Messing Around Can Fun and Scary

I have always loved being in the kitchen or at the grill but I have always just tried things that were familiar and easy to do.  Using canned and prepackaged foods and fixings was very common and comforting.  But now I am trying something new each time I cook.  From making my own soup bases and blends, to artisan baking.  When possible I make my own base ingredients.  But when the recipe is tried and true, or a family favorite, I try to follow the original cook, mostly my Mom's, recipes regardless.  In any case, it is always fun to mess around with new recipes, flavors and techniques.