Wednesday, December 8, 2010

On this day, two years ago...

I published my first blog post.  I did go back and publish a couple things I had written earlier as well, but my real first post was December 8, 2008.

Some of you can say, "I knew you when..." but many of you are people I've met through my blog, or through other things I got into because I was blogging.  I am glad I'm doing this.  I especially love getting feedback through comments or email telling me that I've put into words things that you have been feeling.  Usually that is when I'm being brutally honest about things.  You know, homeschooling isn't a bed of roses, at least not always.  Sometimes it is a bed of thorns, and you hope to see a bloom again.  I really don't want people to feel like they are the only ones who want to tear their hair out some days, and I think that comes through in my posts.

Anyway... in honor of my blogoversary (how WOULD you spell that?) I am going to be hosting another giveaway.  I'm already giving away a copy of The Narnia Code DVD (and telling me you entered that giveaway is one way to win this one!) but this one is totally on me.

A couple of months ago, one of my very favorite stores in the world opened TWO locations in Colorado Springs.  Penzey's Spices.  Mmmmm.  I tend to be a bit of a miser (you think?) but I am willing to splurge on some things.  Quality spices is often one of those splurge items.  My "usual" breakfast includes scrambling eggs with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms... and their Greek Seasoning, and finally some feta cheese.  Mmmmm. (They are hiring part-time workers, again, and I cannot tell you how tempted I am to apply...)

They came out with some new gift packs a month or so ago, and I am going to give away not one, but TWO of them.  As soon as I saw them in the catalog, I knew I was going to do this!

The first is their Grill and Broil Mini Gift Box.  It contains four spice blends.  I love them all.  My favorite is their 4/S Seasoning Blend.  We use that on eggs all the time, and it is also amazing on popcorn.  We use it on other things too, but those are the most common.  And I love now owning a small bottle that we can bring camping!  It also contains Cajun Seasoning, which is just wonderful on meat of all kinds.  And on pasta.  BBQ 3000 is one that I don't use as much as I should, but it is fantastic (with olive oil) on grilled chicken.  Galena Street Chicken & Rib Rub is another I use when grilling chicken.

The second is their Baking Mini Gift Box.  This contains things you are probably more familiar with... Ginger, Nutmeg and two kinds of cinnamon.  Mmmmm.  Love all of these as well.

Do you want to win a box?  Since this is my blog celebration, the ways to enter are going to be all about me!  Leave a separate comment for each entry, yada, yada, yada...
  • Follow me with Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs, or Blog Frog... a separate entry for each
  • Be my friend on Facebook, or request me as a friend
  • Comment on another post on this blog (one that is NOT a giveaway!)
  • Post a recipe you like that uses Great Northern Beans.  I've got pounds and pounds of them, and would love more ideas as to how to use them.  
  • Go comment on, or mark that you found helpful, one of my Amazon reviews.  I'll trust you on the helpful bit, as I can't check up on it.
  • Post about this giveaway somewhere, provide a link if applicable.

I will choose two winners using random.org.  The first winner will get to choose which gift box they would like, and then I will contact the second winner.  I'd love to tell you I'll ship anywhere, but these are heavy enough I don't really want to ship internationally.  Sorry!  

Oh, and I'll keep this giveaway open through December 19, midnight Mountain Time, with the idea that I can get the packages mailed out on the 21st when I'll be by the post office already.  If I don't hear from the winners in a reasonable time, I'll pick new ones. 

Love you all!!  And thanks for reading!

55 comments:

Michelle Smith said...

YUM! I want to eat eggs at your house, by the way! Sounds like MY kind of breakfast! :)

Okay, seriously, I follow you through Google Friend.

Michelle Smith said...

I follow you through Networked Blogs, too. :)

Michelle Smith said...

I'm following you on BlogFrog, too. Even if it hasn't been working properly on my blog the past several months. :(

Michelle Smith said...

I am your Facebook friend. :)

Michelle Smith said...

I commented on your "On This Day in History" review. :)

Ina's 5 and our Native Homeschool Blog said...

Totally get not shipping g internationally, to expensive but I wanted to congratulate you on your blogaversery

Jen said...

I follow you on google

Jen said...

I'm you facebook friend (and your friend before facebook )

Jen said...

Do you have my recipe for white chicken chile?

Debra said...

Jen -- use the McCormick package recipe, you only use half a pkt per crockpot, ummm, hmmm, I bet I could find what else you said if I looked! That is what I should have done the other day... I did try it in October when you mentioned it though! :)

And reminding me of that counts as an entry :)

Tess said...

I am already following you using Google Friend

Tess said...

We are friends on facebook :)

Tess said...

We are friends using BlogFrog

Elizabeth said...

I follow your blog!

Elizabeth said...

I am friends with you on Facebook! :)

moonsword said...

Portabella and White Bean Cassoulet
Serves 4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6-8 oz. portabella mushrooms, chopped in 1/2 inch pieces
3 large cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups OR 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 tsp. dried thyme or 1 Tbs. fresh thyme
2 tsp. dried basil or 2 Tbs. minced fresh basil
1 tsp. fresh or dried rosemary leaves
1 bay leaf
1 medium onion, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 cups cooked or 2 14 oz. cans navy or great northern beans, drained and rinsed if canned
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Heat a large non-stick skillet or casserole over medium heat, and sauté the mushrooms for 1-2 minutes.
When mushrooms begin to exude their juices, add the garlic and continue to cook, stirring, for another minute.
Do not allow the garlic to brown.
Add tomatoes, mushrooms, thyme, basil, rosemary, and bay leaf.
Stir and bring to a boil. Add onions and salt and pepper to taste.
Return to a boil, cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove and discard the bay leaf.
Mix in the beans, and simmer over low to medium heat until beans are warmed through, about 5 minutes.
Add water, if necessary, to keep ingredients moist.
Adjust seasonings and serve.
Adapted by: Susan Voisin from a recipe at Co-op Food Stores, New Hampshire and Vermont
Source: Fatfree Vegan

Catherine said...

I follow you with GFC

Catherine said...

I follow you with networked blogs

Catherine said...

I'm your facebook friend

Catherine said...

I love the look of that physics book you reviewed on Amazon. My sons would be all over it. They are such science guys. I left you a comment.

Catherine said...

I left a post and a link on facebook.

Catherine said...

I just read and commented on your review for the shadowed mind.

Oh, and HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!

the Mcclanahan 7 said...

I just asked you to be my friend on facebook.

Laura O in AK said...

Following you on GFC (and thinking I need to spice up my breakfasts now, too.)

Laura O in AK said...

Already your friend on Facebook.....

Laura O in AK said...

Already following you on Blog Frog...

Unknown said...

Already your facebook friend :).

Amy B

Unknown said...

Already follow you on Networked Blogs

Unknown said...

Already Follow you on Google Friend connect.

Amy B

Unknown said...

I commented on Fit Mommy Friday.

Cristi said...

Happy Blogoversary!

I commented on your "extras" post.

Cristi said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect.

Cristi said...

I follow you on Networked Blogs.

Cristi said...

I'm already your FB friend. I've known you since "way back." :)

Cristi said...

I commented on an Amazon review. It's been a few days, though, and I can't remember exactly which one.

Cristi said...

For Great Northern Beans, I think I already told you about my Crock Pot Chicken Cassoulet. I also just serve them plain with cornbread (pretty much bean soup). I'm making white chicken chili this week too.

The Recipe Collector said...

I am following you on GFC

Robin said...

I follow you through network blogs

Robin said...

I friended you on facebook

Robin said...

I follow your blog through Google

judithelenore said...

i follow you on GFC
judithelenore (at) gmail (dot) com

Mrs. White said...

I am so happy you are blogging!! Happy blog-anniversary!

Thanks for this chance to win!

I follow you on google friend!

Blessings
Mrs. White

Mrs. White said...

I am your facebook friend!

Blessings
Mrs. White

Penny said...

I follow you on fb

Michelle Smith said...

I remembered I hadn't posted that I found one of your Amazon reviews helpful. I did find your recent What's in the Bible review helpful. :)

Michelle Smith said...

I shared your giveaway on Facebook! :)

Heather said...

Follow you with GFC!

Heather said...

Follow you on Networked blogs:)

Heather said...

I follow you on FB:)

Heather said...

oohh! I found your Germ Review helpful:)

Susan said...

Congratulations on your blogoversary:-) I follow you in GFC.

Dawn said...

I am thankful to already be your friend on FB!

Dawn said...

Posted this on FB

Dawn said...

I commented on your "Cut your grocery bill in half" post.

Lori Watson said...

I also follow you on FB!