We think this week's Featured Friday is a breath of fresh air in the blogosphere. Anna's voice is funny, inspiring and best of all, real. She shares stories of her little family, trying new recipes as an aspiring foodie and most recently, adventures in moving. We're delighted to introduce you to...
Read below for Anna's answers to our getting-to-know-this-girl questions...
Tell us a little about yourself, your family and where you live.
My family - my husband, puppy and I - just moved to Minnesota, not far from where I grew up. We spent the last year living and working at a Bible camp on the prairie of North Dakota, and while there I was introduced to true country life! In the end, we decided the suburbs were the place for us (for now!) and so here we are. I love to integrate country style into my decorating and cooking, and am a HUGE Gooseberry Patch fan!
What originally inspired you to start blogging?
I started my blog to keep our family and friends updated on our life in ND, and along the way I simply fell in love with writing, and connecting with the people who read my words! I attended a large blogging conference last summer, and was inspired to pour more of myself into my little blog. It's so neat to build relationships with people all over the country! Minnesota also has a thriving blogging community, and it's been so very much fun to become a part of it!
This month you've taken on the challenge to write every day of the month.
How are you finding the time to write so often?
It's been really difficult! There have definitely been evenings when I'm getting ready for bed, and remember that I haven't posted yet that day! But I am bound and determined to make it, so I just keep plugging along ... =) I'm finding out that I am not meant to be an every day blogger!
You have 30 minutes to make dinner...what's your go-to meal?
Shrimp Scampi! Just a few tablespoons of butter, some garlic and lemon juice, and shrimp! A yummy, super simple, and fancy feeling supper!
Care to share a favorite recipe?
Of course! Being a good Minnesotan, I'd like to share my grandmas recipe for a traditional Scandinavian Christmas cookie. They taste like really delicious shortbreads!
Grandma Corinne's Sandbakkels
1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1 t. almond extract
2-1/2 c. flour
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly to make a thick dough. Press a small ball of dough into lightly greased sandbakkel tins - keep the dough thin or it will be difficult to remove them from the tins. Place the filled tins on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, just until the cookies are barely turning golden. Let tins cool to the touch, then remove cookies from tins to cooling racks. Enjoy with a glass of milk!
In my kitchen, we never run out of _____!
Garlic and extra virgin olive oil - these two ingredients can make a simple meal shine!
Pie or cake? Cookies or fudge?
Um, all of the above? =)
Aside from family, friends and your cute pups, what are 5 things you just can't live without?
- Chocolate
- cookbooks
- coffee
- Christmas music
- and the Food Network!
Tell us something that no one would guess about you.
I was the queen of my hometown in 2003!
Miss Defeat of Jesse James Days, Northfield, MN.
(Oh, we're pretty sure that's guess-able...isn't Anna adorable?)
Thanks so much for sharing a peek behind the scenes today, Anna. We can't wait to see where your blogging adventure takes you, and we'll be right there, reading along!
Visit girl with blog today and you'll find yourself smiling, inspired and a little happier for the visit. Find Anna on Facebook and follow her on Twitter too!
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