For over 20 years I worked out of my home office as an advertising media professional, with ample time to leave my desk and play in the kitchen.  Mostly self-taught, I inherited the love of cooking and sharing from the women who raised me – my mother, grandmothers, and one great grandmother.  The older two generations never followed recipes, but used their instincts and skills handed down from their forebears.  I will use recipes as a cheat sheet, but enjoy tweaking, substituting, and re-engineering, and encourage you to do the same.  I’m proud of my husband and son for becoming enthusiastic sous chefs who can put a meal together on the fly when they feel like it.  And nothing is more fun than watching my two miniature schnauzers dig their little bearded faces into a bowl of leftover fettuccine bolognese as a special treat.  Now that I’ve retired from advertising, I’m even more committed to cooking almost all our meals and baking all our breads, rolls, and desserts.