January 13, 2011

Happy One Year Bloggerversary… and a GIVEAWAY!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER. ANY COMMENTS AFTER 12:00 MIDNIGHT {EST} WILL NOT BE COUNTED!!

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY MORNING

Here it is! My one year birthday… or should I say bloggerversary?! Whichever… I’m so proud and totally excited! It has actually gone by very quickly yet when I think about it all, it sort of feels like a century ago when I first started this thing! It has been such a fun year of meeting new friends, trying new recipes and taking some risks!

So you’re like get to the point lady!

Okay, fine.

Well, to celebrate that huge milestone and to thank all of you who have stuck with me and read, more times than not… very lengthy posts and those who have left me wonderful comments… I want to show you my appreciation with giveaway!! It isn’t set of stainless steel knives or anything but I have waited all year, saved all my pennies that I’ve made from this very site to do this giveaway and I’m really excited!!

What could you win??

A Le Creuset Tea Kettle!! The color is Chili Red; the picture here doesn’t do it justice… because it’s a beautiful spicy red/orange color and will add a little punch of color to your kitchen!! It’s also suitable for all heat sources including induction!

To enter for this 2.2 quart {approx 9 cup} whistling tea kettle is super easy… but only US and Canada residents please! So here is how this will work. All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment naming your favorite all time ”from scratch recipe” and why it’s your favorite!!

The winner will be picked at random and will be announced on Monday January 17th!

Did I mention it was Le Creuset?!

Thank you for all again for your comments and emails… I truly love each and every single one of them and… Good Luck!!

Recipes

57 comments »

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1

raspberrycordial — January 13, 2011 at 4:10 pm

I love my mom's chocolate chip cookies! there's not even a recipe…she just knows it well and it's all from scratch! They always remind me of my childhood
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2

Barbara — January 13, 2011 at 4:10 pm

There are so many…but I really love your "Fancy Schmancy Chicken Salad"!
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Wanna Be A Country Cleaver — January 13, 2011 at 4:18 pm

I'm all over my chocolate chip cookies and my grandmother's traditional Czech dinner. You can't go wrong with pork shoulder, dumplings and cabbage.
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Sarah — January 13, 2011 at 4:26 pm

I'm new to this site…but tried the pico de gallo and the banana bread. Both were fantastic….can't wait to try more!
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Ang — January 13, 2011 at 4:29 pm

I think my favorite recipe from scratch has to be my moms sweet and sour chicken. I have changed it up a bit over the years but I still love it and it's my go to recipe:)

Congrats on your year bloggerversary!
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Katrina V. — January 13, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Awesome giveaway! I've been drooling over your Pecan Pie!
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oliepants — January 13, 2011 at 4:39 pm

I love that kettle! I have to say everything you make looks delicious! But, if I had to choose – I would have to say your breads look SO nice and delicious! The reason I found your blog is because I was searching for a bread recipe using whole wheat and onions. So my favorite has to be the whole wheat rosemary caramelized onion bread! Delicious!
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Haley — January 13, 2011 at 4:39 pm

My favorite recipe is my moms Christmas Mac N' Cheese! It has 4-5 different cheese's and it is sinfully good! Congrats on the 1 year anniversary!
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Jennifurla — January 13, 2011 at 4:41 pm

Oh, my favorite recipe is Ina's Beef bourgignon..I love the process of making it

This is fab, sign me up

Happy 1 year.
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Terry — January 13, 2011 at 5:31 pm

Such a fun blog … I like the whole wheat rosemary caramelized onion bread. I've made it on several occasions and it's so quick & easy & yummy! Everyone wants the recipe! Thanks for sharing!!!
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Jennifer — January 13, 2011 at 5:45 pm

The perfect salsa recipe and also your banana bread recipe call to me… they look so delicious that I have had them bookmarked in my MUST MAKE folder! =)

xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
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CrystalsCozyKitchen — January 13, 2011 at 5:58 pm

Congrats on making it to one year! Good luck with the next year. My favorite recipes made from scratch have to include chocolate!
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rmsotsky — January 13, 2011 at 6:01 pm

I love taco salad. Any kind of taco salad. Any time I go out to eat, if its on the menu, I will get it. I love finding new ways to make it at home, and your Grilled Ancho Chicken Taco Salad is DELICIOUS!!! YUM!
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The Answer Is Chocolate — January 13, 2011 at 6:07 pm

Happy blogiversary Laurie. My fav recipe of yours is your brownie recipe! You knew I'd choose a chocolate one didn't you?!
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blondebarbiedishes — January 13, 2011 at 6:21 pm

Congratulations on your bloggaversary!! Great accomplishment. My favorite from scratch recipe is for classic peanut butter cookies, rolled in sugar and criss-crossed with a fork. Found the recipe a few months ago and have already made them several times
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SueS — January 13, 2011 at 6:27 pm

I just found your site about a week ago, but I can't wait to try making the homemade pita bread recipe. Maybe this weekend. Congrats on your one year bloggerversary!
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Suz — January 13, 2011 at 6:45 pm

My favorite of your recipes that I've tried are the sweet potato fries. I spiced them up {we like things hot} by added cayanne pepper as well as salt & pepper. I can't wait to try your sugar cookies & the blue berry crumb cake soon!
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Christine — January 13, 2011 at 6:57 pm

My favorite "from scratch" recipe is very special to me. My husband and I make this every single Thursday night and we call it "date night" pizza!! It is, however, a bbq chicken pizza!! The best part is something we just started doing…making our own crust…from your website of course! We were so tired of buying..eh hem…store bought pizza crust and wanted to be more
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Becky — January 13, 2011 at 6:57 pm

Happy Anniversary!

My favorite recipe of yours is the spicy bourbon chicken. Everyone loves that one.

bkee 13@aol .com
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Topher — January 13, 2011 at 7:51 pm

mine is chicken stir fry. Thanks!

Chris

zekks at yahoo dot com
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Christina — January 13, 2011 at 8:15 pm

what? you mean there's actually a small chance I could replace my hand-me-down circa 1976 corningware tea kettle?! This one is beautiful!

I will admit, although I have tried a few of your recipes, I find the most pleasure in just admiring your foodie photography Love your blog! But the most recent recipe I've made is the chicken salad (costco spinoff) so I'll go
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Lynda Del. — January 13, 2011 at 8:24 pm

My chicken noodle casserole topped with crushed buttered Ritz crackers baked recipe has always been a family favorite of ours.
lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com
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Ally — January 13, 2011 at 8:57 pm

Your homestyle meatloaf recipe!
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Anne — January 13, 2011 at 9:07 pm

I can't wait to try the homemade pita breads (ahhh, carbs…) but I have to say my favorite from stratch recipe is for homemade English muffins!
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whatsfordinner-acrossstatelines — January 13, 2011 at 9:27 pm

Happy Blogiversary! You have quiet a few, but I still remember that fig and arugula salad, these figs were so pretty I thought they were fake! Can't wait for another year of yummy recipes.
-Gina-
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Amanda — January 13, 2011 at 10:02 pm

I looove that kettle! Mine recently broke after lots of use, so I'm in need!

Congratulations on 1 year! Love your blog and look forward to many more delicious recipes.:)

-amanda
http://seegirlcook.com
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Ruth L — January 13, 2011 at 10:05 pm

Happy 1 Year Bloggerversary! Hope there are many more to come. Kentucky Butter Cake is my favorite. Thanks for all the yummy recipes.
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Tayaki — January 13, 2011 at 11:21 pm

I love the banana bread recipe. Yum! Anything with bananas = awesome.
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sadelikta38 — January 14, 2011 at 12:05 am

Happy Bloggerversary!!!! It is truly hard for me to pick which one is my favorite. I have tried to so many of your recipes and love sooooo many. I believe that it is a tie for me between the Broiled Tilapia Permesan and the Steak Tacos. Both of these recipes have become regular dishes in my household. My husband who is not a fan of salsa or pico, eats the Steak Tacos with the pico and loves it
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lisa — January 14, 2011 at 2:19 am

i love making home-made pizza. i haven't found a favorite pizza dough recipe yet, but it's been so fun trying new ones and adding different toppings!
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Pretend Chef — January 14, 2011 at 1:47 pm

Happy Bloggerversary! I love all of your recipes and all of the "from scratch recipes" that come out of your kitchen and now mine. Most recently the banana bread has been standing out in my mind because my guy keeps walking around here with a pouty lip, "I like banana bread." Haha! The power of photos. I love the giveaway you are hosting and a tea kettle is on my list of wants
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Jeanneod — January 14, 2011 at 2:06 pm

I would have to say salsa…i am always trying new recipes to find that perfect one!
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Jess H — January 14, 2011 at 3:58 pm

I love the new Lemon Shallot Orzo. Delish!
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Sippity Sup — January 14, 2011 at 4:20 pm

Cookies from scratch are the only kind worth eating. GREG
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Sprinkles of Parsley — January 14, 2011 at 5:34 pm

Oh wow- choosing just one is so tough! I'd have to say my favorite homemade item is homemade bread. Nothing says home like fresh out of the oven bread with a square of butter melting in the middle
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Kelly — January 14, 2011 at 6:27 pm

I would have to pick the zucchini bread. It has the perfect amount of cinnamon to make it oh so yummy!
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Julianne Tardella — January 14, 2011 at 7:05 pm

My mom's chicken soup recipe that was her mom's chicken soup recipe. And my Busia was a wedding caterer, so everything she made was sooooo good.

Recently, I was at the Polish Market in Troy, and I bought my first bundle of chicken feet to include in my next chicken soup. (Thanks to reading all about it in Danielle's blog.) Maybe my family and I can get through this
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stampinjust4fun — January 15, 2011 at 1:26 am

I have my mother-in-laws home made coconut cream pie. Funny thing is I don't even like coconut. Oh how I love this pie, however!!
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Quay Po Cooks — January 15, 2011 at 2:18 am

Congrats for the 1st year anniversary! One of my favorite making from scratch recipes is Carrot Cake.
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SixBalloons — January 15, 2011 at 7:44 am

My favourite dish is my braised beef brisket with vermicelli noodles from scratch! happy one year blog birthday!!
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Annette — January 15, 2011 at 6:30 pm

Banana Bread
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Nichole — January 16, 2011 at 12:43 am

Lime in the coconut cake!!!
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ikkinlala — January 16, 2011 at 8:03 am

I haven't tried many of your recipes yet (I've been working a lot and haven't been the one cooking for past few months – I'm lucky enough to still get home-cooked meals, though), but my favourite so far is Honey Butter Popcorn with Toasted Pecans because it's so simple and tasty and not something I'd ever have thought about making if I hadn't seen it here.
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kristie92177 — January 16, 2011 at 5:11 pm

Hello love! I miss seeing your face, I hope all is well with you and your beautiful girls! I must tell ya, I have stolen 2 recipes and they are a favorite at parties now! The It's Got it all Bread and the Bacon Pineapple Bites. They are a hit! Thanks!
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Jill — January 16, 2011 at 6:23 pm

Congrats on your 1-year anniversary! Can't wait for your new recipes in 2011!! Hard to pick one but our family LOVES your Meatball Sangwiches. YUM! Keep up the great work!
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GRAND MAMAA — January 16, 2011 at 8:40 pm

Hi there, I love your blog site, photos and easy recipes…and you have so many that are great…but my all-time fav is your Whole Wheat Rosemary and Carmelized Onion Rolls. I confess that I am a bread-aholic…but WOW these are so wonderful. Full of flavor and buttery soft….I'm going through withdrawl right now!! I will have to make up a batch real soon.
Congrats to you for a
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Andrea the Kitchen Witch — January 16, 2011 at 9:40 pm

Congrats on your 1 year!! My favorite recipe of yours is the lemon pepper. So simple and delicious! andreaandbrian at gmail dot com
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Dani — January 16, 2011 at 11:48 pm

Not to be a teacher's pet, but your Honey Roasted Cashews are my favorite from scratch recipe. I've become a local superstar, due largely in part to these cashews. Since my first batch, I've been invited to 4 Super Bowl parties (w strict instructions to not come w/o the cashews). Not to mention, I've received 3 dinner invitations and fielded several marriage proposals. The cashews
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Brenda — January 17, 2011 at 12:45 am

what a great year it has been for you! i can't wait to see what you'll do this year.
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BakingWithoutaBox — January 17, 2011 at 12:58 am

I have to pick just one? I loved your Christmas sugar cookies! Just hard to beat the simple sweetness.
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Jen — January 17, 2011 at 1:10 am

Yay for your bloggerversary! I absolutely love your blog!

My favorite from scratch recipe right now is a taco pasta recipe I made last week… it's gonna be dinner again tomorrow night!
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Kristin — January 17, 2011 at 1:25 am

Forgot to say why the vanilla French toast is my favorite! Love how simple and tasty it is
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Robin — January 17, 2011 at 1:30 am

Loved the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Flourless Cookies! Although my 10 year-old can eat gluten, she can't eat dairy…luckily Trader Joes Chocolate Chips are dairy-free, so I used those in this recipe…awesome!! Love your blog
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emily — January 17, 2011 at 2:49 am

If we're picking from your site, I love the bacon wrapped pineapple bites. Just the right mix of sweet and salty and such an easy appetizer and crowd pleaser!

If we're choosing off your site, then my mom's beef vegetable soup. It's chunky and the perfect mix of beef and vegetables and a perfect winter meal that brings me back to my childhood days. Ahhhh.
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kelley — January 17, 2011 at 4:58 am

I am new to your blog, but like it so my favorite recipe of yours was the banana nut bread with crumb topping. I especially like the tips you give with your recipes.
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Adventures of Shaw — December 28, 2011 at 8:22 pm

Congrats! your 2 year is coming up as well as my 1st anniversary. Any tips on getting your blog out in the public eye. I am branching out from my lifestyle blog and want more exposure in 2012.
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Johnson Levengood — April 24, 2013 at 8:38 pm

There’s just something special about homemade cookies, especially chocolate chip cookies, so far as I’m concerned. It’s a great family activity, something even children can help with, and everyone loves eating the results.”

<My web blog ;;:;"http://www.caramoan.co