Giveaway: Homemade Cookies!
I’m giving away a batch of homemade cookies to 3 lucky readers! Here’s the scoop…
My blog is moving to a new URL next week (http://foodsforthesoul.net). While I can transfer all of my pages and posts, I can’t transfer any of your subscriptions! Because I enjoy reading every comment you leave and smile at all of your heartfelt words, I consider you my friends—and I’d hate to end our friendships just because I change addresses!
I wish I could mail each and every one of you a package of homemade cookies, but I don’t have quite enough stamps… It’ll be hard to give away only 3 sets of sweets, but here’s how you enter:
- Follow my blog at its new address by either email or RSS.
- Follow the Foods for the Soul Facebook page.
- Follow me (@FoodsForSoul) on Twitter.
- Follow me (Foods for the Soul) on Pinterest.
- Refer a friend to an email or RSS subscription—and be sure they sign up! (This actually counts as two entries: one for you AND one for your friend. And you can refer as many friends as you like to increase your chances of winning cookies!)
Post a separate comment here at the blog’s new address for each way you enter. (Each comment counts as a separate entry!) The giveaway will end at 11:59 pm on Friday, February 22, and I’ll post the winners the following day. Each winner will get to choose what kind of cookie I make and mail, so start thinking of your favorite recipes!
You have a week to enter as many times as you want—ready, set, go!
Share the Love — Valentine’s Day Blog Swap
Today is our lucky day! Andrea from Mrs. Webb in the Kitchen is going to teach us how to make special truffle stuffed strawberries. Just in time for Valentine’s Day!
Andrea and I met in high school and bonded over cold nights marching around the football field for band and giggling our way through nasally accents in French class. Although we lost touch for a few years after graduation, I found out last fall that she now works in a bakery—my dream job! She has picked up lots of tricks and tips, especially in the cake decorating world, and I begged her to share some with us.
In exchange, I wrote a guest post for her with a recipe for heart-shaped french toast for two. Be sure to check it out after reading her truffle tutorial, as well as her dainty French macarons and moist gingerbread cake with molasses frosting!
I’ll be the first to admit that I am a sucker for Valentine’s Day. Even before I had a sweetheart of my own, I adored a day dedicated to pink hearts, pretty flowers, and candy. In my elementary school years, I couldn’t wait to hand out silly and sweet paper valentines to my classmates- each of the pre-printed sentiments carefully sorted into classmate, crush, or friend-worthy categories!
This year, in lieu of passing out stale old conversation hearts, I thought I’d try my hand at some hand-crafted truffles. These strawberry truffles, however, are a fusion of two of the most classic heart day treats: truffles and chocolate covered strawberries! My original plan was to add a berry-flavored extract to ganache to make a traditional truffle interior. Instead, I decided to stuff the ganache inside a real, live strawberry. Continue reading for recipe.
Thoroughly Modern Blogging
Although I nailed a new calendar to the wall a few weeks ago, I basically forgot that the year actually changed. I’ve caught myself scratching out 2012 on checks, grade reports, and journal entries. Multiple times. Every day.
I’m so behind.
And not just in writing the correct year… I finally joined the 21st century of social media! Most of you are already pros at using these sites, but for those of you stuck in the Stone Ages like me…
Twitter. No, you don’t actually chirp like a bird… (But I’d be a nightingale if that were true!) It’s a place to share ideas, information, or insights in 140 characters or less. Short, sweet, and simple. I’m @FoodsforSoul, and you can click HERE to follow me for more of my quirky ideas and food adventures! Continue reading for more social sites.
Peanut Butter at a Dinner Party
I was invited to my first-ever dinner party! Somebody actually wanted to have dinner with me! Never mind the fact that it’s virtual and I can’t actually eat any of the food… (Well, maybe I could try to lick my computer screen. But that wouldn’t taste very good.)
Valerie at Atlanta Mom of Three extended an invitation to participate in her potluck next week, and I wanted to cook the perfect dish to share. Something kid-friendly but classy, something fast but flavorful, something easy but healthy… Continue reading for recipe.
Find Your Inspiration
When the calendar flips to January 1, many people resolve to change their lives for the healthier. They munch on wheat toast for breakfast instead of donuts or lace up new running shoes after work instead of reaching for the remote.
If that’s you, way to go! Continue reading for inspiration.
One More Present!
Torn wrapping paper, untied ribbon fragments, and leftover honey-baked ham usually fill our house on the day after Christmas. The magic and excitement from opening gifts begins to fade, and the reality of writing thank-you cards for itchy sweaters and cheese graters starts sinking in.
But this year, I’m still handing out presents on Boxing Day! Miss Marzipan generously nominated me for a Liebster Award, and I’d like to give it to the following 11 deserving bloggers too.
First for the rules…
Share 11 facts about yourself.
Answer the awarder’s 11 questions.
Ask 11 questions of your own.
Nominate 11 bloggers.
*Note: The Liebster Award is given to up-and-coming bloggers with less than 200 followers.
He Knows If You’ve Been Bad Or Good!
My popcorn kernels, peanut butter, and nutella all bully each other around on their crowded shelf in my pantry. When I pull the peanut butter down, he knocks the nutella over, and when I grab the popcorn kernels, they push the peanut butter off of the ledge. They just won’t play nicely or give each other any personal space!
When I mentioned the predicament to Rebecca at Crave, she encouraged me to create a snack that combined all three. Although tempted to stick them in hour-long timeouts in separate corners of the kitchen, I decided to try her suggestion and get the three to cooperate after all. Continue reading for recipe.
What I’m Thankful For
We survived Thanksgiving! Despite the inedible mashed potatoes that strangely resembled marshmallow fluff and the inactive yeast that flattened our rolls into Passover-like bread, everyone still stuffed themselves fuller than the roasted turkey at the dinner table and lolled around after the meal rubbing their stomachs with satisfied smiles. Thankful for my loving family and significant other, I enjoyed the entire day–especially the crackling fire to end the evening!
To conclude the season of giving thanks, I wanted to express my gratitude to Lindsay at Normal Cooking. This sweet lady nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! I am honored and touched to receive this acknowledgement from her. Thank you! Continue reading.
Want to Socialize?
When it comes to social media and networking, I’m like the tortoise from the famous fable: a bit slow, but I get there eventually! Which is to say… I’ve finally joined Facebook! So if you have an account over there too, I’d love to hear from you. Questions, advice, suggestions, requests, anything at all! Click here to check it out. (Isn’t the logo cute?? One of my closest friends designed it for me… She’s such a sweetheart!)
And for another socialization topic… I started a second blog: Toothpicks and Table Mints! Many of you have already found it, but here’s the story in a nutshell… Continue reading.
Foods for the Soul 