Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!

                                                      

Quintuple Chocolate Brownies

To All My Blogging Friends and Readers, Happy New Year!
It's been a wonderful year in this crazy world known as the Blogosphere!  I've enjoyed my 1st year immensely, and even though the New Year is no time for regrets, I only regret not starting this blog 3 years ago! WOW! If I knew then what I know now!?!?

My 1st Blogiversary is coming up real soon, and I have some special plans for a grand celebration! So, stay tuned and bookmark this blog!

                                                                           

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cupcakes

Here's Some of Last Year's Highlights and My Favorite Recipes!
In less than a year, my stats have soared to almost 90,000! And while that may not seem huge to some of you, it's totally amazes me! Tastespotting, Foodgawker and Serious Eats Photograzing have accepted an enormous amount of photos from my collection. I've had offers to guest blog for different sites, offers to write for hire from others, my Suite101 freelancing job continues to grow, and I've received numerous blogging awards from loyal readers. Without you, my blog would be, well, just another blah, blah talk show!

Peanut Butter Torte

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

• Thanks for making my first year a wonderful success.
• Thank you for all the friendships I've made through my blog.
• Thank you for commenting on my posts.
• Thank you for supporting me by clicking through to all my Suite101 Recipes.
• Thank you for clicking the StumbleUpon and Share This buttons!
• Thank you for sharing my ups and downs and encouraging me to continue.
• Thank you for entering all my cookbook giveaways!
• Thank you for not throwing rotten eggs at me!
• Thank you for inflating my ego!

                                                                    

Free Form Peach Galette Recipe                                             

Some of my New Year Resolutions & Goals include:

• Replying to your comments on a more consistent basis.
• Commenting on your blogs!
• Giving away more cookbooks!
• Returning the favor by Stumbling your blogs!
• Taking a photography course.
• Posting more often.
• Inflating YOUR egos!

                                                               

Broccoli, Leek & Zucchini Quiche

There's plenty more, but I don't want to bore you all with my lofty goals, crazy wishes and insane babbling! Suffice it to say, I can't wait to see what the New Year brings to you, my faithful readers, and Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

                                                                  

How To Roll A Pie Crust Without A Rolling Pin

FEATURED BLOG ~ A TYPEPAD AWARD

                                        
TypePad Featured Blog Award!
About a month ago, I received an email from a real nice guy named Jonathan. It started off, "Dear Kitty Cruiser, We are so excited to inform you that your TypePad Blog has been selected to be featured on TypePad’s homepage.  We chose your blog because of its unique subject matter, thoughtful posts, and engaging design – everything we look for in a Featured TypePad blog." It ended with "On behalf of all of us at Six Apart and TypePad, congratulations on being chosen as a Featured blogger!"

Well, I gotta tell you, I was pretty darned excited about that one! When I got done patting myself on the back a little harder than I should ~ calm down Donna, calm down ~ I was over-the-top freaked out and almost had to take another Xanax! This is a BIG deal. They only give out 5 per week out of trillions of blogs...well, all right...not trillions. I'm exaggerating a bit. But still! Now I can put my "TypePad Featured Weblog" badge on my blog and flaunt it a little, OK, a lot! I had to wait until today to see it online and it came out real nice, if I do say so myself. Go take a peek, it's awesome! (I didn't write all those cool things, Jonathan did. What a great guy, huh?) And then he said they'd be sending me a T-shirt as well! 

Anyway...Now that I'm done blushing, I'm gonna go take a pill, do the dishes and try to figure out how in the world to get this stinkin' badge to be a fixture on my blog. I have to confess, I know nothing about computers. I'm a baker, chef and wine-o. My daughter Erika, from Stampin' Mama can take the credit for setting up my blog. (pssst! I just noticed she has a Give-Away going on until 7/7!) She talked me into it and took care of all the details. Even now, I have to call her to put badges on my blog! Ahhhh, what a life!
                                                                       
(This is the photo they chose for their homepage)

Blogging With A Purpose ~ Another Award!

Awards are like Christmas presents. You can't wait to open them, but you have no idea what to do with some of them! Or, they can be likened to Girl Scout badges, and I've had my share of those when I was a Brownie!  John has a joke about Brownies, but I really can't share it here! Anyway.......

Sarah, from Sweets by Sarah gave me the "Blogging With a Purpose" award back on 4/21. April 21st! I just found it in my pile of posts and it reminded me of her all over again! She has a "Sweet" spirit and a great blog to boot! Plus, she's been piling up quite a few TasteSpotting posts the past few weeks. Go check her out when you get a minute!

I've been real bad lately about keeping up with awards. Wonderful friends and fellow bloggers have taken the time to mention my name and I've totally spaced out on it. Some of it is due to the fact that I just don't know what to say! There's no doubt about it, I am a Praise Whore, but when it comes right down to it, I'm speachless. John will laugh when he reads this, because he won't agree with that at all!

So, thank you, to all who care enough about me and my blog to send the very best! I've received 6 in all, so please bear with me when I post these all in a row. I'm really not looking for attention, I just want to acknowledge all my friends and say "Thanks, I love you too!"

There's a few more and darned if I can remember what they were and who sent them to me :-(

So, now it is my turn. There are a few rules for this:

1. Nominate 5 blogs which haven't had this award before.
2. Each of the blogs must have a purpose.
3. The nominated blogs must make a link back to this page.
4. The logo from the award must be put on their blog and it must link back to this blog.

 
Here are my favorites, in no particular order:

Erika from Stampin' Mama is my hero. She helped me get my blog set up because I didn't have a clue as to what to do! We collaborate a few times a month with a feature called Bake It, Make It & Take It. I give her the recipes, she bakes them and then makes these incredible packages to give them as gifts. She is an Autism advocate for Vermont and her energy is endless. Take a good look at her dreads while you're there. Isn't she cute? The fact that she's also my daughter has nothing to do with the award ;-)

Liliana from My Cookbook Addiction has been an inspiration to me. We share our joys and frustrations of the blogosphere. Together we make quite a team and could conquer the foodie world one meal at a time if it would just cooperate! She has some amazing recipes from her travels to Italy and beyond! I SOOO want to go on her next adventure with her! And the name of her blog "Cookbook Addiction" is very appropriate!

Helen Brain is a fellow Suite101 writer and also A Tuesdays with Dorie baker. She's written 30 children's books that are fun and a little on the wild side. She makes me laugh and that's her purpose for me! Oh, and did I mention she lives on the other side of the world?

Carrie from Carrie's Kitchen Creations is a real go-getter! Ever since I told her about TasteSpotting she has become an absolute junkie! There's no stopping this girl, who by the way is an incredible photographer. Go take a look at some of her work - edible and visual! While you're there, say Happy Anniversary to her and her hubby!                                                   

Susan from She's Becoming DoughMessTic is a hoot! I love reading her blog, it's so colorful. She made these awesome eclairs and cream puffs that are to die for. She makes killer brownies and her buns ain't too bad either!

So, there you have it! Five bloggers with a purpose. Their purpose in life is as different as each blog is to me. Now, go spread the love!

You Make My Day Award!

Last week, Barbara from Barbara Bakes awarded me the coveted "You Make My Day Award"! I admit, I was a little surprised to get such an award. I've been so busy with deadlines and my own blog and lots of baking, that I've hardly stuck my nose outside to see what's going on! Baking you say? Yes, I've been baking like a crazy woman and the dirty pans prove it! So, when I opened my email to find this, it really DID make my day! Forgive me for posting this late.....

The award rules are: give the award to people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel happy about blogland. Let them know by posting a comment on their blog so they can pass it on. So I am passing the award on to:

Jayne at The Barefoot Kitchen Witch because her photos inspire me.
Liliana from My Cookbook Addiction. I like her style...and we both share a secret!
Clara from I Heart Cuppycakes. Her posts and comments always make me laugh!
Chuck from Bread Blog. His breads and photos are absolutely amazing!
Danielle from Make No Little Meals. She likes wine. I like wine. We Rhode Islanders need to stick together.