Rhubarb Touch

After a busy workweek, I enjoy entertaining small groups on the weekend. I also do a lot of baking for friends and relatives during the holidays.

It's a great time to fuss a little on fancy cookies and desserts. But the kids always say I can never go wrong with my well-liked banana nut bread and chocolate chip cookies.

I like to experiment with new recipes (I have 300 cookbooks) and especially like to make casseroles, soups, quick breads, cookies and some of the German dishes my mom passed down. My favorites include sauerbraten, Wiener schnitzel and roast pork.

As her only daughter, I helped Mom a lot in the kitchen while I was growing up. My five brothers were voracious eaters! Mother canned everything from our huge garden, such as beans, corn and other vegetables, as well as apples and peaches.

I will admit that at first I did not have a burning desire to learn how to cook, but it grew on me! As a 4-H member, I learned basic food skills. With that, along with my experience at home, I began to really enjoy preparing meals.

Music has been another lifelong interest and led to my career. I've been playing piano and organ since I was very young. For the last 18 years or so, I have worked in the music department at Utah State University, where I am a staff assistant.

I'm also the organist in my church and play my flute and piccolo in a community band. Our band plays in many parades, and we give concerts throughout the Cache Valley.

I swam competitively in the past …and am still an avid swimmer. In my spare time, I like to make pictures by typing characters on my typewriter to form different patterns and designs. Some of these unusual creations have won blue ribbons at county fairs. I've been successful with fair entries of foods and embroidery, too.

Nowadays, spending time with my children and grandchildren is my greatest pleasure. I try to do as much with them as possible. Often that includes gathering for a meal, such as the one I'm sharing with you here. I hope you decide to try it soon…and that it's as popular at your house as it is at mine!