Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The Winner is...


The winner of the blogiversary giveaway of these two wonderful Gooseberry Patch cookbooks is:

The Paper Princess said...

Hi Kim

I love collecting cookbooks but I don't have ANY Gooseberry Patch cookbooks so I would be delighted to win your fabulous prize! I already follow your blog so thank you for including me in the giveaway!

Ramona


http://create-with-joy.com/
P.S. I'm hosting a fabulous cookbook giveaway for my followers as well, so be sure to stop by and enter! :-)
Congratulations to Ramona!
 
P.S. I have another giveaway going on right now! If you're interested in winning Gooseberry Patch's Big Book of Home Cooking, click here for details.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Fresh Apple Cake with Browned-Butter Frosting


Rustic is the word that came to mind when I first saw this recipe on the Southern Living site. And, that same adjective came to mind again and again while I worked on the dish from mixing the batter by hand to trying to incorporate the plentiful apples into the batter. This was my first experience with browned-butter frosting. It is wonderful! The flavor is nutty and delicious. This cake is the perfect way to welcome September in next week. I can't wait for fall! 

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Sweet Indulgences Sunday #19

I'm so looking forward to Labor Day weekend and three days away from work. The end of August is in sight and I can't wait to say goodbye. As I said last week, I'm in the mood for fall. I found so many fall-themed posts this week on my favorite blogs. Apple recipes are definitely on the agenda for this weekend.

Other thoughts: Football season starts next weekend, too, so I'll will be browsing through some cookbooks for some new tailgating recipes to feature. I'm also itching to get out of the house for some quick day trips. My husband wants to visit some of his favorite BBQ joints that he remembers from his childhood in South Carolina. So, we have a couple of those on the agenda. I'll report back here on our findings.

Hope everything is having a great weekend!


From My Kitchen:

Last Week's Top Recipes

#1
from The Kitchen is My Playground


#2
from Sweet Luvin' In the Kitchen


Tied for #3
from Cookin' Mimi

from Lark's Country Heart

Thanks to everyone who linked up last week! There were so many wonderful recipes!

The Rules...
  1. Please link up to the URL of your specific recipe post, not the URL of your main blog. When it asks for "Name", type in the name of your recipe.
  2. Please place a link back to this post in your original post or Grab My Button included below.
  3. Share your most recent dessert. Link up as many desserts as you would like. More is always better when it comes to desserts!
  4. Leave me a comment in this post to let me know that you've joined the party. Also, if you're having your own linky party, feel free to post the link to your party in the comment section. I would love to join your party!
  5. Now, let's share the love! Please visit at least two others and comment on the delicious desserts that they've brought to the party. It means so much to a blogger to get some positive commentary!
Grab My Button: My button seems to be experiencing some technical issues linking back to my page. I'll try to get them resolved soon or create another one. But, this one will be fine until then.


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The party starts here:







Monday, August 22, 2011

Gooseberry Patch's Big Book of Home Cooking: A Review and Giveaway



I've got a long wish list going on Amazon. I love to look through the cookbook section and see what's coming soon. I've had this cookbook, Gooseberry Patch's Big Book of Home Cooking on my wish list for several months now. I've been waiting patiently for it to be released on September 20th. I was so surprised to find out that I had been selected to review the cookbook and offer my readers a giveaway!

Recipe Snapshot: The Best Blondies


I do like a good brownie. But, I love a good blondie. There's just something about the chewiness that comes from cups of brown sugar that is just divine! These blondies from Gooseberry Patch's Big Book of Home Cooking had a little extra added to them: white chocolate chips, pecans, and toffee and caramel bits. As if a plain blondie wasn't good enough...

Recipe Snapshot: Mark's Egg Salad Sandwiches


For years now, I've been indifferent to egg salad. Yes, I would eat a couple of egg salad finger sandwiches here or there but to actually say that I liked them wouldn't be accurate. It was more like I tolerated them and ate them because someone had put forth the effort to make them.

Recipe Snapshot: White BBQ Sauce


Barbecue is so subjective. Whenever people give me their opinions on a BBQ restaurant, I have to consider how opinions can differ. I'm a fan of pulled pork with tangy mustard-based sauce. My husband prefers a sweet mustard-based sauce. I've never tasted the vinegar-based sauce of North Carolina, but know I would like it since I love a little tang. So, when I saw this recipe for white BBQ sauce in Gooseberry Patch's Big Book of Home Cooking, I had to give it a try. This is a unique mayonnaise-based sauce made popular in Alabama.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

My Martha's Chicken Tetrazzini

 

Whenever I read a reference to Martha, I know it's referring to Martha Stewart. But whenever I think of Martha, I think Martha Nesbit, a Savannah food writer and author of one of my favorite cookbooks, Savannah Celebrations. I've reviewed this cookbook before but can't help sharing another wonderful recipe from it here. I know you'll love it!

At my house, we usually grill steaks or cook some shrimp on Saturday nights. But, sometimes, I like to enjoy my Saturday evening by taking my time and working my way through a rewarding recipe. I don't like to think of this as a time-consuming dish. I like to think of it as a time-enhancing dish. Sure, I could have taken some shortcuts and used a rotisserie chicken and cans of chicken broth, but I didn't. I wanted to feel the satisfaction of making a dish from scratch. Sometimes, you have to use three or four pots to make one casserole. You just have to! And, it's worth it!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Sweet Indulgences Sunday #18

Fall may not be in the air yet, but it's definitely on my mind. I've got several apple recipes lined up that I want to try soon. I'm also ready to pull out the fall decorations. I'm in the mood for some pumpkins, scarecrows and the beautiful colors of fall leaves: orange, yellow, red and brown.

I need to put my nose to the grindstone in the kitchen this weekend. I've gpt so many recipes that I want to try and I can't wait to get started. What's on your baking to-do list this weekend?

From my kitchen this week:


Stop by to enter for a chance to win two of my favorite fall Gooseberry Patch cookbooks.

Last Week's Top Recipes

#1
from The Cake Dish

#2
from Adventures in my Kitchen

#3
from Sweet Baby {Mason} James

Thanks to everyone who returned to the party last week and to the those of you who accepted my invitation and joined for the first time!

The Rules...

  1. Please link up to the URL of your specific recipe post, not the URL of your main blog. When it asks for "Name", type in the name of your recipe.
  2. Please place a link back to this post in your original post or Grab My Button included below.
  3. Share your most recent dessert. Link up as many desserts as you would like. More is always better when it comes to desserts!
  4. Leave me a comment in this post to let me know that you've joined the party. Also, if you're having your own linky party, feel free to post the link to your party in the comment section. I would love to join your party!
  5. Now, let's share the love! Please visit at least two others and comment on the delicious desserts that they've brought to the party. It means so much to a blogger to get some positive commentary!
Grab My Button: My button seems to be experiencing some technical issues linking back to my page. I'll try to get them resolved soon or create another one. But, this one will be fine until then.



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The party starts here:




Wednesday, August 17, 2011

My Well-Seasoned Life: A Food Column


So far, I've written seven articles for my food column, My Well-Seasoned Life, which is published weekly in our local newspaper, EffinghamNow. I wanted to share the articles here and let you know that I've got a page on my blog, My Food Column, where I post a link to the article each week. Hope you'll stop by and check them out when you get a chance. Thanks!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Happy Belated Birthday: Japanese and Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

It was two weeks after the fact but it finally happened. We were able to celebrate my husband's birthday this past weekend. Due to his busy work schedule, the birthday festivities were extremely delayed. The kids had been plotting and planning to take him out to his (their) favorite Japanese restaurant. And, ever though he ended up working later than planned on Friday, we still managed to make it to Savannah for a late dinner.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Sweet Indulgences Sunday #17

Last weekend, the kids and I were on our own and, for the first time, went to a local pottery shop, Making Memories. We painted some plates and tiles and had a great time. It's definitely a place that I would like to return to before the holidays so that we can paint our own ornaments for the Christmas tree. It was fun to get the artistic juices flowing.

I've been  in the mood to try new places. We hit a doughnut shop this morning that we have had our eye on for a while. It's not new to our town, but it was new to us. We came home with a box full of different types of doughnuts. They were all delicious and we'll definitely be returning soon. Hope you're having a great weekend and that you'll take the time to try out something new. You never what treasures you may find in your own hometown!

Here are some treasures that I found at last week's linky party:

#1
from Fancy Frugalista

#2
from Adventures in My Kitchen

#3
from Cooking with K

It was another great week last week! I found some fantastic recipes that I will be trying soon. I even bought the ingredients for one of them. Can't wait to try it out. Thanks for everyone who returned to last week's party and for those of you who accepted my invitations and joined for the first time! Also, welcome to the newbies!!!


The Rules...


  1. Please link up to the URL of your specific recipe post, not the URL of your main blog. When it asks for "Name", type in the name of your recipe.
  2. Please place a link back to this post in your original post or Grab My Button included below.
  3. Share your most recent dessert. Link up as many desserts as you would like. More is always better when it comes to desserts!
  4. Leave me a comment in this post to let me know that you've joined the party. Also, if you're having your own linky party, feel free to post the link to your party in the comment section. I would love to join your party!
  5. Now, let's share the love! Please visit at least two others and comment on the delicious desserts that they've brought to the party. It means so much to a blogger to get some positive commentary!

Grab My Button: My button seems to be experiencing some technical issues linking back to my page. I'll try to get them resolved soon or create another one. But, this one will be fine until then.

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The party starts here!





Sunday, August 7, 2011

One Year of A Well-Seasoned Life: Celebration and Giveaway


On August 6, 2010, I posted my first recipe, Deviled Tuna Casserole, and A Well-Seasoned Life began. Writing this blog has been one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences in my life. Every day is a milestone! And, I've found myself accepted in a community of wonderful bloggers who inspire me and encourage me to become better in every way.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Deluxe Cocktail Sausages

This is another sneak peek at Gooseberry Patch's latest, 101 Hearty Recipes. This recipe was submitted by Carrie Helke from Schofield, WI. I was immediately attracted to this recipe from the first moment I saw it in the cookbook. What's not to like about pigs-in-a-blanket kicked up a notch? These are to die for. With the sweet pecan sauce, it's like an appetizer and a dessert all rolled in to one. I'll definitely put these on my "make again" list.

Sweet Indulgences Sunday #16

I've never been so happy to see the weekend arrive! My children started school on Thursday and it was a wild week at work with the opening day craziness! So happy to be at home in my little house and reading all of your wonderful blogs. I'm comforting myself by looking at delicious desserts.

This week, I was the guest writer on All 'n Son's Sweet Tooth Friday. Most of you are familiar with her linky party. Hope you'll stop by there and check out my recipe for Turtle Rice Krispie Treats and link up your recipe if you haven't already.



I finally got around to using my doughnut pan last weekend. I made these blueberry cake doughnuts. My younger son asked for chocolate so I'll have to see what I can come up with to satisfy that craving.


Last Week's Top Recipes:

#1
from Shugary Sweets

Tied for #2
from Cats and Casseroles

from Shugary Sweets

Tied for #3
from Lemon Drop


from Lemon Drop

There were some great recipes linked up last week, many that have made it to my to-do list. Thanks to everyone who returned to the party this week and those who accepted my invitation and visited for the first time.

The Rules...


  1. Please link up to the URL of your specific recipe post, not the URL of your main blog. When it asks for "Name", type in the name of your recipe.
  2. Please place a link back to this post in your original post or Grab My Button included below.
  3. Share your most recent dessert. Link up as many desserts as you would like. More is always better when it comes to desserts!
  4. Leave me a comment in this post to let me know that you've joined the party. Also, if you're having your own linky party, feel free to post the link to your party in the comment section. I would love to join your party!
  5. Now, let's share the love! Please visit at least two others and comment on the delicious desserts that they've brought to the party. It means so much to a blogger to get some positive commentary!
Grab My Button: My button seems to be experiencing some technical issues linking back to my page. I'll try to get them resolved soon or create another one. But, this one will be fine until then.


Button


The party starts here:


Friday, August 5, 2011

I'm the Guest Writer on Alli 'n Son's Sweet Tooth Friday


One of my favorite linky parties to visit each weekend is Alli 'n Son's Sweet Tooth Friday. It was one of the first linky parties I ever attended and I try to link up and visit as often as I can. While Alli is busy with her new baby boy, I helped out by providing this week's host recipe, Turtle Rice Krispies Treats. Hope you'll stop by the party and check out my recipe and all of the other great recipes that have joined the party! It's always a fun time!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

The Winner Is...

Edited on 8/25/11. Due to lack of response at my first drawing, I drew another name from the hat on 8/25/11.

The winner of Gooseberry Patch's 101 Hearty Recipes is:

Those pecan pie muffins look fabulous! I would love to win that mailto:cookbook...sharithayer1022@yahoo.comDon't feel discouraged if you didn't win this giveaway! August is my one-year blogiversary and I will be giving away two of my favorite Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. Come back soon for the details!


Thanks so much, I will be following your blog!



Congratulations to Shari!