I believe there are two categories of cooks – those who cook so others can enjoy the food, and those who cook so they can enjoy the food.  I happen to fall into the second category, so my family and friends are often served creations from my kitchen which incorporate my favorite food groups:  cheese, bread, and potatoes (preferably french fried), and we almost never have the same thing twice.  I always thought this was the case in every household until I met my mother-in-law, who will not eat anything made with cheese, mayonnaise, milk, or processed meat products.  I discovered this at our wedding shower when she didn’t eat, even though there was creamy olive dip, cocktail hot dogs, cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese, and chicken salad.  However, she makes some of the best homemade macaroni and cheese, ham salad, and cheesecake.  Go figure.  She once asked me if there was any food I didn’t like…I was stumped.

Encouraging my children to be adventurous eaters and healthy eaters is important to me, too.  I try to cook new foods often and buy as much natural and organic food as I can.  This new year gives me a fresh start to share all the cooking, baking, and drinking going on in my kitchen as I explore my roots, my cookbooks, and continue my quest for the perfect pancake recipe.

Cheers!