@Aikiwoman
I am an elementary school teacher in San Diego, California who originally hails from New York City. I have 2 kids, son and daughter, and one grandchild on the way. I love to cook and bake, mostly because when I was growing up, my mother did not like to cook. I was fascinated by reading cookbooks and watching cooking shows on television. My father was a professional cake baker who owned his own bakery. Before he passed away, he gifted my with all of his recipes (in huge quantities, however.) True to my roots, I have begun baking more and more. In my spare time, I study the Japanese martial arts of "aikijutsu" and kenjutsu (Japanese sword with live blade). My husband and I started a home garden in which all the vegetables and fruits are organically raised. We also have two compost heaps busily cooking away one is the "traditional" kind (if there is a traditional compost), and the other is a vermicomposting heap. I really enjoy cooking for my family and friends, and holidays are the time when we all get together to enjoy each other.