I was invited (I hang my head in shame) weeks ago to partake in the Food Bloggers Unplugged Questionnaire and promised Ronnie at Morris Town Memos who invited me that I would get to doing the post “soon” – well soon seems to have come and gone a month ago, but better late than never they say, here I am today, taking part and paying the fun forward. Thanks again Ronnie and my sincere apologies for the lateness in taking part.
1. What or who inspired you to start your blog?
My hubby Pete. After I wrote my book “The Complete Cook Book”, Pete suggested I start a blog sharing my book online. Here I am over a year later and thoroughly enjoying my time posting recipes and sharing more about our life.
2. Who is your foodie inspiration?
Hands down , my mom. Where would any of us be without the guidance and advice from our moms!
3. Your greasiest most batter splattered cook book is?
This would have to be the book I am STILL “borrowing” from my mom – her late mom’s “Woman’s Home Companion Cook Book” excerpts of which I am sharing with you, my readers. Yes, I will return it to my mom just as soon as I have shared the last chapter with you.
4. The best thing you have ever eaten in another country, where was it and what was it?
I’m not sure I have eaten “whatever” this is yet – but to date, it would have to be dhalpouri’s and roti’s from when we were living in Mauritius.
5. Another Food Blogger’s table you would like to eat at?
There are so many that it is honestly very difficult to name just one, however, in the spirit of the game, I would have to say Celi over at The Kitchen’s Garden. Celi is the most inspirational and remarkable woman who with her hubby John are all about sustainable micro farming in an organic environment out on the Prairies of the MidWest. Simply put; growing their own food and cooking it. Celi is an endless fountain of information and I learn something new every day I visit her incredible blog.
There are so many that it is honestly very difficult to name just one, however, in the spirit of the game, I would have to say Celi over at The Kitchen’s Garden. Celi is the most inspirational and remarkable woman who with her hubby John are all about sustainable micro farming in an organic environment out on the Prairies of the MidWest. Simply put; growing their own food and cooking it. Celi is an endless fountain of information and I learn something new every day I visit her incredible blog.
6. What one kitchen gadget would you like Santa to bring you? (if money were no object)
Well if money were no object, I would say a KitchenAid with all the extra attachments.
7. Who taught you how to cook?
My mom.
8. I’m coming to you for dinner, what is your signature dish?
I can’t say that I really have a signature dish, I go through stages of “specialities” but if I really had to say just one thing – cupcakes so I guess you won’t be enjoying a very nutritious dinner here then.
9. What is your guilty food pleasure?
Hmm, depends on my mood but it would definitely be something savoury and no doubt something unhealthy like crisps.
10. Reveal something about yourself that others would be surprised to learn?
I could never kill to eat, not even a fish or a chicken. Bit of a double standard possibly, but I am more than grateful to only see the end result in the butchers fridge.
Lastly I meant to pay this forward to 5 other food bloggers. I have noticed so many of my fellow bloggers in the past weeks take part in this questionnaire, so ask those who have not taken part, to copy and paste these questions and share your answers.
🙂 Mandy
~~Mandy,
I love reading these kind of posts, so I get the opportunity to get to know you better.
I love that your mom is your role model 🙂 Xx
My mom is the best just as yours is Kim. Have a beautiful week ahead. 🙂 xo
Fun to learn more about you! And I love how much you have learned from your mom. 🙂
Thanks Kristy. Mom is awesome! Have a super week. 🙂
Wonderful fun-share-forward… is your cookbook on the American shelves anywhere yet?
Bless You…
Though I grew up at least partially on my grandparents farm, and partook in several hog killings every winter (that produced awesome home-prepared food supplies sparsely found these days anywhere else)…and was good enough a marksman to shame my uncles who intended to make me a hunter, I too can’t kill something, even with the intent to take it as meat…though, I certainly could if it were a necessity.
I can catch and clean fish though…
My uncles and stepbrother who hunted for sport yearly under the guise that it was for meat, were all happy when I stopped going with them. Apparently it is rather embarrassing for hunters to be out shot by someone who was sick all the way home.
Hi Paul, I will have an e-book version available this week! Oh, I do hope still this week!
Strange thing is I can catch a fish no problem, and I always do the scaling, gutting and filleting but that part between catching and cleaning (the killing), I cannot do – I have to turn away and think of warm and fuzzy things while my hubby takes care of that side of business for me.
I can imagine your family’s relief when you announced that you won’t be partaking anymore. 😉
Have a super week ahead. 🙂
Great to learn the back story and a bit more about you. Have to agree with crisps!
Thanks Sally, very kind of you to stop by. Have a super day. 🙂
I only killed once to eat and its a chicken after that traumatic incident, I dont want to do it again.
Glad to know I am not the only one Raymund. Have a great week. 🙂
thanks again for sharing Mandy 🙂
Thanks Tandy. Have a super week. 🙂
Oh I’m dreaming and starting to drool at the thought of your “dhalpouri’s and roti’s from when we were living in Mauritius.”. Lovely to read a bit more about you 🙂
I try not think about them too often Claire, because it just leaves me craving them so much! Have a lovely week ahead. 🙂
I have always wanted to go to Mauritius. I did land there once on my way back from South Africa but we weren’t allowed off the plane. It looked so beautiful from the air. Great to get to know more about you, Mandy.
Hi Claire, I am in the throws of putting a little book together of our time in Mauritius – will hopefully have it available in the next couple of months. Have a super day. 🙂
Your responses were wonderful, Mandy, and I agree with you. It would be fascinating to sit at Celi’s table, wouldn’t it? You, much like your blog, have been a delight to get to know. And your mustard recipe has made me a hero, of sorts, among some friends! 🙂 Thank you for it all!
Hi John, thank you for your very kind words. Wonder if we can all just book our flights and head over to Celi’s for a few days – we could always help with the daily work load to help pay for our supper. 😀 Oh yes, the mustard is delicious – so are you the kind of hero now that wears a cape and the like or just a regular hero? Have a super day. 🙂
Congrats to you and when you pop over for the G&T, we´ll sit and enjoy our guilty pleasure of crisps too!
Oh Tanya how I wish I could book a flight today! Have a lovely week. 🙂
It’s nice to learn more about you. I learn cooking form my mom, too 🙂
Thanks Tes, it is always the best way to learn I think. Have a lovely day. 🙂
I enjoyed our visit to Mauritius, loved the food markets, it must have been great to live there.
Hi Sue, living there is quite different to being on holiday. Don’t get me wrong, we enjoyed our time there but it is very third world, extremely expensive and availability of fresh produce (although improving now) was quite a luxury. The part I really battled with was seeing all of the animals running around covered in mange and sores and were literally skin and bone – I have HUGE issues with things like that! I was in tears so often over seeing the dogs and cats literally dying on the side of the road. On the upside, 2 little “feral” cats found their way into our garden and hearts and we brought them home with us. 😀 Although our other cat was not very happy about the whole deal. Have a super day. 🙂 PS. Don’t think my subscription thingy worked on your blog – will try again now. 🙂
Hi Mandy!
Is so good to get to know you better 🙂
Hi BJB, thanks so much. These are always fun. Have a great day. 🙂
Congrats Mandy, it’s nice to learn a bit more about you!! I’d be happy to stop by for a cupcake dinner!!! But honestly, I know you have so many, many fabulous recipes!
Oh great, so the idea of a cupcake dinner is not completely out of the question then…;-) Have a great week Linda. 🙂
Congrats on this award, and so fun to read more about you, Mandy. I agree wholeheartedly about Celi’s table at the farmy and the wonderful legacy of cooking that moms provide. Now I must get to those awards…it may take me a little while, too, so forgive me! 🙂 Have a great day!
There is no rush Betsy. Have a super day. 🙂
How fun! Love hearing your answers. I learned from my grandmother- a great cook indeed. I still want that cookbook of yours:)
Hi Belle, I think I could get quite a pretty penny for this book if I had to auction it off. Have a great day. 🙂
I loved reading your answers! I’m definitely going to type up some of my own and post too, thanks for sharing all this.
Hi Joanne, I am thrilled that you are going to be playing along. Have a super day. 🙂
Thanks for letting us know a bit about you, Mandy. It’s so interesting. 🙂
Hi Misk, thanks very much, I am pleased you enjoy these posts. Have a super day. 🙂
Congratulations Mandy and thanks to share more a bit of you, have a great week! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the read Katy. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day. 🙂
Congrats on another deserving award Mandy!
Thank you kindly Jed. Have a great day. 🙂
What a great bunch of questions, Mandy! I love your honesty with regards to guilty pleasures, too, haha. I’m so the same way, but trying not to be!
Thanks Georgia. It is not always easy to be good! Have a lovely day. 🙂
I am totally with you on number 10. Hypocrite? Maybe, but I just can’t stomach it.
Hi, welcome and and thanks for stopping by. Good to know I don’t stand alone. Have an awesome day. 🙂
These are always so fun to read!
Thanks Greg, glad you enjoy them. Have a great day. 🙂
So that’s where you get your secret stash of recipes;) I think it’s awesome that you gave a “shout-out” to your mom, you’re so right on that one!! Our moms are (often) such an inspiration!
Absolutely Smidge! 🙂 xo
A delightful read in every way! I say many thanks to your mom too, since she helped shape this wonderful Mandy I so enjoy getting to ‘visit’ here!!
🙂
Kathryn
Kathryn, thank you so much for your very kind love filled words! I am going to share your comment with my mom right now as we are still here visiting until tomorrow. She will be delighted. Have a super weekend. 🙂
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Thanks again for the link back Joanne. have a great day. 🙂