Update: Congratulations to Lizzie of Food and Thrift Finds! She is the lucky winner of the Artisano’s gift package (and a sweet friend as well). Please check out her wonderful blog~
When I started blogging a year ago, it was just a means to share recipes with friends. Little did I know that within months, I’d encounter and be inspired by all sorts of wonderful food bloggers and develop a camaraderie with so many extremely talented and generous cooks. From professional chefs to home cooks, we all love to make delicious food and showcase it in the best possible fashion. Thanks to all my blog followers, facebook fans and friends who just stop in to check out new recipes. Your kind words have kept me going and striving to make my blog better.
So to review the year, I will pick a handful of my favorite posts…
#5 Fall Off the Bone Baby Back Ribs~
My oldest always groaned when I mentioned we were having ribs…the mess, the bones, the lots of work for not a lot of meat. Well, these changed his mind. The friends who have tried them have gone out of their way to praise these…be sure to put this on your summer menu. Serve them with these crispy smashed potatoes.
This was one of my early bake alongs…I have such marvelous friends who join me in the kitchen.
#3 Challah~
One of the best breads I’ve baked…this got me started on a yeast kick.
#2 Apple Crostada~
My first Daring Bakers’ Challenge…after this success, I felt confident that I could keep up with this group of fabulous bakers…
#1 Puff Pastry~
I challenged myself once again, and, whew, this one worked, too. Both the Apple Tarts and Prosciutto Gruyere Pinwheels made from this pastry were truly delectable.
Now for the best part…the give away!!!!
There is an incredible culinary shop less than a mile from my home. Artisano’s Oils and Spices is my favorite stop for hostess gifts…fabulous flavored olive oils and vinegars, hundreds of spices, over 20 infused salts (including my favorite black truffle salt), and flavored sugars are just some the specialty items they offer. Owner, David Burcham, has generously donated these with the baker in mind:
A 200 ml bottle of walnut oil (fabulous for salads, drizzled over vegetables)
A 200 ml bottle of chocolate balsamic vinegar (imagine this over fresh strawberries!)
A 3 ounce tin of ginger sugar
You may enter to win this lovely prize package a few different ways:
- Become a NEW follower of my blog (click on “Follow” in the right hand column), and make a comment letting me know.
- If you are already a follower, you can enter by leaving a comment on this post.
- If blogger isn’t allowing you to become a follower, just leave a post letting me know and you’ll be entered as well.
I will close this contest Sunday, March 20, at 5 PM. One winner (from the US only) will be chosen at random and posted on this blog entry by 8 AM Eastern time on Monday, March 21. At that time, I’ll provide an e-mail address for the winner to contact me with mailing information.
Indianapolis area followers, I hope you’ll stop in and patronize this gem of a shop~1101-B East 86th Street…right behind Nora Apothecary…entrance faces North Compton.
Lambeau, my constant baking companion (and crumb remover), wishes you the best of luck~
{ 91 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats on your first blogiversary! Here’s to many more. I am an old follower.
Congratulations on your blogiversary!
Congratulations, Liz! I’ve enjoyed following your blog this year.
“CONGRATULATIONS” Lizzy !!!!!!……I’ve enjoyed your Blog and reading your posts on the Foodie Board we are on…… Here’s to many many more. BUT most of all I enjoyed the photo’s of Lambeau
and her ‘foodie’ adventures even though it was only some crumbs or carrots.
Congratulations on your blog’s first birthday!!
It
s always exciting to see where you came from a year ago and looking from the first photo’s till now you are a true pro! Looking forward to the next years to come Congrats and happy cooking!
Happy blogoversary! Here’s to the next few. Keep up the great work.
Congrats..keep rocking..:)
Tasty appetite
I love your recipes and the pictures of your food, Liz. Such an inspiration.
Congratulations and happy continued cooking!
Happy blogoversary!
Congratulations on your one-year blog-versary!!! That shop sounds so good, maybe a road trip is in order!!
Happy first birthday to That Skinny Chick Can Bake!!!! Love to read about your culinary adventures Liz!
You’ve done a great job this past year posting the best recipes ever and I know you’ve inspired alot of cooks. Keep on posting you skinny girl!!
Happy Blogaversary! All your dishes look divine!
Consider yourself followed! Congrats and happy blogoversary – your dog is SO cute.
You’ve only been doing this a year?!?! You’re such a pro, Lizzy! And you know how I’ve been drooling over your beautiful Challah bread and the puff pastry.
Of course, I’m a devoted follower of you on Google and facebook. Such a nice giveaway!
Brandie
I’m a follower via Blogspot…and I can only imagine the fun things I could do with that oil and vinegar. Mercy!
Congrats on all the things you conquered in one year. Chocolate balsamic, that is something I’ve never had, but would enjoy getting to know better. Hope you have a great week.
-Gina-
Thanks, everyone!!
Cyn, you’re welcome down here anytime!!!
Gabby, I had made some good, but not great, challahs before…maybe 4-5 times. It was this recipe that was key…you should give it a try
Hi.
Yum and congrats! Your challah especially looks good!
I’m stopping by from the Monday hop to say hello and follow.
Have a great day!
POSH
http://poshonabudget.com/2011/02/busy-monday.html
Hi Lizzy, Wow, a year passed by? Happy 1 year Anniversary on your blog. I’ve had the pleasure of being friends with you since last September, and have been following, and marveling at your delicious feasts, and desserts, especially!
So, here’s a “toast” to a lot more Blogaversaries, and continued success!
Love your giveaway, will have to check out this great shop for other items too.
BTW-Lambeu is such a sweet helper and “test taster” for you…I would just love to pet her…hugs!
xoxo
Happy 1st blogoversary Lizzy! May you have many more to celebrate
)
All of your dishes look wonderful and that chocolate balsamic sounds incredible.
Happy Blogaversary! You have had a wonderful year. I am a follower and would love to win these!
I am having trouble staying with the site, but wanted to say congrats Liz~!!! Has it really been a year? I know I can trust anything you post..it’s been such a fun ride. You are amazing~!!!
Happy Happy Blogiversary!
You are a real rock star now Lizzy…you go girl!
No kidding you can bake!! Do you take those pics yourself? You make me want to eat it right now!! lol… Anyway, thanks for joining my Monday blog hop. Hope to see you link up next week too
http://www.TheMcMommyDiaries.blogspot.com
Congrats on your 1 year anniversary. I want to learn how to make challah. How many times did it take you to make it right? Chocolate balsamic vinegar sounds amazing.
Liz I’ve always loved your recipes and some of our favorite dishes are from you. Congratulations on your beautiful site and I hope you’ll be doing this for a long, long time. And Miss Lambeau, your furry helper! It’s such fun to see her every day.
Thank you, Liz, for being an inspiration!
Jane
Lizzy , cheers babe , thats one wonderful year of delite and deliciousness galore.
I have had the pleasure of knowing somebody as sweet and warm hearted as u and have loved all ur posts.
Today it feels so warm and fuzzy as am here and i wanna wish ya lods of more deliciousness and wonderful moments for all ur dreams thru this blog.
Thannxx a ton to u and DAvid for the opportunity to win this giveaway.
They sure have amazing products and am already on their site looking thru.
Ur helper is soooo cute , will he be mine too?
Congrats on the one year…and Yummo. I’m drooling!!
So glad I stopped by!
Awesome blog.
I’m your new follower on GFC
You can reach me at:
http://rominagarciamartyrhood.blogspot.com/
Lizzie, congrats on your birthday! I’m an old follower.
Congrats on your one year anniversary, Liz!!
Congratulations, Lizzy! It’s been so fun! I look forward to getting to know you better over the next year. All the best!
Well, guess what??? I CAN post here! Too bad I don’t know why I can’t from my own computer, LOL! Congratulations on your blog Lizzy; it’s such a joyful thing to come and read each day and I learn something every time..even if it is that Lambeau had a hundred cute expressions, hehe! Keep on keeping on! We love you!
Congratulations on your one year anniversary! I enjoy your blog a lot.
Congrats on one year!
Hiya! Newest follower from the McHoppin’ Monday Hop– please stop by and say hello! Would love if ya followed back!
♥cyn♥
http://cyn-thenutshell.blogspot.com/
Happy blog birthday!!!
Happy, Happy!! Keep up the good work. And, I love Artisano’s oils. So psyched to see that’s the prize!!
Happy Blogoversary Liz!!!!
Congrats on your blogaversary!
Liz, I have enjoyed your blog from afar and admire you so much for your dedication in making all these hard, fattening recipes! I don’t know how you stay so energetic and so slim! You are an inspiration to me. Congratulations!
Francie (under my DH Bill’s Google account name, sorry I’m so technologically challenged).
Happy Blogaversary! So many great achievements in your first year and here’s to many more! I clicked to follow your blog.
Happy First Birthday!
Wonderful recipes! Great stories! Superb baking! Gorgeous Lambeau!
Congratulations, Lizzy!
Hugs,
Sandra
Congratulations on your first year! I live in Indy too and I have never heard of Artisano’s Oils and Spices. I checked out their website and it looks awesome! I am definitely checking it out this week!
Congratulations on your first year of your blog! Love all the recipes of this post!
Manu (Manu’s Menu)
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lizzy, happy first blogiversary!
Happy one year
Your spice store sounds awesome! My aunt lives in Indianapolis…I will have to pass the address along to her. It looks like something she would love! I wish I lived closer!
Thanks so much, everyone, for your kind words and loyalty!!! Welcome to all my new followers…hope you stick around
Francie, you crack me up, my friend!
Seana, you did it!!!!
Melanie, yes, these are my photos…you are so sweet!
xoxo
Happy Bday to your blog and thanks for all these great recipes you are sharing
I want to eat it all and then take a nap with your “crumb remover”. Good job and happy blog-day, Lizzy!
Congratulations, Liz, on your first blogaversary! Thank you for sharing all of your delectable baking and more with us. Your photo styling is drool worthy.
You know me; I HAD to tweet your giveaway:
http://twitter.com/cspod/statuses/47665479631912960
I always come to your blog first when looking for a recipe! Those who had birthday cakes this year thank you.
Much love and continued success, Ann
Lizzy, Congrats on your first blogiversary!!! I’ve found your blog thanks to Elisabeth and I am a keen follower
Congratulations on your blog’s first birthday!! I enjoyed so much reading your post last couple of months. I hope you’ll be around for many years to come, love your dishes and photos.
chocolate balsamic vinegar, wow, it’s teh first time I hear. have to check it our. Thanks Lizzy
I just became a follower of yours, and not only in order to participate in your give away
You have great recipes that sound delicious, many of them, I really want to try.
Congratulations for your 1 year anniversary and keep on!
Happy 1st blogiversary!
-ceecee
Congrats Lizzy! I love giveaways and especially your wonderful and talented blog!
Happy Birthday! or should I say Happy Anniversary!
Happy blogiversary! Great posts and lovely to see them rounded up like that. Love the decor on that wicked looking cognac trifle!! Here’s to another happy year of blogging.
Congrats Liz! I truly enjoy reading your blog. Your recipes are delightful, and your upbeat personality and excitement for food always shines through in your posts. Cheers to your first anniversary and the many more to come!!
P.S. I already follow your blog.
Hi Lizzy
Congratulations on your first blogoversary, what a great day!!
We are a richer for knowing you!
Dennis
Congratulations!! Everything looks so good! Here’s the many more.
Happy Blogiversary! Those ribs! Thank goodness the weather is warm enough here in Houston to fire up the grill and make these babies! What a great giveaway! I am a sucker for oil and vinegars. I am a new FOLLOWER and look forward to seeing all of the yummies from your kitchen. Happy St. Patricks Day!
Happy Blogaversary!
PS – I want to eat your ribs. Mmmm…
Happy Blogaversary…and what a great giveaway!
Happy Blogoversary, Lizzy! I love coming to your blog to find good homemad food. I was a huge fan of your apple puff pastry tart. I think I am already a follower, but I follow so many people I can never keep track so I am off to find out!
Okay, turns out I wasn’t a follower, which surprised me, but I am now!
Happy Blogaversary Liz! Your blog is such a delight to read. It’s as delightful as you are
We’re still loving the goodies you brought to the party – especially that incredible black truffle salt. Artisano’s is truly a wonderful place. Happy St. Patty’s Day to you, Bill, kids and Lambeau!! Kate
I can’t believe it has been a year already! Liz you continue to inspire me with your creative cooking. Thanks for sharing your talents with us. Hugs
Happy blogiversary amd I wish you many many moreee! everything looks so good, and delicious! Would love piece of those ribs..mmm so delicious looking:)
Time sure flies when you’re blogging away! Just became a follower and thanks for sharing your faves again!
Congrats on your blog anniversary! Those ribs look delicious.
Happy Anniversary!! I love the top 5 posts
Very good idea!!
happy blog anniversary lizzy
I am now a follower of your lovely blog! Delicious recipes, I have bookmarked a few. Thanks so much for the chance.
thepricklypinecone(at)gmail.com
Happy Blogversary! I am following.
THANKS so much, everyone…old and new friends!
Happy Blogversary! You’re my new friend now!
Happy Blogoversary, Liz!
I follow you!
Congrats on your first bolg anniversary! To many happy returns! Have a great weekend Lizzy
Congrats on a year of blogging!
Your homemade puff pastry is amazing!
I know I’m not qualify for the giveaway ^_^ Congrats on your blog’s first birthday!
Congrats! I love your blog and recipies ♥
I don’t know how to become a follower, but the giveaway sounds great.
I also can’t figure out how to become a follower, but would love to win this giveaway!
Okay, I just found the link to become a follower by email, and I am now a follower! Love this giveaway!
Thanks, everyone, for entering and welcome to all my new followers!!!
The winner using Random.org is #20…Lizzie!!!! Congratulations, my friend~
Lizzy, I’m catching up and just wanted to say congratulations on your blog birthday. You always inspire me.
Becky
CONGRATS to you
How exciting!!