Interview Week: Doniree

posted 18th January 2011    Written by: Doniree    CATEGORY: Doniree, Season 3, What I've Learned

1. What do you miss most about being a child?

Recess. My cute Southern accent. Having a swimming pool in the backyard.

2. What’s on your bedside table?

A reading lamp, my “One Line A Day” book that Nicole gave me for Christmas, a pen, my iPhone charger, and random bobby pins.

3. When was the last time you were giddy with happiness, lost in one of those can’t-hold-back-a-smile moments?

Last week, I spent a few days in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with my family for my cousin‘s wedding. My cousin and I were peas in a pod growing up, and then life, high school, college, and many miles between us happened and we lost touch as whole-family visits became more infrequent and we just got busy.

In the last couple of years though, we’ve kept up a little more and it’s fun to be back in touch. I hope to keep that up.

Anyway, seeing her absolutely radiating love and happiness with her new husband, surrounded by the love of family and friends – that made me absolutely silly happy.

4. What are you most looking forward to in the next 6 months?

I always look forward to upcoming travel, and I’m ecstatic that I have two trips to New York City planned this spring – one of which will include bringing BoyfriendMan with me to one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. NYC is a magical, sparkly place and I can’t wait to visit again and see friends, as well as visit again and bring him. This spring also holds the promise of a return trip to Austin, TX and the third installment of Bloggers in Sin City in Las Vegas. All of this happens before June, and I’m excited to revisit cities I’ve fallen in love with, and catch up with friends who’ve become so important to me over the last few years. On the flip side, I’m also looking forward to settling into Portland and exploring this city I just moved into.

5. What’s your hell like?

“Werewolves in London” and “Rock Lobster” are playing on repeat. Every meal consists of water chesnuts. It’s 10 degrees below zero. Chocolate milk doesn’t exist, and I’m folding laundry.

6. What’s your heaven like?

It’s 75 degrees and sunny, I’m on a lake in Northern Minnesota. Daytimes are spent on boats, drinking wine off the docks, sharing meals with friends and family, cooking on grills and over open fires. Nights are spent around bonfires, telling stories, roasting s’mores. Music is always playing and is French cafe music, or the Michael Buble station on Pandora. I have my own Food Network and Travel channel shows and have published three books.

Ok, so maybe that’s my retirement?

7. What’s the biggest lesson you’re taking away from the past 6 months with Stratejoy, and how has the experience changed you?

Biggest lesson? Plan ahead for anticipated craziness. I fell off the posting-with-consistency wagon towards the end here because my days and nights were filled with preparing to move, moving, unpacking, family travel twice, the holidays, and catching up on work. I saw it coming. I am perfectly capable of planning ahead and doing that well. I’m also completely in love with the Stratejoy community, the other Season 3 bloggers, and the stories that have been shared here.

8. What song lyrics fit your life, right now, at the beginning of this brand new year?

Is it too cheesy to say “Time of My Life”? Ha. I’m not sure. I’m oscillating between head over heels in love, bright-eyed at the world of possibilities in a new city and with a new year. I’m also sad to have left such amazing friends behind again – this time in Boulder. I’m grateful to have had the year I did in Colorado, and am reflecting on the idea that it went by so, so fast. I’m adjusting to a new city, learning my way around and I love it but it’s also disorienting at times. I’m happily in transition, in limbo. I’m deliriously in love.

What song says all that?

9. If you had a time machine, what place and time would you travel to and why?

The midwest in the late 20′s. I’d be friends with Amelia Earhart when she was in her late 20′s/early 30′s. I’ve always been fascinated by her, and I bet she was a pretty kickass woman back in those days.

10. What is something that not a lot of people know about you that you wish more people could know?

Hmm. I used to want to be a pilot. (See: Answer to #9)

11. What surprised you most about 2010?

The relationships that formed. I met Chris when I wasn’t expecting to fall in love, met girlfriends who became like sisters, and strengthened relationships with friends miles away.

12. What’s the best present you’ve ever received?

The best present I received recently was the Christmas present from my Boyfriend. He’s the most thoughtful gift-giver. For my birthday last year, he knew it was on my Life List to travel by train since I hadn’t yet, and he bought us a round-trip to Glenwood Springs and back from Boulder. It was awesome, and so thoughtful. This year, for our first Christmas – he surprised me with a foodie’s perfect gift: a cooking class at Sur la Table, a great Chef’s knife and some Artisan cheeses.

{Photo credit: @christopherdan}

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Comments (8)

8 Responses to “Interview Week: Doniree”

  • aftertherace Says:
    January 18th, 2011 at 9:52 am

    I love this! And you're going to New York? How exciting! I know you're a foodie, so if you're looking for a good restaurant to visit while you're there, hit up il vagabondo: They have amazing Italian food, as well as a bocce ball court right there in the restaurant!

  • Alisha Says:
    January 18th, 2011 at 11:48 am

    Love this. Thanks for sharing. Good luck with your travels this year!

  • Doniree Says:
    January 18th, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    Oh! Thanks for the tip! I've been told I MUST try 'Ino, so that's first on my list, followed by Eataly, then il vagabondo – thanks to you! Not sure if I'll hit all of those, but I'll shoot for at least one out of three!

    Also BOCCE BALL? I love that!

  • Doniree Says:
    January 18th, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    Thank you! This was such a fun post :)

  • nikki_klecha Says:
    January 19th, 2011 at 9:56 am

    So lovely. Please, please, can we meet in person this year?? There's a couch with your name on it in LA & I DID super enjoy Portland… :) xo

  • marianschembari Says:
    January 19th, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    First of all, it's my DREAM to move to Portland. When I do I've decided we're gonna be besties. It's like your answers to these were pulled from my brain.

  • Doniree Says:
    January 20th, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    YES, yes yes we can! Also, thanks! Also, COME VISIT ME IN PORTLAND!

  • Doniree Says:
    January 20th, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    That would be STELLAR!

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