1. I buried four pieces of my mother’s fine china when I was eight. (err sorry, mom)
2. I despise both capers and sardines.
3. When I was nine, I used to stay up late writing stories by candlelight and listening to The Little Women soundtrack, dreaming that one day I would be a famous writer like Jo.
4. I own a bonnet.
5. My favorite dessert is thick, old fashioned gingerbread topped with freshly whipped cream.
6. I almost killed our old family dog with a loaf of unbaked challah bread (oh wait..you knew this already)
7. When I was little, my dream was to marry an Eskimo, move to Alaska and teach little Inuit children their native language.
8. When I’m bored, I dip my finger in the Nutella jar.
9. I’m actually really hate cake decorating. I’d rather just messy and sink my hands into a big pile of dough.
10. If I weren’t a food writer, I would be an American History professor.
Jessica @ How Sweet
October 7, 2010 at 12:06 pmYour BURIED the china?! Like in your backyard??
Very cool – I love American history too. It was my major in college before I changed!
Ella
October 7, 2010 at 1:11 pminstead of digging to China in her backyard, she buried it! sorry i couldn’t resist 🙂
Mom
October 7, 2010 at 1:45 pmIs there anything else that I need to know… 🙂
Deanna
October 8, 2010 at 10:07 amI really enjoy that your mom comments as “Mom.” 🙂
Lauren Snyder
October 8, 2010 at 12:57 pmI was just thinking that! 🙂
Sarah for Real
October 7, 2010 at 12:07 pmI hate capers too. Ick!
Annnd now I must track down some old fashioned gingerbread. thanks.
Suzanne de Cornelia
October 7, 2010 at 7:37 pmI love capers & sardines….but as my son says, ‘Anyone who eats anchovies will eat anything.’ lol
What’s ‘old fashioned’ gingerbread…I wonder. Sounds good.
Chicago Cuisine Critique
October 7, 2010 at 12:10 pmCute post!
kristin
October 7, 2010 at 12:11 pmbut wait, we never actually got to hear the story of when you almost killed the poor dog, did we?? please share! 🙂
liane
October 7, 2010 at 12:13 pmWhy did you bury the china?!
jenna
October 7, 2010 at 12:15 pmI honestly have no earthly idea.
Adam
October 7, 2010 at 1:20 pmwas that pun intended?
jenna
October 7, 2010 at 1:24 pmglad you got that, dear 🙂
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
October 7, 2010 at 12:15 pmI vote for a (Non)Fiction Friday post about the dog and the bread and the almost dying.
Laura
October 7, 2010 at 12:16 pm11. the dress in the picture is adorable!
buried the china…hmm…?
Andrea
October 7, 2010 at 12:16 pmI’m with you on the gingerbread…oh and the Nutella jar, too.
Tami
October 7, 2010 at 12:17 pmthe China throws me for a loop-where you mad at her?
I have been loving your baking posts lately. How about some nice regular wheat bread? or somethign along the lines of the Arnold Sandwich Thins?
jenna
October 7, 2010 at 12:18 pmyum! Good idea…I’ll put my thinking cap on.
Cynthia (It All Changes)
October 7, 2010 at 12:19 pmDid you break the china before you buried it?
Also why was your dog eating the dough?
But these little cute things are fun 🙂
Sarah
October 7, 2010 at 12:19 pmI’m actually in rehearsals for Little Women the musical right now. I had never heard the music before the summer, but I love it. I’m playing Beth, and last night we sang my song with Jo, “Some Things Are Meant To Be.” It’s so beautiful. Like you, I’ve loved Little Women since I was a child.
tina
October 7, 2010 at 12:28 pmdoes anybody like capers and sardines???
have you ever eaten an entire jar of nutella in 24 hours… unfortanately i can say i almost have… its TOO GOOD!
Suzanne de Cornelia
October 7, 2010 at 7:39 pmMe!!
Ann
October 7, 2010 at 9:57 pmI love both! Capers are so good with smoked salmon! And I have a secret love for especially fishy fish like sardines 🙂
Heather
October 7, 2010 at 12:28 pmi love that you have a bonnet. and i was the same way with little women…to this day i wish i were more like Jo!
Maria
October 7, 2010 at 12:37 pmThis post actually made me LoL … Marry an eskimo and move to Alaska.. How cute!!
Camille
October 7, 2010 at 12:42 pmAww, I wanted to be just like Jo too 🙂
She is one of the greatest (if not greatest) characters in all of literature!
R @ Learning As I Chop
October 7, 2010 at 12:43 pmI like that dress.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
October 7, 2010 at 12:51 pmI was a Little House fan too.
And I agree. Old fashioned gingerbread with freshly whipped cream is where it’s at. 😀
hira
October 7, 2010 at 12:52 pmi myself am trying to decide how i feel about anchovies. there are lots of them here. on pizzas.
Estela @ Weekly Bite
October 7, 2010 at 12:56 pmThe china story is pretty funny!
Nutella is my best friend 😉
Jenny
October 7, 2010 at 1:02 pmHey – kinda off topic, but I was thinking about this earlier and wondered if you’ve tried it. Remember this from The Long Winter? “Ma had sent them ginger-water. She had sweetened the cool well-water with sugar, flavored it with vinegar, and put in plenty of ginger to warm their stomachs so they could drink till they were not thirsty. Ginger-water would not make them sick, as plain cold water would when they were so hot.”
Have you ever tried to recreate it? Might be a better thing for summer.
theemptynutjar
October 7, 2010 at 1:04 pmGingerbread sounds great. I like your clothes. Really simple and southern (?) , if that makes sense!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen
October 7, 2010 at 1:11 pmGingerbread! Yummmmm….I like mine with lemon sauce. 🙂
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
October 7, 2010 at 1:11 pmHaha LOVE number 7!
Mary & Christina (Sisters Running the Kitchen)
October 7, 2010 at 1:11 pmcute post. I think you should show us how to make the thick old-fashioned gingerbread you speak of because I don’t think I’ve ever had it.
Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope
October 7, 2010 at 1:11 pmHOLY CRAP. I used to do the same thing in regards to LITTLE WOMEN. As soon as i saw the movie, i bought a notebook and i wanted to be a writer since that day. weird, right?
Wendy
October 7, 2010 at 1:13 pmI LOVE capers and really don’t like Nutella. What’s wrong with me!?!
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day
October 7, 2010 at 1:15 pmWe need to see the bonnet. Actually, if you dressed like Laura Ingalls Wilder for Halloween, you might just be my hero 🙂
Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope
October 7, 2010 at 1:15 pmps: I love that dress, too. You may have answered this before, but where is it from?
jenna
October 7, 2010 at 1:16 pmAnthropologie 🙂
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
October 7, 2010 at 1:20 pmI never liked capers until I had them on salmon a month or so back. They paired perfectly with the fish!
Clare @ Fitting It All In
October 7, 2010 at 1:27 pmI don’t know that I’ve ever had actual gingerBREAD. Only the cookies. Does it taste the same??
And I’m an expert at home made whipped cream…it’s my job every thanksgiving!
Lauren
October 7, 2010 at 1:29 pmI agree with Mary & Christina (#29). Let’s have some gingerbread!
I also agree with Maria (#32). Yes – we must see said bonnet.
And basically my favorite dessert is pretty much ANYTHING topped with freshly whipped, lightly sweetened cream. 🙂
amanda
October 7, 2010 at 1:32 pmYes I agree with Lauren and Maria, we must see the bonnet!! Where and why do you have this? 🙂
jenna
October 7, 2010 at 1:33 pmBecause….I told you! I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder!
cathy b. @ brightbakes.com
October 7, 2010 at 1:32 pmonly one thing…..you gotta have a pool of lemon sauce along with that gingerbread and whipped cream!!!
🙂
Love,
Cathy B. @ brightbakes
Michelle B
October 7, 2010 at 1:32 pmI would loooove to attempt good ole fashioned gingerbread! What recipe do you recommend? Also, did your mom dig up the china after you buried it or is it still in the ground today? hehe just curious!
Lola
October 7, 2010 at 1:35 pmHi Jenna!
haha i haven’t commented on your blogfor a while so I’ll have to go like a list:
1) I love your new blogging style and all your recipes look so yummy!
2) Great response to the marie Claire article. i trashed them on their facebook page hahha}
3) I have sandals just like those1
Lauren at KeepItSweet
October 7, 2010 at 1:39 pmi also despise capers! they totally gross me out and ruin any dish for m
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
October 7, 2010 at 2:15 pmI don’t like capers at all either!
Didn’t know #10.
Christena
October 7, 2010 at 2:18 pmHoly crap! There’s a LITTLE WOMEN SOUNDTRACK/MUSICAL and I did not know this?!?!?!?! I used to imagine I was Jo, also!
Jaime
October 7, 2010 at 2:18 pmLove your list, Jenna! I thought I hated capers until I made a lovely Cooking Light recipe (lighter chicken picatta) and it is now my favorite recipe of all time.
As for Alaska, I am with you there 100%!
jenna
October 7, 2010 at 2:31 pmyessss!
Kim
October 7, 2010 at 2:20 pmLove this post – you’re so cute!
Shanna, like Banana
October 7, 2010 at 2:25 pmHmmm, and where do you wear said bonnet??? 😉
Lisa @ bakebikeblog
October 7, 2010 at 2:42 pmhaha you own a bonnet? *I am intrigued 🙂
Kelly
October 7, 2010 at 2:53 pmToo funny…..but seriously capers? I love them….but I love anything salty!
Amanda
October 7, 2010 at 2:59 pmI was just thinking to myself… “I miss Jenna’s daily musings..”
louise
October 7, 2010 at 3:05 pmLoving the flavors, aromas of Autumn…comforting like none other. I bake gingerbread with thinly sliced pears on top, served with fresh whipped cream.
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
October 7, 2010 at 3:06 pmI love capers!
I tried to dig to China, but never buried china. lol. I love history, too. My dad actually was an American History teacher.
Exercise and Eat
October 7, 2010 at 3:07 pmLove it! Wish a lot of bloggers would do this
Kerry
October 7, 2010 at 3:21 pmthis post makes me happy.
sarah
October 7, 2010 at 4:24 pmditto!
Krystina
October 7, 2010 at 3:22 pmYou’re adorable, but capers are totally delicious.
Julia
October 7, 2010 at 3:45 pmMaybe you thought the china would one day be dug up as an artifact and be a piece of American History 🙂
Jennifer
October 7, 2010 at 3:45 pmSometimes I want to have a stash of salted pork in the ground. Just like they had iin the Little House books. 🙂
brianna
October 7, 2010 at 3:47 pmlove it! i am in graduate school to be an American History professor!
Suzanne de Cornelia
October 7, 2010 at 7:42 pmYayaaa!!!
Avery
October 7, 2010 at 3:54 pmThis post is magnificent. Feel free to share your knowledge on American History. I’m SO bad at it! And I can’t understand whyyyy…?
Ashley
October 7, 2010 at 3:55 pmAwesome girl! I love history as well! I thought about majoring in it but didn’t think I would be a good teacher…now I’m a tutor in my current degree program. LOL!
Check out my POST on NUTRITION FOR HEALTHY HAIR:)
Suzanne de Cornelia
October 7, 2010 at 7:43 pmThat was good, Ashley, thanks!
stacey-healthylife
October 7, 2010 at 3:58 pmI love your mom’s comment. 🙂
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
October 7, 2010 at 4:10 pmHahaha #7!!
Lindsey
October 7, 2010 at 4:17 pmI’m terrified of capers. I’ve bought them twice and thrown them away twice–I just can’t bring myself to use them. Perhaps the third time is a charm?
Kath
October 7, 2010 at 4:18 pmJenna, I challenge you to a duel!
Sardines vs. food of your choice for me. (Anything except onions. Seriously)
jenna
October 7, 2010 at 4:25 pmhahaha we should save this idea and make a video of us doing it during the Foodbuzz conference…and I promise to play fair…no onions!
Cassandra
October 7, 2010 at 4:22 pmOmg I love nutella and Jo! Hope ur moms not too pissed about the china!!
Cassandra
October 7, 2010 at 4:22 pmOmg I love nutella and Jo! Hope ur moms not too pissed about the china!!
Michele
October 7, 2010 at 4:23 pmPlease post the dog story!!! It had a happy ending, right?
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
October 7, 2010 at 4:34 pmDitto on the capers!
And I adored Little Women as a kid too! Jo was so bad-ass. 😉
Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa
October 7, 2010 at 4:42 pmAh! I love that you wanted to move to Alaska and teach children.
Ella
October 7, 2010 at 4:50 pmI eat nutella (and pb…and chocolate sauce..) straight from the jar sometimes. This post made me crack up!
And btw – all of your chatter about squash made me want to try it (I’m 20 years old and have never tried squash, crazy I know)..I roasted some butternut squash last night with cinnamon and its DELICIOUS, thankyou for the squash inspiration. My roomies say the same..our apartment smells delicious (:
Cara Craves...
October 7, 2010 at 4:55 pmHa!
Is this the first time you have come out to your Mom about the China?
Mom
October 7, 2010 at 7:13 pmuh… that would be a yes ~
Jaya
October 7, 2010 at 5:12 pmI’m sorry (I really am) to be the literal, politically correct party pooper – but just as an FYI – Eskimo is considered by many to be a derogatory term. The umbrella term for the linguistic/ethnic group is Inuit. BUT, as with all nominal stuff, it’s always best to ask people themselves how they would like to be addressed 🙂 They are the experts!
Lacey @ Lake Life
October 7, 2010 at 5:13 pmLol!!! Especially the part about teaching the Inuit children their native language 🙂
Brenda (Brendr)
October 7, 2010 at 5:14 pmDo you have a recipe for that type of gingerbread??
I love eating the gingerbread that Starbucks has but I haven’t found a good recipe
jenna
October 7, 2010 at 5:20 pmI’m working on one right now!
Dee
October 7, 2010 at 5:32 pmhistory rocks! that’s all i have to say about that. 😀
rebecca
October 7, 2010 at 5:35 pmHey Jenny-
Meant to say this for a long time – I’ve read your blog since the beginning and I love love love the new tone and direction. You have really grown so much as a writer and your personality shines through.
I also LOVE your obsession with Laura Ingalls Wilder. I read the entire series over and over as a kid. My family even took a little vacation to Minnesota where On the Banks of Plum Creek was set.
Combining food and LIW – the book Farmers Boy has some of the best descriptions of food ever! I could never read that without wanted to eat.
eatmovelove
October 7, 2010 at 5:44 pmI like the last one most of all. About you wanting to be a teacher.
Lauren
October 7, 2010 at 5:56 pmHahaha, I love your Mom’s comment to this. So cute! 😉
Teri [a foodie stays fit]
October 7, 2010 at 5:58 pmDo you have a favorite recipe for old-fashioned gingerbread?
I loved this post! So fun!
Hope
October 7, 2010 at 6:24 pmI love this post, it made my day 🙂
And I loooooooooove that dress, everytime I see one of your pics with you wearing it I get all jealous!! It is gorgeous!
Ashley
October 7, 2010 at 6:29 pmBonnet picture…..pleeze!!!!!!!!!!!
Sahar
October 7, 2010 at 6:42 pmHey, someone beat me to it, but I would love a good gingerbread recipe too! I actually am a bigger fan of Starbucks’ gingerbread latte than pumpkin spice – I just love the flavor. On a side note, the talk on Twitter about a possible mac n cheese recipe made me super excited 🙂
Abby
October 7, 2010 at 6:44 pmGreetings from an American history professor who does not have a food blog, but is a little bit Little Women obsessed.
I found your blog not long ago and have been enjoying following along.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
October 7, 2010 at 6:52 pmGood thin my mom didn’t have fine china out when we were little – otherwise, we would have probably thrown it at each other. My siblings and I were insane when we were little!!!
Jennifer-Anne
October 7, 2010 at 6:56 pmoooh I agree Brenda – I loved Starbucks gingerbread – UNTIL – someone wasn’t using their thinking cap one day and changed the fondant icing with candied ginger to cream cheese icing with candied peel. Bad move. Candied peel is compost – not food.
Melissa @ MebecomesMe
October 7, 2010 at 7:08 pmHow super cute! I am so glad you added the American History bit… I was OBSESSED with the American Revolution when I was in high school and still get a little teary-eyed watching documentaries about that time period.
I also agree with all of the above commenters: you HAVE to show us the bonnet. 🙂
Shannon, Tropical Eats
October 7, 2010 at 7:16 pmi love fun posts like these 🙂
tracy
October 7, 2010 at 7:32 pmare there actually people who DON’T dip their fingers in the nutella jar?
kate
October 7, 2010 at 7:43 pmive seen a few posts like this recently and ive been thinking of doing one – my list would include hating on capers, too!
Suzanne de Cornelia
October 7, 2010 at 7:53 pmGreat post. 🙂
Amber K
October 7, 2010 at 9:34 pmI love blogs like this.
My own confession? I have absolutely NO idea what capers are!
Jessica@tastyandtrim
October 7, 2010 at 9:35 pmLoved this post! I find it so fun to read random facts about people. Reading that you buried the china made me laugh 🙂 Sounds like something I would’ve done!
Ann
October 7, 2010 at 10:01 pmYour Little House on the Prairie obsession reminds me of my Anne of Green Gables obsession. I used to write in very fervid, flourishing prose to be more Anne-like 🙂
Alyssa
October 7, 2010 at 11:34 pmOh dear. I never buried my mother’s china but I DID routinely take it out into the backyard to make intricately decorated mud pies which I would then try to force feed to my dog. No wonder that dog died.
I own a bonnet too. Laura Ingalls Wilder rocks. I swear the one where she and Almanzo get married- I read that one like 12 times when I was 12. I used to have a pioneer dress too, but, sadly, have grown out of it.
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
October 8, 2010 at 2:55 amcapers & sardines are nasty to me too! ewww, stinky! haha!
I never knew dogs were that sensitive to unbaked bread?! wow, good to know! Not that this would ever come up in my lifetime as I dont eat gluten and have no desire to bake GF bread from scratch, and, I don’t have a dog 🙂
Natalia - a side of simple
October 8, 2010 at 7:26 amConfession: I still do number 3. 🙂
Rebekah @Rebeltarian
October 8, 2010 at 7:34 amI too have dreams of becomming Jo March…it’s never too late.
Samma
October 8, 2010 at 7:50 amDidn’t you just long for a garrett? I had no idea what one really was, some sort of attic? However, I knew that if I had a garrett to scribble in that I would make correct choices like marrying Teddy, not some stupid old German professor.
Sam
October 8, 2010 at 11:27 amhahaha the fact that your childhood dream was to be an eskimo bride is awesome
Kristen
October 8, 2010 at 4:21 pmI really really like that dress. I have never had nutella before. It seems like everyone on the internet loves it. I’ll have to try it sometime.
Jil
October 9, 2010 at 7:46 amhahaha Yesss! Little Women! Love this list!
jenna
October 11, 2010 at 5:13 am🙂 this is hilarious!! your poor mother!! I love gingerbread too!! mmm…so good!
The Time I Almost Killed The Family Dog — Eat, Live, Run
October 11, 2010 at 12:27 pm[…] know I mentioned this the other day, but I feel like I left a few things unsaid and don’t want anyone to think I was some sort of […]
Maggie
January 7, 2011 at 11:10 amwow. we are the same person.