Your Questions Answered and Swag Bag Winner

Firstly..

is Megan! Congratulations! 
Please send me an email at ovenloveblog@gmail.com with your mailing address and your swag will be on its way.

Secondly, I am working my tail off to find the best pie crust recipe for you! Hoping to have it figured out for you by Friday, but don't quote me.

Now on to these questions. (FYI, I loved answering these. Isn't it fun to learn about each other?)

How do you take pictures in restaurants without annoying other diners?

The tips we got this weekend about taking restaurant photos were simple: if you want better photos and less trouble, go during lunch time or between lunch and dinner.  The light will be better and it's a more casual setting.  If it's a high-class establishment, make sure you ask permission to take photos.  Another great tip- in lieu of a tripod, prop up your camera on a glass or your purse.  The steadier the camera, the better the photo in low light situations.  The flash is the most annoying part of photo taking for other diners, so avoid using it if you can.

#1 thing I learned about food photography at BlogHer Food?

Use my tripod!  Tripods make a huge difference in food photography because you want it as detailed as possible.  I'm super lazy and the little one always wants to play with the tripod, so I don't get it out much.  Guess I will have to try harder to find baby-less photo time!

What are my favorite healthy food blogs?

Healthy blogs, hmm.. I love the blog Salad Pride- it's a new salad every day, and they are always simple and scrumptious-looking.  Whole Family Fare is a great one if you have babies/kids (or even if you don't).  And of course, 101 Cookbooks.

Was BlogHer Food worth the money?

I think so.  I loved meeting other bloggers and learning so many tips and tricks.  I didn't have to pay for air fare, though, which would have made a big difference for me.  I am just lucky it was in Atlanta this year- I probably wouldn't have made it there otherwise.

When will I be doing more video posts?

Good question!  Whenever I can get someone to help me do them!  I would love to do more.. 

What made me start the blog, and how much time do I spend maintaining it?

I started Oven Love in 2008.  I was a jobless newlywed (ie SATWife) and didn't know what to do with my time.  I was cooking and baking a lot, and I loved reading food blogs, so I threw caution to the wind and posted a leftover pasta dish.  The rest is history.  As far as time spent on the blog, it has varied with different seasons of life.  I was able to post a lot before I had my son, then less during the moving/new baby phase of 2010, and now I seem to be picking up again.  It all depends.  I don't let it dictate my life.  It is just a blog, after all!

What's my favorite bread recipe?

Hmm.. for sandwich bread, I always seem to come back to this King Arthur Oatmeal Bread recipe.  I have changed up the ingredients multiple times and it always comes out lovely (and then promptly disappears).

What is the next recipe you should try?
You should try kale chips right now, if you haven't already!  If you've tried kale chips, you should try magic oatmeal!  Love them both.

Have I ever been to the Dominican Republic?
Actually, yes I have!  Went on my honeymoon to Punta Cana with the hubs.  Gorgeous there, but also sad to see the disparity between the resorts and the slums.


Did I come away from the conference with a new recipe to try?
Yes, actually!  At the Scharffen Berger Chocolate booth, they served us a delicious little chocolate chili tart that I loved.  I have the recipe- maybe I'll get to share it with you sometime soon.


When I'm browsing blogs, what's my go-to place to find every day inspiration and ideas?
My Google Reader is filled with lovely food blog inspiration every morning, but I certainly can't list those all here.  After other blogs, I often search Tastespotting or Martha Stewart.  I'm also finding lots of inspiration on Pinterest these days.


Where did I get that rainbow cake?
I made that rainbow cake!  You can find the recipe here.

Where did I find my love of food and cooking? (Megan's question!)
I think it came from my family, but in little bits and pieces.  Like watching my dad bake bread, helping my grandmother make her famous waffle cookies, finding my way around the kitchen and making giant messes on my own.  It developed over time, and I came to really love it in college and after getting married.


What are my summer plans and what is the one food I hate to cook?
My summer is looking like tons of fun!  We've got some traveling planned, including a fun surprise trip to celebrate my parents' 30th anniversary (don't worry, they already know we're going, they just don't know where).  As for a food that I hate to cook?  I can't really think of one..

Do I have a good deep chocolate frosting recipe?
I do, but it's not posted here on the blog.  I started using it with Tickled Pink and now it's my go-to chocolate frosting.  Email me at ovenloveblog@gmail.com for the recipe!