And the Winner of the Cookbook Giveaway is...

Entertaining Mom!

Miss E. helped draw the winner last night after dinner - she was so excited to be part of the giveaway and "photo session."

Here is what Entertaining Mom submitted for her entry:

I have many recipes that I adore… A favorite? It would actually not be mine, or my mother’s but my husband’s Paella recipe. It’s his mother’s… frankly he makes it MUCH better than she ever does! LOL… but this is a recipe that involves the whole family. Everyone jumps in and helps. We cook it only for special occasions because it is so labor intensive and so long, but well worth the results. I do not have the recipe on the food blog… yet!

My children love to cook and help out in the kitchen. They have been exposed to all sorts of foods from the get-go and I am sure that’s why (for the most part) they are not fussy children. Food has played such an important role in my youth too… my grandmother always threw the most elaborate, glamorous dinner parties and I remember thinking from a very early age that “That’s what I want to do too!”

She told me a story about how she had had a fabulous Pressed Duck in France. Back in the States she didn’t know how to “press” her duck so she wrapped it in plastic bags and drove over it several times!!!

Congrats to Entertaining Mom on the giveaway. Hope you enjoy the cookbook and that it inspires many wonderful dishes!

And, thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. We're not finished yet, though. Because so many of you included great stories about favorite recipes and what they mean to you and your families, I'm going to include these in my blog over the next few days. Thank you for sharing such happy memories with me!

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone!

It's Giveaway Time!

Attention foodies, avid readers, Southern Belles and everyone in between: it’s time for my first giveaway!

I have been pondering about what to provide during my first giveaway as a blogger. Naturally, I thought of books, since I’m a writer and a voracious reader, and I know that many of you are, too. But, Hubby also pointed out how I like to discuss recipes and food with many of y’all, and how I tend talk about all-things Southern, often referencing Southern Living (A.K.A., "the Bible" for many ‘a Southern gal). So, I’ve brought all of that together and I’m giving away (drum roll):

Southern Living
All-Time Favorites Cookbook

It features more than 500 tantalizing recipes, gorgeous photography and would be the perfect addition to any kitchen. There are plenty of recipes for tailgating, supper clubs, cocktail parties – you name it. I’m really tempted to keep this one for myself, but I’ll be good and reserve it for this giveaway. :)

So, here’s the deal: The deadline to enter is Aug. 26. Leave your name and e-mail address in the comments section or e-mail it to me directly. Then, share a special recipe or dish that is near and dear to your heart. You don’t have to provide the entire recipe – I’m more interested in the story behind it. I think it’s always interesting to hear how food brings people together. I’d love to feature these stories in a future blog entry and I will definitely give credit where credit is due! (For privacy reasons, I won’t use last names or I can just reference your blog if you prefer.)

A name will be drawn at random and the winner will be announced in late August. Good luck to all of you!