latest update, as all my fb friends know i have been very ill for the past 4 mos, but now i am on the road ro recovery. i've had 2 surgeries and broke nt elbow a week after the first one, which basically incapacitatedme forr 2 mos. happy to say i am doing pt, anf will hopefully be able to cook again i stopped working so i could spend more time in my fla house renovating, but this was a minor setback, going to do the bathrooms this summer.   in NY i used to have an (at home) jewelry business, but i incorporated it into the store's gift dept., they sell it for me now. cooking is my passion, my hobby, my relaxation, but i love going out for a good meal anytime. being born and growing up in manhattan, ny gave me the opportunity to try many new foods over the years, in many great restaurants. and travelling with my dh enlightened me to the wonderful ingredients and cuisines of san francisco, among other places. the new corporate spouse deal is to do a day of cooking lessons/lunch, and shopping, so i have seen demo classes in ft lauderdale, san antonio, atlanta in the past few years plus taken a few cooking classes in chinese dim sum and noodles in joseph poon's, in philly. several years ago i had the pleasure of being on several of the food network shows, ready set cook and taste test, which was like food jeopardy. i didn't win either, but it was so much fun! and before that, i was on wheel of fortune! yes, with pat and vanna. i was the big winner, and i won a trip to hong kong for a week, somewhere i never would have seen otherwise- i have 4 daughters, 3 gkids and 1 on the way-- so far   last year we bought a home in fla, i love it there and next thing on the list id ripping up and renovating the 25 yr old kitchen though i have to say as a vacation home it is rather charming i collect cookbooks, read them like novels, i love murder/food novels by tamara myers, selma eichler, dianne mott davison,etc, and i love cooking gadgets as well.my kids tell me i am easy to shop for, lol, if it is food related they know i'll love it. src=http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b280/carolinamoon21/Derfcookathon.jpg alt=Image hosted by Photobucket.com>