While I enjoy most types of cooking, baking is my favorite.  My husband's family has an annual "cook-off" where several family members compete against each other for bragging rights.  I'm happy to say I've won the dessert category for 4 out of the last 6 years.  I also cake decorate and have been called upon by family to make cakes for graduations, baby showers, birthdays and even my brother-in-law's wedding.

 

One of my greatest cooking in influences came from my grandmother, who seemed to always have baked goods of some type in her house, which was across the street from my parents' house. Her specialties were molasses crumb cake, strawberry pie, and apple tarts.  In addition to her baking, she made excellent pot roast dinners as well as great creamed cabbage and wonderful home made applesauce.  Fresh vegetables often came right from her garden and she would can pears from a tree next to her house.