Ten Things on Thursday

I have missed participating in Lisa's Ten Things, so I thought I'd play along to one she put a few weeks ago.  Here goes:

1. If you watch the Food Network, which chef/show host is your favorite?

Without a doubt it's Ina Garten.  I actually have this hope that one day soon Mark and I will take a trip to the Hamptons.  I will be at the market selecting perfectly unperfect heirloom tomatoes when I spot Ina.  She comes over and says "now that's a lovely batch.'  And I say, "yes, well I'm working on heirloom tomato pies for supper."  And she loves the idea so much that she asks me to come over and show her how to make them in her kitchen.  Then Mark and Jeffrey join us for a wonderful meal with the perfect tablescape.  A girl can dream!

2. Do most of the people in your life know you blog? Or are you partially or totally anonymous?

Most of the peple in my life know I blog.  It's been a great way to stay in touch with everyone we love who live in a million different places.

3. When you grocery shop, do you prefer to bag your own groceries or do you like it when the store bags them for you? Paper, plastic, or reusable bags?

I am a very particular shopper and would love if the check out person would let me bag my own things.  I like all of the frozen items bagged together, then the meats, then refrigerated items, then produce, then dry goods.  It sounds crazy, but it's so much easier to unload that way.  Unfortunately, even when I set them out in that order, they end up getting mixed in the bags.  Grrr....  I love reusable bags because they're not only better for the environment, but they also hold so much more and are easier to carry!

4. Do you prefer to dine outdoors or indoors?

Photo Courtesy

I prefer to dine outdoors.  It reminds me of all of the fabulous cafe where we had wine and cheese in Paris.  Of course, living in New Orleans, I prefer to dine whereever I am not 100 degrees...

5. How do you pronounce the word aunt? Does your pronunciation rhyme with ‘haunt’ or ‘can’t'?

I say aunt that rhymes with can't.  Mark says it the other way, and I think it sounds so funny.

6. Do you like to take baths? Do you take them very often?

I love to take a nice hot bath.  I find it so incredibly relaxing.  I might indulge in a good bath every month or so.  This makes me think I need to do this more often!

7. What color are the walls in your kitchen?

Every wall in our house is painted a very light neutral color with cream trim.  This would not be what I would have chosen, but right before we moved in the previous owners had the house professionally painted and their is not a spot out of place.  We have 13 foot ceiling downstairs, and I just can't bring myself to consider a color change now.  I think next summer we might have them done, but until now neutral it is.

8. Do you have a green thumb?

NO!  I wish I did.  My dad is a wonderful gardener.  Unfortunately, I am not very thoughtful when it comes to taking care of plants.  I once won this beautiful rose topiary at a fundraiser and it died before I got it home.  I'm not kidding.  When I got back to work from the event, I had about two hours left to my work day, and I assumed since it was hot outside at the nursery, and it was hot inside my car, those two things were equivalent.  Well, apparently, plants shouldn't be kept in a hot car... 

9. Describe your ideal weather.

My absolute favorite thing in the world is feeling the first cool breezes of fall.  I feel renewed.  I love when it is just cool enough where you need a light sweater and a scarf.  It's still sunny during the day so you can really enjoying sitting outside with a good book or a good friend. And I love when you start to see pumpkins on people's porches. It's like one day the fall fairy arrives and everything feels a little bit more festive.

10. If you could learn any foreign language, which would you choose to learn?

French!  It is not the most practical, but it sure is beautiful.

What's your ideal weather?  Or your favorite Food Network Star?