Meals and Memories - Interview with a fellow Mama

I recently got the opportunity to interview a fellow blogger named Tree (aka Mother of Pearl) and here about her cooking adventures, who runs the kitchen in her household and what she TRULY thinks of cooking.

Tree brings a different outlook about her time in the kitchen - but one I think many of us share.  :)

Thank you Tree (aka Mother of Pearl) for being interviewed.

Check out Tree's blogs at:  http://www.motherofpearlitis.com/ and http://www.mommiesfaves.com/

And don't forget to try her 2 favorite recipes:  The Ultimate Lady's Cheesy Mac and Cheese and Spritz Cookies.

1)  You mentioned that your husband is the primary cook in your household - do you share cooking time or ever cook meals together?
     Yes, my hubby went to Culinary school about 23 years ago when we first met, and its a good thing, because I honestly DO NOT like to cook! LOL  I do it out of necessity when I have to (like now...my hubby just had his 2nd foot surgery, so I am the cook at this time).  I do love to bake, however.  We always cook together on holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc), but not on a routine basis for regulat meals.  He does most of the cooking.  I have no patience in the kitchen with my kids (ashamed LOL), but he does and has taught all of our kids to cook.

2)  What is your favorite memory in the kitchen as an adult or child?
     It would definitely have to be when my brother and I were small, and we would help our mom bake cookies, fudge, pices, etc. for Christmas.  I loved being in the kitchen with her at that time of year.

 3)  What food(s) bring back the most/best memories for you?
     Probably my mom's tuna noodle casserole.  So warm and yummy!  And sadly, I've only made it once or twice since "leaving the nest" 26 years ago.  My birthday cakes were also homemade most of the time...I once had a guitar cake when I was taking lessons, and a telephone cake (because I loved to be on the phone as a teen... now I hate talking on the phone.  LOL)
4)  What is your favorite type of food or your standard comfort food dish?
     Oh wow...my "downfall" is definitely cheese and bread.  I can't get enough of either one...all kinds, too!  Nothing better than tons of gooey cheese....esp. plopped on top of or dipped with some of my favorite breads.
5)  Where do you guys get most of your recipes?
     I do have some recipes that were passed down through the family (mine and hubby's).  However, although I don't really care to cook, I am a "recipe junkie."  I LOVE to watch cooking shows and search for recipes online.  My favorites are Paula Deen, Rachel Ray, and Emeril Lagasse.
6)  Do you have a memorable kitchen disaster?
     Besides the common "burnt dish" every now and then, I can't think of one that I've had personally.  Although, we still laugh about the time that the hubby decided to use kerosene and burned all of the hair (eyebrows, mustache, etc) off of his face!  LOL  Wasn't too funny for him back then, but we can definitely laugh about it now.  (NOTE:  No cooks were injured on this day...only the ego was).  :)
7)  If you could improve any of your kitchen skills, what would you tackle first?
     Hmmm...probably that I had more patience to teach my children and grandchildren how to cook.  I really am a very good cook...just don't like it.  I want to get in there, and get it over with quickly! :)
8)  What is one tip you have learned from cooking?
     I would say, for the both of us, not be afraid to experiment in the kitchen.  Some of the best, most delicious recipes were invented by "mistake."  I wanted to write a cookbook using my hubby's recipes at one time, but he is a "make it up as you go," "never measure" type of guy, and we could never pinpoint exactly how much of anything should go in the recipes.  LOL  So, I gave up the idea.

9)  As a fellow blogger, what blogs do you follow the most and what do you love about blogging?
     I really just began "seriously" blogging a couple of months ago.  I have found MANY new and exciting blogs to follow (including Mama's Recipe Swap) and try to keep up with and comment when I can.  Here are some of my favorites...

http://thetamom.com/

http://thisfullhouse.com/

http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen

10)  What are your favorite recipes?
     Paula Deen's "The Ultimate Lady's Cheesy Mac and Cheese" and my mom's "Spritz Cookies"