Giveaway Time!! - Contest Closed

What makes a great blog? 
Is it the content? Is it the photos?  Maybe its the followers that leave wonderful comments to make a person want to continue writing....
I have to suspect that it is all of these things and more.

I received a copy of this great cupcake book, Crazy About Cupcakes which details so many wonderful ideas for flavors, frosting's, decorating tips and more. 
I have used a few of the recipes already and have dogeared many more.  Don't worry, I won't be giving you MY copy!

This is a brand new, never been used copy just for you! It was purchased at Kohl's and I find it relevant to tell you that the proceeds from sales of this book has gone to support kids' health and education initiatives.
www.kohls.com/cares  Maybe I can get Kohl's to sponsor my next giveaway?

I want to give back to you, the reader, and because cupcakes are superfantabulous!


To the one's that are following me publicly, I love you, you make me realize I am not writing into thin air and this is for you!

For those that read the posts randomly, or have bookmarked my page to come back to whenever you think about it, I love you too - I really really do, however we are a networking community.
I'd like to see and feel your love and I am sure the others who follow would like to know you and your recipes too, so please follow along, it really is very sinple - button is on the right hand side of the page :) click away!


HOW TO ENTER:

You will need to comment on this post only, detailing your favorite cupcake creation or recipe (you may post a link from something you have created or another website you have used if you wish, but that's more for everyone's enjoyment, it won't help you win).
You can also include how many friends/family you will be sending this giveaway notice to - no pressure....

RULES:

One entry per follower. 
This giveaway is only available to be shipped in the US and Canada, if you are an international follower I would be more than happy to send it to a friend for you in CA or the US.
The contest will be open until May 15, 2011.
The winner will be contacted through the site and revealed by blog post in the days following, indicating their winning comment and a plug to follow them!

Thanks for being great fellow foodies!

Sausage and Pepper Penne and a Side of Crazy

This super easy, awesomely tasty, warm your tummy pasta is always a winner in my books!
In the time it takes to boil your pasta, your sauce is done and ready to combine - which was really efficient today since I neglected my motherly/wifely duties of preparing dinner early.

You ever have that? 
You get sidetracked doing something that seems so important at the time and forget that other people can't seem to fend for themselves and make dinner or even mention to you at say 5:30 "hey, what are we having for dinner" to jog you out of your oblivious state?
Maybe that's just me?

Do you want to know why I was so absorbed?
I have been tirelessly searching vacation rental homes in Florida.

You would think that any vacation is a reason to abolish the need to feed your family but this vacation has a purpose you see.  It is our "destination wedding" location!
So I have been Googling, emailing,  and scrutinizing each picture and ad I see. 
Now for those who know that the wedding isn't until next April and think I am slightly over enthusiastic there is a method to my madness.

My father in law will be flying down to Florida for his annual hockey tournament (strange to leave Toronto to go to Florida for hockey, I know) and will be staying in the exact area that our wedding has been booked.
It not only makes sense to have him scout out possible locations but I would be crazy not to have him do it!
Haven't you ever been somewhere that looks COMPLETELY different from photos??  This is my wedding people, I do not want cockroach, surfer dude infested, slummy areas!!

So sue me, we ate dinner late but again, this meal literally is a 15 minute job, so here's a slice of bread and butter and it will be ready in a 2 shakes of a lambs tail.

I'm Listening to: Jack and Diane - Mellencamp

MashUp Monday - Blueberry Cheesecake Taquitos

This weeks mashup was inspired by 2 things.
1. My son's adoration of frozen blueberries
2. The Taco Bell dog

That's right, I said Taco Bell dog.  Him and his Yo Quiero Taco Bell, making me crave Mexican food with 4 simple words in my sleeping state (I wont go into details because it was just too weird).  "I love Taco Bell" - pfft
I love MY tacos, MY enchiladas, MY nachos, oh who am I kidding, I do enjoy a fake meaty taco from the Bell once a year....apparently, because I dream about it.

So today is Easter Monday and for many of you with kids that means no school.  Because of the impending rain this ENTIRE week I had wanted to run out and grab some top soil and get my grass seed down before the deluge hit.  Little Ugh was less than thrilled when he got up and I told him to get ready as we were headed out. 
Bribery works well still at 13, so I told him while we were at the store I would pick him up some frozen blueberries, works every time.  Funny how I bribe him with food, and not even chocolate or money.

So there we were, in the frozen food section grabbing blueberries when I feast my eyes upon the phyllo.
LIGHT BULB. Yo Quiero taquitos!

I picked up some cream cheese and some mint along with the phyllo, the makings of a dessert taquito are among us.

They were fried, because any good taquito is but I suspect you could also bake this in the oven, and might have to do this again with that method however I am not sure the crispiness would shine through.
MashUp Monday gets 6 thumbs up!

I'm Listening to: Prodigy vs. White Stripes