Okay, so I confess. I saw that DaMomma tagged me early in the afternoon on Tuesday and I was in shock. Total shock. Like Does she really know who I am? shock. Even after more than two years at this, sometimes I feel like I am just talking to myself. But then again, I felt that way at the newspaper too. Anyway, when she left a comment on my blog, I knew I had to get moving on the posting.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with DaMomma, she’s a mommy blogger who published a book last year and writes about her adventures mothering two daughters. I’ve been following her blog for about two years now, and really get a kick out of her stories. And knowing that she has segwayed her blogging into several impressive paying gigs is great inspiration too.

First, the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

2. Share five random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.

3. Share the five top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list.

4. Tag a minimum of five random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment in their blog.

And we’re off . . .

1) I was tagged by DaMomma.

2) Five Random/Weird Facts About Me:

1. I was afraid of cooking when I was younger. I mean sure, I could bake with the best of them, but when it came to experimenting — well, it terrified me. Perhaps that’s why my onion soup, vegetarian goulash, and potato soup were all shockingly similar. Actually, they tasted exactly the same. …
2. I watched Dirty Dancing so many times as a child — not a teen, as a child — that I wore out the VHS tape. And I would pause the movie when Patrick Swayze got out of bed every time. What can I say? He was cute! Oh, and I still watch it now and again, much to my husband’s chagrin (but I don’t pause anymore … really) …
3. Some people complain about doing laundry. I hate it with such a passion that I just don’t do it. My husband (my wonderful, kind, caring, generous husband) does the laundry for me … except for the children’s, which I pitch in on. Sometimes …
4. The town I live in currently happens to be the same town that my grandmother and all her cousins lived in as children. But I didn’t grow up here — Shawn and I just settled here when we got married. Coincidentally, my cousin owns a farm that abuts my property. …
5. I once worked as a kitchen helper for a well-to-do couple in New York. They lived on Central Park West and had an amazing apartment. My job? To serve and clear the plates. And they let me eat too … the little new potatoes with creme fraise and caviar were my favorite. That really opened my eyes to food.

3) Top five places I want to see or see again:

1. London – I have been to London three times and I never get tired of it. It’s high time for another trip.
2. Egypt – I am fascinated by pyramids and ancient history.
3. Paris – I’ve been to Paris twice before, but have never taken the time to actually enjoy the food. Last time, all I ate was streetside crepes (with sweet fillings) and baguettes with tomato, lettuce and cheese. I want to go back for a food tour of the city and experience the farm markets, the great French cuisine and the amazing cheese mongers.
4. Tuscany – This was DaMomma’s number 4 as well. After seeing Under the Tuscan Sun, I was hooked. I have to go and see this beautiful area of Italy for myself.
5. Ireland – I love a good pint of Guinness. Where better to have one then in Ireland? But seriously, everyone I know who has gone has raved about the beauty. It’s high on my list …

4) Tag at least five friends

• Cate at Sweetnicks
• Patti at Late Bloomer Boomer
• Angel at Chocolate Shakti
• Rachel at Fairy Cake Heaven
• The frolicking one at Virtual Frolic

I have never been the one whose hand shot up first to volunteer in class or the first in line. That’s just not me. I am more of an observer. I like to watch and analyze before I jump into things, so I know what I am getting into. But this meme looked like fun, so I decided to just jump right in. Yes, I volunteered!

Special thanks to Ilva for her thoughtful questions. She really took time to develop questions specifically about each interviewee.

Unfortunately I don’t have a recent photo to share, but I do have the answers to her questions.

Have you always been interested in food or did it come gradually?
I’ve always loved food, but my interest in cooking has come and gone. As a young child, I loved sampling my grandmother’s food as she cooked. And in my early teen years, I was eager to learn to cook. By the time I reached college it was a necessity since little cafeteria foods met my then-vegetarian lifestyle. However, after a health scare and college graduation, my interest in cooking waned. In fact, I refused to cook for several year for a couple of reasons. For one, I didn’t know how to cook meat at all and was afraid to “mess it up.” And two, I didn’t want to fall into the “women must cook” stereotype. But by the time I got married, I was all about cooking again and designed a kitchen around what I expected to be doing in there (and have done). After I had Will, my cooking took on a new direction as I abandoned most processed foods in favor of fresh fruits, veggies and meats. (Fish too.)

When you travel, what is the most likely thing you bring back home?
Ooh. This is a tough one. It really depends on where I am travelling to. If it’s a day trip to New York or a voyage to Europe, it’s usually something food-related such as chocolate from France, tea from Great Britain or pastries from New York. Domestically and to the Caribbean, it’s usually clothes. But actually, on every trip I return with something for my brother and sister. So maybe that is my best answer.

Your favourite film? Or films because I know it can be difficult to too choose just one sometimes.
You are so right about that! I think if I had to pick one movie, it would be the Wizard of Oz. I love the Wicked Witch of the West’s laugh (and actually have a photo of her in my office and am reading Wicked, a book from her perspective). But I love a lot of films for different reasons. I love the Star Wars movies (particularly the originals) because of the wonderful fictitious worlds that they opened up beyond the one we know. I love Dirty Dancing for all the great dancing. Casablanca and Gone With The Wind are two wonderful, beautiful classics. And then there are movies that are just for fun, like Clueless. Those kinds of movies are great escapes from reality when you are really stressed.

I know that you like Martha Stewart and I wonder what it is in her that makes you like her so much?
Martha Stewart is a highly successful woman executive with a very interesting past. She and I went to the same college (Barnard) and rumors were rampant about how she put herself through school and whatnot. So even though I had grown up groaning whenever my mother and grandmother would turn on her show, I became fascinated by her. I read her unauthorized biography in college (definitely worth a read – it was so interesting). And after I started this blog, my interest in her was renewed because of her successes in the culinary field with her shows and books. I don’t know if I would say I like her so much as I am interested in her. There are without doubt some unsavory aspects of her – like her illegal activities (which to be fair, she has been punished for already) .

Where did you grow up and what was it like?
I grew up in Dutchess County, New York, about an hour north of New York City. During my childhood, my family and I would go into New York pretty frequently so I always felt like I belonged there. So it was no surprise when I decided to head there for college. But the area I grew up in? There were wonderful meat markets, pastry shops and farm markets. One of my favorite things about it is that there were neighborhoods and it was safe to play in the street. It was a nice place, and the appreciation for fresh meats and whatnot is something I have definitely carried with me.

Alright, so that’s me. What about you?

DIRECTIONS FOR THE INTERVIEW MEME
1. Leave a comment saying, “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. Beware, I’m not shy of asking personal questions! Please make sure I have your email address.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.