I think I can, I think I can, I think I can Well this week so far has been pretty good for me. I have made 2 different dishes without having to follow 1 specific recipe. I am finally starting to become more comfortable with cooking and can guess how flavors will go together. Don't get me wrong, I have a really long way to go, but it is at least the 1st step right? So it got me thinking, where to go from here. There are a few things that I am terrified to make (even though they are very basic recipes). So that is where I will head next. I am going to conquer my fears.

• Roasted Chicken- I know, I know, everyone tells me it is so incredibly easy, but for some reason this is just a mental block for me. What do I do if it is over cooked? What if It is undercooked? What if it is bland? What if I find out it wasn't all that hard afterwards and lose my #1 cooking fear? It took a long time to develop this one, I don't know that I have the time to replace it.

• Bread- Or more specifically Yeast Breads. Those little packets of yeast just baffle and amaze me. And as I have learned in the garden, anything that is supposed to bloom dies quickly under my watch. And besides, those Mennonite women at the farmers market sell a damn fine loaf of bread, why punish them?

• Layer cakes- I have made exactly 1 cake that has come out with the results I liked, and it came from a box and was in a regular 9x13 dish. Not exactly soemthing to brag about.

• Prime Rib- This is more a monetarty fear than actual cooking. That is a lot of money to throw down if I end up ruining it.

So stand back cooking world and exprienced cooks, I am on a war path. I am whisking and taking names. So next week, one of these will be made and stay tuned for whatever trauma I may face (I am sure there will have to be at least 1).  ¶ 2:43 PM