I’ve been thinking ahead to Tuesdays with Dorie’s 2nd Anniversary, which will be on January 1, 2010. Last year, Dorie herself was kind enough to pick a recipe and play host in honor of our 1st anniversary. This year, I’d like for us all to celebrate. So, with that in mind, for the week of January 5, 2010 we will all vote on a recipe to make. I would like it to be something for a special occasion. Ladies and gentlemen, take out your books and pick a recipe that you’d like to bake in honor of TWD’s 2nd Anniversary. Leave a comment on this post. We will narrow them down at the beginning of December and then vote again.

Lastly, I am not sure I say it enough, thank you for baking along with me every week. I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would still be doing this 2 years, let alone, that hundreds of people would be doing it with me. I know I do not comment on your blogs as much as I should either, but, I enjoy each and every one. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Much love,

Laurie

This week’s host is Pam of Cookies With Boys.
In her bio, she says “I love to cook and bake, and my family loves to eat… especially cookies. Who doesn’t like a cookie?” I’m not sure if I know anyone that DOESN’T like cookies.

Pam has selected Cran Apple Crisps for this week’s TWD post. (This isn’t necessarily in order to what you baked. See this post for a clear explanation.)

Let’s all get to know a bit about her and then head over to her blog, oogle her goodies and show some TWD love!

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Questions:

1. When did you begin baking?

I remember taking the Fannie Farmer cook book out of the school library when I was in 6th or 7th grade. I made runny pancakes for my first ever recipe. I’ve been baking seriously since I moved out on my own at the age of 19. Yikes, that was a long time ago!

2. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

That’s easy! A singer or an actress. I was going to be a star!

3. What has been your favorite TWD recipe so far?

I have loved so many. Let’s see… The Blueberry Pie, the dimply plum cake, the granola grabbers, the caramel peanut topped brownie cake, the rugelach, the chocolate gingerbread, and those Allspice crumb muffins?? Ugh! The list goes on and on. I didn’t gain 15 pounds eating grapes! )

4. What TWD recipe has been a dud for you?

There have been a few that I probably won’t make again, but I have enjoyed making every recipe so far.

5. What recipe are you dying to make that no one has picked yet?

6. What one item in the kitchen could you never live without?

I think that would have to be my Kitchen Aid mixer. Love that thing. A close second would be my radio. Gotta have some music when I’m in the kitchen.

7. Give us three adjectives to describe yourself.

Thoughtful, Nurturing, Positive Thinker

8. What super-power would you most like to have, and why?

I have always wanted to be like Samantha from Bewitched or Jeannie. One little twitch and everything is done and you can fly off anywhere at any time. And with the kids running around, the power to stop time would be nice every once in a while.

9. If you had a day to yourself, no distractions, what would you do?

First, I would read the paper with no interruptions. Then I would do a little baking, probably some cookies. Then I would lie on the couch with the remote, a couple of trashy magazines, a book, a pot of tea, and a cozy blanket and enjoy the quiet.

10. If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?

I would love to go back to Italy. So much to see, so much to eat…

11. If you knew could you try anything, and not fail (and money was no object), what would you attempt?

Open a bakery/cafe, no doubt.

12. What meal and dessert would you choose to be your very last?

13. What is the “strangest” food you ever eaten?

14. What spice do you use over and over again?

I don’t really have a favorite spice, but since baking with TWD, I have really found a new love for cinnamon.

15. Offer up one random, little known factoid about yourself.

I am a procrastinating twin who likes to sing and dance in the shower as well as the kitchen.

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Note: I, (Jeannette @ The Whimsical Cupcake) will be heading the OSI portion of TWD every week. IF YOU ARE A NOVEMBER HOST and you haven’t done so already: please send me your answers OR if you have not received an email from me (most likely due to the fact that I couldn’t find an email addy for you), please send me one (flamegoddess65@aol.com). Without your answers, I can’t post the nifty facts about you That is all.

Still working on the whole name thing.  This week instead of an ingredient or tool, I have a question for you.  Where do you fall on the “to share or not to share” when it comes to your favorite recipe?

This came up because I’m helping to plan an event on Thanksgiving sides and desserts.  The idea is to bring a favorite and recipe to share.  One of the women said she was happy to bring her favorite “famous” dessert, but she did not want to share the recipe.  I don’t understand this.

I fall firmly into the “share” camp.  I have some absolute favorite recipes.  There are a couple that people rave about.  If they like it that much, I see no reason not to pass it on.  Mind you, none of my recipes have been passed down in my family or came from a restaurant we used to run or anything.  But I wonder if it would make a difference.  I love it when someone likes what I’ve cooked and asks for the recipe.  I’m very flattered.  And maybe they’ll make it for someone else to enjoy, or perhaps they’ll forget about it altogether.  I’m never insulted when someone doesn’t want to share a recipe.  I certainly don’t take it personally, but I don’t get it.

I’m curious.  If you are in the “don’t share” camp, what’s your reasoning?  And how can we convince you to share that favorite recipe that we’re all dying for?  ;-)

Its that time again! We will be holding our 2nd annual Holiday Card Exchange this year. If you would like to sign up, please click here.

Deadline for sign-ups is December 1st and cards MUST BE MAILED by December 15th.

Let the holidays begin!

LW

If you are a November host…

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

send me a quick email (with an attention grabbing, all caps subject line) so that I can get the OSI questions to you!! You can find my email address on my blog in the about me section.

Thank you, Thank you.

you know what to do..

do it…

have at it…

bake it up!

Since Novemeber is special because of Thanksgiving, I already decided to allow recipes to be posted any Tuesday of the month. There are several recipes for November that would be perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. Since you can swap recipes/weeks this month, I am going to post all of the P&Q posts now. That way, if you make the Chocolate Caramel Chestnut Cake for Nov 3, the P&Q is there like it always is. However, if you are making the Cran-Apple Crisps, the P&Q is there as well.

Hope this helps! Bake On!

LW