As you know, I've been following Rachel Ray on The Food Network lately.

And I tend to agree with much of what she says... and lots of the ways she does things... including the whole "garbage bowl" concept.

Well, to an extent...

I think one of the things that Rachel Ray does (for all of the non-cooking aficionados like me) is she makes cooking FUN.

Not only does she use fun & catchy phrases to describe everyday cooking terms, but she really doesn't give a hoot about being precisely accurate or doing things "by the book" when she's cooking. For me, that takes a lot of the stuffiness associated with the act of cooking like a pro.

For me, what it all comes down to is this:
Recipes are meant to be tried, experimented with, and enjoyed... the way you like 'em!

I have to say... I am thoroughly enjoying my latest stint as a "cook". (Of course, I'm using that word loosely.)

This go-around, I've been taking tips from the "pros". Experimenting with lots of fun new easy recipes. And organizing recipes (including photos) in a recipe program I've had for years, but never fully utilized until now.

So far so good. Everything's been edible. And Jim seems to be enjoying this process, as well.

My biggest motivating factor has been The Food Network. For the past few weeks, I've been addicted to the Food channel on TV ...which before now, simply made me hungry. Now, it makes me want to try new things.