I am a 27 year old Bookkeeper. I was married last year and we are now expecting a baby...

...this winter! I love to bake, though I don’t do it as much as I really want to. I have the cutest puggle pup you’ve ever seen!

How long have you been a Daring Baker/Daring Cook and what’s your favorite thing about being in the group(s) so far?

I just joined a couple of months ago so this is my very first challenge. So far, I just love the idea of the whole thing. Being creative and everyone sharing their results. Very motivating!

What’s your favorite kitchen gadget? How about your favorite kitchen appliance?

I just received a KitchenAid stand mixer for my birthday and have only used it a couple times so far, but I’m loving it! We moved into a new house a few months ago and this is the first time we have had a fridge with an external filtered water/ice dispenser. We love it and use it all of the time!

Are you known for making a certain dish or dessert? If so, what is it?

Come the holiday season, I am a cookie making fiend and all of my family/friends know it. Other than that, I often try to make something new when I’m bringing a dish somewhere so I’ve not become known for anything in particular.

Is there any recipe and/or technique that we haven’t covered yet that you’d really like to make/learn?

I’m too new to answer that!

Do you have a favorite movie? Book? Genre of music? Actor? Actress?

I love cheesy, funny, family movies. I love historical books, biographies, or anything non-fiction really. I like a little bit from each genre of music. Don’t really have a favorite actor/actress. Jim Carrey never disappoints though!

You’ve just won $5000.00!!! What would you spend it on?

Debt, how fun! Mostly Education Loans though.

What is the ultimate comfort food to you?

Pie (apple or pumpkin) with a ridiculous amount of Cool Whip!

Which season (Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall) is your favorite.. why?

I live for Fall & Winter. If I’m forced to choose, it will probably be fall.

Other than cooking and/or baking.. what hobbies do you enjoy?

Reading, anything with my dog, board games, photography.

How long have you been blogging? Do you like it? What’s your favorite post you’ve written?

No blog for me!

What’s your favorite cookbook for desserts/baking? What’s your favorite cookbook for savory/cooking?

Don’t have a favorite. I own a few books, but I’m usually a last minute planner so most of my meals are planned from work before I go to the grocery store. Google!

Is there one food that you seriously dislike/hate? If so, which is it and why?

Mushrooms. I want to love them, everybody does! I just can’t get past the fungus though. I think it was my early years and only being exposed to super slimey mushrooms out of a can. Barf.

What’s your favorite flower and/or plant?

I love peonies & hydrangeas.

Do you have a favorite local restaurant? If so, why is it your favorite and what kind of food is served there?

It’s not as local since we moved a little further from it, but Mexico Lindo is the best authentic Mexican food around us. I went there for years with my family and have since assured that my husband is addicted too

Who taught you how to cook and/or bake?

My mother didn’t really teach me much in the kitchen, but she was the only one who I may have learned anything from. I taught myself most of what I know.

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas. So many traditions growing up that I hope to pass down to my children. I love the cold, the snow & the dark!

Reading any good books lately? Which ones?!

I’m in the middle of The Book Thief right now. So far so good!

You’ve had a rough week. How do you relax after a rough week?

PJ’s, pillow & blanket, snuggly dog, couch, movie.

Where is your favorite vacation (holiday) destination?

I haven’t been many places, but we went to Hawaii on our honeymoon last year. I’d take a one-way ticket to Maui any day. It was heaven on Earth. I just noticed it says holiday in parenthesis. I’ve never been a holiday traveler.

What is your favorite cooking/food related magazine? Why?

I’m not well versed in cooking magazines, but I enjoy Rachael Ray & Real Simple.

Do you have a food addiction?

Carbs & Pepsi. By carbs, I mean the bad ones. Donuts, scones, croissants, crackers, muffins… Mmmm… It’s only gotten worse since becoming pregnant too.

What did you eat for dinner last night? Did you prepare it or someone else?

Wendy’s Baja Salad. I definitely did not prepare that one.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Pop Tarts, Ice Cream.

What kind of colors do you like? Pastels? Earth tones? Brights? Neons? Etc.

I love earth tones with a pop of a rich tone. My living room is a mix of green, gray, brown & cream. I’m looking for some rich, deep purple pillows for the fall. Purple is also my very favorite color!

If you had the choice of a free kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom makeover – which would you choose and why?

Bedroom. Nobody sees it so it is seldom a priority in my cleaning/tidying/organizing. Therefore it is often messy & cluttered. I would love a serene & peaceful place to unwind.

The Martha – Angel of Domestication or Minion of Evil? Why?

Somewhere in the middle. I absolutely love her creativity, motivation & patience. But… the fact that I am nowhere near her level of skill/patience makes me resent her if I ever try one of her handy projects.

Do you watch any competitive cooking shows? Like Top Chef or Hell’s Kitchen? If so, which is your favorite and why?

I do not watch these shows.

What’s your favorite “sweet” spice? How about your favorite “savory” spice?

Cinnamon is by far my favorite sweet spice, given it’s mixed with sugar or it has a tendency to not be very sweet. I don’t really have a favorite savory spice that I can think of.

If you could eat in any celebrity chef’s restaurant which restaurant would it be, and which chef owns it?

I don’t know any, oops!

What’s your favorite herb to cook or bake with? Do you prefer fresh or dried?

I’m hoping after a couple of these baking challenges, I’ll have better answers for this survey. I feel pretty goofy for not having an answer here.

Do you have a time saving kitchen tip you’d like to share with us?

I’ve taken on Rachael Ray’s garbage bowl idea. Instead of running to the trash can constantly, I have a mini one right in front of me!

You can visit Amanda on her Daring Kitchen profile.