In thinking of all the many hats I have worn in my life, I would have to say the most comfortable one next to being a Mom has been to be a cook. I have never quite understood the difference between a cook and a chef...oh yes, the training and the degree. However, unlike many professions...in the culinary realm of life...I truly think there is a great deal of overlap. There need not be formal training to enjoy cooking, be inventive and creative in the kitchen and be able to prepare outstanding dishes. There must be a passion however...and that cannot be taught anywhere but in your own soul.

That being said, I love to cook and I have a passion for the business of being in the kitchen and creating something wonderful. The second, and no less an ingredient in my passion is cooking with and for others. My blog and writings are a way of sharing that with others with whom I have not had the pleasure of joining me at my table.

The sharing of recipes and sharing of stories are a big part of me and my life. My children, my pets, my friends, travels and experiences have all inersected with my cooking along the way. They have flavored and seasoned each recipe and made it take on a life of its own.

As a now empty nester...how I truly hate that phrase- I am cooking in different ways and once again, the dishes take on the ingredients of a new path and a new life. I still long for the visits when I can use more pans and set more places but I also look ahead excitedly when those places where I will be cooking and gathering my memories for ingredients.

I miss having a huge garden to visit each morning as the sun comes up to see the bounty, I miss four or five dogs following me through the yard and waiting for something to escape my basket and topple to the ground, and the gentle nuzzles along the walk. I miss a huge kitchen with enough space to feed a small army.

Ahead... lots more writing, more travel, and along the way, more cooking. Watching the lives of my three kids unfold as they dream they will and enjoying the many new paths they will take me along with them. Yes, life is very full, in and out of the kitchen and I love very last drop.

check out my blog- http://nexttothelastdrop.wordpress.com