit tray and a veggie tray with dip is almost always on the buffet when I host a family get-together, which often serves a crowd. Indulgent desserts are included for special occasions. I must always bring "corn pudding" casserole to all family pitch-ins. Making family favorites, including generational recipes is nice to do when we have extended family meals. I have enjoyed teaching grandchildren to cook, to enjoy home-made foods like fresh apple pie, no-bake chocolate cookies, refrigerator cheesecake, chicken and noodles, fresh frozen peaches and applesauce, raw veggies, "groats" for breakfast, etc. Many - I began serious cooking in 4-H, mastering the yeast "Tea Ring", delicious potato salad, and more. Many - I still have them! Mistakes and absent-mindedness know no age boundaries, especially when in a hurry!