Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Paula Deen and a Giveaway, Too!

Well, the time has finally come to share some goodies with y'all!! A few weeks ago, I blogged about getting the chance to do my first product review courtesy of CSNStores.com. Not only was I getting the chance to do the review, but there was also a surprise in the works for my readers. So, sit back with your cup of coffee or tea, and be prepared to drool at least a little. :o)
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My first item up for review is the Paula Deen 9 X 13 Stoneware Baker. It's first use was for this delectable little recipe I came across a few weeks ago for Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls. I originally saw the recipe over at Colletta's blog, Colletta's Kitchen Sink. Then, when I realized I was about to get a new baker, I thought....what a perfect first recipe! :o)

I love every single thing about this piece! Even though it's color is not even remotely part of my overall kitchen color scheme, that won't stop me one bit from using it. I love the enamel finish since nothing else in my kitchen has it, and it helps me build upon my existing cookware pieces. Probably my favorite thing about it (as well as the loaf pan coming up next) is that they're so easy to clean! All of my other stoneware pieces (mostly from Pampered Chef) cannot be washed with soap because the stoneware is so porous. The Paula Deen collection of stoneware, however, is dishwasher safe, and even if I didn't want to use the dishwasher to wash it, it doesn't matter because I can have this thing washed and rinsed in a snap!
Next up is the Paula Deen 9 X5 Stoneware Loaf Pan. Now, I am no expert when it comes to making bread....which is why the actual loaf of bread itself is not very attractive. But in this case, I'm fortunate that it didn't have to look all that pretty to still taste good. This particular loaf of bread is Milk and Honey Bread. Definitely a first-time recipe for me with my first-time use of this pan. I was so very pleased at how evenly the bread cooked, with the bottom of the loaf turning a perfect golden brown. The recipe itself called for the pan to be sprayed before I put the dough in. When I went to remove the bread from the pan after it had cooked and cooled, I was so impressed that there was nothing stuck to the bottom of the pan! I don't always get those results from some of my other pans! And just like the 9 X 13 Baker, it was the easiest cleanup you ever saw! I told hubby that he better watch out....I may become a bread-making machine!

And last, but not least, the third item up for review is one of her books--Paula Deen's Kitchen Wisdom and Recipe Journal. I haven't had a chance yet to use this book really the way it's supposed to be used, but oh, how I know it will come in handy in my kitchen! :o) The whole book is divided into three sections with tabs for each section, and lots of blank pages throughout to list favorite recipes or recipes that are from friends and family. And occasionally, there's a little tidbit of wisdom from Ms. Paula herself. I tell ya, this girl is country as cornbread, and it shows when she goes to "talking" in the book. I can't wait to start fillin' this thing up with all sorts of recipes, especially the ones from my family. I already know the first one that I'll write in there--my mom's recipe for Lemon Icebox Pie....yum!
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So, I promised some goodies, too, didn't I? Well, the great folks at CSNStores are offering 2 great items for one lucky person. First up, you have the chance to win your own copy of Paula Deen's Kitchen Wisdom and Recipe Journal as well as the Paula Deen Cookbook Stand in Antique Bronze. Both of these items are great, and have a value of $27! Who can pass up TWO ITEMS that great for free?!?! :o)

Here's how it'll work:

Option 1--Leave a comment with your email address for one entry. If you do not leave an email address, your entry will be tossed out.

Option 2--Leave a comment and become a follower or subscriber to my blog for two entries.

Option 3--Leave a comment, become a follower/subscriber, and post this giveaway on your blog for 3 entries.

The giveaway will be open through Wednesday, March 24th, and the drawing will take place on Thursday, March 25th. The winner will be contacted by email within 24 hours of the drawing, and will need to provide their mailing address and phone number to receive their free items. Contest is limited to US addresses only.

One other footnote....
To keep this post from being so long, I did not include the recipes for the Milk and Honey Bread or the Lemon Icebox Pie. The bread recipe is from one of my other cookbooks, and the pie is my mom's recipe. If you're interested in either recipe, send me an email (my email addy is up at the top of the blog) and I'd be happy to pass them on to you.

29 comments:

  1. Awesome contest!! Thanks so much for hosting, i'd love to enter!!

    +1 inthehammockblog (at) gmail (d0t) com

    +1 I'm a follower

    +1 sidebar link here: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are having way too much fun! Loved your blog and would love to be entered in your giveaway.

    I'm a follower
    My email is btlblog@lyndacoker.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would love to be entered:) Thanks!!

    esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am an email subscriber also:)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Enter me too! I'm already a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a great giveaway! Both would be great to win! I love Paula Dean! :)

    Seasidesmitten@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Entry 2

    I'm a follower :)

    Seasidesmitten@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great contest! My mom would love these...count me in!
    =0)

    grgenius(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would be thrilled to have these 2 great items.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. hey, i would love to win! please toss my name in the hat!

    jessicajonesdesign@gmail.com
    www.etsy.com/shop/frenchvanillavintage

    ReplyDelete
  11. Will be linking to your blog but will post to win either
    christineharmon29@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. i enjoy paula deen...thanks for this fabulous giveaway

    karenk
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. ooh, I love Paula Deen and watch her show every day at 6PM. I'd love to win these items.

    florida 982002[at]yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm a new follower.

    Great contest, very unique.

    florida982002[at]yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Christy...okay those cinnabon cinnamon rolls made my mouth water. I want to try the recipe myself! Thanks for the heads up on this giveaway. I remember when you first mentioned that you were trying out the products. GREAT reviews!
    Please enter me!
    dleathers36(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think I am a subscriber....just in case I will re-do it. ;)
    dleathers36(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am a follower and a fan!
    dleathers36(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Please enter me into Paula's contest, she is my kind of cook, I am a southern lady also.


    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  19. I follow you on twitter@mrsred49


    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love Paula! Please count me in. Thank you!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Last but not least. I'm exhausted and signed in to Twitter and saw your post. I am in. I love Paula and I love that you are taking a break from fiction and giving away free stuff. (U can tell i'm tired, I'm blabbing.) Love you Girl.

    Jess

    ReplyDelete
  22. By the way, we need to link up. I will hit up on FB. CYA

    ReplyDelete
  23. Paula Deen knows how to cook! Please enter me in the giveaway.

    wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for offering this great giveaway!
    tmp95 at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm a follower via Google Friend.
    #2 entry

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm a follower via Google Friend.
    #1 entry

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oooh, please enter me! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nothing like coming in at the last minute, huh? :p

    * Leaving a comment
    * Already a follower (if that counts!)
    * Posting about your giveaway in the sidebar of both blogs (maybe a few people will see it and come over)

    Those cinnamon rolls look sooooo good right now!

    Thanks Christy,

    sugarandgrits at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments!! They make me happier than cold sweet tea on a hot summer day! :o)