{a day in the life} Fake Ginger

Hi All! Tuesdays come so quickly, but that’s okay because I love Tuesdays. I love reading about all my friends and how they spend their day. Today is extra special because it is Amanda’s birthday today! Make sure you wish her a happy birthday! I feel a special connection to Amanda because my husband is also a military guy, although I never had to go through a deployment since he was done with all that by the time I met him. I have so much respect for Amanda, could you imagine doing all the things she does, raising three boys, and having a husband overseas? Eek! I don’t know how she does it. Amanda blogs at Fake Ginger, make sure you check it out. She has a huge database of great recipes!

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Tell me about yourself and how you started food blogging.

I’m Amanda, a 20-something Army wife and mom of 3 boys (and a poodle). I started my blog a few months after my oldest was born after being inspired by a blog that no longer exists called Never Bashful with Butter (anyone remember? She was fantastic!). I had never really cooked before and used my blog as a way to learn my way around the kitchen.

Take me through your day.

My days aren’t very structured as you’ll see. When my husband was home, we operated on his schedule but now that he’s deployed, I do what I want when I want.

5:00 am – WAKE UP. I like to say I check my email/do blog stuff before the kids get up but most of the time I just catch up on my DVR’d trash.
6:00  am – Kids are up. Breakfast for them. Coffee for me.
7:00 – 9:00 am – Kids play, watch a few cartoons, run circles around the backyard. Things like that. I typically bake during this time.
9:00 am – Baby naps, big kids are locked (not really) outside so I can work out. I just started Insanity!
10:00 am – I lie on the floor in the middle of the living room because I feel like death after Insanity.
10:30 am – Baby’s up! Start lunch. The kids like to eat lunch outside now that it’s warm.
11:30 am – Errands!
1:00 pm – Snacks and outside playtime. If it’s not too hot we take walks around post but if it’s really hot I fill the pool up in the backyard.
4:00 pm – Activity/sports for my oldest.
5:00 pm – Cook, photograph, and eat dinner.
6:00 pm – Bathtime!
7:00 pm – Bedtime!
7:00 pm – whenever – I write blog posts, read & comment on blogs, respond to emails, etc until I’m too tired to keep going.

What is your favorite part of your day? Why?

After the kids are in bed. Because it’s quiet.

What is your LEAST favorite part of the day? Why?

That hour before bedtime where the kids are tired yet still have energy for things like throwing fits or fighting with each other.

If you could choose one room in your house to spend the WHOLE day in, which room would it be? Why?

My bedroom, with the door locked and a really good book.

If you had to choose one place to travel to every year over and over, where would it be? Why? Have you been there before?

Anywhere with a beach! We moved from the Gulf Coast so being in Colorado, where there is NO water anywhere, has been quite a shock to us.

What is your favorite cookbook?

I love all of Dorie Greenspan’s books. I’ve never made anything from her that didn’t turn out perfectly.

What recipe on your blog do your readers seem to love most?

Bang Bang Shrimp!

What have you found to be the most challenging part of blogging?

The most challenging part of blogging, for me at least, has been learning to ignore the negative comments. They are few and far between but man, they hit you like a brick when you finally get one.

It’s taken a few years but I’m finally at a point where I can just laugh it off – and if you send me a nasty email, you’re very likely to get a “LOL” in reply.

Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in cooking or food blogging?

Don’t try to be like everyone else. The beauty of food blogging is that there aren’t really any rules so you’re free to be you!

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Thanks Amanda!  I hope you get that day in your room locked up with a good book. Hopefully today! Have a great birthday! xoxo

You can also find Amanda on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. 

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