Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases

Vegan Baking Cookbook Giveaway: Congratulations Winners!

Congrats to the 5 winners of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking" winners! We had a great TweetChat last Thursday. Many thanks to all who attended. The vegan baking cookbooks will be sent out to the winners after I get your mailing addresses.

Here are the names and numbers of the winners. The winning numbers correspond to the number of the comments listed in this post. Soooo, the cookbook winners are....

• # 3 Lorie Huston
• # 4 Chris Eirschele
• # 7 Ann Gramling
• # 8 Sharon Watterson
• # 11 domestic diva

Please email me your mailing address at [email protected]. Once I have them all, I'll let the publisher know and they'll send the books right out. 

Thanks again for entering, and if you didn't win this time, please feel free to purchase "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking" at Amazon.com.

FREE COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY: 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking' Cookbook

 

Penguin Publishing is giving away five (5) of my new vegan baking cookbooks, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking" by Donna Diegel—that would be me! In order to give the books away, we'd love to invite everyone to a Live Tweet Chat, Thursday, July 7th at 3:00pm ET/2:00pm CT. Don't worry! You don't have to be vegan to enter this giveaway.

From “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Baking” Cookbook

“The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Baking” was published by the Penguin Publishing Group and Alpha Books in April, 2011. The book has over 160 recipes, and is available in either print or the Kindle version. (We'll be giving away the print version.) Whether your interest in a vegan lifestyle is to save the animals, your health, or the environment, your dedication to veganism doesn’t have to include boring food. From whole-grain yeast breads, to extra-creamy “cheesecakes,” and everything in between, this cookbook was designed to complete your culinary adventure into vegan living. All made with 100% animal-free products, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Baking” will have you saying, “I can’t believe it’s vegan!”

Actually, you don't have to be vegan to use this book at all. Most of the recipes can be adapted to use non-vegan products, or to go semi-vegan. If you're not ready to go all the way, use a few eggs when it calls for egg-replacer. Use whole milk when the recipe calls for soy milk. You get the picture! This way you can ease into vegan baking, but still get the benefits of whole grain, fiber-rich ingredients when making your Blueberry Muffins.

 

How To Enter the Cookbook Giveaway!

• Become a friend and like “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Vegan Baking” Facebook Page to stay current with the Tweet Chat updates and future giveaways, recipes, and photos.
• The 5-book giveaway begins NOW! The giveaway ends Thursday, July 7, 2011 at midnight ET. I'm running the giveaway until midnight to give everyone a chance to enter after the Tweet Chat!
• First, you'll need to leave a comment here on this blog post. If you'll be attending the 45-minute Live Tweet Chat on Thursday, July 7th, please let us know, and make sure to include what your Twitter name is in your comment so we'll know to look for you.
• In order for us to know who won, you'll need to include your name in the comment or in your link and make sure we can get in touch with you somehow.
• Only one entry per person, only one book per winner (we can check these things).
• Only U.S. and Canada residents are eligible to enter.
• The five cookbooks will be given away using a random generator. I'll post the winners here Saturday, July 9th. They will be shipped directly from the publisher, so if you're one of the lucky winners, they'll need your name, mailing address, etc. 

On the Day of the Tweet Chat...

• Log into Twitter around 2:55pm ET on Thursday July 7th.
• Search #AskCIG on Twitter and include #AskCIG to join the conversation!
• When you log in, tell us who you are, or your Twitter name.
• The Tweet Chat will last 45 minutes, and will be a Question & Answers type of format.

*** IMPORTANT NOTICE: You don't have to have a Twitter account to leave a comment on this blog post to win the book. While we'd LOVE to have you join us at the Tweet Chat, we recognize that not everyone Tweets! Sooooo, please feel free to enter the cookbook giveaway now!

Please let your friends know about the Tweet Chat, and the book giveaway. We'd LOVE to see tons of people there!

The retail value of the book is $16.95.

Bertolli Wine and Food Pairing Giveaway Winner: Congratulations!

Congratulations to the Bertolli and Spatulas & Corkscrews "Into The Heart of Italy"  Winner! You'll be receiving a Food & Wine Pairing Kit drop-shipped directly to you from Bertolli! There were 33 comments (a few duplicates, so I had to delete those to make it fair), and you all seemed really, really excited to win this HUGE box from Bertolli. Unfortunately, only one lucky reader could win. 

"Into The Heart of Italy" with Bertolli
Thanks for watching Bertolli's webisode and commenting on my blog. If you didn't win this time, please try Bertolli's awesome meals. We had a tasting party (I'll be sharing those photos soon in another post) and the food was delicious, easy to prepare, and inexpensive. I will definitely keep Bertolli's frozen entrees on my shopping list!

Who Won the Bertolli Giveaway?
Milisa, author of the blog, "Miss In The Kitchen" won the giveaway. She was #24, randomly chosen by the trusty Mr. Random Generator. Here's a screen shot of Melisa's comment and the time stamp of her entry. Congrats Melisa! I'll be emailing you as well. And if you could... Bertolli would REALLY love it if you posted your winning photos for them as well! When you get your box of goodies, make sure to do up a nice blog post for all of us to see and drool over too! All I need now is for you to email me with your mailing address and Bertolli will ship it out next week. WOO HOO!

BERTOLLI GIVEAWAY Reminder: $175.00 Food and Wine Tasting Kit

The giveaway for BERTOLLI's 'Into the Heart of Italy' Food and Wine Pairing Kit Valued at $175 ends at midnight, Tuesday, June 1st, so make sure you get your comments in for the drawing before time runs out. This is a fantastic tasting kit with pasta bowls, serving plates, wine carafe, wine cooler, coupons for Bertolli's frozen entrees, and a $50.00 Visa Card to take to your local wine shop and pick out complimentary wines.

Giveaway Ends Midnight EST, June 1, 2010

Make sure you read all the instructions first, and leave your comment on the original post. What are you waiting for? Go enter the Bertolli Into the Heart of Italy Food and Wine Pairing Kit Valued at $175 giveaway! Continental U.S. entries only.

GIVEAWAY: Bertolli Into the Heart of Italy Food and Wine Pairing Kit Valued at $175

 
  

Bertolli emailed me a few days ago asking if I was interested in hosting an at-home Food and Wine Pairing Party. Of course I would! I love food and wine - hence the blog name, Spatulas & Corkscrews. This giveaway was made for me! I emailed her  as soon as I could wrap my head around it. You see, Bertolli was offering to overnight me a package worth $175.00. Yes, you read that right! So I quickly emailed them and said, "Yes, Yes, YES! Send me your Food and Wine Pairing Kit!" Emily, the sweet girl from Bertolli, emailed me right back with some instructions, and told me to expect the package the very next day.

I was busy writing all day (did you know I'm writing The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vegan Baking for Penguin Publishing?), and thought about the package on and off, thinking... is this real? $175.00 worth of goodies from Bertolli? I saw the Fed Ex truck come into the marina and ran into the office. I could not believe how BIG that box was! I had trouble getting it down the steps and into the car. Did I say the box was BIG?

When I opened it, I was stunned. In the Food and Wine Pairing Party kit were:

• VIP coupons for four Bertolli Frozen Meals for two that will transport you to Italy in just 10 minutes: I have yet to go shopping for them as I just got the box this afternoon.
• Two, CB2 Verona Pasta Serving Bowls: BIG, BIG, BIG Beautiful White Pasta Serving Bowls!
• Four, Crate & Barrel Rotate Plates: Four cute square and stylish white plates to match the bowls.
• Crate & Barrel Marble Wine Chiller: This wine chiller is really nice. I've always wanted one, but never bought one for myself.
• Crate & Barrel Wine Decanter: Another beautifully elegant item I never thought to buy for myself. I can't wait to use it!
• Bertolli Wine Pairing Guide and $50 of gift cards to purchase wines complimentary to the meals: Who sends a $50.00 Visa card to a freelance writer and blogger to buy wine with? I was blown away with Bertolli's generosity. A classy company indeed! I already have the wine in mind I want to purchase. Marc the Wine Guy at People's Liquor Warehouse in Warwick, R.I. will help me choose just the right wine if I'm not thinking clearly.
  

 


Introducing "Into the Heart of Italy" Webisodes 

Bertolli has introduced a series of fun and informative videos to watch and learn by. I was excited to learn something new, and did I already say I love food and wine? Anyway... to kick off their line of frozen entrees, they've added loads of new meals that I can't wait to try.

Soooo, it's off to the grocery store and liquor store to redeem my coupons. Next, I'll be excited to invite a few choice guests to have a 'Heart of Italy Food & Wine Pairing Party' with. Good thing we're house sitting and can spread out!

 

To Enter the Giveaway:

• Here's the deal. Bertolli wants me to have a GIVEAWAY for an identical 'Into the Heart of  Italy' Food & Wine Pairing Kit.
• One BIG prize worth $175.00 to one lucky reader. They'll drop ship the box right to your doorstep for you. Then, you can have your own Food & Wine Pairing Party. Give it lots of BUZZ for them, take pictures, blog the wine and food party for them, they're a generous company!

Entry Requirements:

• All entries for the giveaway must be located in the United States. They cannot ship outside the U.S.
  
• Watch the video carefully, you'll have to answer the episode’s clue.
• In your comment, tell me what was your favorite scene in the video?
• Don't forget the clue!
• Make sure I know  how to get in touch with you should you win.
• The giveaway starts now, and will end on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at midnight EST.

"Into the Heart of Italy" Webisode #5

In this episode, celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito and actors Marisa Tomei and Dan Cortese explore Italian wine cellars, learn how to taste wine, visit Montepulciano and prepare Chicken Marsala. But you don’t need to search a wine cellar to enjoy the authentic taste of a slow-simmered wine sauce in your Chicken Marsala. With Bertolli Frozen meals you’re just minutes away from a luscious Italian experience in the comfort of your own home.

National Pancake Day 2010: FREE PANCAKES at IHOP

Today is National Pancake Day. Make your own with this German Pancakes Recipe, or go to IHOP for FREE PANCAKES! International House of Pancakes is giving away a free short stack of their buttermilk pancakes today only. So, what are you waiting for? There's got to be an IHOP right around the corner from wherever you live!

 

German Pancakes Recipe
If you can't get out today for the IHOP Free Pancake Deal, why not make some German Pancakes? This recipe came handed down from Oma, also known as my MIL, or John's mother. We loved it when she got out the skillets and made her famous German Pancakes. The kids could eat a huge stack of them. Heck, I could eat a stack of them! They were nice and thin, almost like crepes. They're easy to make, and use just a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. If you have flour, eggs, milk, salt and oil, you have everything you need to make this German Pancake recipe. I still make them today on the boat for John and I. All my kids know how to make them too, so they can't get away with the old line, "I don't know how. Can you make them for me?" You know what? We're having German Pancakes for supper tonight. There, dinner plans have been made!

Go to my German Pancake Recipe over at Examiner. All the directions are there. Happy National Pancake Day! While you're at it, check out my Baked French Toast Recipe.

 

 

Flip for Free Pancakes on February 23, 2010
IHOP says, "Join IHOP to celebrate National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 23, 2010. From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., we'll give you one free short stack (three) of our famous buttermilk pancakes. All we ask is that you consider making a donation to support local children's hospitals through Children's Miracle Network, or other local charities. There is a limit of one free short stack per guest. The offer is valid at participating restaurants for dine-in only while supplies last and is not valid with any other offer, special coupon or discount.

To Find an IHOP Near You...

About National Pancake Day, February 23, 2010
Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $3.25 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. While IHOP's National Pancake Day typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday, this year the company will host its free pancake event on Tuesday, February 23, extending the fundraising window by one week to maximize donations for Children's Miracle Network. With your help, we hope to raise $5 million in five years for Children's Miracle Network and other local charities through your donations in 2010!"

WILTON Christmas Cookie Supplies Winner!

Congratulations to the WILTON's Cookie Box Winner!

Congratulations to the lucky winner of the amazing Wilton Cookie Exchange Box! We had 82 comments left, and I'm sure Wilton was thrilled to read every one of them. Please Congratulate Nicole. She was number 67, which of course was the lucky number picked by Mr, Random Generator!

 

This is Nicole's Comment
I LOVE Christmas cookies!! Probably my favorite part of the holiday!
Posted by: Nicole | December 07, 2009 at 05:52 PM

And Now for Mr. Generator's Proof

I'll be emailing you Nicole. Please get back to me ASAP so Wilton can send out your box, and you can get started with all your Christmas Cookies!

Thank you all again for making this giveaway fun. Even though I didn't get back to each of you, I did read all the comments, and they warmed my heart! Don't forget to check out the WILTON WEBSITE for more fun things to do with frosting, glitter and sprinkles!

CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES

Pecan Butter Balls
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Soft Sugar Cookies
Cherry Kisses Cookies
Soft Snickerdoodles
Thumbprint Cookies
Shortbread Cookies
Santa's Whiskers Cookies
Pecan Penuche Fudge Recipe
White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies
Chocolate No Bake Cookies Recipe
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft Molasses Cookies
Raspberry Linzer Cookies
Coconut & Lime Biscotti
Raspberry Rugelach
Buttery Jam Cookies
Chocolate World Peace Cookies
Chocolate Chunkers Cookies
All Occasion Sugar Cookies
Coconut & Lime Madeleines
Gourmet Chocolate Fudge Brownies Recipe
Gourmet Chocolate PB Cup Brownies
Nutella Chocolate Fudge Brownies
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cherry & White Chocolate Granola Cookies
Whoppers Chocolate Malted Milk Cookies
Brown Sugar Pecan Shortbread Cookies

 

 

WILTON GIVEAWAY: 25 Wilton Holiday Cookie Contest Prizes

Wilton is giving away 25 Quality Wilton products for a Wilton Cookie Exchange Party, valued at $143.56, to ONE of my lucky readers. My good cyber-friend Cindy at Wilton, offered me a number of baking products to do my own cookie exchange. I had NO idea what she meant until I got the box. I was tickled to get such a giveaway offer. But when we she mentioned to try it out and do a giveaway for ONE of my readers, well, I don't have to tell you that I was literally blown away by their generosity! 

 

Check Wilton's impressive list for detailed information and pictures of everythingthat's in this humongous box! When I say big, I mean BIG! 25 Wilton products, with everything you could ever need or want for your own Christmas Cookie Exchange Party.

 

Because there was soooo much stuff in the box, enough for 20 or more people to have a cookie party, I got Erika from Stampin Mama to help me out. She rounded up lots of people and Girly (my cute little blond granddaughter), helped me bake cookies, took photos and helped me with all the details. Thanks so much Erika! Hope you had lots of fun too! Please go check out her blog, Stampin Mama, for more cookie and stamping fun!

 

 

 

 

Erika, from Stampin Mama says,

"The kitchen is an integral part of our home and it's no surprise that my daughter has it in her blood to be there, as well, even at 9 years old. In fact, she's been helping me in the kitchen long before now. She has her own cookbooks and her own cookie cutters. She is always looking for something to make and especially likes to make things for other people. She loves to package them up in creative packaging and hand them out to friends."

"We had a blast creating cookies in the kitchen together. We both decorated cookies and they all took on their own personalities as we created them. The Wilton cookie cutters, decorating frostings, sprinkles, cookie press, scoop, etc. were all easy to use and are perfect for little hands as well as big ones. The Wilton Cookie Exchange Book was especially helpful for ideas on decorating our cookies. It's full of recipes and pictures of decorating ideas, so we had no problem at all with coming up with ideas. It's definitely going to get used all year round in this house."

"My daughter was especially tickled that people commented on her cookies and how creative she was when they were put out on the platters. The little labels that came with the Wilton packaging kits were a huge hit. Everyone loved the beautiful packaging and talked about how pretty it looked. Even down to the festive parchment paper! This is definitely something we're thinking about doing each year!"

 

Wilton Holiday Cookie Contest Prize Details
The contest will be a BIG short one, meaning the Wilton Holiday Cookie Contest Prize is BIG, but the contest will only go till Thursday, December 10th, midnight, EST, at which time I'll pick a winner with the Random Generator. PLEASE, only comments on this post will be eligible to win. Wilton will drop-ship your box to you and you should get it within a few days. It's that simple!

NOTE: I neglected to mention this before, but US entries only please. I'll accept the comments from Canada that have already been posted, but from hereon in, only US entries. Wilton is shipping this and I have to be considerate. Thanks for understanding.

 

Tell me what Wilton products you've used in the past, and what you like the best. If you haven't had the pleasure of using Wilton's Decorating items, tell me why you'd LOVE to win this kit. Wilton would also love it (they told me so!) if the winner would have their own Cookie Exchange Party and hype it up as well. After all, it IS advertising for them.

Christmas Cookie Recipes
In the meantime, please go take a look at all my Christmas Cookie Recipes I've posted. You won't be sorry!

 

 

Wilton Holiday Cookie Contest Prize List

• Cookie Pro™ Ultra II Cookie Press: $24.99
• Wilton Cookie Exchange Book: $14.99
• Non-Stick Mini Holiday Pan: $11.99
• 13 pc. Cookie Decorating Set: $8.39
• Holiday Parchment Sheets: $7.99
• Cookie Exchange Party Kit: $7.99
• Cookie Box Kit: $5.29
• Cookie Gift Box Kit: $5.29
• Red & Green Sparkle Gel: $4.99
• Sugar Pearls-White: $4.49
• Green Cookie Icing: $4.49
• Red Cookie Icing: $4.49
• Cookie Plate Kit: $4.29
• Cookie Tent Box Kit: $4.19
• Jumbo Snowflakes Sprinkles: $4.09
• Cookie Exchange Recipe Card and Photo Holder: $3.99
• 3 Pc. Holiday Cutter Set: $3.69
• 3 Pc. Winter Cutter Set: $3.69
• Snowflake Comfort Grip™ Cutter: $3.19
• Holiday Red Cookie Scoop: $2.79
• Dark Green Colored Sugars: $2.29
• Cookie Exchange Bottle Labels: $1.99
• Cookie Exchange Award Ribbons: $1.99
• Recipe Cards with Stickers: $1.99

TOTAL VALUE: $143.56 with FREE shipping by Wilton included

Martha Stewart's Cupcakes Winner!

Martha Stewart's Cupcakes

Congratulations to the Winner!

Thanks to everyone for entering the Martha Stewart giveaway. We had a total of 81 delicious comments which was awesome! Although there were lots of real yummy answers, it seems like the overall favorite was Red Velvet Cake with cream cheese frosting.

Mr. Random Generator picked #7 for the giveaway, and that would be Michele! Congrats Michele! Here's her comment:

The book looks so amazing, so many terrific ideas for cupcakes, which our family definitely loves! I make them at least once a week, and also really enjoy making them for special occasions, and theme-decorating them. Chocolate and golden cupcakes with buttercream icing are my traditonal flavors, everyone likes those. Martha's flavors look amazing - spice, chai, stout, hummingbird...Too many to list. The book will be great to win! Thanks, Michele

Posted by: Michele | November 04, 2009 at 05:33 AM

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
7
Timestamp: 2009-11-13 04:57:21 UTC
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I'll be sending you an email letting you know you're a winner, Michele. And thanks to everyone else for playing along. May you all have a cupcake filled holiday season!

GIVEAWAY Reminder: Martha Stewart's Cupcakes

Don't forget the Martha Stewart's Cupcakes Cookbook Giveaway. Deadline is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 10th, midnight EST. Here's the link to leave a comment on. What are you waiting for? Go tell your friends!