When did you learn to cook and who taught you? Were there any special family foods or recipes?

Well anyone who has had to run to open windows and doors because I was cooking (truth!) Would say that even though I lived with one of the great cooks for 16 years, I learned nothing!

My mom has passed on many special recipes. She does so very many things so well. I follow her recipes for some things and it still does not turn out as well, not sure why that it.

Mom's steak in rich brown gravy, chicken friend steak, lasagna, potato salad, ginger cookies, and and and.... What I enjoy more than anything at moms is the salads we have almost every day. She will chop up celery, radishes, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, turnips, and pretty much anything wanted from the garden and serves it with her homemade blue cheese dressing, YUM. Then for dessert, we will have fresh sliced fruit (like peaches off of the tree) over one scoop of ice cream.

I dislike coffee very much but used to love the mornings at home because it smelled cozy, like home. I miss that. There are many things that remind me of mom and home.