Sister Interview

Hello and Happy Thursday All!

I'm truly ecstatic to share with you this very special interview and introduce you to two fabulous bloggers, 

Sarah and Hannah, 

who are coincidentally sisters too. 

I've been a regular reader of Redhead Recipes and Sherbet Blossom for quite a while now, and I was surprised to discover that the blog writers were sisters. I would read their blogs and think gosh, she looks familiar. She looks like so and so from so and so....and then I dug a little deeper and realized that they were, in fact, sisters! How cool is that?! That's where I got the idea to contact both of them and ask them if they would like do an interview with me. To my wonderful surprise and delight - they said "YES."

They may be sisters but their blogs couldn't be 

more different.

Hannah's blog - Sherbet Blossom is all about her life and her passion in crafting and Sarah's blog - Redhead Recipes is all about her food adventures and fantastic recipes. I've tried a few of her recipes and they're absolutely delicious!

May you enjoy reading this interview as much as I did asking the questions.

the sister interview:

Hannah on the left and Sarah on the right

Where are you from? 

S: We recently moved to Nebraska about a month ago. Before that I have lived in Utah, Idaho (for school) and Texas (where we were born). 

H: I also live in Utah. It is so beautiful here. We love it. Sarah and I live about 5 minutes from each other. I am REALLY going to miss her when she and her family head out on their law school adventure to NE.

Who’s the oldest? Any other brothers and sisters?

H: I am older than Sarah. However, when most people meet us, they think Sarah is older. She is a few inches taller and much more mature. 

S: Hannah and I were blessed/cursed with young-looking genes (it will be a blessing when we are 50; it was a curse when we were teenagers). When I was 22 working in the NICU, I had a patient who asked if I was 18. We also have two brothers and a sister. The range in age from 29-39. The boys live out of state but our sister lives in Utah with us.

Are you married with children? 
Do you work full time?

S: I have been married for 4 years and have a 16 month old little girl. I work part time as an RN in Labor & Delivery. Next to my family and food - it is my passion.

H: Sarah is an awesome nurse, too. She was my postpartum nurse after having my middle child and she delivered my third. Another reason I don't want her to move away! I have been married 8 years this summer. We have three darling kiddos ages 5, 3 and 5 months. I work full time from home as a graphic designer. I feel so lucky to do what I love every day...and still be home when my kids need me.

How would you describe your sister?

S: Hannah is kind to all - she has always been a friend to the friendless. She is fun and can always make me laugh. She is a patient mother and loving wife. She is my role model - I really try to do everything she does. 

H: Wow, thanks Sarah! Can I just say "ditto?" Sarah truly is MY role model. I admire her in so many ways. Sarah is genuine and real. She is spiritual and truly a good person. She is a darling mother; her daughter adores her. Sarah is sweet and sensitive. 

What is your look?

H: Growing up, I was more trendy than Sarah. My style was constantly changing and evolving with the passing fads. Sarah's wardrobe, on the other hand has always been classic and sophisticated. She is glamorous and elegant. So, no. We didn't have the same style, but that is why we loved to raid each other's closets. I'd wear her clothes and she'd wear mine all the time. We were a great pair. Now that we are older, our style seem to be more similar. We still share things occasionally.

S: When we were young teenagers we fought almost daily about stealing something from the others' closet. Then one day we decided it would be cool to be friends. So we decided our closets were free game (except I had to ask to borrow one of her million purses and she had to ask to borrow my jewelry).

How long have you been blogging and what motivated you to start?

S: I have had a my personal/family blog since 2005 but started my food blog just over a year ago. I was posting recipes and pictures of food so much on my personal blog that Hannah told me I should start a food blog. 

H: I started blogging a little over five years ago. A neighbor of mine encouraged me to start one. My blog was much different back then; I was still finding my voice and didn't really understand what blogging was all about. Sherbet Blossom was started about three years ago when a couple friends told me I should start a blog all about me. I'm so glad I did!

Where do you find inspiration? 
(How do you stay inspired?)

H: I find inspiration everywhere. Magazines, my darling children, shops, other blogs, books, etc. Because I post about my life, I don't usually have a hard time figuring out what to post about. I live and write about my experiences. I also keep a running list of ideas that I can refer to if I ever am stumped.

S: I love to watch the food network (although it is a rare treat now with my schedule), read other food blogs, eat out, and read cookbooks. I love taking a flavor combination I see at a restaurant or in a recipe and turn it into a new dish. Most of my recipes are what we ate for dinner. Sometimes I just look in the cupboard and think of what might taste good together. Sometimes we are disappointed but most of the time we are pleasantly surprised. 

Do you write posts for each other?

S: We never have... maybe we should start. 

H: We should! Sarah is quite crafty and I love to cook. Good idea!

What sisterly advice do you give to each other?

H: Sarah and I talk about everything. I call her whenever I am having a cooking problem, when I have a medical question, when I am bored. She is a great listener and always offers great advise.

S: I always call Hannah for ideas on pretty much anything. She is so creative. Her design ideas are always "just what I was thinking!" only... I couldn't think of it. I always call her when I am about to make a big purchase because she has probably already researched and knows the best one. If you saw our baby gear you would laugh - I just get whatever she has: carseats, strollers, high chairs, etc.

What do you admire about your sister?

S: Besides all that I said in the first - she can sleep like 3 or 4 hours a night (that's almost every night!) and then be a nice patient loving wife and mother. Give me less than 8 and you shall see a monster.

H: Haha. Sarah...that's not always true. It catches up to me eventually. I admire a lot of things about Sarah. I think the thing I admire most is her innate goodness. She is such a GOOD person, in every way. She is honest and kind. 

Cooking or Eating out?

H: Oh, my. I love both. Food in general. I LOVE cooking. Sarah and I come from a long line of food lovers. Cooking is in our blood. However, a night off is always nice. 

S: I agree with Hannah. I love cooking, but I love eating just as much. Growing up in our family, we would eat our way through vacations - we loved trying new restaurants and eating the local fare. You would never find us at a Chili's, or any other chain, on vacation - we had that at home. But... cooking is my hobby, it helps me relax, so I love them both.

Do you have a favourite recipe or comfort food?

S: I have never had one favorite dish - I like food too much to settle on one thing. I always try to order something new. Not too long ago I posted a recipe for Tom Yum Soup (link to: http://rhrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/06/tom-yum-soup.html) this is my comfort food. When I'm sick, that's what I need. 

H: I really love my mom's dinner roll recipe. It is fantastic. I think that is my favorite food and it is definitely a comfort food in my book.

Who would you invite over for dinner 
(dead or alive)?

H: My family. All of them. My favorite moments are spent with all my siblings and our families. We have so much fun together and we always eat such fabulous food. 

S: Can I just go to Hannah's?

What's your favourite indulgence?

S: Shoes, going out to eat, and buying higher quality ingredients than usual.

H: Only one? Craft supplies? Shoes? Accessories? Hmm...I think going on a trip is my favorite indulgence.

S: Changed my mine - I'm going with Hannah on a vacation

What is your most treasured item/belonging?

H: Wow, this is a hard one. I think my most treasured possessions are my pictures. I love looking back on my kids' lives and do it often.

S: My journals. I could never replace those silly teenager moments - especially when I wrote that I wanted to marry someone like AC -- who I ended up marrying 5 years later. If there was a fire, I am throwing my journals out the window to save them. (Then I might run out the door with my computer to save all my pictures.)

What's your travel style - on the fly/pre-planned and organized/all-inclusive, b and b, backpacking, etc?

S: I am an organized fanatic. Growing up I would make packing lists weeks in advance because I was so excited. I still love to be really organized, plan everything out, and feel totally prepared. However, my favorite trips are visiting our parents in Hawaii and just lounge with no time commitments or scheduled events. 

H: I am just like Sarah. I am an itinerary kind of girl. I like to have everything planned out. J and I are outdoors lovers, so we like camping and hiking. Our favorite trip was to Kauai. We stayed in a beautiful hotel and hiked around the island during the day.

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What’s your favourite room in your home?

H: My craft room. I love that it is my place, full of all my hobbies and family pictures.

S: Our family room - we spend the most time there. I would say my kitchen if it wasn't 3x3 feet. Ugh. I can't wait to have a big kitchen.

What is your idea of happiness?

S: Being content with who I am and where I am in my life. (It's also a bonus if my house is clean, laundry is done, and all my errands are caught up)

H: My idea of happiness is a lazy, uncommitted day full of family, laughter and good food.

What advice can you give to someone regarding life?

H: Slow down. Enjoy where you are right now. Kiss your husband and cuddle your kids everyday.

S: Experiment - try something new at least once a week. Whether it is food, activity, or getting out of your comfort zone -- try something new.

What advice can you give fellow bloggers?

S: Be true to who you are. That's why people come to your blog - to see the real you. Show the mistakes, the funny things in your life. Blog about what you live - don't live so you can blog about it.

H: Give yourself a break. If you don't have anything to post about, don't post. Don't feel obligated to your readers. They can survive a week without an update while you spend quality time with your family. Get off the computer once in a while. (I am speaking to myself as I write this...)

What is your best character trait? 

H: I am loyal and empathetic. I care deeply about others. 

S: I try to be non-judgemental. I am not prejudice or racist. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt.

What would you like to improve about yourself?

S: Physically? I wouldn't mind loosing the last of my baby weight. Internally? I wish I were more patient.

H: Ditto about the baby weight. I'd also like to be a little more disconnected from technology and enjoy the simple things that matter more.

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If there was a movie about your life, who would play you?

H: Truth: I don't watch TV or many movies and therefore don't know actresses. I've been told 3 times in the past 2 days that I look like a Disney Star. (Debbie Ryan.) I think that is hilarious. Maybe she could play me as a teenager.

S: I get told a lot that I look like Kirsten Dunst. So maybe it should be her. One person said Gweneth Paltrow - I think I would choose her over Kirsten though.

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If you had one thing to accomplish in life, what would it be?

S: Have a family and take them all to Disneyland. Is that silly?

H: I'd like to see all of my children as happily married as I am. And, I want to go to Disneyland with Sarah. :)

How do you want to be remembered?

H: I want to be remembered as a good friend and a wonderful wife and mother. Someone you could trust and count on. 

S: Someone who was kind, patient, and generous with her time, talents, and money. My husband and I dream about going to a restaurant and seeing a young family and paying for their dinner. When my grandma died we all talked about how everyone thought they were the favorite grandchild - I want my kids and grandkids to feel that way too. 

Thank you Hannah and Sarah for taking the time to answer these questions. You guys are awesome!

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Hannah and Sarah and don't forget to check out the links to their blogs if you want to know more about them. 

Credits: 
All food, family and craft photos from 
Redhead Recipes and Sherbet Blossom. 
Celebrity photos, Room and Disney photos as credited and all others are from weheartit.com