I learned to cook as a child while hanging out in the kitchen with my mom. I have two sons who are starting to like to cook so I hope they do the same with their children.

I love to try new recipes on friends and family when they come for dinner and/ or a party. Allrecipes has been a very intrigal part in this. Thanks! Christmas Eve is all appetizers. I love finding new ones and trying them out. A chocolate turtle cheesecake I made for a local charity auction sold for $ 300!

I tried a blackened salmon recipe in the house and started a fire because the pan got too hot on my ( then) electric stove.

There was black smoke lingering at the ceiling and it stunk up the house for days. I still haven' t lived it down, but when I make the recipe outside on the BBQ grill' s gas burner, it' s fantastic!