Saturday, February 25, 2012

Sweet Indulgences Sunday #44

Good Morning! Some of you may have noticed that I didn't host a linky party last weekend. My family and I enjoyed a relaxing weekend in Columbia, South Carolina. We visited the Riverbanks Zoo and several area restaurants. Our hotel had an indoor pool which my husband and the kids enjoyed while I sat in the room watching a cheesy romantic comedy and munching on day-old Krispy Kreme doughnuts. It was HEAVEN!

I got to visit my first gourmet cupcake shop in downtown Columbia, aptly named "Cupcake". I bought two vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and a chocolate cupcake with salted caramel frosting. Let me tell you that they were rich. I couldn't eat a whole one at a time. I spread out the eating over two days and finally figured a fork and knife were the best weapons for attacking these cupcakes. They were delicious and formidable opponents. I eventually won the battle though!


Here are those most inspiring recipes from the last linky party:


from The Sweet Spot

from Indulge


from The Sweet Swiper

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.
  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!
The party starts here:

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Proctor and Gamble's "One-List Life" at Publix


Attention Publix Shoppers! From February 23–29 you can participate in Proctor and Gamble's “One List Life” promotion, available exclusively at Publix: simply select any four fabulous participating P&G items and pick up a FREE Rotisserie Chicken while you’re at it! Learn more at http://www.savingspg.com/.

Monday, February 20, 2012

The Winner of the Great Blogger Giveaway


The winner of the cookbook package from A Well-Seasoned Life is:

What a fantastic trio of cookbooks! I'd love to win :)

Congratulations to Melissa! And thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway!

Edited to add the entire list of winners from the Great Bloggers Giveaway:

Thank you all for your enthusiasm. These winners, chosen using random.org, have now all come forward to claim their prizes:


* Debbie M. of Clinton, Ohio, won the Pampered Chef Trio of sauces and petite bamboo serving spoons.
* Mary K. from Plymouth, Massachusetts, won Cooking With Mel's Oster Belgian Wafflemaker.
* Melissa K. from Zeeland, Michigan, won the bundle of three cookbooks from A Well-Seasoned Life.
* Desirae F. from Indiana won the Peacock Fiestaware Casserole dish from Zestuous.
* Judy W. of Madison, Indiana, won Basilmomma's silpat liner.
* Mary C. from West Des Moines, Iowa, won the latke server and teapot-shaped infuser from Ally's Kitchen.
* M.J. from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, won the Country Cooks Across America dessert cookbook.
* Linda R. from Baker, Florida, won the Mini Chocolate Fondue Fountain from Coupon Loving Chicks.
* Arlene W. of Dalhart, Texas, won a copy of Carol O'Biso's memoir, A Well Seasoned Life: A Daughter's Tales From Her Father's Kitchen.
* Rich & Sweet from Asheboro, NC, won the Denim Jean half Apron and Lark's Community cookbook from Lark's Country Heart

Thanks again, and come back to visit us for the next giveaway.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Sweet Indulgences Sunday #43

Because my husband worked out of town this weekend, we haven't celebrated Valentine's Day yet. We're planning to go out of town next weekend so that will be our Valentine's Day celebration. I did make some rich, fudgy brownies yesterday and the kids and I have been munching on those.

We'll spend some time this afternoon filling out the boys' Valentine's cards for their classes. These cards just aren't what they used to be. I remember the cards I gave out during elementary school - they were covered in hearts and flowers with cute little envelopes. Now, there are no traditional Valentine's cards - just cartoon characters and the cards just fold in half. Where are the Valentine's icons? Where are the envelopes? Where is the love?

Last Week's Most Inspiring Recipes:


from The Traveling Spoon


Chocolate and Vanilla Linzer Hearts
from ButterYum


Strawberry Milk Whoopie Pies
from the Sweet Swiper

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.
  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!
The party starts here:

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Cookbook Review: "The Homesick Texan Cookbook"

The Homesick Texan Cookbook
by Lisa Fain
Hyperion Publishing

I've been fortunate in that I've never known the pain of homesickness. I've lived in the same county all my life which has its own advantages and disadvantages. But, I can only imagine that if I did leave my home here in Georgia and moved to New York City like Lisa Fain did, that I, too, would miss the comforts of my Southern food more than anything else.

Monday, February 6, 2012

The Great Bloggers Giveaway of 2012



Welcome to my first-ever combined giveaway! I've teamed up with some great foodie bloggers to give away some awesome prizes. Some of these bloggers may be familiar to you while others may be new. But, one of the things that we all have in common is our love of food, cookbooks, and kitchen gadgets. I'm sure you'll find something that's right up your alley.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Winner Announced: The Mystic Blue Spice Company

The winner of the Southwest Seasoning from the Mystic Blue Spice Company is:

sle53
That lools so great. Can't wait to try it on my country style ribs, chicken, steaks, etc. I could go on and on.

Congratulations!!!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Sweet Indulgences Sunday #42

It's Superbowl weekend, but I can't get my mind off of Valentine's Day. I've been working on the Valentine's article for my column and, everywhere I go, I'm surrounded by Valentine's Day decorations. We haven't even made plans for the actual holiday yet. My kids are off for winter break in two weeks so we may take a mini vacation and we'll consider that our Valentine's Day celebration.