My name is Sharon, I've been posting to the CF about 9 or 10 years now. I found the CF by way of the GW, perennials are a passion of mine. Cooking for family is one of my greatest joys. I love feeding large groups, the more the merrier.

I live in Oakville Ontario (Canada) which is a lovely little town just west of Toronto. My husband and I share our home with two fur babies, Chase and Maddie as well as a "sometimes here" 23 year old daughter. Meredith graduated from university in Halifax NS last year and is currently traveling in Australia. She has been gone almost a year, hopefully she'll run out of $$$ soon and head home! LOL

Also have a 32 year old son, who only shows up for, food, laundry, and car repairs! LOL Not really he's a great kid except for the fact he doesn't seem to understand that it his obligation to provide me with grandbabies!

Our real love is our cottage in Haliburton, north of Toronto. It is an all year round cottage so we are up there lots now that my DH is retired.

I've learned so much from this forum but what I've learned most is how people with such varied backgrounds can come together over a shared interest, share their tips, recipes, menu ideas as well as provide support through some good and not so good times. You can be involved to whatever degree you choose to be. So welcome everyone........

So that's a bit about me , who's next?

Kids are all educated professionals, but the youngest is holding on grad school until she finishes seeing the world. She spent last year teaching English in SKorea, intends to go to Australia when she returns from Europe in December.

Lots of good recipes and suggestions on this forum.

Chase, thank you for your posts on HT.

I live in the SF Bay area but I'm from southern CA originally so I'm normal =) .

I've lived in Texas (Waller County) and Michigan (Dearborn) and have a spouse, a 4.5 year old, a 19 month old, and a shiny new cat. And fishes.

I'm Stacy - I'm 45 live in Western NY with my hubby of almost 20 yrs and our 11 yr old son and dog and gecko and snake...and well, you know - with an 11 yr old son, we have LOTS of pets! I have been a full time mom for 12 yrs but recently went to work as the business manager of our local (small) library. It's "interesting" ahem.

I have been around here sometimes more, sometimes less - for the past 7 yrs or so....and am usually asking for help rather than offering it. And I always find it!

I really enjoy cooking, but it challenges me frequently.

DH works ridiculous hours, but two years ago I took a job working from home and our lifestyle has thus improved significantly. I no longer travel for work and my commute is now obviously eliminated, so it leaves me so much more time to plan and prepare proper meals.

I've always loved to cook since I was small, watching DM prepare meals in her kitchen. My parents immigrated from Germany, so I grew up eating many traditional german meals, and learned the art of the German torte at a young age. Mom is a fabulous cook and baker, and I still constantly learn from her, but have not yet been able reproduce her version of Konigsberger Klops.

I took up canning about 8 years ago, but every year add more and more foods to the canning schedule, and we now purchase very few canned foods.

I am, however, cursed with a family with very simple palates. DH and DS are not very adventurous when it comes to mealtime. And neither of them like cakes or sweet desserts. :-\ So, I look forward to dinner parties, because our friends seem to appreciate my kitchen adventures more than my family do.

My family calls me Susy. DH and my friends call me Sue. My coworkers call me Susan. I answer to all of them.

I am one of the many Linda's here! LOL I have been a member of this forum for 9 or 10 years also. I have met several other members in person and am honored to count each of them, as well as some I have not met, as my friends.

I live in Minnesota, about 40 miles north of Minneapolis/St. Paul in a log home that my husband and I built (with the help of many friends) about 7 years ago.
I have two grown, married children from a previous marriage, and have been married to Tim for 19-1/2 years. Last April I became a grandma to little Zoe (pronounced zoey). She is just so darned sweet! We now share our home with two very spoiled, but very loveable dogs.

Although I wouldn't call myself gourmet, I think I'm a pretty good cook. My presentation skills fall far short of some of the talented people on this forum, however!

I am an avid gardener, mostly perennials and herbs, I am also a home-based travel agent (part time nowadays) and I work part-time at a local medical center. Another hobby is making hand-crafted jewelry; some beaded, but mostly dichroic glass and wire work. I am working on getting set up online to sell my pieces. I also do stained glass, but have been concentrating lately on jewelry.

It has been very rewarding over the years getting to know everyone and sharing cooking advice & ideas, loves, losses, births, job changes and moves with my "cyber friends" here!

Linda

I'm 31-year old NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) nurse in Austin, Texas. My husband and I have been married about 2 1/2 years, and we live with a lovely, geriatric basset hound, an insanely hyper, yet clingy and affectionate bloodhound, and the world's sweetest cat. No kids, but we'd like some soon.

My husband and I enjoy gardening and travel, but on my own I really enjoy cooking/baking. My mother hated to cook and didn't teach me much, so basically all of my skills I've developed by seeking out and carefully following new recipes. I've rarely had luck trying to make up new dishes on my own. That's the main reason I rarely post - lack of experience and no new ideas to share. Just a wealth of great recipes I've found elsewhere like this great forum!

Chrissy

DH & I have been married 32 yrs. We live in southern New Hampshire. We have 2 grown children, a son, 29, and a daughter, 26. My daughter and SIL had a little girl in March, our first grandchild.

We have a brother/sister pair of dogs, labradoodles, that keep us in stitches and help keep me in shape with their required daily walks.

It wasn't in our life plan, but we came upon a beautiful spot on a local lake a few years ago that was for sale. We took the leap, bought it & built a house that we hope to retire to someday. Of course, the joke is that now that we built it we can't afford to retire for a while, lol. But in the meantime we spend the summer there (commuting to work) and try to get up as often as we can during the off-season. I have done more entertaining in the past couple years since we've had the lakehouse than in the previous 30 years put together. People often stay overnight, so it's not unusual for me to be preparing 3 meals a day, and there is no take-out for miles. Finding this forum when I did has helped me tremendously in that regard. When I need a good quick recipe or need to improvise for an ingredient I don't have at hand I know I will find help here.

Coming here is a pleasure, and I learn something new about food/cooking/baking almost every day.

My husband works at a community college, and I seem to spend the after-school hours hauling kids from one thing to another. I am a medical transcriptionist and work from home, which is both a blessing and a curse sometimes.

My boys have very limited food preferences, and my youngest absolutely will not eat meat - he never has.

I mostly lurk but post with questions. I've learned so much from this forum! I don't particularly enjoy cooking during the week as I try to aim to have dinner on the table at 6 but often don't get home with the kids until 5:30 p.m. I love baking and have been doing a fair bit of that since the weather cooled down.

The most valuable lesson I've learned here is to not be afraid to make mistakes. That one lesson has served me very well!

Mandie

I'm Elizabeth... but my brothers couldn't manage that when we were young, so it came out BizBiz... then Biz, and now they and my sister call me Bizzo (or Liz, or Elizabeth, or...)

I've been married almost 9 years, moved to CT for a job I no longer have 6 years ago from Michigan (Detroit Area) and I still feel like I'm still one of those Michiganders... I'm a U0fM grad (Go Blue), but got there in a roundabout way. In fact, DH just accompanied me to a 30-year HS reunion party in the San Francisco East Bay (so that also tells you how old I am.)

I love to cook, but currently have an hour to hour-and-a-half one-way commute and DH has been doing the meal prep, so I'm living vicariously through all of you lately. I have learned a ton from this forum and the people here!

I came here by way of GW kitchens about 4 or 5 years ago. I have participated in a few swaps and have met one CFer IRL (almost met a few more, but those haven't (yet) worked out... I still hope to get a CT/RI get together off the ground one day)

I'm 31-year old NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) nurse in Austin, Texas. My husband and I have been married about 2 1/2 years, and we live with a lovely, geriatric basset hound, an insanely hyper, yet clingy and affectionate bloodhound, and the world's sweetest cat. No kids, but we'd like some soon.

My husband and I enjoy gardening and travel, but on my own I really enjoy cooking/baking. My mother hated to cook and didn't teach me much, so basically all of my skills I've developed by seeking out and carefully following new recipes. I've rarely had luck trying to make up new dishes on my own. That's the main reason I rarely post - lack of experience and no new ideas to share. Just a wealth of great recipes I've found elsewhere like this great forum!

Chrissy

Me, DH, and our 3 feline fur babies live on western Long Island, near the south shore, in a 1928 colonial in a charming old neighborhood with lots of old, beautiful homes and lovely people.

I am an avid cook and enjoy entertaining friends and family. I also love keeping my home current and homey so I am also a big fan of the other forums like kitchens, entertaining, and decorating.

Since I work full time, I have to squeeze an awful lot into the weekend but that's fine with me!

My favorite time of year is the fall and winter, so I am very happy right now.

Sue

We go most summers back to Vancouver Island, B.C. where I was born, for holidays with my family and many relatives. I've lived here in Spain for 41 years, coming from Vancouver years ago as a teacher of classical guitar for a position I was offered in Palma de Mallorca. It was so beautiful there I stayed on.

My hobbies are reading, computing, rose gardening, digital photography and going out to restaurants....as well as collecting recipes and some cooking from time to time :-) Both DH and I are licensed ham radio operators and we have our station and transceiver in a little garden house. We don't spend much time at that hobby any more, but over the years I passed many happy night hours communicating in morse code with my telegraphy buddies around the world via a wire antenna strung above our garden. We also had a large beam antenna which blew down one year during a wind storm.

Our kitchen is so small that it's a real chore to try to cook a good meal but I do manage to feed us quite well making use of the abundant fruit and vegetables available here. The Canary Island tomatoes and bananas are well known throughout Europe. I love the Mediterranean cuisine and so I most enjoy preparing simple Spanish-style dishes with plenty of salads.
We live on a holiday island where there is an unending supply of restaurants to be visited so as we are both free every day, we often like to take a stroll to one of our favourite haunts for our mid-day dinners. I carry my little pocket camera everywhere so I usually photograph what we eat as well. I'm currently dieting so am on frugal fare with no desserts but DH can eat all that he wants, so I spoil him. :-) I've been doing Stott machine Pilates twice weekly for over a year to maintain flexibility, and am really enjoying it.

A big hello to all!

SharonCb

SharonCb

Jim does most meat cooking, but I do all the rest of the meals. He'd probably never eat a green veggie without me!

Ive been at GW (under one name or another) since about 2000, first with Kitchens and Appliances, and then here since 2002 or 2003.

Wish I could be more active here online. I "work" as a volunteer counselor for a local senior support non-profit agency., and Jim and I show dogs, so we are often at dog shows on weekends.

I'm Mom to 4 kids, 2 boys 2 girls. My oldest is a sophomore in college, middle one is a sophomore in HS and the youngesrs are twins in 4th grade.

We live in Illinois now but both DH and I grew up in South Africa (and had NEVER seen snow till our first winter here - we're seasoned pro's now). It's been quite an adjustment going from fresh produce year round to what's available fresh here.

I'm quite a food snob in that we eat very little processed foods. While I don't mind cooking, I LOVE to bake and I carry the results of my endeavors permanently on my hips LOL. I have promised myself to get rid of at least some of it in the upcoming year. Hopefully this time I'll keep my promises to myself.

My attempts at gardening end at my Aerogarden. I wish I had the ability to grow plants but I've resigned myself to the fact that I will need to live vicariously through others. I do like to needlepoint and am currently working on a 3 dimensional doll.

I came to CF about 2 or three years ago when after being on the kitchen forums for quite a while. Caroline suggested I try the CF and I've been here ever since.

I try and catch up every few days.

It's so nice to meet you all...

I'm Kathleen. I live in Pasadena, California, home of the Rose Bowl & the Rose Parade on New's Year's Day. I started on GW in the Kitchens Forum 4 or 5 years ago when I was planning a kitchen redo. When that was completed, I "dropped" GW because I was working & felt I couldn't put more time in. I remembered it last year & now follow some of the forums (Kitchen Table, Home Decoration, etc.) faithfully.

I just retired in May when I was laid off & am really enjoying so much 'extra' time. DH has been retired a few years. DD is a labor & delivery nurse, & this year starting raising chickens - she has 3 hens. She loves her job, & her animals.

I love CF & have lots of recipes from it that I have been working through all summer. This is a tremendous & generous group of people & I enjoy them so much.

Hi I'm Ann. I have been participating on the Cooking forum since 2001. Moe and I have been married for over 30 years and we have a son Matthew. We live on the beautiful west coast of Canada on Vancouver Island.

I enjoy everything related to food including shopping on a daily basis for most meals.

Welcome to all our new comers.

Ann

One very hot weekend a few years ago I presided over the forum Paney Camp and taught several forum members the rudiments of making homemade bread. We had a ball, even if it was day after day of over 100 temps! YIKES! No, not kidding!

Another passion for most of my life has been sewing and quilting. Now I'm learning too weave too! Took my first class today as a matter of fact. I love to travel and enjoy reading too.

My two sons are grown and live not too far. My hyper mini poodle, Andy, is good company. But not on car trips -- can we talk whining for 2 hours straight?

I love meeting forum friends and turning internet friends into "live and in person" friends.

Teresa

Helene, I did not know that your son is in Philadelphia.

About me. I am the resident non-cook. I CAN cook and enjoy it when I do. When I retire I hope to cook more.

I am Pam and I live just outside of Philadelphia. I am un-married and have two grown sons, one in Ventura, California and one nearby. Neither is married or has produced grandchildren yet. I wish one of the string of girlfriends would turn out to be "the one."

I work as a fund raiser, currently in a hospital. I am sick to death of it and am counting the days until I can retire.

I am very involved with the local libraries and serve on the board of my local library as well as on a committee to raise money for all the libraries. Of course I love reading and belong to a book club.

Gardening is my favorite thing to do and I'd do it all day if I could. I don't have much yard, but it's enough to keep me busy.

I have been posting on GW and THS since the days of Spike, the founder. I even paid $15 a year for the privilege of posting here! I found these forums by googling "sick rhododendrens" and found the Gardening side. Then I found Kitchens when I was remodeling mine. From there, I followed the crowd to Cooking. It's been six years since the Kitchen reno, so I have been here altogether about seven years.

I've met seven CFers in real life and would enjoy meeting more.

I'm currently an unemployed technical writer living in Northern CA. I'm orginally from NY, but have been in CA for many, many years. My two kids are grown, married, and soon to start their own families.

I'm also a fitness instructor (over 18 years), and am very interested in healthy cooking and baking. I don't believe for a second 'Skinny girls can't cook.' Or Bake for that matter. Love love love to bake, and while I'm looking for work I get to bake almost everyday.

I stopped eating wheat 6-8 months ago (I still do on occasion) and have reaped health benefits from making that leap. I bake primarily wheat-free, and have had fun and success (and a few disasters) transforming my regular recipes to wheat-free.

I learn a lot from the folks here, and have gotten some wonderful recipes. I also have friends who are gourmet cooks, and often have the opportunity to cook with and learn from them.

Wish I could make a living at it. But can't be easily done here in Northern CA where the cost of living is way high.

Bonnie

I'm Nancy and have been hanging around here for 6 or 7 years. I love to bake and I love to cook. I live in a resort town in northern Michigan and work for a gourmet food manufacturer. I manage one of the retail stores and have a blast doing it. I was just working part time until this past May, now with working full time I am not cooking and baking quite as much. I'll get back into the swing of things real soon... we close the store for the winter right after New Years... I'll have three months to play in the kitchen before I return to work.

While I'm home this winter I'll not only have more time to post on this forum, but I will also be picking every one's brains over on the Kitchen forum. Right now we are in the middle of redoing a large bonus room into two bedrooms and a new bath and next on the agenda is a new kitchen, dining area and living room. Hope I can get that all figured out by spring.

I also write a cooking column and have a huge cookbook collection that I don't seem to use as much since getting involved here. Other hobbies include flower gardening and lately I've really gotten involved with rock/pop music. Thanks to Am Idol, I am following the rise of a new singer. He will be preforming on the AMA Award show next Sun night and his first album drops the next day...

My 'other' is also into cooking and we have Roxie, a 7 yo chocolate lab. I've met quite a few cooking forum friends in person and hope to meet more. If you are planning a northern Michigan vacation, be sure to let me know!

Nancy

I work full time running the local Prosecutor's Office here in Newaygo County, Michigan. My father passed away about a year ago and I bought a piece of the farm I grew up on, so my paying job pays for my bad farming habit, LOL.

I have a big organic garden, raise grass fed beef, have a couple of horses, a dozen chickens for eggs. I was a "counselor" at Canning Camp a few years ago and I've met 26 (I think) members of the forum at various times.

I have two daughters. My oldest daughter is the mother of my two grandchildren, Bud and the Monkey Princess. They make my heart happy. My youngest daughter is in her internship in the radiology program at a local university, she's looking forward to finishing up and I'm looking forward to having her off MY payroll, LOL.

The forum was here through births and deaths, divorces and marriages. When my husband of 30 years moved out and moved in with his girlfriend, the forum was there. When my first grandchild was born, the forum was there. When I met, dated and married Elery, the forum was there. When my Dad passed away, the forum was there. I've visited and been visited and made good friendships. Ashley calls the forum members my "imaginary friends", but she's met and liked many of them too.

Elery and I have a "long distance" marriage for now, he lives 3 hours away and neither of us are in a position to retire for a couple of years, so we maintain separate households and travel back and forth as we can, which is interesting. I don't know what the heck is going to happen when we finally live together, LOL.

I don't do Facebook or Twitter or chat rooms, this is my only online "social" activity. I love to cook and I love to bake, but I don't do as much of either and I've been trying to stay healthier. Some of my best recipes came from here, too, so there is some cooking involved!

Annie

I've been cooking since I was 6... a latchkey child who liked to eat more than peanut butter sandwiches. Some of the recipes in my enormous collection date back to the 1950's. DH's recently developed Type 2 diabetes has me learning a new way of thinking about foods and cooking.... one is never too old to learn. I always have enjoyed cooking and will make time to try out something new -- no matter how complicated or lengthy the process.

Lived in Kentucky, lived in South Florida. I'm so glad to be where there is a change of seasons again! I work full-time as a PC Help Desk Technician at the local county, (was at IBM for eons before the layoffs came) and I teach Water Aerobics part-time in the evenings at the local YMCA (deep water). I also participate in the senior games (swimming) as well. In 6 years, I will be able to retire and I do look forward to it. More garden time, more water time!

I've been a member since 2002, and was into gardening and composting at the time. I still do both. Just this year I started canning again and did my first pressure canning ever. I got a Blue Ribbon at the County Fair for Annie's Salsa and then it won in the pickle class as TOP PICKLE! So I got two Blue Ribbons! It's all to Annie's credit and she did get full credit on the Harvest Forum! I have also cooked some of her regular (non-canning) recipes from this forum.

I love to cook and bake and I must say the photographs that you all post just blow me away - along with the food! I take a lot of my goodies to friends, neighbors and work and I think I've got a lot of canned goods to give out at Christmas. Yesterday, I made some mini-loaves of French Bread. Today, I canned some cranberry sauce and I made honey-pecan biscuits this morning (for the first time) and handed them out to neighbors. I wish I could have shared them with you!

I'm an English professor at a small public university, and my hubby is an engineer who retired 1.5 years ago after a massive hemorrhagic stroke (thankfully, the only lasting damage was partial vision loss and the accompanying confusion).

I love reading about cooking and reading recipes as much I love cooking. My favorite cooking experiences involve all the kids and grandkids (Richard and I have 6 grown kids between us and are expecting grandchildren numbers 12 and 13 this summer). We also share Maggie, our eight-year-old Catahoula Cur. Strangely enough, Maggie loves Irish music and apples.

Other than cooking, I love computer and video games, reading, camping, and working on my 80-year-old house.

pixistix

I am so impressed and thankful for the skills of the folks on this forum. You've saved me many times! This forum really is what got me interested in cooking. I truly enjoy cooking - especially when entertaining. I am always excited when I can bring a recipe to this forum after getting so many from everyone here.

I've been married for 27 years, have one daughter 23, who graduated from college in June but has not found a job:( I work full time - which is probably 50 hours a week most weeks. I work in Human Resources in healthcare.

My DH and I are both engineers, I'm a mechanical and he's a computer/electrical engineer. We've been married a little over two years and have two fur babies, a chow/german shepherd named Fritz and a calico named Gir. No immediate plans for "real" kids, we're still in negotiations on that point.

I do 99.99% of the cooking around here. My dh can cook but prefers not to. I've loved getting to know all of you over the past couple years and have come to rely on your expertise in all things cooking related. Thanks!

Then I was teaching cooking classes online for AOL and spent less time on GW. I did stay and pay Spikes'
$15 when he changed to a pay site, but later I lost my passwords when I got a new computer and just lurked for a while. Five years ago this month my DW Christy got breast cancer and I stepped away from the computer again for a while. I finally came back and had to re-register in 2006. I still love the Garden Party but for the past year and a half I have been enjoying the Cooking Forum again. I love that so many are willing to help and that so many feel they can come to the forum for help. A great community. I've met quite a few people from the GP but haven't met people from here yet. I'm disabled and don't travel much any more as my mobility is limited and I stick pretty close to my big leather chair with the big ottoman that my 80 pound lapdog shares with me with pillows on his head and the keyboard on top of that. Smiles.

I've always loved to cook and had some great influences in both of my Italian grandparents. My grandfather was a chef in Italy before moving here and my Nona was excellent too. During my working life I flipped between being a chef and working as an artist. I painted porcelain art objects for Cybis Porcelain in Trenton for quite a few years. If you Google the place they have some beautiful pieces. I had a small restaurant in the New Orleans French Quarter for several years until I lost my lease when they sold the building. I had spent 10 years in New Orleans up until then and that's when I and my DW moved back home to the NJ countryside.

I cook when I can and tend to cook large for the freezer amounts when I am able. Luckily Christy has learned to cook many of our favorite dishes over the years so she does a lot of the daily cooking. I'm weird in that if I love something I could eat it 3 meals a day for days, so I usually cook several gallons at a time of various soups, spaghetti sauce or my veggie chili and eat that for breakfast and lunch. I make enough to last the week and also usually enough to freeze several week-sized batches for the freezer. Matter of fact after I post this I need to go put away spaghetti sauce and butter beans for the freezer.

We share our lives with our Jessie, the 80 lb pit bull keyboard stand that you'll catch a glimpse of occasionally peeking in my food pics. We also have 8 cats, 6 of which are related and came from our work keeping a feral cat colony from forming under our boat after the neighbor threw a litter of kittens outside to fend for themselves. It took about 4 years before all was under control but I consider it well worth it and a good accomplishment to now have 8 all indoor cats, speutered and happy. Helps to have a vet who is a friend who let me assist in the surgeries and gave fair prices.

Christy and I will be together 30 years this February. When NJ made Civil Unions legal a few years ago she and I got one.

Thanks for starting this thread and sorry I'm so long winded.. it's just how I am.. smiles..

Lpinkmountain is my online name, which is my first initial plus the English translation of my German last name. I prefer to use my online name here, because I like to guard my personal privacy as much as possible when using the Internet. Folks here call me Lpink sometimes for short, and Lou calls me Pinky, which is OK too! Pink is one of my favorite colors.

I'm a teacher and project manager by trade. I've taught biology, environmental science and horticulture, to students from pre-school to college. I've worked for environmental organizations in community outreach, which is what I'm doing right now at the local community college. I have been out of full-time work for almost three years and survive on a series of part time jobs, so if anyone knows of any jobs in Allentown, let me know!

Working three jobs right now and job hunting leaves me not much time to cook, but I stil do sometimes because I love doing it so much. Being single and living alone, if I make a big batch of something it takes me forever to work my way through it, so I don't bake much. My freezer is my friend most of the time, and my specialties are soup, stews, rice, pasta, potatoes and bread. I like to eat local and seasonal, for quality purposes, and for the way more pleasant shopping and cooking experience eating local usually provides for me. Being an environmental scientist, I'm interested in the science behind food prep, and in how growing, buying, cooking and eating food affects the environment. I'm a vegetarian who eats meat occasionally, and I try to eat healthy, low fat and economically. Hence I eat a lot of beans, onion, carrots, cabbage and apple dishes!! My food related hobbies are gardening and canning. My "What's For Dinner" is usually "cold pizza and warm Coke" or "peanut butter and crackers and a glass of juice," hence you won't see me posting on that thread. Also, if I go there too much I gain 10 lbs. vicariously! (Note, just joking around!)

Welcome to all newbies!! We really do love you!! I love the fresh ideas and perspectives that newbies bring and hope you stay around for a long time! Folks her are passionate, which can seem a little intimidating, but underneath it all is a strong current of caring for others. I cannot begin to tell all the kindnesses that have been extended to me by folks here, but for example, they include a gift of a bread machine sent to me by wonderful Ohiomom who knew I was trying to save money by making my own bread, and she had one she wasn't using. That's the kind of people that I've found here--people who are doers, busy being part of the solution to whatever life throws their way!

Speaking of solutions, that's how I first joined CF, my first Christmas for my whole family at my new house, and out of consideration for all the meat eaters I was going to make a turkey, an organic one at that. Being a vegetarian cook with very little meat experience, I was in a panic. I was intimidated to join a new forum with so many well established cooks, and asking such a dumb question as "How do I cook a turkey?" which probably seems obvious to a meat eater but is NOT to a person who has been a vegetarian all her adult life. I was afraid I was too "out there" for this group, but I was desperate! :) I immediately was welcomed and got tons of advice. I distincly remember Weed talking me through it all and AnnT telling me not to worry. Well, when I post I like to stay around on a forum long enough to help and equal number of people who helped me. That was enough time to get me hooked and I have been here ever since.

I live in Allentown PA for now, but my ancestral home is Michigan and my aging folks and much of my family are still there, so I'm there a lot too. I've had the pleasure of meeting several forum members from the East Coast and Michigan in person, plus Helene when she was here visiting her son, and Jessy when she was in MI. Folks I've met from CF have proven to be even warmer and nicer in person than online!

I'm Alexa and I had to go to my member page to see when I joined. Looks like Dec 2001 was when I started here so I'll go with 8 years (almost LOL). I found the CF through when I was looking for information on growing roses. I still have a few of the roses (gave up on the fight against Rose Rosette Disease and deer) but have stayed on this forum since I love cooking.

I am married to my best friend and we have 2 great boys who are 8 and 11. DH and the 8 yo are total foodies and will gladly try anything I make, the 11 yo is picky but in an odd way. He wont eat mac&cheese or hot dogs, but he loves Moroccan Spiced Lamb and salmon almost any way I make it. Go figure LOL! We live just north of Philly in beautiful Bucks County not far from Washington Crossing (where Gen George crossed the Delaware River to fight the Battle of Trenton for the history buffs) and I am very fortunate to have been a stay at home mom for the last 11 years.

My gardens are still in transition, it seems they will never be "done". Even through I have shovel pruned a lot of the roses I started with, I have an extensive hosta collection and many complimentary shade plants. The deer are still a problem, but I have a few secrets for keeping them at bay.

Welcome to all the new faces, I am looking forward to seeing a lot more of you here!

Alexa

I'm Mitch, really Michele; I don't cook much, but I like to eat and be inspired to cook a bit. Lovely prepared food markets seem to follow me everywhere;
we've been living part time in Dallas since march and Eatzi's is my food provider, an amazing food shop. My home is really Montreal, and I cook more when I am there, very basic foods, nothing to post about; we eat out a lot. A young chef opened a shop called Le Comptoir du Chef, and I can pick up great food there too. AnnT's chicken duxelles was my first recipe I did from this forum; last year I made her sticky pudding cake and caramel sauce.

I'm looking forward to the newbies posting in abundance, please do.
welcome everyone !!

I live in a small village in eastern PA with my husband of 33 years. We have two daughters, one living on the east and one on the west Florida coasts and we have a second home on a barrier island on the eastern side. One of the joys of my life is that I helped them both to become excellent cooks.

I retired in May and am enjoying it tremendously. I have always been active in volunteering in our community and now have time to step it up a notch and also for exploring tea rooms and other independently owned restaurants with family and friends.

I’m blessed to live in an area where there are farmers’ markets, lots of ethnic markets, country bulk food stores, dairy and fish stores so have no trouble finding fresh ingredients. Although there’s a Wegmans market about five minutes from our house, I do about 80% of my food shopping from local vendors. I also initiated and belong to a neighborhood co-op, where we share our gardens’ bounty, can together in the kitchen of a local church, buy items like fuel oil in bulk, and generally help each other out like people did in past generations.

I’ve seen many people come and go in the Cooking Forum over the years but still find it a great source for ideas, information and inspiration.

My name is Moni, and I live in Oklahoma. Married my Army sweetheart and came to America in 1972. We have two daughters, with the youngest married and having a daughter of her own now.

I used to love to cook, well, actually still do, but no longer have happy eaters in the family. Daughter that lives nearby is vegan, husband doesn't eat anything with any fat in it, and I eat just about all, cept grits.

I mainly hang out at the kitchen table, but come here often and have tried lots of recipes.

My passions are cycling, gardening, knitting and eating, with the latter going back to cooking. ;)

I also came to the GW when it cost, and Spike ran it.

Moni

I'm the 54-year-old mother of an amazing woman who is mother to the most adorable granddaughter anyone could have. Unfortunately they live in Texas while I am here in Arizona. My husband of two years and I will be moving into our first home together in a few months. (We met when I moved into the condo next door to him--still living that way, for now!) Then we plan to do some entertaining, and I'll be using many more of the great recipes I get here.

I am really enjoying getting acquainted and re-acquainted with everyone through this post. This forum has been my almost-daily "go to" all these years because it somehow manages to maintain the same spirit of comaraderie, sharing, fun, and support that it always has in spite of the rotating cast of characters. I think we owe that to those who have been here so many years, posting, interacting with each other, welcoming newbies into the fun, and generally forming the solid foundation here.

Thanks to all of you, new and "old," for entertaining me and feeding me in many ways.

I am Susie-Que and I have been a member since Spike was the newbie LOL!! I actually started at the garden party and lurked my way to cooking and never left.
I recently found a paper with scribblings and passwords to my original account which was linked to my prodigy isp account so yup its been awhile!!

I live in beautiful Gloucester County NJ just a stones throw to the Deleware River at Historic Red Bank Battlefeild (for you history buffs LOL).
We are just settling into our dream home after an grueling real estate nightmare that lasted almost a full year. WE made sure we got a large kitchen with plenty of twirling room...as well as a double lot for room to grow our dream organic garden next spring.

Frank and I have been married for 21 years and we have Amy (20) who is currently attending college in Pa. She doesn't get home as much since we moved so I am REALLY looking forward to Thanksgiving when she'll be home for several days!! WE also have a son Andrew (17 this week) who is probably just the sweetest kid you'll ever meet. At age 9 he started having seizures and has been strugging with his epilepsy since. WE have him under control with meds for the most part but every now and then he'll have a bad seizure and we're right back at square one again. Through it all he never complains or whines.

I work part time as a customer service specialist at a major supermarket chain in Philadelphia and for the most part my co-workers are my guinnea pigs trying out all my cooking efforts. They are a great group and I am lucky to work with such nice folks and the bomd we have is the main reason I still commute!!
Frank is a mail man by day and he too works at a supermarket few nights a week-we are in direct competition LOL!!

In my spare time....uhm whats that?? No really I am busy getting my little house in order painting and such. I am hosting the Christmas shindig this year so I am working on projects non stop to make the place ready in time.

I am a cook but not a baker. I envy bakers and I wish I had better luck. I can make bread!!
I am known for my salsa hence my e mail...started out making salsa when I was part of a community garden and I will pick up on that sometime late next summer when my harvest comes in.

I also enjoy crafting. I am into scrapping as well as pencil drawing and some painting. I also enjoy sewing.

Sadly our pet population has dwindled down to just one dog Gretchen. WE lost our beloved matriarch Timmie just after we moved. She was the grand dame of the family and lived a long and happy life. She was 20 when she passed in Oct.
So we have been out and about looking into shelter pets here in our new county and after the holiday we will most likely add to our family.

I would like to personally welcome all the new folks to the forum and hope you find this place to be a warm and fun place to check in and post...as you can see we can get into an array of topics as well as some pretty tasty food topics too!!

Cheers!
Susie aka Riverhopper

I like small batch recipes, and, most of all, learning new techniques. I am fascinated by food science. I like local produce a lot, and grow some of my own. Tomatoes are my favorite food. I have recently baked successful bread, but pie crusts are my remaining nemesis.

Nice to meet you all!

I take meals to the field during harvest for 8-10 hungry workers.
Between that and helping with my little Grands and flower and vegetable gardening I stay busy.

DH and I enjoy going on cruises and traveling when not working.

I don't always post alot, but I always check in. I have got alot of good advice, tips and recipes from this and the recipe forum and always appreciate it.

My name is Melissa and I have been an occasional poster but longtime reader for the last 5 years or so.

I live in Oklahoma about 40 miles west of Tulsa and drive in to Tulsa everyday to work at a trucking company. I have been married for 8 years and we are currently waiting to be matched to adopt a sibling group of 2-3 kidos. When that happens I will happily become a stay at home mommy. We live in the country and I love playing with my flower beds and am a huge reader of just about anything. I love to cook and bake and try new recipes.

Melissa

I'm 46, married to my best friend (3rd time's a charm)! He's a couple of years older. We have 4 grown kids and one son-in-law. No grands...........YET!!!
I live just outside Eugene, Oregon on 12 rural acres. No indoor pets ('cept the 2 darned fish that just won't die). We have 2 outdoor sibling kitties, 5 pygmy goats, 14 chickens. We raised our own beef this last year and are enjoying that.
I work full time doing documentation work for a scanner manufacturer (look for Spectra-Physics, PSC or Datalogic on the scanner/scale next time you're buying groceries). I've been here 22 years, through all the name and owner changes! Met my DH when he worked here. He does store planning for a local discount drug store.
I love to cook. Rarely use a recipe, except baking, and rarely make something twice...how can you when you don't use a recipe? LOL
I garden, can/dry/freeze, buy local and in the winter I read and quilt.

Thanks Chase for starting this thread. I am amazed at how long some of you have been here that I thought were newer! Way to keep it together!

Deanna

Like others, I started out in Kitchens when we were remodeling and migrated here when done. My remodel was completed exactly 5 years and two days ago! LOL

I work for a company that trades oil and other commodities, both on the exchanges and actual physical barrels. I do model automation and work with the folks who trade oil and heavy products and I sit right next to the folks who trade gasoline. It's a very interesting job as new things are happening every day and so many local and world events affect the price and trading.

I like to cook and now that my kids are mostly gone, it's become a real easy task. My DH will eat anything I cook, even if he doesn't like it. He can't cook much so he is happy no matter what I make, I guess! I cook and he does the dishes so it works great for me!

I also seldom use a recipe or even when I do, I tend to make changes and substitutions. I'm a "throw everything in one pot" kind of a cook and I used to call everything "mish-mosh" until son#1 said he didn't like that name so I vary between "mish-mosh" and "May's Deluxe Dinner".

Due to hanging around on this forum with these wonderful folks, I've tried many new recipes and recently began making bread. I almost never post recipes since I don't really have many but I do post opinions and comments. I have met several of the members IRL which is so much fun and so great to call them friends.

It's been said above but it bears repeating. This is a great forum with kind giving people, a real community. Welcome to the new folks!

I also frequented the Singles forum a lot and then it went away/got banned, whatever... I was getting married and started frequenting other forums at that time and stopped coming to GW on a regular basis, but would still stop by occasionally on various forums.

I have always loved these forums and decided to come back. I love to cook and so of course this forum is one that interests me greatly. I don't have much time to post as I work full time and only post on lunches, etc...and at night I cook, clean, spend time with DH...but I do read a lot and post occasionally.

My other interests are sewing and photography. I am also interested in learning crochet or knitting. I like to garden although I don't do it as much as I have in the past or as much as I would like to.

I would love to make food a full time career if I could do so in a normal M-F 9-5 type capacity, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of demand for that!

Thanks for welcoming me, and I hope to get to know you all more as I read and post.

I'm 48, and a recent graduate of culinary school. I have one daughter who is nine (yes, I was 39 when she was born!).

I work as a marketing professional for a padlock/key distributor - I only went to culinary school because it was a lifelong dream... cooking is a passion. I also love to can!

I live with my 87-year-old Mom and take care of her. I've lived in Panama City, FL all my life and don't think I could live anywhere that I couldn't see water at least once a day. Between us we have three dogs - one extremely hyper 12-year-old Jack Russell terrier, one 14-year-old mutt, and my 5-year-old Chihuahua, Gypsy. They are a constant source of entertainment.

I am Al. I am a part time personal trainer. My husband and I have been married for 9.5 years and we have a 7-year-old little boy in grade 3. I have two stepchildren but they are both over 18 and living with their mother.

We live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It's nice to see a few Canucks here (hello and waving~). I found this site doing online search a bit over a year ago. I don't post every day but I love reading about what everybody's cooking and looking at those mouth watering PICTURES!

I love this cooking forum and have been lucky enough to meet several people here and it was so comfortable and felt like we'd always known each other.

I have been married to my cabinet maker husband for 15 yrs now and we have a son who is 13. I also have 2 daughters from a previous marriage; one is a teacher and the other is a firefighter/paramedic. They are 25 and 26 yrs old and dont' live with us. My teacher daughter is engaged to be married in June 2010. The other daughter is in a committed relationship as well.

I love cooking and I try out all kinds of things on my poor husband and son. They are both extremely picky eaters so they hate it when I get creative. But I have a neighbor who loves it when my hubs and son dont like what I've made; her family LOVES it!

Nice to meet all the new friends!

I'm middle-aged but feel very young. Cooking is my creative outlet and "me" time. Crank up my tunes and bop around the kitchen while the dog sleeps in the corner and the DH is in his man cave.

Lot of interesting folks here - welcome to any newbies!

I am married to my hubby of 32 years. In January, he left his position as a prof of chemistry and we started a very large billiards parlor/restaurant/bar. It opened in August in Fargo ND.

I love to cook and have learned so much from this forum over the years. I have long loved to bake bread, but I do more now (and better). I have so many wonderful recipes from here. My current problem. . . my hubby is rarely home and we eat way too often at our business. I just negotiated 2 nights home . . . so, I am getting there!

Oh, I also have 3 wonderful grown children who are the light of my life and 2 crazy cats that are both light and darkness.

Best,
Adele

I was a professional horse trainer who traveled all over the country showing up until a few years ago.

Earlier this year I lost most of my hearing and have been adjusting to that. I also found out I have a heart condition that required surgery which I had in June, unfortunately things did not go as planned during surgery and they could not fix what was wrong. So I am now a stay at home wife and I really enjoy it.

I rescue abandoned, abused and misfit cats. I find homes for the ones I can and keep the ones I can’t find homes for. If I am honest, I end up keeping more than I re-home because I just love them all.

I found GW when my DH and I were building our house. I used to read the appliance board a lot when I was researching the Advantium and different appliances for my kitchen. I migrated over here to the cooking board shortly after my heart surgery and haven’t left. I don’t post a lot yet as I just haven’t been cooking much lately but plan too this winter as I get back on my feet. I love to bake.

We have lived in our new house for a year now, this summer we had our yard landscaped and put in a small orchard with Pears, Apples, Cherries and Peaches. I can’t wait until next year when my trees start producing and I can bake with all my goodies. Along with the trees we also put in blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and beach plums. I will be looking for all kinds of recipes to use these next summer.

I have really enjoyed reading all the introductions and I hope to become a participating member in the future.

Like Annie, I have my imaginary friends that I love bouncing ideas off and getting great meal ideas. If I need a cooking question answered, or any family member does they ask me to ask my imaginary friends. One of the families' favorite treats are Annie's salsa and Chase's pickles, so the forums star in most family events.

Stacie

I am Mara -- retired from active teaching, presently working as a private tutor. Absolutely love it. The kiddos keep me young (or at least feeling that way, LOL). Taught piano lessons for years, may do that again when the nest is empty.

Dh is an engineer. He was in the military for years, is still transferred periodically (normally at least every 5 years) because of his specialty, and we've lived all over the USA. Presently live in metro Atlanta -- far enough away to avoid the worst of the traffic, but still not far enough away for dh, who loves to play golf, hunt, and fish. He would love to live a zillion miles from civilization, LOL.

We have six kiddos and four grands. Our two oldest kiddos are married, and both own their own businesses. All the others are still single -- youngest two still in school and the middle two in college.

I love music, reading, and cooking/baking. Loved sports -- particularly softball, volleyball, and water-skiing -- for decades, can't do that so much anymore. When I have the time, I enjoy sites like this, and playing Spades online. I found this site when I was researching washers almost 2 years ago; our former washer/dryer had bit the dust. I got great info here, and I was hooked. :-)

I see I was first registered in 2002, but I know I've been here longer than that. I started with the Kitchens (then Kitchens and Baths) Forum when we moved to this house and put in the kitchen in 2001. My GW "claim to fame" is having introduced the TapMaster. So many folks from the forum liked the idea and bought them, the company sent me a box of chocolates.

I'm a lawyer, and my main areas are constitutional law (especially First Amendment and equal protection) and civil rights/discrimination. My husband is a cantor (kind of like a musical rabbi), and we've been married 27 years. Our son is 23 and just got his master's degree in broadcast journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse U. and is now a reporter/sportscaster at a radio station in North Carolina, where he moved to be with his brilliant girlfriend with the flame-red hair (I didn't raise a dope). Our firecracker of a daughter is a sophomore at Boston University. In their absence, we still have a doofus dog and 2 cats, one of whom is the mayor of the neighborhood, to trip over.

I love to cook and to EAT. I am blessed with a husband who seems to like everything, and best of all who has a mother who did not cook! So I never make anything "wrong."

The only forum friend I have met in real life (so far as I know!) is Talley Sue, who nicely gave me a tour of her fascinating workplace when I was in her city recently. She is just as smart and nice in person as she is at GW. But the one I seem to have the most in common with is May/lowspark (right down to having a family that calls stew-like dishes "mishmosh" -- maybe it's a Yiddish thing?), and lo and behold, it turned out that her older son and my daughter are friends! They both work at the same summer camp in northern Wisconsin. I had met him myself and never knew it!

I cannot count the times the wonderful people on this forum have helped me -- often within minutes and at a great cost of their own time, and always with charm and intelligence. It is a wonderful community. So, welcome to you newbies, and thank you to all you "old timers."

I've always loved to cook for my appreciative husband of 34 years although these days of empty nesting, we eat out quite a bit. We're the parents of two grown picky eaters- DS is 27 and DD is 28. She's the mother of our two adorable grandsons, ages 5&2 who we're trying to turn into foodies! DSIL isn't a foodie either, so it may be a lost cause!

We live in a suburb of Los Angeles where I work almost full time as a fundraiser for a special school. Although I love to cook, I've been challenged here on the CF to learn to can, trying to understand the science of baking and learning to use filo dough. After years of tummy issues, I'm now officially allergic to wheat, yeast, onions, grapes and more, so each day is a new cooking challenge!

It's always fun and rewarding meeting new friends and I love the support and wonderful people here at the CF!

Like many here I have cats. Seven cats at last count... Annie, Jessy, Yoko, Luna Looski, Star Trek, Favorite, and Chrissy. Star Trek has an odd name because she resembles a creature on the television show... the guy that was white on one side and black on the other. One dog at the moment named Dolly. Dolly needs another dog to play with so probably a puppy or adoption in my future. No other human beings in my home for some years now... never married and no kids (that were "mine").

I work (and work and work) in the auto industry. Pretty much every day for more hours then I can remember. In my spare time I try to run a small tree farm. Yet to launch is a small business that I've written a plan for to employ some of my friends that are currently jobless. I do not enjoy working this hard! Being in the automotive industry I've known for some years that each day could be my last day in this career. Someday I expect my job to be gone forever so I work all I can while it lasts.

So I'm falling asleep in my chair. Hopefully this post is somewhat together.

: )
lyra

I am 45, I work in IT, no kids, I recently lost one of my dogs so I am down to 1 fur baby. I have been living with my sweetie for 8 years. My 72 year old Mom is living with us. Cooking for her makes me realize why I am such a picky eater. She doesn't like any seasonings "at all". I picked up so many of her food dislikes that I now realize that I say I don't like something that I have never even tasted. I am trying to get over that and I am getting more adventurous as I get older. The upside is that my sweetie will eat anything I put in front of him. 3 days in a row if necessary. LOL

I love this forum and apparently spend far too much time reading it because so many of the self-proclaimed "frequent lurkers, infrequent posters" above seem like regulars to me!

Hi, my name is Jude (Judith, Judie) and I've been lurking, posting for about a year and a half. I live in Knoxville, Tn near the Great Smoky Mountains. I grew up in a very rural area near Knoxville, poor as Job's turkey, eating whatever was put before me and have never been a picky eater. DH and I have been married almost 50 years, have 4 children, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grands.

I just stumbled on these forums while searching for something and wound up on Harvest. Started canning for the first time in years starting with Annie's Salsa. Thanks Annie, you've helped me move up a notch in my family's eyes for my cooking.

I'm a retired folk art artist, actually just got tired of it, and had a gift shop for 9 years with my best friend. I don't do vegetable gardening but I have a fair sized herb garden and perennials and wildflowers.

I envy those of you who have managed to meet others and get together with them. I don't know if there are any posters from East TN but I feel as though I do know a lot of you. I would come here just to read the recipes and look at the mouth-watering pictures, whether I cooked or not, and I love to see pictures of your friends and families. You've been so good to answer questions, some I have asked more than once I'm sure, always with patience.

I'm so glad I found you!

jude

My DH and I have one beautiful daughter who married a terrific guy. These two people have given us the loves of our lives—two beautiful grandbabies (4 and 2 years old).

I have two 14 year-old feline furbabies-Buster Frank and Noel Elizabeth.

DH is a college coach, high school teacher, and director of our youth organization (Tampa Mustangs), which we established 30 years ago. Needless to say he is extremely busy. I lost a job that I loved along with 2200 other employees; now I work from home. But it worked out okay as I was able to take care of my GS so I played with him everyday and got to know characters like Handy Manny, Diego, and Wuzzby. Not to mention that I can play Candy Land with the best of them.

I am a second tier cook at best but I enjoy the stretch goals that the Cooking Forum sets for me. I enjoy exploring the methods (e.g. brining, pre-salting, high-heat, canning) as much as the recipes. I am know as the "Gadget Queen" because of a compulsion for finding the right tool for the job and a need to have things organized.

My very favorite and unexpected results of posting to the CF has been the friends I have made. I have enjoyed organized a few get togethers for the CF forum like the Canny Camp, Paney Camp, Pigeon Forge Pajama Party, Michigan Babes and Beefcakes Traveling Foodies. I have met 28 CF members at last count, most of who are still posting. Who knew when I first registered to find a recipe for meatloaf that I would end up meeting them in person; who knew I would meet their partners, who knew I would call them during cooking emergencies; who knew I would sit in their kitchens sharing good times; who knew they would send me an ingredient that I couldn’t find and vice versa; who knew they would send me an illusive pan to complete my set; who knew they would send me a pizzelle maker and detailed instructions; who knew they would sleep in my guest room and vice versa; who knew they would take me/make me go to Tablecloths And More; who knew they would pick me up at the airport again and again; who knew my husband would call them complaining that they made me get drunk? Who knew? Not me!!

Reading all these posts has brought many questions to mind; I hope I get a chance to reread and post questions.

I love you all!

My friend, Jessica (aka EJ, Evil Jessy) introducted me to the CF some years back. I first met Jessica in a Mommy and Me class, then really became friends when our boys were in Cub Scouts together. We hosted Phyllo Phun Camp together a few years back, so I've met a few fellow forum members.

I'm married, with two boys, ages 15 and 16. The oldest just got his driver's license...so if you're on the road in southern california, beware!!!

I worked for many years as an X-ray tech., but stopped when my first son was born. About a year ago I got a part time job baking for a little gourmet shop not far from home. I have to say I really look forward to going to work. We make everything from scratch in small batches - cakes, tarts, cupcakes, dessert bars, cookies, pies etc.
I simply LOVE it!!!!

My file cabinet is overflowing with great recipes from this forum - I love and appreciate all the helpful tips, advice and info all of you share!!!

Oly

HEADS UP!! A name change here! I WAS Deb, a.k.a. "Momto4Kids." I'm STILL Deb and STILL have 4 kids, but now I’ll post under the member name debattheweb. There just seemed to be too many of us moms with 4 kids! LOL! Mostly everyone calls me Deb anyway, so I figured I’d just switch!

So…I'm Deb, a 50 y.o. SAHM, married 17 years and live near DC. I’m a member from the paying days with Spike and the teacups and I still have my GardenWeb t-shirt! I lurked around the Home Building, Kitchens and Appliances forums before joining in 2003.

I used to think it was "cute" when DH and I had 4 children ages 5 and under. Now that they are in all three levels of school in three different schools…not in our own district (yep…makes me the official taxi)…it’s not "cute" as much as it is "exhausting!" Michael (9th grade, 14) is in the marching band. Lindsay (8th grade, 13) and Gigi (6th grade, 11) are cheerleaders at their school. Matthew (4th grade, 9) is in the running club and, by the way, is building his constituency for when he runs for President. He can work a crowd like you’ve never seen! Here they are on the first day of school this year. And…I’m not sure I ever mentioned…we have two sweet, sweet doxies. Lily (left, 1 ½) and Max (right, 2) are long-haired minis.

I used to post a lot, but got side-tracked with school activities and such. Now I’m trying to get back into a rhythm again. I am a picky eater and squeamish about all sorts of things. I think my aversion to most foods comes from my childhood memories of nearly everything I ate seemed to come out of a can (not home-canned…off a shelf from the commissary). It wasn’t until I went off to college that I realized there was such a thing as "fresh" food.

DH likes to eat and I’m doing my best to keep the kids from being picky eaters like me! I love to cook (even if I won’t eat it) and bake. I’ve met a few of CF members! I’ve been very inspired over the years by the many contributors (and their pictures)! I cook and bake a lot of things I never dreamed I’d ever attempt! Even though there have been a lot of successes in my kitchen, for the life of me, I cannot make:

1. Sol’s MLCs
2. Sharon’s spanakopita
3. anybody’s chocolate chip cookie that doesn’t turn out like flat land with pyramids.

Ken and I have 5 granddaughters and one grandson ages 18 months to 16 years. They all live out of state so they keep us busy traveling to band concerts, school plays and birthday parties.

I've been participating on the cooking forum since 2002 and while I certainly receive more than I give here, nobody has complained yet. I have met some special, wonderful forum friends in person and I have also made some wonderful pen pals and we have shared a lot together. My main goal in life is to live long enough to cook at least a quarter of all of the recipes I have saved from here.

I was born and raised in So. Calif. I have been divorced for 9 years now and have 2 grown/married daughters.

I moved to Oregon 7 years ago to help my parent's out and to start a new life. I love it here!

I have met a wonderful man and we've been together now for about 5 years. We both have a lot in common like fishing, crabbing, clamming, gardening, cooking and canning. There is so much to do when you live on the coast.

I'm still looking forward to meeting up with Deanna (dgkritch) some day.

Kathy
aka Lynn_1965

SharonCb

Welcome all the newbies and so glad to see some touching a toe out of lurkdom ! Don't worry about being able to "contribute". Asking questions is a huge contribution , it gives us a chance to share new and old recipes. If there were no questions there would be no growth for us all.

Hope to hear more from you. Just use ALL CAPS if we don't pay attention! LOL

Annie

I'm 44, live in Northern Virginia, am originally from central Pennsylvania. I'm a technical writer for a government contractor.

I'm of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. I'm divorced, no kids.

I love to cook, I love to shoot and collect firearms, I love to read, and I love my big Leonberger Mason.

DH and I were both x-ray techs then we both went on into health care administration. I no longer work due to having a rare type of muscular dystrophy, but that just gives me more time to be in the kitchen. I am one of those types of people that where there is a will, I will certainly find a way to do something. For me, cooking is the most relaxing thing that I do.

I also spend my time painting and taking care of our three adorable doxies, which has become a full time job lately. I do spend four mornings a week at our local soup kitchen helping out. I think I get more than I give there.

I am thankful that I found this forum. I have learned so much, even how to make bread and to can Annie's Salsa.

We just rescued a two year old standard poodle, named Oliver, and are working on training him. He was dumped out on the streets and we got him through poodle rescue. He's sweet, smart and very affectionate, and just passed his beginner dog education test.

I love to cook and eat a large variety of foods and found the CF when I was looking for restaurant recommendations in LA. From my very first post here, I have always received the help I asked for, and like others feel that I get more than I give. The CF is a true community of friends, sharing successes, failures, joyous events and sad ones along with a lot of great food. I've been lucky enough to meet about 15 members over the years and have attended Phyllo Phun Camp and Paney Camp. There is nothing more fun than meeting people, either in a group or one on one, that have been online friends.

So welcome to everyone who is just starting to post here - you won't find a nicer group of people.

I'm Tammy and I live in Texas with my hubby. I've been cooking since I was tall enough to reach the countertop. I've always loved it. Cooking got me started in gardening about 20 years ago. I started with herbs and have since moved on to flowers and veggies.

I have more cookbooks than I'll ever be able to really use but I keep buying more. I particularly love the ones that go into the history/culture of the food and how far back a recipe has been traced. The oldest recipe that I've come across in my little collection was 3,000 years!!! I also have printed out a stack of recipes from this site that will no doubt be as tall as I am in another year so I've been trying to cut back. There are just so many different things to try and so many good cooks here.

I read the forum almost every day but rarely post. I love how friendly everyone is and how you answer any questions that are asked. I have saved so many recipes from here the DH complains I am filling up the computer.

Thanks Sharon for starting this thread, we need the healing and group hug.

I’m Jessica, Jessy, JessyF, Evil Jessy, ‘EJ’. Sometimes ‘Late For Dinner’.

I joined GW seven years ago to research kitchen appliances during our remodel, then migrated to the (serious) Laundry Room forum. After some time there I clicked on the CF and found Weed30 cracking jokes and realized I could let met my hair down too. Mostly I try not to miss any occasion to post a double entendre or make inappropriate suggestions (grin) – hence ‘EJ’.

I am married to a fellow foodie, kitchen and cookaholic, and I have two boys in high school. One has graduated from pickiness, the other hasn’t – but he likes to help me cook, go figure. I cook dinner pretty much every night, to the lowest common denominator (the picky kid) but I LOVE living in Los Angeles where I have access to all sorts of international markets, foods and fares.

I have dragged friends to the forum (see Yasou above!) and met one in a parking lot (where is Denise?) where we did a drive-by ‘fruiting’ – canning exchange. Speaking of friends – I’ve met quite a few CFers in person at our camps or just get togethers, and I have been known to design vacations around who can I meet….Annie, when did I spend nine days with you? Four years ago? Time flies.

If anyone is visiting Los Angeles, drop me a line, would love to meet up and the rest of can usually pull through too. I really love the sense of community this forum has developed.

I live in northern New Mexico with my DH, my father and two really spoiled Australian Cattle Dogs (hence the screen name) and a couple of horses.
I work full time and enjoy golf, gardening, camping and fishing. I just started quilting to have something to do during our long winters.
Donna

Tracey

I haven't met anyone from this forum, though I wish I had spoken up before last week. I spent most of the week in Dana Point, California, watching Brielle while her mother attended a conference. It would have been nice to meet up with some of the locals in my free time...

I discovered this forum after a whirlwind stint at the Appliances group. I visit often but don't post alot due to busy-ness and time constraints. I cooked an early thanksgiving feast for friends last week and am gearing up for another next week.

This is one of the premier forums on the web in my opinion. You want answers? You'll get them here. Ya need a friend? Hearts of gold hang out here. Want cheap entertainment? Ask about green bean casserole. Interested in human psychology? Watch the sparks fly when someone's toes get stepped on. We've got it all!

Michael p

Grew up working in the hotels and seeing people like Jackie Mason and then worked as a sales and marketing manager in the hospitality industry in NYC.

Raising my two dahlings now. 6 and 2...the 2 year old is the boss. I love being a homemaker - I know old fashioned term but is just what I love doing making a comfy home for my family...of course I have my prozac calgone moments - but is all good:) True believer in you can have it all...just maybe not at the same time.

Don't post as much because is just not that interesting and finding my way with the challenge of my daughters severe food allergies. But I read for enjoyment and inspiration and to see what my buds are doing.

I found my way here from kitchens and the CF has been a great friend to me. I don't have my mom anymore and I consider it the equivalent of calling mom to ask how long to boil an egg - but instead have my friends here who are always always here when you need them. Would have never attempted bread without the guidance and inspiration of Annie and Linda and Tricia and Readinglady and others. Chase and Ann T my entertaining goddesses, Sol a vision, Carol and Woodie and Jesse the funniest...Bobbie a delight...omg I could go on and on...

I am passionate about politics and community and volunteerism. I never ever hold a grudge. Life is too short and...wellll I love ya man!

Welcome new members and most of all thank you all.

Single here and home alone after all of my pets crossed the bridge over the last year or so. I do have a large family and a lot of friends that I love to cook and entertain for/with. I love dessert and baking has always been one of my favorite things to do. Also, love my grills and smoker....use them all of the time year round. Since attending Canny Camp I've become a okay canner too. I have yet to take on pressure canning but want to one of these days.

I'm self employed and due travel some with my work so I do go mia on occasion but always come back when time allows.

I met my first forum member, Alexa, five years ago. Since that great evening I've been to canny camp, martini mayhem, and the PFPP in TN. Sharon and Clive stop in earlier this year on there route 66 adventure. If you ever have the chance to meet a member or attend a gathering...do it!! It is the coolest thing in the world to meet friends you have been chatting with here for years.

I want to say hi to all the new members and hope you lurker join in too. This really is the greatest forum on the net with the best group of people you could ever find.

David

I retired this year (oh happy June day!!!!) after 36 years of teaching in special ed--the last 34 of those years were at the high school level--my first 17 years teaching the deaf and I'm fluent in sign language (ASL), and then the last 17 years teaching kids with developmental delays, autism, Down syndrome, severe delay of language, etc.

Recently I've been volunteering my time as an advocate for two different parents who are trying to get the basics for their children when all the school district wants to do is deny them. I'm talking things that would help a student have more equal access to the curriculum and to optimize their chances for achievement and success considering their disability and their ability levels.

I love reading, cooking, taking photos and doing other "artsy" stuff as well as gardening, movies, and napping.

Sooz

I am single, no kids but have my "aging" father with me (his words), one fluffy foo-foo dog, a shy but talkative cat and tons of fish in the pond. Besides cooking and eating, I love to garden flowers and veggies. Thanks to the GW, I learned how to can/preserve safely. Reading and napping are also favorites. Yes, napping can be a hobby!

Here at the CF I have had some of the best times. For those in the Chicago area, if you would like to meet, just let me know. And those outside, if you come through, call!

I work for the government developing training material, usually for the military. I've done some amazing things in the past few years and have traveled to some really neat places because of my job.

My husband and I plan to move to Virginia next year to be closer to the industry, but what we'd really like to do is get a really big plot of land and start a winery! That is our dream, at least as long as we can go for it. I've taught myself how to make wine and have been making it for the past couple of years....I'm getting better every year!

I started originally on the Florida Gardening forum about 10 years or so ago, then went to the Recipes Forum, Harvest, and eventually wound up here! I've met a lot of people from all kinds of forums over the years and have made some wonderful friends.

Welcome CF newbies! There are some amazing people here on the CF, a few of which I tell my DH are my "Jedi Masters" when it comes to talent. He would say I'm crazy, but he's met some of you too! LOL!

Gardener, where are you? Elery, my DH, lives in the Jackson/Spring Arbor area, so I'm there periodically and take a trip into Ann Arbor for Trader Joe's shopping!

Annie

DH and I are virtually empty nesters, though one son is temporarily home after job issues and has now cobbled together two part-time jobs. One DD and DSIL recently moved back to Atlanta from Washington DC (EPA) and one DD lives and works in Italy and makes it home a couple of times a year.

I love to cook now that is by choice and in my leisure time, more than I did when dinner had to be fitted in between piano lessons, ballet, soccer and band practice, etc.

I love traveling, gardening (mostly shade but I do have a nice herb garden in the middle of our 'meadow,' bonsai, a Japanese style garden, knitting, reading, beading and jewelry making, and of course, cooking. I especially love it when all the family is here and we hang out and cook together.

Ann

As others have said, I love to travel...DH does not, my best friend does as well but her DH doesn't either. The good thing is, they don't mind us traveling. I really don't enjoy driving and our trips most often are with groups. One group is mostly made up of gardeners and a couple of years ago we took a garden tour in Tuscany. Wonderful!!

I also travel, vicariously, with you all. Sharon I loved the Route 66 trip "we" took.

You all just keep on posting your pictures and acccounts of your trips especially the food.

jude

I live in a suburb of Dallas, TX. for now, but we've recently bought an old farmhouse just outside of Tahlequah, OK. We're slowly fixing it up on assorted weekends, and plan to move there permanently when my DH, Jerry, retires. We have 3 grown children and 1 grandson, and don't get to see any of them often enough. I love to garden, and have the goal to raise as much of my food as possible. I'm looking forward to growing fruit at our new place in Oklahoma, including blueberries, which can't grow in the Dallas area. By profession I do garden design, specializing in natives and organic gardening. I love to cook and bake, and have so much to learn about both areas, which is why I love this forum.

Sally

Tracey

jude

My name is Carol. I live in Glendale, Arizona, but orginally from the FAR south side of Chicago. I have a wonderful husband of 42 years, 3 daughters and 5 grandkids I adore.

I have been lurking since 2006 but I don't do a lot of positing.

I enjoy cooking, but not baking. I love making candy for gifts at Christmas and as I write this I have my first batch of tamales steaming.

I love doing counted cross stitch and reading. My favorite author is Debbie Macomber.

Chase, thanks for starting this tread. It is really fun reading about other and their interests.

Tamales, huh! Would you mind posting your recipe? I made a bunch last year for the first time but was not thrilled with them.

TIA
jude

Been on these forums since some time in the mid-90s or so (when Spike was new and before the $15 thing came about); had to re-register in 2002 because of some site changes. Started in the garden forums and now read through a bunch. Long time lurker, infrequent poster. Mostly haunt the Appliances, Kitchens, Cooking, Pets, Buying/Selling Homes and some of the Garden forums. Enjoy cooking, reading, sitting on my patootie doing nothing and traveling. Used to collect depression glass but haven't purchased anything in a long time. Love going to antique stores (looky-lou!) and enjoy old cars (both looking at and working on). My favorite outdoor activity is riding my motorcycle. I'll spend a whole day riding the back roads, going 300+ miles in a day.

Been married for 17+ years; one son who is married with a step grandchild. My son is deploying to the mid-East early next year. We have animals but we're down to a bird (17+) and a cat (16+). No more coming in because they live so long!

I work from home and most people think I'm insane. They're probably right but the voices in my head tell me I'm A-Ok! *grin*

I came in on Texas Gardening but made my way here very soon after that have been a LONG time lurker. I will probably seem creepy to yall because I know so much about you and you don’t know me at all LOL. I live in Houston but grew up in central Texas about an hour from where your very own Lars was raised. I’m 46, male, owner of a beautiful pug named Sweetpea, love to cook, and have been inspired by each and every one of you.

I have never been so happy for an "imaginary friend" as I was for Annie when she met Ellery. Loved reading about your courtship. No one was ever more deserving of a nice guy. (Does he have a brother? LOL). I think I may even have cried.

Loved Evil Jessie from the very start for her bawdy sense of humor. She coined the term "food porn" if I remember correctly!

Watching Bobby turn into the confident cook he is has been inspirational too. You all have really inspired him – just as you have me. I’m much more of a LindaC-type cook – recipes are only a guide. Recently got a new gas range. I look forward to participating instead of lurking. Thank you Miss Chase for starting this thread and for finally getting me to participate after all these years!

Wow, all the new names: Kyle (and Sweetpea), Dee, Carol, Lori, Cheryl, Mandie, Jackie, June, Donna, Marsha, Kathy, Chrissy, Robert, Aprile, Joan, Betsy, Mara and my favorite name - Coconut!

Welcome everyone!

And Deb - what the heck did you do with your children? I don't remember them tweens!

PS: Love the Miss Chase, reminds me of the wonderful time we had in Louisiana on our road trip...but suspect you knew that.

hugs

Sharon

I love seeing all the "lurkers" come out to play with us, our group is suddenly much bigger, which gives me the opportunity to meet even more of you!

Annie

Alexa

Please...lurk no more! You have much to offer, whether you think so or not!

Linda

In my 20s and early 30s, I lived in San Francisco for 12 years and was briefly a pastry chef at a very ditzy restaurant run by hippies. I was also designing and making clothes at the same time and quit my restaurant job when I started making ladies' evening wear on a regular basis, working with two other designers. After going back to university for a design degree, I settled in L.A. where I now work as a furniture designer. It's very important for me to be involved with doing something creative or else I am not happy. Cooking frequently fulfills that need. Creative writing is another outlet!!

Lars

DH came from a background of women who had a hard time even using a can opener so he thinks anything I do in the kitchen is perfect. I come over from the kitchen forum after remodeling. I remember spike and the tea cups so I must have been here for a while. I mostly lurk and sometime post I really enjoy hearing about everyone’s daily happenings. I don’t think Annie knows just how many people were wishing her and Elery happiness on her wedding day. I have become a much better cook for having found this place so I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.

DH is getting ready to retire and when he asks me where I want to go and what I want to do I told him I have a long list of people I would like to meet so a road trip across the USA and Canada may be in my future. I would love to meet as many of you as I can in the coming years. And I never knew I would want to visit the Canary Islands I showed DH SharonCB’s pictures and he said lets go.

My week has gone from annoying when my salad spinner broke, I didn’t know I needed one until I came here, to really bad this morning when my 2 year and 3 day old washing machine decided it didn’t like living here anymore. I would go over to the appliance forum but I believe Jessica when she says they are more brutal and much worse that hot topics. This time I will buy the extended warranty. Anyone have a recommendation on a machine that will last more than a couple of years?

Claudia

I first found this place while I was searching for a great new range for a kitchen remodel (LaCanche thread #9,425? Hi Deb!) I love to cook, mostly by instinct, so I particularly like checking in for inspiration and ideas. You probably won't see me posting too many detailed recipes, as I rarely write things down when I cook, and if I start with a recipe, I can never leave it completely as is.

I grew up in Detroit and still have lots of family in MI. And though we consider moving back to MI, it never seems to quite right to do so. But we try to visit at least 2-3 times/year. I'm a graphic designer and I've had my business for more than 15 years, lucky enough to work at home these days. And a very dear friend calls me OP (for ocean person) since I love being in/on/under/at the ocean. Oh, and I grow a kitchen garden in my front yard (yesterday, I made a batch of pickles from the latest cucumber crop).

I like to cook but DH hates to try out new foods so I enjoy the posts and enjoy cooking vicariously through everyone's adventures here. I look forward to family get togethers so I can try out recipes I find here and everyone always comments how good everything is. This is the forum I check most often and occasionally have something I can contribute to but I also check out other sites in GW when I have other relevent issues. The posters here are great people and are very encouraging and helpful to anyone wanting answers, I marvel at the generosity. This is a good place.

Terry

I'm married (almost 40 years!) to John, mother of 2 remarkable children and grandmother of 3 even more remarkable children.

Thank you to everyone for being so generous with your knowledge and recipes.

Peace,
Cathy (aka ML)

Live in Iowa, dutch community not far from Lindac. Two grown children with 9 grandchildren who live in St. Louis and KC. I have turned my hobby(hubby calls habit) into a part time business, selling hostas at the local farmers market.

Enjoy readying all the post of recipes and TGF, just to see what is going on in others lives. Now with this post of introductions may it be easier for the lurkers to come on out and join in the fun of the forum......

Happy Cooking to all!

Ann Arbor has Trader Joe's of course, and Whole Foods, and Home Goods and IKEA and Zingerman's Deli, it could be a whole day, LOL.

Annie

I'm Lori and have been with the CF for about 7 or 8 years. I live in the Dallas, TX area and have been divorced for a few years now. I have two children, both of whom are now married. My son and his wife, who have been married 2 years now, live across town from me, while my daughter & her family live in NY, where I originally grew up. She has 2 little ones, and I'm over the moon being a "Noni"!!

I also have two little fur babies, one a cockapoo and the other a combo of a Jack Russell Terrier and a Shih Tzu (she looks more like a Jack Russell). They're devoted, following me around wherever I go, funny, and drive me crazy a lot of the time!

I love cooking. It's generally the one thing I'm up to do, even if I'm feeling down. I downsize recipes when cooking for myself, but love having my son & his wife, and my brother and his family over - I love feeding a 'crowd'!

I have a food blog, All That Splatters, that I enjoy working on. It's often what inspires me to try new recipes, which I love.

Thanks again to everyone here - I have learned something from you all!!

Lori

I'm Lori (shocking, I know) and if you're new within the last two years, you probably don't know me. I'm in New England, a 42 yr old widow with 5 kids ages 8-30. (well, two stepsons, but I claim them as my own as often as I can). Next month will be two years since I lost my husband very suddenly. (Still miss you every day, hon!) This forum got me through it (understatement).

Since then I don't hang out here nearly as much as I would like to (mostly lurk) because of a lack of time. Currently busy on the college hunt for my 17 yr old HS senior. My cooking is okay, although much improved by this forum, but my true love is baking, which I've started up again, not every day like before, but 3-4 days a week.

I have a WONDERFUL new man in my life (should probably post an update on conversations!!!!!), and he has a sweet tooth, so I'm back in the baking frame of mind and thrilled.

I first came here in 2000-ish and remember Spike and the teacups. I miss participating in the swaps, conversation, and friendships here...the best place on the net!!

Or rather, the beginning of a delicious love story...

As for me, I'm Marysol. I've been roaming the halls of GW since 1997. I started out on The Kitchen Table. Then moved to Recipe Exchange, and on to other forums, until I finally settled on this one.
This site has changed a lot over the years, but the Cooking forum remains pretty much the same. Different people, similar subjects.

DH and I own an antiques business. I also have a website and a food blog. All of which keep me too busy to post here as often as I'd like.

Welcome newbies. Enjoy your stay.

Sol

Jessica, the Reader's Digest Condensed Version: I was married 30 years, my ex-husband spent a lot of the "family" money building a house which was supposed to be sold for profit. Instead he moved out and into the new house, which he had actually built for his girlfriend. I didn't understand, filed for divorce. I was hurt, angry, and spent my 50th birthday no where near the point in life I thought I'd be. The forum threw me a birthday party, the first I'd ever had! Evil Jessica came to Michigan with her boys and visited. I dated a couple of guys, better left unmentioned. The boss signed me up for eHarmony, LOL, that's where she met her husband. A man from Texas flew up on his own plane to meet me, I met a popcorn farmer from Texas, a pastor from Pennsylvania. Then I met Elery.

He managed to ride my horse, impress my Dad and live through the Redneck Bonanza, so I decided to keep him. Fortunately, he also decided to keep me.

We were married a year in May and spent our honeymoon at Joe's Gizzard City. (grin) Well, actually, we've been to nashville to see the Rockettes, to California to visit his grandsons, to South Padre Island, to Chicago. We really DID go to Joe's Gizzard City, though.

Some of the pictures are gone, but here are some past threads...

Second (I think) date:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cooking/gal0512482214381.html

Proposal:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cooking/gal0901265920666.html

Wedding:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cooking/gal050003525819.html

And a family get-together not to be missed, The RedNeck Bonanza:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cooking/gal0822502525753.html

That ought to keep you entertained for a while, LOL.

Annie

I love Annie's love story...

Lori, 38 people???!?!?!??? wow! and yes, you DO need to post on conversations...we need an update. :-)

And where the heck have you found 38 people to cook for?

Annie

I am also a technical writer for a government contractor, but work part time now. I mostly lurk, and am amazed by how much I've learned from you folks over the past few years! Y'all have been my personal cooking school, and my family thanks you. My girls love to cook, and my husband is finally learning now that my job requires me to travel every now and then.

DH and I live in 'out in the sticks' in the north Idaho panhandle. I am the director for our (small) library system and he works at home doing custom woodworking. He says he's going to retire, and is bucking for househusbandship, but he is still in demand and can't quite turn down work in order to cook and clean. He does manage to keep things tidied up and cooks a bit. We have a 24 year-old daughter, Liana, who graduated from college two years ago and became an instant casualty of our poor economy. She has finally connected with a decent job a block from my work and (yay!) moved into town, leaving us with two dogs, an old cat, and our newest addition....a black kitten named Moki.

I live 14 miles from a grocery store and so have a large pantry that I like to keep stocked because I absolutely hate running out of anything. I gave up gardening when my job went full time, but in the last couple of years we have gotten back into it. Last year the househusband tilled up even more ground, giving us about 1/3 acre to plant. I do a lot of canning and dehydrating, and work with our County Extension teaching classes.. The lumber mills that supported our community are mostly gone, and there has been a huge resurgence in gardening, canning, and all that other back-to-the-land stuff. For me it's a quality issue more than an economic issue....homegrown/home canned is simply better. And it's good for my health and my soul.

Nice to meet and re-meet everyone!

On each of the forums, have started back on the last pages and worked my way up thru as many threads as possible. Just a great way to absorb so much of the information and get to know people. It's amazing the diversity in age, background, etc of all the people and how close they are.

I live in a townhouse with my one tuxedo furkid Sid and love to dig in the dirt... and paint. Cooking is great when there's plenty of time. I'm one of the recent victims of layoff and am looking forward to working again to get enough income to start some canning.

It's been a great pleasure getting to know all of you!!

Special welcome to newbies, lurkers, and familiar folks and regulars too!
Smiles,
Sooz

Thanks you to everyone for your help and inspiration.

Mary

My name is Becky (big surprise) and I live on the Central Coast of California (another big surprise LOL).

My husband and I have been married 16 years and between us we have 5 kids, all grown and gone except for the baby boy who just turned 15 and is a freshman in HS. We also have two canine furbabies named Hawkeye and Libby - littermates we got from the SPCA a little over a year ago. Plus my husband's large freshwater aquarium, a parakeet and a gecko named Spot. No grandkids yet, but I'm looking forward to being a Mimi :-)

I love to cook, and at one time thought I'd like to do it professionally. After taking a few classes at the junior college a few years ago I changed my mind and decided that it was okay to just be my family's personal chef. I'm fortunate that my family really enjoys trying new recipes, and we also love to pair food and our local wines.

Other than cooking, I love to sew - mostly quilting, but I make bags and home dec items too. I also like to read, but find that it cuts into my sewing time unless I can get an audiobook.

I've been frequenting the forums here off and on for about 10 years - I think I originally found them through the home decorating forum. I don't post all that often, but I read most mornings while I wake up with my coffee. And I know if I have a question that I can get a quick answer here :-)

Bon Appetit!

Becky

I love to cook & bake , luckily have a DH that will eat whatever is placed in front of him and often a few Gkids underfoot who know just where the cookie jar is.

I have been lurking on and off for years. This is my go-to place for tried and true recipes. I am 47, originally from Puerto Rico, but now live in Sonoma County, Northern California. Living here, I feel really spoiled by the bounty of year-round, locally-grown produce. I love cooking. I find it very relaxing.

I live with my husband, Mike, and our golden retriever, Maddie. I have 19 and 23 year old sons, one who likes to eat, and one who likes to cook just as much as I.

Ann

Cotehele is my 8 year old rescue golden. I discovered the Kitchen forum almost three years ago when we began planning a new kitchen. I wandered over here after seeing the Cooking forum mentioned occasionally. Every one is so nice I am still here.

Ours is a one cook kitchen. I enjoy creative cooking. What that really means is I like the challenge of making dinner from what ever is in the fridge and seldom use a recipe. I love baking anything sweet and breads.

Indiana has been home for almost 28 years of our 35 year marriage. Our DS graduated from college in May and was married in July. DH would like to retire soon; whether or not he will depends on DS & DDIL's grad school plans. I practiced and/or taught nursing for 20 years. Went back to grad school for historic preservation, managed a professional orchestra. I am enjoying my new kitchen and bakery.

Judy

If I remember correctly, I signed up the first time in 2002. It was definitely in the days of Spike and membership fees. Annie1992 enticed me to rejoin in 2007, although I had been lurking the year I didn’t post.

I'm 48, married to a wonderful guy, no kids -- unless you count a persnickety feline child substitute. I am a GRITS (Gal Raised in the South), but have lived in the southeast, Ohio Valley and west. We figure we’ll be here another year or two, then off to another part of the country.

I worked many years in the restaurant business, and we owned a food-centric business until 2007. For years and years, DH and I were together nearly 24/7 because we worked together, but now his job takes him on the road for a month or so at a time. As a result, I don't cook nearly as much as in the past. (And when he's home, he cooks, which is something he does very, very well.)

I have been here on and off for 8 1/2 years now! I think I was first directed here from a search about philodendrons, hence my user name. Then I slowly meandered to the cooking forum. I check in from time to time - something got me thinking about the group yesterday and I decided to log on. :)

I have three wonderful children, ages nearly 6 (in two days!), 3, and 8 months. I am married to a teacher of economics and history and we live on the campus of a boys' boarding school in New York state, not that far from Stacy3.

In my spare time LOL I love to sew, read, cook, and blog. I have a private blog for friends and family to keep up with the kids, and it's been a blast to keep it up in various forms since David was a mere tot. I have another blog that talks mostly about motherhood, childbirth and pregnancy called The Deranged Housewife, of which our very own Netla was gracious enough to "follow," putting me on the map that is Google Search. (Thank you, Netla!) (A native of Iceland, she has a wonderful blog with photos too, that I often look at ...just a quick plug there...LOL)

I am a freelance writer/editor/sort of graphic designer and work from home when I can get assignments. Most of my work now is volunteering my graphic design "skills" (I use that term lightly sometimes LOL) for my son's school.

I enjoy cooking not so much for the meal preparation but I love feeding people. I consider it such a wonderful blessing to have family or guests around my table to cook for. I overheard a woman at the store the other day talking about how she's going on a Mexican vacation over Christmas and is excited to not have to cook. I thought, you can keep your vacation because I'd rather cook for my friends and family!

And now I must stop blathering on in order to prevent my infant son from eating the Persian rug...excuse me.

Phyllis that's interesting that your in-laws met in Majorca (Mallorca). It is such a beautiful and romantic place that I never went back to Canada to live.

Here's one of my favourite villages on that island, Valldemossa, where Frederik Chopin spent a winter.

SharonCb

I am originally from South Dakota and Iowa. I am married to my best friend, Mike. We have two boys, Kiel (pronounced Kyle) 24 and Kelly 21. We don't have grandchildren, but Kelly and his GF will probably give us a few. Kiel and his GF? Not interested. We operate a party rental store and have for most of our married life. We plan to retire in Montana at some point.

I am mostly a lurker here and post mostly at the KT. I love to see everyone's food photos. I love to cook, especially when my DH or boys want to help. We then call it "Hell's Kitchen", without the hell. We are foodies and we admit it. We are always trying new things. And most of them are made up. We may see something somewhere and just make it the way we think it would be delicious. Our boy's girlfriends love eating at our house, so that makes me feel great.

My sister and my MIL live with us, so we have a house full. When everyone leaves, we will suffer major empty nest syndrome...or maybe we will celebrate. LOL