For the sixth day of Halloween week, Invisible Friends,

Our creative woman of the Pond needed to love Halloween.

She needed to adore the spooky,

gab with ghoulies,

and have a cat named Moon.

That’s right!

Our Creative Woman of the Pond–Halloween special is no other than the fabulous Reeni of Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice!

Along with being my food soulmate with her drool-inducing and fabulous friend, Reeni is also a talented artist.

Come see, won’t you?

If you dare….

1)    How did you get started blogging?  How did you come up with your title/ name?

I came across Gluten-Free Girl’s blog and knew immediately that I wanted to food blog. I was taking pictures of the food I was eating and growing in my garden already. It seemed natural to take it one step further. The name is from the nursery rhyme “What are Little Girls Made Of.” Since I love cinnamon so much, I used that to put my own little twist on it.

2)    What does being creative mean to you?

Being creative means taking time out for myself to do something I enjoy whether it be to stamp a necklace. take a picture or cook a new recipe.

3)    Why do you think it’s important for women to balance creativity in their daily lives?

Being creative is good for the soul. It’s an outlet to relive stress, take time for one’s self, and it can foster self-confidence. The result of being creative is that it gives us something to be proud of.

4)    What kind of creative things do you do every day?

Design and make jewelry, write my blog, create recipes, cook, take pictures.

5)     Tell me about your family.  Tell me more about Moon.  How did he come in your life?

I have a sister and two nephews. Moon the Kitchen Cat is my one and only pet. I adopted him when he was five weeks old from a lady standing outside a Walmart in Tucson. He was a stray born under her porch. He fit in the palm of my hand and he was all white except his ears and tail. When I moved back to to NY I brought him on the airplane in a carrier stowed under the seat! He’s such a good, sweet boy. He sleeps on the pillow next to me. There’s nothing better than waking up to his sweet little face right next to mine. And his fur smells naturally like baby powder. He loves to be in the kitchen, he’s right there every step of the way when I’m cooking. Standing up to the counter, peering over, and taste-testing when he can. When I bring bags home from the market, his face goes in every one to see what I bought.

6)    Favorite food?

Whatever I’m eating at the time is my favorite!

Chicken & Waffles, Fettucine Alfredo, Stromboli, Italian Wedding Soup, Oatmeal Whoopie Pies, Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas, Devil Dog Cake, … help… stop me… or I can and will go on and on.

7) Sorry, I drooled.  I always drool around you and food.  You must think I’m demented. Favorite movie?

Chocolat and Practical Magic.

8)    Do you like to dance?

When no one is looking!

9)    If you could take a trip with anyone and go anywhere, where would you go and who would you take?

New Orleans! I’d take the guy from “Supernatural” – you know the cute one who used to play Rory’s boyfriend on the Gilmore Girls? He’s all grown up now.

10)     What’s the best gift you’ve ever been given?

The gift of life.

11)     What’s your ideal pet?

Moon is everything I could wish for in a pet! But I have wanted a Siberian Husky since I was a little girl and also a teacup Maltese I can dress up. I tried dressing up Moon when he was a kitten and he just wiggled his way right out of it.

12) There’s an enormous present waiting on the kitchen table for you.  What’s in it?

A lifetime supply of Lindt Truffles!

13) How did you get started cooking?  Have you always been interested in food?

My interest in cooking started in high school when I took all the cooking classes that were offered. My cooking teacher Mrs. Pederson was the sweetest, most encouraging lady. I still use the baking tips that she gave me, and her spaghetti pie recipe. She taught me how to make the best cheese omelets.

14) What’s your favorite things to cook?

I really love to bake! I could bake all day, every day! But I don’t because of my waistline!

Some of my favorite savory foods to cook are soup, pasta, and one-dish meals. I really like recipes like tomato sauce or soup that require me to dice and chop veggies – there’s something so comforting about it.

15) What’s your favorite recipe to serve to guests?

Spaghetti & Meatballs. Dulce de Leche Cheesecake for dessert.

16) What do you wish someone would cook for you?

I’m craving a turkey dinner with all the trimmings and my Mom’s sausage stuffing. And don’t forget the pie! Pecan pie for dessert.

17) What would you make Queen Bitty?

Peanut butter biscuits!

18) What do you want to achieve with your blog?

I’ve already achieved and surpassed my goals for my blog! I never dreamt that I would have almost 600 followers! And that anyone would really make and love my recipes – that is the best part – that people trust me enough to make my food!

19) What do you hope people get from your blog?

Fresh, easy, from-scratch recipes their whole family will love and crave. The notion that comfort food doesn’t have to be unhealthy or come from a box, or take a long time to cook.

20)  Who’s your favorite chef? Why?

This is almost like asking me for my favorite food. I like Giada for her simple, tasty, Italian food. And Bobby Flay for his southwestern flavors and the way he kicks butt on his Throwdown show. Tyler Florence for his delicious comfort food.

21) What are your goals with your cooking–do you want to open a restaurant, write a cookbook?

I want to write cookbooks for people and one for pets. I love to make home-made dog biscuits and bones for my sister’s dog.

22) Let’s talk about your Etsy shop.  When did you get interested in jewelry?  What made you want to open a shop?

I’ve made jewelry off and on my entire life. A few years ago my nephew started beading and my interest just escalated from there.  Everyone kept telling me I ‘should’ sell it. So here I am sharing my creations with the world. It’s fun to have a shop and make a little bit of money to buy supplies.

23) What’s your favorite piece of jewelry to wear?

My favorite necklace of the moment is a charm necklace that has silver and crystal stars hanging off of it and a little tag hand-stamped by me that says simply WISH.

24) Where did the interest in Winnie the Pooh come from?

Winnie the Pooh is so easy to love, spreading his honey-happiness. So innocent and so sweet. My friends’ kids were watching one of his movies and I just fell in love with him. Everyone should have their own Pooh Bear.

25) What’s your favorite desserts?

Dense, moist, cold Chocolate cake. Dulce de Leche cheesecake. Fudgy Brownies. Pumpkin Cupcakes.

26) What other creative hobbies/ skills do you hope to tackle?

I like to write fantasy fiction! I started a book last year for Novel Writing Month that I just don’t have time to work on.  There should be more hours in the day. Let’s lobby for a new law – 26 hour days.

27) What do you hope to do in the future with your blog?

I love exactly what I’m doing now. Creating, cooking, photographing and writing about what I eat. Sharing my recipes with the world. Maybe a cookbook highlighting my favorites.

28) What do you hope to achieve with your shop?

I want to make people smile with my unique jewelry. Aside from my Etsy shop I am also working on my own web site.

29) Ooooh–ever thought about making food jewelry?  Like a PIE necklace?  Brilliant, right?

I make cupcake jewelry! And I am working on a baking necklace that has a cupcake, eggbeater and a bar of chocolate charms!

For more about Reeni, visit her at her fabulous blog here or her grand Etsy shop here.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  Tomorrow we have a special edition of Isadora!  Then next week, back to our regularly scheduled programming!