Sunday, October 11, 2009

A GIVE AWAY...because it's my one year anniversary...and the meal plan, of course.

So I sat down just now to plan my three meals for this week. Only three because we're leaving on Thursday for our annual Fall pilgrimage to our Indiana homeland. Home sweet home. Every year, I take the girls back in October and spend half a week on my parent's Northern Indiana farm and another half a week at my husband's parents Central Indiana home so that the girls can do all of the fun fall things that we love to do, like visit the pumpkin patch and go apple picking with their grandparents and cousins. There is a hidden agenda here too...with all of those babysitters around I am free venture out and have coffee with an old friend or attend a football tailgate at my beloved Purdue University. Completely kid-free. Woo Hoo! Gotta love grandparents!

As I was saying, I was planning our next three meals by skimming back through the Krista's Kitchen archives to find quick and easy recipes that I'd like to make again. While paging down through the 303 posts that I've accumulated since I began writing this blog, I finally hit the very first one. The date caught my eye. I looked a little closer. "Is that right?!" I thought to myself. I grabbed for my cell phone to double check today's date. Oh my goodness! Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of Krista's Kitchen! Hello! I can hardly believe it. I really need to pay more attention to "these things". Hey, it's not like I forgot my wedding anniversary or a child's birthday...but this blog has become pretty important to me. For one whole year I've been posting my meal plans and recipes and taking pictures of most of the food that we eat. I definitely have to thank my family for their patience as I snap last minute pictures of dinner before we can all sit down together to eat. Looking back, my contribution to the blogosphere over the last year includes some of my favorite recipes, some kitchen tips and tricks, a weekly meal plan, and occasionally a semi-original idea.

Now let's look at what I've gained from one whole year of blogging about our family's meals. It's a good deal more than I ever imagined I might take away from blogging about food. I got into it because I thought it would be easier than returning phone calls or emails from friends and family requesting recipes or asking for cooking/meal planning advice. I thought, "I'll just put it all in one place and let them find it." It may be hard to believe, but when I first began Krista's Kitchen I'd only seen one other cooking blog, The Pioneer Woman Cooks. Maybe you've heard of it? Ree is one busy and talented lady and seeing her blog inspired me to start my very own. Little did I know, there's a whole world of food bloggers out there. I've enjoyed getting to know some of you. Reading about your lives and kitchen adventures. Drooling over your delicious creations. And I've enjoyed reading all of the supportive comments, compliments, and suggestions on each of my posts. I look forward to them every day. As a result of all of this I've improved upon my cooking skills, writing skills, and even my photography has gotten better (there was a lot of room for improvement). It makes me smile to look back on those first posts, the ones that only my family and closest friends were reading, and see how different they look from what I'm posting today.

Now that I've realized that tomorrow is my blogoversary, I know the drill. I need to give something away in celebration. Like when I was in grade school and took treats to the whole class on my birthday. But, what do I have that any of you might want? I was wracking my brain for a few minutes. I'm not ready to part with any of my cookbooks. I don't have an extra magazine subscription just sitting around. I wish that I had cute cupcake wrappers or a rare spice to offer, but I don't. And then it hit me. I do have something that you might not have.

I have a jar of grass-fed Indiana beef. Excellent in a variety of recipes, it cooks up perfectly tender and delicious every time.



I have home made, home canned, fresh-from-my-grandma's-garden salsa. You can specify hot or mild if you win.



I have these gorgeous Michigan Red Haven Peaches. Eat em' right out of the jar or transform them into cobbler, pie, muffins, or whatever makes you happy.



And finally, I have 1 pound of premium pecan halves.




I will package all of these items into one happy little care package, shipped directly to your address (Continental U.S. only please) if you are the winner of this prize.

How to enter:

1. Just leave a comment on this post stating your favorite post or recipe from
Krista's Kitchen.

2.For a second entry "follow me" and post a comment letting me know that you are now following me. If you're already a follower and you'd like to enter, just let me know in your comment and you automatically get an additional entry. Thanks for hanging with me. : )

3. For a third entry, mention and link back to this contest on your blog, facebook page, or tweet about it, then leave a comment here letting me know that you've linked to this post.

All entries must be in by 11 pm EST, this Thursday, October 15th. The winner will be selected in a random drawing and announced on Friday October 16th. Good luck everyone!

Oh shoot, I almost forgot the meal plan. With the distraction of figuring out prizes for the giveaway, I didn't have time to make a grocery list. It's getting awfully late here. So, here's what we're having for dinner this week....without the grocery list.

Monday, October 12th

Potato Soup
Oven baked Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Tuesday, October 13th

Chili Pie

Wednesday October 14th

Spicy Tuna Linguine with Garlic and Pine Nuts

Have a wonderful week!

40 comments:

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Happy Blogiversary!! And you know, that is an incredible giveaway anybody I know would love to have - you know I would!!

Hmmm.... favorite recipe. There are so many good ones here, but that buffalo chicken pizza sticks out - I definitely want to do that one.

mary at deepsouthdish dot com

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

And, I already do follow you. :)

mary at deepsouthdish dot com

Coleens Recipes said...

Happy Anniversary Krista!! My favorite comfort food on your web page has to be the green beans with potatoes and bacon...oh yummm. Have a good trip back to your folks!!

Donna-FFW said...

Krista.. this is easy for me. My fav post of yours has been the banana bars. They were delicious.

I have been a follower:)

Thanks for the chance.

Hungry Hungry House said...

Congrats Krista! I so enjoy your blog and pass it on to everyone who ever is in need of a dinner idea! I make at least one of yours a week..so it is hard to pick a favorite, but I think the marinated beef is my all time fav!

Next year when you plan your trip to Carmel if I am there I would love to meet up for some coffee! I go back all the time, but not till the end of Oct. this month.
Have fun at home!

Kelly said...

Congratulations Krista! I have been following your blog for some time now, and have enjoyed making many things, but my favorite is the Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake. I think it is about time to make another!

I do follow you. And you and others were an inspiration for me to start my own blog last week: noemptychairs dot wordpress dot com. Thanks for helping me to see that such a thing was possible.

Chicago Mom said...

Congrats on one year! And sign me up - that giveaway is VERY generous of you! I am already a follower and I will definitely be posting about you again on my blog. My favorite recipe of yours is the Nachos, but I (and especially my husband) will be eternally grateful for your Sausage Gravy recipe too. Thanks!

Caito said...

My favorite posts were the ones about decorating the Ariel cake. I love baking but complicated decorating is something I have yet to try, and I loved seeing your tricks. Lucky Ava!

I am following you now, as well.

Caitlin
(http://cakelin.tumblr.com)

Heather S-G said...

Awesome!! One year...congratulations :D LOVE, love, love this giveaway...I love lots of your posts, but the Cheddar Beef Pull-Apart bread post is one I always come back to...still haven't made it yet, but I WILL!!!

Heather S-G said...

And I have been a follower.....of yours. LOL! :D

Heather S-G said...

Just tweeted the giveaway.... twitter id: girlichef :)

Esme said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Esme said...

Awesome giveaway-the fruits of your love of cooking.

thank you

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

oops forgot to say cherry pie recipe is my favorite post

Esme said...

I follow thanks

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

I tweeted your awesome giveaway.

cococroissants Great food giveaway http://bit.ly/1yN4TP
l

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

jjl731 said...

Congrats Krista! I love love checking your blog :) So many great recipes....one of my faves is , Spaghetti Pie!

I am a follower :)

Lissaloo said...

I am skipping over from Chicago Mom's blog, she said you have the best recipes over here, she is right what a great place! I am off to check out your soups, I am an addict :)

Palidor said...

Happy Blogiversary! I think your blog is GREAT and it's wonderful to see your meals for an entire week. I'm not in the continental US, but good luck to everyone who enters!

Molly said...

You know that my family and I love everything you cook. Your recipes have been in our house at least once every week since you started the blog. So proud of how much you have done and cannot wait to see the cookbook when it comes around.

I think my favorite recipe of yours is still the Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts. I'm telling you...I have dreams about those tasty treats. I just posted your link on my Facebook page, and I'm already following you on my blog hardegreefamily.blogspot.com.

Good luck with the contest and give hugs to your peeps! :-)

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

I tweeted - sign me up for another entry.

http://twitter.com/DeepSouthDish/status/4820149166

Katie@ThisCrazyLife said...

I MUST SAY MY FAV RECIPE WAS THE BLUEBERRY CAKE IF ONLY BECAUSE I COULD FINALLY MAKE THE CAKE MY HUBBY HAD BEEN BEGGING FOR WITHOUT HAVING TO CALL YOU FOR THE RECIPE.

Katie@ThisCrazyLife said...

I already follow you!

betty said...

happy anniversary to your blog! came over here by Chicago Mom's "What's for Dinner" blog

what a cute giveaway you are having

betty

Cheryl888 said...

Happy Anniversary! I'm actually new to your blog (just in the past couple of weeks) and have this recipe as marked to try this week: Broccoli Cheese Soup

Cheryl888 said...

I follow through google reader!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogoversary, Krista! I have to tell you, that the Blushing Penne is something I make at least twice a month. It's a favorite in our house! (even picky Kaitlyn eats it) That's one from way back when. I've been following your blog since the beginning, and I just posted a link on FB for all of my friends to find you!
Here's to your next year in blogland!s

Reeni said...

Happy Blogiversary!! It's been a delicious year! Every recipe you post is just amazing!! Just one of my favorites is your inside out cheeseburgers.

Trish said...

Hi Krista-Congrats on your one year mark! I am a follower and have been I believe from day 1. I love your blog.

Our family has several favorites, but our most recent is your homeade salsa. I used your recipe this year for canning and we LOVE it. I think we have eaten 3 or 4 jars already.
Trish

Saylorsmom said...

I love tons of you stuff. But I love spaghetti so your spaghetti and meatballs is my latest favorite. Happy Anniversary. I love your blog.

Saylorsmom said...

I just signed up to follow your blog. Thanks. saylorsmom

Katy ~ said...

Not entering your giveaway; I'm already a devoted follower, grins. I enjoy ALL your posts, I can feel your smile in all of them.

Congratulations on your anniversary. The time does go by so quickly.

Great giveaways for a fortunate person!

jjl731 said...

Ok, I think I just posted your blog on my FB? Oh yes, it worked-yay!

Anonymous said...

Hi Krista! Congrats on your one year anniversary!

Just last night I made your broccoli cheese soup. Everyone loved it! Also on the menu this week: How to Make Your Man Love You More Pasta. Mmmmmm.

Alycia Freimund said...

I have been following you for sometime. I think since you posted your link for the Marvelous Mums! I am so glad that I have decided to follow you! One of my favorite recipes is the Texas BBQ beef. I have served it for company and the last birthday party. I have used beef or pork and it works great even with the "cheapest" cuts of meat for those on a budget. My husband's favorite recipe is Cheddar Beef Pull Apart bread! It was our New Year's treat last year. I made it one other time....YUMMY! Thank you for your great recipes! I will also link you on my facebook page!

Judy said...

This is the first time I have posted to your blog. I can't tell you what is my favorite post. I have copied so many of your recipes. I probably won't live long enough to try all the recipes that I want.

Judy

Susanna said...

Hi, Krista B. (I don't know your married name!) Greetings from Atwood! I heard about your website yesterday from my neighbor, Becky Thomas.

I love it. THANKS for all of your hard work.

My fave recipe so far is the manicotti. Thanks! I have a tip for you to stuff it even easier....With kitchen scissors, just cut the manicotti, lay it out flat, spoon the filling in. Put it cut side down in the pan. No one will ever know! :-)

Thanks again for all of your recipes, photos & writing. You have a real gift.

Susanna said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ginger said...

This is also an easy one for me!! It was your Buffalo Chicken Pizza!! DELICIOUS!! I will definitely follow you. I am going to do that right this second. Great Give AWAY by the way. Have a great weekend.

Unknown said...

hmm, my favorite recipe... well my families favorite recipe, so far is the taco salad. Trying to get 6 kids to all agree on 1 meal is hard, but they all agree on the taco salad. I have to double the recipe, and I'm lucky to have any left overs.

Hedderg said...

Happy Anniversary! My fav recipes are beef on a stick and p'nut chicken kabob. We had one or the other almost weekly all summer long!

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