Simple Start, A Giveaway

With the new year approaching I am getting more and more excited.  2011 is shaping up to be an interesting whirlwind of a year in which I am hoping to become so accomplished (what with the knitting classes and the sewing classes and the French, etc, etc) that I shame the women from Jane Austen's period.  And doing all of that means I have to keep extremely well organized so as not to overbook myself (I already do that with social activities!).  So a few months ago I bought a large purple leather planner by Gallery Leather.  G picked up a smaller black one and we were set to go.  I've already written in a couple things we have going on in January, and there is just nothing like seeing the new year start out right.

Knowing how happy this made me I decided to pick up another small black one to pass on to one of my dear readers!  And in an effort to make it simple I have one little mandatory entry:

Leave a comment telling me one project you hope to accomplish this next year!  

Planning on taking a class?  Want to get your office organized?  Have a piece of furniture you want to refinish?

Giveaway ends next Sunday, the 26th of December 11:59 EST.  Winner will be randomly drawn and notified and planner will be shipped out in time for the new year!

A Simple Quiche and A Winner!

I must start off by admitting that though I've show images of my quiches on here plenty I have never shared the recipe for our quiche lorraine because, well, I'm selfish.  I am sometimes not so nice in sharing recipes, it's something I'm working on.  I am pretty well known for it, it's always a hit, even for those who usually aren't huge fans of quiche.  The texture is perfection, soft, almost like a firm custard, never rubbery.  It's my husband's favorite food, and it's something we make at least once a month.  Since moving here I've become a bit more bold in my food experimentation and quiche has definitely been the go to for trying new flavors.  

But it all starts from the basic recipe (which I did share with the recipe for Mediterranean quiche and forgot!) and then I just play with the add ins.  Since one of my roommates at Relevant, Miss Debi, and my lovely friend, Miss Katie have asked me for the recipe I decided in the season of giving at Christmas time it was time for me to share.  So here is quiche lorraine.  If you decide to give it a whirl and add different ingredients I'd love to hear!  I think a link up day of quiche sounds amazing!

Quiche Lorraine

* I 9-inch single pie crust
* 4 eggs, beaten
* 12 slices of bacon (6 if thick cut)
* 1 c. shredded gruyere cheese (you can use reg. swiss, but it won't have the same taste)
* 1/3 c. minced onion
* 2 c. light cream (I've found that in a pinch, half and half works well too)
* 3/4 tsp. salt
* 1/4 tsp. sugar
* 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
* a little bit of good dijon mustard (I recommend Maille, once you use it, grey poupon will never be good enough again!)

Pre-heat oven to 425F.  Place bacon in a large skillet and fry over med-high heat until crisp.  Drain well on paper towels. (I usually smoosh them, because I can't handle a lot of grease.)  Chop bacon coarsely.  Brush bottom of pie crust with dijon mustard, not too much, you want just a hint.  Mix together the bacon, cheese, and onion in a bowl to distribute evenly and then sprinkle into the pie crust (even it out).  In a med. bowl whisk together the eggs, cream, sugar and spices.  Pour mixture into the pastry shell.

Bake for 15 min. in the pre-heated oven and then reduce heat to 350F and bake an additional 30 min. or until a knife inserted 1 inch from edge comes out clean.  Allow quiche to sit at least 10 min. before cutting into wedges.  (I usually insert the knife in the middle since it's the last to be done otherwise I've had it a couple times be found to be too soft and have to go back in.  But keep in mind because of the cream the egg will not be super firm, but more thick custard-like.)

 * As for the DaySpring Jesus is the Gift giveaway (which I kinda forgot about) the winner is number 6 MissRis!  I'll be e-mailing you your code!

Food Month Winner!

I was so excited to do this giveaway, and I've enjoyed picking up things along the way.  I will get a photo up of what all is included after the winner receives it.  And drumroll please.......

Miss Tracy Leigh!  Who earlier had requested that I do a post on how to cook for one, and I promise I will indeed do that.  After all, I will be cooking for one next year!  I'll e-mail you for your address!

Thanks to all those who entered I really enjoyed doing this Food Month.  And keep a look out because I have a small little something to giveaway this month in time for a fresh start with the new year!   

Share A Little

The best part of this season when it comes to food is being able to share items with others.  I love baking for G and his co-workers.  I love spreading the joy of the season!  Another piece I was given to review by DaySpring cards is from their Jesus Is The Gift line.  I chose a platter that has part of John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  I know not all of my readers are Christian, but it's the Christmas season and I love that I'm able to be reminded as I prepare food for others.  

I love this platter.  It's huge, easy to clean (dishwasher safe) and microwave safe (if you have a big enough microwave, which thankfully I do!).  And it would hold at least 40-50 cookies easy, making it a great choice for get togethers with friends, at church, or for sandwiches on a picnic.  Oh, and it's currently on sale for $9.99!  

I used THIS recipe from allrecipe.com.  I tweaked it a bit because I was using the natural (refrigerated) peanut butter and realized I only had 1/2 a cup, so I did half peanut butter and half almond butter.  They turned out delicious!  I make all of my cookies small, just a little bit bigger round than an oreo, and I got about 50 cookies out of it! 

Giveaway!  DaySpring has offered up a gift code to one of my readers!  So to enter the giveaway to win a code for $20 towards anything at DaySpring cards please leave a comment telling me what you would choose if you won!

For extra entries (and please use a separate comment for each):

* Tell me what your favorite holiday treat to make and share is.  
* Become a public follower on google and let me know you have (or already are).
* Follow me on Twitter and let me know!

Giveaway ends on Sunday, December 5 at 11:59 p.m.  A winner will randomly be drawn and be notified by e-mail on the following Monday.

***Fine print:  I received this platter free to do a review.  I was not paid to do a good review, I just happen to like their products.  Shipping charges will also apply to the gift code, so keep that in mind when ordering. 

And We Have A Winner....

Well, with only 4 entries everyone had a 25% chance of winning, and the winner according to Random.org is......

Kaira!  Congratulations, I'll e-mail you your code later today!

Thankful Giveaway

At the Relevant Conference two of the large sponsors were DaySpring Cards and InCourage.  Both amazing companies with positive messages, their "Beach House" room during the conference is where I snagged a lot of swag.  They would put things out every day all day and I even won a prize their first night (a beautiful nativity candle trio, photos to come later).  They also gave us women 3 amazing opportunities to do a review of products and also do a giveaway for our readers!  How amazing is that? 

The Ever Grateful line from DaySpring is a beautiful line of home pretties,  such as aprons, wooden caddies, table runners, place settings, etc.  Neutral tones to blend into your home.  I was a bit worried, as my home has less warm undertones, but the easel in my kitchen looks perfect!

The Ever Grateful Memo Board and Easel above is a ceramic piece on a brown metal stand.  It's beautiful, very  great quality and arrived quickly and in one piece.  I love the scalloped edges and the verse at the bottom: "Let There Be Thankfulness To God" Ephesians 5:4.  The verse is pretty much perfect this Thanksgiving season.  I'm planning on changing what is written there every day or so to keep G on his toes! 

We have a nook in our kitchen where thanks to the window we have a lower counter, a hard spot to fill.  But the easel, along with a candle and some beautiful ruby carnations now have me smiling every time I see it. 

Now for the giveaway: a code for $20 to DaySpring!  Simply visit their site and tell me an item you would love to put that $20 towards!  (and there are other bloggers doing similar giveaways so google search for more chances to win!)

Giveaway closes at 11:59 EST on Wednesday November 17.  Just in time to order something for Thanksgiving!

*Fine print:  The gift code has to apply to shipping charges as well (or out of pocket...basically it's not free shipping).  I was given this product to review, all opinions are my own, I was not paid for a glowing review.....I just really like this company!

Mean What I Say

It is one thing to talk about a food month, to post about what I think you should be doing, to encourage you to spend more on quality, but buy less.  It's an entirely other thing to have to put my money where my mouth is.  However, with G in enthusiastic agreement I am putting together a box of goodies for a giveaway.  I will tell you different things that will be added throughout the rest of the month, and I've already mentioned that the tea ball will be in there.  I've started stocking up goodies, and yes, it will be food/cooking related.  I might even throw in some homemade goodies to boot!  

So, for the rest of the month, this will be the post to come to in order to enter.

* For your first entry, just simply leave a comment with how you've been doing in the kitchen, or a question you have about cooking/food.  

For additional entries (please leave a comment for each thing you do!):

* Become a public follower through google (on the right side) and let me know!  (also if you're already one!)

* Follow me on twitter at kalee_marie and let me know who you are (a.k.a @kalee_marie, give me a shoutout, I love "meeting" readers!).

* Blog about this giveaway with a link back here.

* Tweet about this giveaway and let me know you did.

I am so excited for this month and this giveaway!  It's a topic I feel passionate about, and if I can convince even one person to change the way they think about food and cooking then I am satisfied.  Giveaway begins today and runs through November 30th, 11:59 EST.  A random number will be drawn and I'll get that shipped out in time for some yummy winter food to be made. 

And The Winner Is....

According to Random.org: (done by G because I am clueless at things like "screen shots")

#4!  Kaycee!  She is having excellent luck on here!  Hope the spring green makes you smile!


I will be mailing out the bundt pan this week along with a goodie or two!  Thanks to everyone who entered!