Thursday, July 16, 2009

My 100th Post!!! A few dedications and a GIVEAWAY!

I seriously cannot believe that I am already at my 100th post!!! Six months ago, I was talking to my sister on the phone, commenting on her food blog, when she suggested that I start my own. My initial reaction was to think "oh, okay, Sarah...I'll get right on that!", because I honestly have always been a little intimidated by her talent and while I've always enjoyed cooking, I didn't necessarily think anyone would be particularly interested in what I made. To my surprise, I have had so much fun trying new recipes and sharing old family recipes and am so unbelievably grateful to the 70+ people who think enough of my blog to follow it...and to all of you who take the time to post such sweet comments! I've really enjoyed "meeting" people from all over the world and have truly enjoyed all of your blogs!

I want to extend a special "thank you" to my sister, Sarah, for getting this "hobby" of mine started. You have expanded my knowledge so much and really opened my eyes to trying new ingredients/techniques!

(My sister, Sarah and I...I was exceptionally tan--she's not that pale!)

I'd next like to thank my Mom and Dad for always inspiring me and making me feel as if the sky is the limit! Anytime I get discouraged, they are the two people I can count on to give me that little "boost". My parents both instilled such wonderful values in my sisters and I and it's because of them, that I have such a strong foundation for cooking. Both of my parents are excellent cooks! I'm especially touched that my Dad religiously follows my blog...how cute is that?!?



Now for my husband, Marcus...to say he has come a long way is the understatement of the century! When we first started dating, his diet consisted of smoked sausage, steak fries and frozen corn---NO JOKE!!! Granted, we were in college at the time, but seriously, that's all he ever seemed to eat!!! Over the years, he's progressively gotten so much better and he's been such a good sport about trying all of these new recipes. Had you asked me 8 years ago if I thought he would have eaten even 10% of what I've made recently, I would have told you that there was absolutely no way!!! He, too, follows my blog and is always good about giving me input regarding things he likes/dislikes or ways in which he thinks the recipe could be improved. I love you, baby, and thank you for being so open-minded :)


Last, but certainly not least, I have to make mention of my two most faithful "taste-testers"...my children, Jake and Maddie. They are my absolute pride and joy and they, too, have been so wonderful about trying new things and trust me when I tell you...I get VERY honest opinions from them :)

(Jacob, 4 yrs)

(Madeline, 16 months)

Now, onto my GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could literally spend a good hour every time I'm at the grocery store, glancing through the cooking magazines. While on my last shopping trip, I selected three magazines that I just had to have and bought duplicates to give to THREE lucky winners, who will be chosen through a random integer generator.

The cooking magazines are as follows:

1) Taste of Home Summer Slow Cooker Meals (includes 160 "clip and keep" recipe cards!)
2) Taste of Home Bake Sale (166 crowd pleasing treats...all on recipe cards with photos!)
3) Pillsbury Best Ever Chicken (includes budget friendly dinners!)


To enter, please leave me a comment letting me know which of my recipes you'd most like to try or which recipe you have already tried! (Feel free to give me your honest feedback if you're commenting on a recipe you've tried, as I'm always looking for ways to improve!!!)

For additional entries, you can do the following: (One additional entry can be earned for EACH of the following!)
1) Sign up to follow my blog or leave me a separate comment letting me know that you're already a follower.
2) Make mention of my giveaway on your blog and then post a comment with the link.
3) Make mention of my giveaway on Facebook and leave me a comment letting me know that you did!
4) Share one of your favorite recipes with me--you can either post it under my comment section or send me the link to your blog.


GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 11:59PM EST ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 22ND! ANY ENTRIES POSTED AFTER THAT TIME WILL NOT QUALIFY. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU INCLUDE THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO CONTACT YOU, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN EMAIL LINKED TO YOUR BLOG!

***This giveaway is open to everyone...family and friends included! The winners will be selected completely at random!***

62 comments:

  1. Hello!! What a fun giveaway!

    I think I would love to try the Bruchetta Chicken....and the Beef Cheeseball! I am a cheeseball lover and could it them every day, I think, haha! ;-)

    Love the pictures!

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  2. Okay... uncool to make me cry before noon! :) In all honesty, thank you for your words above. I have had so much fun playing in the blogging world with you and am thrilled that you decided to come along for the ride! I'm also thrilled that you are finally acknowledging your unbelievable talent in the kitchen (and elsewhere)! Congratulations on your 100th post!

    By the way-- it is way too hard to pick a favorite recipe of yours. I should probably pick the chocolate cheesecake you made for my birthday, but it would be unfair to all the other yummy things you've made over the last 100 posts!

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  3. And... of course I am already a follower!

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  4. And... I'm linking to your giveaway on today's post!

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  5. Okay, I NEVER EVER do these contests, but I would love to win this one! It just might get me motivated to cook, remember, my kids are starving! I love the oven rib recipe....maybe I'll even make it, my son likes nothing better than being able to eat with his fingers, and not have me say...use a fork!

    Congrats on 100 posts!

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  6. I already follow and love the blog...even though I don't cook, I can always dream!

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  7. twittered, which is attached to facebook!

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  8. blogged here...http://wanttomakethat.blogspot.com/2009/07/rachel-vs-kitchen-100th-post-giveaway.html. Hope it brings in entries, but not too many cuz I wanna win!

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  9. Congrats on the 100th post! What an accomplishment in such a short time!

    I plan on making the greek pasta salad this weekend for a get together we're having with our family.

    By the way, I already follow.

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  10. Also, here is a link to a fave recipe of mine.

    http://allbecauseofgrace.blogspot.com/2008/11/friday-food-favorites.html

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  11. Congrats on your 100th, Rachel. I love your blog.

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  12. asparagus carbonara congrats on 100th you have a fab blog love ya

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  13. Congrats on the 100th post! Great blog!

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  14. congrats on 100 posts! your shredded chicken tacos look great. i've just started following so I've missed alot of the posts.

    here is a link to a favorite recipe of MINE: http://kitchencanister.blogspot.com/2008/11/baked-whole-wheat-penne-with-roasted.html

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  15. count me in please :)

    I am a follower of your blog -- and love it.

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  16. 100 posts! Congrats! The question is - which recipe don't I want to try! They all look delicious but I think the triple layer banana cake and the cheese cake are some that would really satisfy my sweet tooth!
    Darling children!

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  17. I've been unofficially following your blog for quite a while now, but I've just made it official! It's fun to see a little glimpse into your inspirations. You have an adorable family!

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  18. I'm dying to try your "77" meatballs. They sound wonderful and easy.

    Carol Ann
    Hackettstown, NJ

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  19. I'm already a follower!!! :o)

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  20. I can't wait to try your Frosted Fudge Brownies and then it's a toss up between your Overnight Caramel French Toast and your Chicken with Lemon Sauce!!! Guess I'm just gonna have to do all three!!! Yummm... Can't wait!!! :o)

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  21. This is my absolute favorite meal in the entire world...... http://threeonfood.blogspot.com/2009/02/already-back-on-rotation.html I promise if you make this - you will not be sorry!!!

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  22. I mentioned your giveaway on my blog! Here's the post... http://threeonfood.blogspot.com/2009/07/blt-blowout.html

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  23. What a great 100 posts! I'm a huge fan and have made many of your recipes. My favorites have been the hoedown roast and the sweet and sour chicken. Keep up the good work. I always look forward to seeing what you have posted. What a great picture of you and your sister. You are both so beautiful!

    You really need to try the zucchini bread I just posted. It really is great. http://tried-and-truecookingwithheidi.blogspot.com/2009/07/best-zucchini-bread.html#comments

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  24. I love those books as well. Sometimes its not a bad thing to be in a long line. I have made the double chocolate banana bread but i really want to try the caramel french toast that look so good. Congrats on your 100th post.

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  25. Very nice giveaway! And congrats on 100 posts. In looking at your recipes, I definitely like the looks of the chocolate truffle cheesecake..yum!

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  26. I'm a follower now (I thought I already was!)

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  27. Congratulations on your 100th post! Lots of good food and good memories here. Thank you for sharing. You make a difference.

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  28. Congrats on 100! Hooray :D ...do you even have to ask? Double Chocolate Banana Bread!!!

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  29. First off you and your sister are gorgeous! Beautiful children too!!

    Congrats on 100. I have tried your oatmeal butterscotch cookies and enjoyed them immensely. Thanks for the chance to win this generous giveaway!

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  30. I am already a faithful follower.

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  31. Congrats on your 100th, I love the pictures!

    I want to try your chocolate cheesecake, it looks so sinful!

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  32. By the way I changed my site address to https://chowandchatter.blogspot.com
    To match the name ! Love Rebecca

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  33. Hi
    I live in Europe and will not ask you to send a magazine all the way over here - so good luck to the rest of you!

    Found you on SITS! Hope your weekend will be great.

    I have a funny post today;) Come read about the red carpet!

    Greetings from Spain

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  34. I really want to try your BBQ pulled pork. I always make it on the grill but it looks like it'd be just as good in the crockpot!

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  35. I would love to try the Ultimate Cheesecake! YUM

    Christie
    dctm at bellsouth dot net

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  36. Congratulations on your 100th post. :D

    from SITS

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  37. Mmmmm...I love to cook! And, I LOVE TOH's magazines!! Pillsbury is always a sure bet, too! ;-)

    I would definitely try your Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake! That looks like heaven!! Yummmmy! I love chocolate!

    Hello from SITS!

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  38. Not all of my favorite recipes are posted yet... but this one tops my list:

    http://thecreativesideofsteph.blogspot.com/2009/04/sweet-dinner-rolls.html

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  39. first I need to stop "drooling" :) food looks so delicious. I enjoy using my crockpot so I am going to try the Barbecued Pork Roast and the Slow Cooked Pot Roast.

    aunteegem@yahoo.com

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  40. I am a new blog follower

    aunteegem@yahoo.com

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  41. I'm a new follower--I really like your blog. I've tried the Spaghetti for Breath only a Mother Could Love (I think it's called that) and can't wait for a good excuse to try your Blondies. Congrats on your posts!

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  42. I wanted to let you know I mentioned your giveaway on my post and put a link over here.

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  43. Your Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake looks delish! I also really want to try your Triple Layer Banana Cake next time we have company! Congrats!

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  44. Congratulations!! As for the recipe I want to try- I've been eyeing that triple layer banana cake. mmm. looks good!

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  45. I would probably try the Olive Garden Tuscan Garlic Chicken recipe. I loved it when I had it at OG, and I would love to be able to make my own! :)

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  46. I have a lot of recipes on my blog too, but one of my favorites is this recipe for some yummy cookies, if you ever have a chocolate craving:
    http://mamamelloves1.blogspot.com/2009/07/chocolate-overload-cookies.html

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  47. Congrats on your 100th post! I'm already a follower and think you have lots of yummy food here- since I love pasta, I'm going to try the Olive Garden Tuscan Chicken, for starters,

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  48. Congrats my friend!!! I can't believe you have reached your 100th post already...you're amazing!

    I can't wait to try your banana cake-it looks divine!

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  49. Your version of Olive Garden Tuscan Style Chicken looks divine. Bookmarked.

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  50. I follow from my main blog ddiva @ http://myloonyverse.com

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  51. Here's a recipe for French Silk Pie we made recently that is just divine on my cooking blog http://lunchesinmyloonyverse.blogspot.com/2009/07/french-silk-chocolate-pie-recipe.html

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  52. Congratulations!!!! Woohoo to blogging! I am going to have to try the pan fried asparagus! My man doesn't like greens or vegetables, but he loves asparagus. Explain that?

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  53. Well, I can't say that it is my favorite, but it was a HUGE hit with Chris! It is a recipe for a apple pie with lattice crust. And it was my very first pie!

    http://thatdesigngal.blogspot.com/2009/07/girls-first-pie.html

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  54. My favorite recipe is your Chicken with Lemon Sauce, but there are quite a few that I'm anxious to try!

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  55. 8383WB lwoodfin@rcn.com

    I found your blog through your sister's blog that I found through "Lick the Bowl Good's" blog. A couple of years ago I had read "Julie & Julia," but never realized there were so many blogs with such yummy recipes and beautiful photos (and wonderful stories behind the food.) I see your contest is ending tonight, so I'm glad I found you today. Being from MA. I love the idea of using cranberry sauce in the "77 Meatballs." And I can't wait to try Sarah's "Bubble Pizza Casserole." I am a new follower!

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  56. Rachel,

    Congratulations on 100 posts! Love your blog, I'm already a follower. Very cute pics of your family too.

    According to my tv clock, I have exactly one minute left before the deadline for your giveaway...I've been away.

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