Dear Invisible Friends, I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the New Year than by introducing our newest Creative Woman of the Pond, the first of the new decade, Megan from Megan’s Cooking.

Not only does Megan whip up delectable sweets that leave me and countless others drooling, she makes all sorts of charming, family friendly creations like these olive penguins.

Let’s learn more about her, shall we?

How did you get started blogging?

The music pastor at my church had a blog and I would read and enjoy it. Sometimes he would blog about the waffles he made his family and the coffee he loved to drink.Then somehow I came across a food blog and thought, “I want to do that too!” About the same time, my walking buddy and I would discuss what I had made for dinner and she would try to remember the recipe. Since we were walking, we had no paper or pen. Finally it all made sense: I could start a blog and share the great recipes I would brag about.

How did you get your title/name?

I originally wanted to name it Vanilla Bean. A friend came over to help me start up the blog and I told him what I wanted to name it. He was confused with what I was saying and called it Megan’s Cookin. By the time I figured how to change the name, too much time had passed and I didn’t want to confuse anyone so I left it alone.

What does being creative mean to you?

Inspiration+My perspective=creativity! My inspiration can come from anywhere and then I put my own twist to it. Weather it’s baking, scrapbooking or just putting a gift basket together; it’s creating something that comes from the heart.

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

Between work, family and chores, you need an outlet or time for yourself to do something that makes you smile. Balance is important for a well rounded life.

What kind of creative things do you do every day?

I write, I cook I photograph. If I’m not working on something I’m planning, then I’m planning on working on something!

Tell me about your family.

Ive been married for 18 years (to the same man) and I have one child. A daughter that’s 14 going on 21.She’s been keeping me on my toes! I hate that she’s an only child and would have loved more babies, but it wasn’t in the master’s plan.

Favorite food?

A good Rib Eye steak smothered in blue cheese with a glass of red wine. Topped off by a chocolate dessert of course.

Favorite song?

Right now, “You belong to me” by Taylor Swift. My daughter and I crank it up and rock when it comes on the radio.

Do you like to dance?

Of course, after a few glasses of wine or when no one is watching. My hubby is not a dancer so it’s been a long time. I liked it a lot more when I was younger!

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

I would love to go to New England with my hubby and stay at a famous B&B and explore the area. I want to see the beauty in the changing color of the leaves.

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

Hands down, my daughter.

What’s your ideal pet?

Mario, my dachshund. He goes everywhere with us and he’s a happy little camper. He’s a one person dog and he loves me more then doggie biscuits. OK, maybe that’s a stretch because he’s pretty attached tho his treats. But he likes me best! He likes the hubby second best and he tolerates the kid.

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

For my birthday I got the refrigerator I wanted and the hubby had it delivered with out me knowing. So it was a surprise until we had to get ready for the delivery man. That was an enormous present I just got but since the imaginary one is still on the table it must be a 52″ high definition flat screen TV. I know it’s not a mustang convertible because that would break the table.

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

My mom was a great cook. She started my interest and always gave me free range in the kitchen. We lived in the same building as the music store my family owned and operated, so she was always near by. She would let me make dinner while she worked and after awhile, it became my chore. When I was a teen and my friends would come over to hang, we wouldn’t open a bag of cookies to munch–we would make the cookies!

What’s your favorite things to cook?

I like to bake desserts. I have a sweet tooth and treats are my favorite. Cookies, cakes, ice cream, it’s all good!

What’s your favorite recipe to serve to guests?

Zinfandel Spiced Molten Chocolate Cake. Simple, yet impressive!

If you were on a dessert island and had a water-proof box with six ingredients/ food items in them, what would it be?

Meat, bread, milk, sugar, red wine, and coffee.

I could have toast and coffee (with a splash of milk please) for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, steak, bread and red wine for dinner with  bread pudding for dessert!

Chocolate would have been my seventh choice. Wait a minute, how long am I on this deserted island? I might have to bump the bread!

What do you want to achieve with your blog?

I never realized the friends I would meet in the blogging community. I haven’t meet all of them face to face, but maybe someday. I like the connections one can make.  I would just like to grow and meet more amazing people.

What do you hope people get from your blog?

I hope they get inspired to make cook, bake, or make a recipe. I love it when someone says I tried your recipe and it was great. I hope people can feel the hospitality and leave with a smile and a recipe!

What’s your favorite cookbook? Why?

My favorite cookbook is “Special Occasions” from John Hadamuscin. It’s a beautiful book that great recipes for holiday entertaining all year round.

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

My co-worker and I always joke that if she wins the lottery, she cant leave me behind. So she would open a little expesso shop with homemade goodies and I would run it. I would love to host tea parties and the such. It probably wouldn’t be lucrative but heck, she won the lottery, she’ll need a tax write-off.

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

I would love to take some creative writing classes and some photography classes. I’ve always been interested in writing and poetry. I would also like to take some flower arrangement classes.

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

Just keep growing and do what I’m doing. I’ve learned a lot having this blog and I’ve tried many different things that I would have never otherwise experienced if it weren’t for this blog.

What’s the ultimate Christmas/New Year recipe?

Buche de Noel. I make them every year. One time I won a contest with one and once I made them for Christmas gifts. This year I hope to make my own ice cream snow balls to go with it.

What’s your favorite Christmas cookie?

The one I’m eating. Just kidding. I would say a frosted cookie sugar. The prettier the better!

For more about Megan, go visit her!

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  We have a week of whimsical fun coming up as we return to our normal tales of Miss Pickles and Dallas Jean, and begin a new Neverending story! Plus, we have a delectable pie recipe and more tastiness coming up!