Grannydragon

about me

Hello!

Have had a home near Portland, Oregon, USA, for nearly 50 years. I am a portrait artist, International Fine Art Judge, in active statis. World traveler. People lover! Friend collector, with a great sense of humor.

Was in a wheelchair for 6 years, but am now walking with a cane, 2 to 4 miles, every day. Ready to walk on the wall on of China, if the opportunity arises. Just returned from New Zealand. My list of countries to see next are Japan,Ireland, China and South Africa.

Belong to the Red Hat Society. Retired costume designer, retired accountant with MBA. Retired art teacher.

Wife, mother, grandmother (7) and great-grandmother (3). Sew, cook, avid reader, was a life long gardener, with a love for roses. collect international dolls and teaspoons from travels. Used to entertain a great deal.

Recently down-sized to a small cottage that I love! Small garden is becoming a lovely showplace.

Sweet old husband (of nearly 50 yrs) will try anything I cook up. Am a very adventurous cook. Once when living for 2 years in the interior of Venezuela (husband's work) our 8 yr.old son carried in a dead Iguana, requesting that I cook it up, as Iguana tail was considered a delicacy, so he said. I told him I surely would, if he were to bring me a freshly dead one, that had not laid out on the road for 3 days in 114F degree heat, as I had had my eye on the one he had carried in! Got out of that one!

Favorite Foods:

I love food! Love to eat! Lemons! Limes! Chocolate! Spices! Garlic! Fresh Herbs! Fresh veggies! Recipes with coffee! Gluten Free! Diabetic! International cooking! Kitchen adventures! Ah, the wonder of it all!

Early on in our marriage, I decided one could make as big a mess cooking any old thing, so why not put some adventure into it. Both Grandmothers and mother were good German cooks. Mother-in-law was the one into cooking adventures. I have simply become carried away with cooking and adventures. Two grown daughters cannot or do not cook, nor care to. Now, the grown son has always been a great cook. And the daughter of my heart wants to learn all I know.

Unfortunately, I discovered, in 1995, that I am Celiac, (cannot even breath wheat flour) as are my children and 58 known cases in the family. Do you think it is hereditary? LOL! Also, now I am controled diabetic. So there have been many late life changes in our cooking/eating habits. I am now able to modifiy most recipes to suit our needs. There is truly no limit of fine recipes. I council or mentor Celiacs and their doctors across the USA via computer.

Have too many favorites to select one. Make my own mayo, catsup, mustard, salad dressings and sauces. Seldom do desserts, but do love them. Only thing I have found I truly do not like is, jimica, to me, it tastes like soapsuds, but one can always substitute with a wonderful radish.

If I could be a spice I would want to be cinnamon or nutmeg or even cayenne.

Every Day is a magical adventure!img src="http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/susied214/permanent%20collection/PAC08Main.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

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