I am a middle school history teacher turned stay at home mom. I have a 21 month old...

...and another on the way. I guess you could say that I embraced my new role with gusto. I figure if I’m going to be a stay at home mom, I may as well do all the domestic stuff too. I find that cooking and baking are wonderful ways to show my love for family and friends.

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 joined both Daring Bakers and Cooks in July 2009. I have learned sooo much! My husband says ‘why do you need to go to culinary school? Just keep doing that daring stuff.’

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

I love my melon baller. I use it for all kinds of stuff. I love my kitchenaid. I don’t know what I would do without it. Probably explode.

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

Cakes. I make cakes with cool combinations of flavors, like strawberry lemonade.

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

Ummmm, bread. I am not the best bread maker. I think I’d like to do sourdough, that would be fun.

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

bleck, I hate these questions. It all changes depending on the day. Although I do watch You’ve Got Mail about every three months consistently.

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

my husband’s MBA. Lol.

What is the ultimate comfort food to you?

mashed potatoes.

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

Fall, the weather is awesome and it’s my birthday.

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

I love to read and quilt and crochet and I’ve recently taken up sewing… that’s super hard.

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

I love blogging. I started my food blog in March 09, so not long ago. I feel like my posts are continuing to improve. My most recent one, Moussaka, has the best pictures.

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

Uhhh, I like the Joy of Cooking for everything , honestly.

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

I hate pretzels. I think I got sick after eating them when I was a little kid. There are no logical reasons for it. I also don’t like JELLO, which my husband’s family thinks is blasphemous. The texture is just weird.

What’s your favorite flower and/or plant?

I have a vegetable garden that I love. Mint is a fun plant.

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

I love this little burger joint here in Topeka, KS called Bobo’s. They have fantastic chocolate cherry shakes and onion rings. We can’t really afford to actually go out to eat.

Who taught you how to cook and/or bake?

My mom.

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas, the food. Ha, ha. I’m a foodie.

Reading any good books lately? Which ones?!

Hmmm, I love the Hunger Games books so far.

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

I go grocery shopping, seriously. Or I read.

Where is your favorite vacation (holiday) destination?

My parent’s house.

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

Martha Stewart Living.

Do you have a food addiction?

creamy things

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

Moussaka, I made it. It was awesome.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

S’mores

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

jewel tones.

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

KITCHEN! My kitchen is horrible!!! It needs new everythings.

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

lol. I love Martha. I just take her with a grain of salt. I mean, there’s a reason why the woman lives all alone.

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

I like Iron Chef. I like all the different styles of food they go through, the diversity.

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

Nutmeg, cumin

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

I want to try Bobby Flay’s sometime. His stuff seems like something I would actually eat. Or Paula Deen, but not as much.

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

Fresh basil. I love growing it in the summer.

Is there one recipe on your blog that you would like to share with us? If so, leave the link here.

Apple and pumpkin donuts. Delicious.

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

Nope, I make sure everything is as complicated as possible. My husband laughs at me for throwing things into the sink and then needing them again in five seconds.

You can visit Josalyn on her blog Deliciously Domestic