Sydney Mike

about me

Originally from rural northeastern Montana, I settled in Southern California in the mid-1960s. Sometime after retiring I moved to the high desert of San Bernardino County and enjoy it here very much.

I enjoy baking especially during the summertime's fresh fruit period and for the winter holidays. I've been told that when I bake, I'm raisin-crazy, and I suppose that's pretty accurate!

I have two children ~ a married daughter who lives in Tennessee, & who, in turn has 3 daughters & a grandson; my son is married & living here in Southern California about 11 miles away. My life partner & I have been together since 2001 & have a miniature schnauzer named Valentino [His buddy AND MINE ~ Giacomo ~ died in 2006].

Beginning in 2001 I started working part-time as a model for life-drawing & photography classes at a local community college.

I adopted 25 chefs during the Spring PAC 2007 & made 100 recipes. In the same event, I was adopted by Diana #2.

Participated in the Australian/New Zealand Recipe Swap #14, Mar 08, & made 94 recipes ~ Was teamed with blancpage, Chef on the coast, happynana & PainterCook in Group #14, The Curried Currajongs.




I'm an active participant in the Please Review My Recipe cooking game.


Participated in the Australian/New Zealand Recipe Swap #15, Apr 08, & made 12 recipes. In Group #14, Hakea, my teammembers were Stardustannie, Chickee, & French Tart.


Participated in the Australian/New Zealand Recipe Swap #16, May 08, & made 90 recipes ~ My teammates in Group #13, Grevillia, included French Tart, CHILI SPICE & Leggy Peggy.


I was adopted by Midwest Maven during Spring PAC 2008, & during the same event, I adopted a large brood of 107 chefs & made 303 recipes!


I participated in the Cookbook Swap in Apr-May 08 & was partnered with Lauralie41.

Favorite Foods:

My most 'famous' dish is probably my Outrageous Carrot Cake, although the Strawberry Disaster Cake is a close second. However, I really enjoy baking fruit pies, and find great enjoyment in combining several fruits together. One I'm particularly fond of is my apple cranberry pie, and when I say cranberry, I mean CRANBERRY!

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