Today’s interview is one that I’m just lee-taal excited to bring you. Introducing you to this blogger is exciting for two reasons. One, she’s as cool as a cucumber and two, she’s a foodie who’s agreed to share her passion with us.

That’s right, Kristen of Dine and Dish is hopping on board the BloggedIn train with a weekly column. She’ll be bringing us a weekend menu that will help us keep the family together at the dinner table when our busyness tends to cause the opposite.

So let’s get to know her a bit, shall we?

Me: Hi Kristen. I’m so happy you’re here with us today. I can’t wait for everyone to meet you. Can you tell us how long have you been blogging and if you have any advice for the beginner?

Kristen: I started blogging in November of 2006. I wrote a whole post on advice for new bloggers here (http://dineanddish.net/2008/01/tips-for-the-aspiring-blogger/) but I would say the biggest tip would be find your own voice… don’t try to conform to anyone else’s standards.

Me: What are the good things blogging has brought to your life?

Kristen: I have discovered my love for writing again and am now a paid freelance writer. I used to love writing, but had a very rude and inappropriate teacher in high school who made me hate to write. I’m so glad to have found the desire to write again!

Me: Well, that’s good! People don’t always realize the impact they can have on others.

What would you consider the pitfalls of blogging?

Kristen: I think that people can find that a pitfall is trying to keep up with the constant nag of your blog. I used to feel like I needed to blog everyday. Now, I’ve lowered my standards some. A couple of times a week is perfectly fine!

Me; Yeah, you’ve gotta find your groove, huh?

Tell us about your blog name. How did you come up with it?

Kristen: My blog name, Dine and Dish, started out as Dine and Dash but then through a midnight stroke of inspiration (which is the only time inspiration comes to me!) I came up with Dine and Dish. I’ll never change it… I think the name reflects exactly what I want my blog to be!

Me: Knowing what you know now, was starting a blog a good thing for you?

Kristen: I started a blog when my parents moved out of state to keep them in the loop of what my family was doing. It has evolved to so much more than that now. With my blog I have ventured back into writing, reacquainted with old friends, and have met new friends. It has also inspired a love for photography, which I didn’t know I had before. I love it and it has definitely been a good thing for me.

Me: You’ve been blogging for a while now, how do you think Blogland has changed you since you started?

Kristen: Well, since my blog is a food related blog, it has made me more adventurous in the kitchen, that’s for sure!

Me: Is there anything that bugs you about Blogland?

Kristen: Hmmmm… I honestly try not to let too much bug me, and especially something like a blog. If things in the blogging world bug me, I probably need more in my life to worry about 

Me: you know, you’re probably right about that.

Ultimately, what would you like your blog to accomplish for you or others?

Kristen: I would like to continue to explore new freelance writing gigs through my blog.

Basically, I want people who are timid in the kitchen to gain enough confidence to cook by reading my blog adventures. When I first was married, I considered Hamburger Helper a recipe  Things have changed so much since then and it is just because I found the time, confidence, and joy in the kitchen.

Me: Alright let’s get personal shall we? Good, I’m glad you agree…

Tell us something outside of Blogland, you know, in real life, that bothers you.

Kristen: I am bugged by people who constantly feel the need to push their opinions on others. J Lo’s not breastfeeding? That’s just wrong. You don’t use all organic ingredients? Shame on you. That kind of thing. It is one thing to express your opinion, but to try and force your opinion on others is abusive. We all have the right to make our own choices. I appreciate your opinion, but let me take that into consideration as I make the choice that is best for me.

Me: J Lo? Really? Not breastfeeding? That’s just wrong! Oh, I kid!

Kristen, if you could change anything, anything at all, what would it be?

Kristen: I would make the 1-2 year old age of life last longer than one year! I think that age is soooo precious and it goes by way to fast. I would also like to invent something where you could exercise in your sleep and really lose weight

Me: Oh, I know! Eighteen months old is such a wonderful age, isn’t it? And your weight loss idea, I’m so in!

Tell me this invention is your passion in life. Tell me that you won’t quit until you’ve got it. Is it your passion or is there something else that really excites you?

Kristen: I am a really low key person, and to be honest with you… I have passions, but I am not a jump out of your seat and go crazy about things kind of person. I am passionate about traveling. I love nothing more than to explore new places with my friends and family. I love trying new cuisine, meeting new people and just being on vacation… feeling not tied down to anything and getting to relax and make memories with the ones you love.

Me: Can you tell us about one of your best childhood memories?

Kristen: My parents always took us on driving vacations. Every year we would pile in the car and head out on our annual two week vacation. I love looking back on my life and thinking about how much those vacations meant to me. Sometimes my Grandmas would go along with us as well, which was always such a treat because they were amazing women.

A specific childhood memory that I have burned in my brain though is having dance contests with my friends and my mom’s daycare kids on our back patio at our house on 30th drive. We would dance our hearts out and then would judge each other. Before Dancing with the Stars, we had our own hot program!

Me: Oh, so you are good at inventing stuff? Well that gives me hope!

Have you experienced something that changed you forever? Would you share it with us?

Kristen: I was married at the age of 21 and divorced 2 years later. All of my dreams of the future went up in smoke after that because I thought marriage was forever. A few months after my divorce was final I made a list of 36 things that were important to me in a future husband. Shortly after that, I met who is now my husband of 9 years. He met all but one of the items on my list (he wasn’t older than me… 2 months younger).

My first husband was a great guy, but we were completely wrong for each other. Being married to him and then getting divorced was the single best thing that has ever happened to me. I became very aware of what I deserved in a future mate and knew that I couldn’t settle for anything less.

I am now married to the best man on earth. He is kind, helpful, loving, an amazing father, and my best friend. I couldn’t be happier.

Me: Thanks for opening up about that. Divorce isn’t easy for anyone, the people going through it or those attempting to understand it either.

On a happier note, describe your perfect day.

Kristen: I would say my perfect day is one where it is about 75 degrees outside with a slight breeze. My husband and kids and I just hang out, exploring the city and playing until we want to collapse. In the evening, we hire a babysitter to watch the kids and we cook up an amazing meal together and invite some of our best friends and family over to share in a night of eating, drinking and games. We would eat and enjoy each others company outside under the stars. To make it the absolute perfect day, our cruise friends… Stacey, Bryon, Jan and Rob would be here. To make it an even more perfect day, this would all take place at my dream beach house by the ocean. Oh, and a final touch on the perfect day.. someone would come in and clean up after us!

Me: Wow, you seem to have thought about that one before.

So, do you have hobby that you love?

Kristen: Cooking, hands down. Predictable, isn’t it? I love being in the kitchen, creating things from scratch and then sharing them with others. There is nothing better than watching the reactions on the face of others as they take a bite of something that you have made.

Me: Maybe for you! I usually have to duck and run.

Tell us the best and worst things about being you.

Kristen: Best thing – I really have nothing to complain about. Life is good. I have a great family, including my own parents and my in-laws, I have a good job, and a live a lovely life.

Worst thing – I was born in Kansas and still live in Kansas. I’d love to live near the coast.

Me: Through a strange turn of events, you’ve just been elected President of the United States of America. Congratulations! Tell us what’s your focus and what changes you’ll make, who you’ll appoint to what position, or all about your inauguration party.

Kristen: If I was elected President of the United States, the first thing I would do is find someone worthy and pass the duty on to them. I would never want to be in that position with so much power. I would LOVE to plan and attend the inauguration party though!

Me: Don’t worry, we’re almost done. We just want to know the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you and we want all the details. Feel like sharing?

Kristen: I was able to go to an Oprah event in Kansas City on Mothers Day of 2004. The night before the event I decided to do an at home hair job. I have no idea what happened, but my blonde hair ended up being an awful rusty / copper color. It was hideous. I had to go and meet Oprah (and Nate Burkus!) with the ugliest hair.

Kristen’s Vital Statistics –

How old are you? 34
Married? Yes – 9 years
Children? Jacob is 6, Kelly is 4 and Ella is almost 2
If so, homeschool, private, or public? Public elementary school, private preschool
Favorite season? Spring
Favorite past time? Cooking, reading, traveling
Favorite color? Depends on my mood!
Favorite movie? When a Man Loves a Woman, Crash, Pay it Forward
Favorite song? Love of My Life by Michael W Smith
What kind of car do you drive? Minivan (Dodge Grand Caravan)
Mac or PC? Both!
Dog or Cat? Neither right now… love them both though!
Salt or Pepper? Salt
Vanilla or Chocolate? Hmmmm… white chocolate?
Diet Coke, Sweet Tea or Evian? Diet Coke
Steak, Chicken or Shrimp? Steak

Type the first word that pops in your head after you read each one.

Sun – Coast
Food – Blog
universe – God
fear – Death
green – Tea

Thank you, Kristen. I loved getting to know you better and I can’t wait for your first column here starting in May.

Categories: Interviews
Tags: food, interview, new column