Katie Lee

“I really like keeping my kitchen counters as clear as possible. I tend to function better when there's less clutter.”

“Working on my first novel, 'Groundswell' - about a woman recovering from a bad breakup who falls in love with surfing - I spent a month south of the border. And when I wasn't writing or surfing, I was eating. A lot.”

“I like a good burger as much as the next girl, but sometimes, I say hold the beef. In fact, every week, I do Meatless Monday to feel a little healthier.”

“I have always wanted to write a novel, and I tried many times but could never find the right story. One day, I was walking on the beach, and the idea for 'Groundswell' hit me. I went into the house and started writing and never stopped.”

“Every great sandwich starts with a great bun, and my absolute favorites are Sara Lee Artesano Bakery Buns and Rolls - they're quick, simple and work perfectly with all my favorite recipes!”

“If you look at the cookbooks that sell the most, it's almost always people who have their own TV shows.”

“I'm asleep at midnight. I go to bed really early, so I don't have a midnight snack.”

“There's something so intimate about a picnic with your guy.”

“When I look back on my childhood, my fondest memories are those surrounding the dinner table.”

“I grew up in a small town in West Virginia, and most of my family lived in our neighborhood or very close by. I had my grandparents down the street, my great-grandmother next door, and my great-aunt and great-uncle one door down.”

“Holiday shopping is a challenge. Stores are crowded; people are stressed and rude... not exactly the spirit of the season.”

“If I really don't feel like cooking, I have a bowl of lentil pasta with Rao's jarred sauce.”

“I really want to write another novel, and I am trying to come up with what the story will be. As I learned with 'Groundswell,' I can't force it; I just have to wait for it to come to me.”

“I love Montauk Pearl oysters. They are briny, creamy, and sweet. To me, they are the perfect oyster.”

“I like a very clean kitchen, and when I'm cooking, I try to clean as I go.”

“Some guys find eating face-to-face weirdly intense. But sitting on the same side of the table allows both intermittent physical contact and eye contact.”

“I think it's odd when people say jeans are comfortable, because to me, they feel like sausage casings.”

“I once had a 'best friend' share private stories that I had told her in confidence to another mutual friend. I think the worst part, aside from the actual betrayal of trust, is that this experience affected my future relationships, as I was hesitant to be as open with my other friends.”

“I've always been a big fan of ribs.”

“I'm always buying glasses and teacups. I have way too many to use, but I just love them, particularly anything vintage.”