*The Brambleberry Cottage*: Giveaways

Showing posts with label Giveaways. Show all posts

Friday, February 12, 2010

Fourteen Days of Love - Day 12 - Romancing the Palate

Discovering the perfect location for a quiet, romantic dinner can make that special occasion even more memorable. Whether dining out or at home, the proper setting will set the stage.

Over the years, the Yankee and I have been fortunate to discover a handful of romantic dining spots. But there is one in particular that we love to visit more frequently than the others–for the delicious food and the memories.

The same year that I surprised the Yankee for Valentine's Day with the bouquet of heart balloons, I also surprised him with a romantic gourmet dinner. Want to know something that made it a special treat for us both? Someone else did the cooking! ; )

If you recall the year I'm referring to, the Yankee was in school in the mountains of North Carolina. I had been told about a wonderful restaurant located within reasonable driving distance of his school. So, site unseen, I made reservations and hoped for the best.

This particular restaurant is nestled within the gorgeous 26 acres known as the Highland Lake Inn.

Not only do the peaceful surroundings there quiet the soul, but the incredible landscape delights the eye.

When I made the reservations that very first year, I was quite unaware of all the advantages of dining during Valentine's weekend. Not only do they add special fare to their menu, but they also serve up live music and a free glass of champagne per guest.

It was one of the loveliest and most enjoyable evenings we've ever had…listening to the beautiful harp music, dining by candlelight, and feasting on some of the most delicious food either of our palates had experienced. If only every day could be so memorable!

Should you ever get the opportunity to dine at the Season's Restaurant, you will not be disappointed.

And should you be fortunate enough to dine during Valentine's weekend, you will be presented exquisite fare on the order of...

Valentine Weekend Treats for your Sweet

Friday, February 12, 2010

Classic Menu plus Festive Specials like:

Herb Crusted Lamb Loin

Roasted All Natural Lamb Loin, filled with a Wild Mushroom Melange

Accompanied by a Blueberry-Sage Risotto and an assortment of

Ginger Poached Vegetable Batons

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Four Course Dinner

Romantic Overture

Puree of Carrot and Ginger Soup

Garnished with Herbed Goat Cheese Quenelle

Mint and Berry Salad

Mint, Spinach and shaved Fennel tossed with Berries and

Goat Cheese, with a Honey-Lavender Dressing

Enharmonic Interval

Trio of Oysters

Oysters with Passion Fruit Coulis and Ginger Leeks,

Fried Oysters on creamed Corn and the

classic Oyster Rockefeller take this trio to the top

Phyllo Wrapped Baked Brie

Baked Brie set on a mantle of velvety Cherry Coulis and

Cracked Pepper Leek Fondant

Smoked Duck Carpaccio

Tender Slices of Organic Duck set over

Blueberry Risotto and Candied Rose Petals

Fantasia in Cuccina

Grilled All Natural Beef Tenderloin

Accompanied by Ballotine of Smoked Pecorino mashed potato with

Wild local mushrooms and glazed Baby Carrots

Served with Rosemary Demiglace

Wild-Caught Alaskan Copper River Salmon

Seared to perfection and graced with Lobster Ravioli on a Bed of Saffron

Fumet

Spinach, Grape Tomato and Chorizo Iberico

Escabeche of Pheasant Confit

Tender Breast and Pheasant Drum marinated in Vegetable Escabeche

Set over Season’s interpretation of a Spanish Potato Tortilla

Prelude to a Kiss

Trio of Chocolate Petite Fours

Served with Warm Raspberry Compote, Toasted Macadamia Nut Brittle,

Blackberry Coulis and Candied Orange Rind

Be sure to visit the Season's site, with the link above, for a look at the delicious offerings for Valentine's Day.

Bon Appetit!

To help create your own mouth-watering dishes, today's addition to the giveaway is this trio of exotic gourmet seasonings.

Reminder: Please be sure to publish your
Valentine's post, before you link to the party. And
don't forget to mention the Brambleberry Cottage
in your post.

Remember to leave a comment to be entered in this
week's drawing for the giveaway!

1. Jenn Raley
2. http://donna-sugarspicesouthernlife.blogspot.com/

3. Marilyn

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Fourteen Days of Love - Day 11 - The Perfect Gift

What is your idea of the perfect gift? If someone special in your life were to ask you to describe in detail what you would like as confirmation of their love and devotion toward you, could you do it?

Take note over the next several days of the flurry of activity in retail stores, as shoppers scramble to find the perfect gift for Valentine's Day to say I LOVE YOU.

Some will purchase boxes of delicious chocolates.

Some will choose to surprise that special person in their life with beautiful flowers.

There will be multitudes of adorable stuffed animals given.

Some with chocolates!

Others will surprise their sweethearts with balloon bouquets. ; )

And some will even give fine jewels to express their love.

Is there anyone who doesn't enjoy receiving gifts?

Would you believe me if I told you that not everyone prefers material gifts?

Every year, for as long as I can remember, each member of my family has asked what I would like as a gift for holidays such as Valentine's Day, my birthday, Mother's Day, Christmas.

And each year I have basically said the same thing. Just write a note of how you feel.

While I thoroughly enjoy every material gift I'm given, the truth is…

the gift I cherish most is their sentiments towards me.

Do you find that odd?

According to Dr. Gary Chapman, there are five primary means of expressing and interpreting love–the love languages. Each of us will identify with one or two of these languages more than all the others. The five languages are: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.

I've learned that Words of Affirmation is my primary love language.

I do so enjoy words…written or spoken. Could that be a factor in why I've enjoyed blogging so much?!

For that reason, every card and letter that my husband and children have ever given me–whether store-bought or handmade–resides in a very special keepsake box.

This rather large card (16 ½" x 24") was given to me by my children almost nine years ago. It still brings tears to my eyes and is one of my most cherished possessions!

For me, the heartfelt words of love expressed–written or spoken–by those I hold most dear is without a doubt the perfect gift!

Though this trio of beautiful gift bags will not reach the winner in time for Valentine's giving this year, they will provide a head start on holiday shopping for next year!

Reminder: Please be sure to publish your

Valentine's post, before you link to the party. And

don't forget to mention the Brambleberry Cottage

in your post.

Remember to leave a comment to be entered in this

week's drawing for the giveaway!

1. Jenn Raley
2. Patricias Valentine Presents
3. http://beansiebabbles.blogspot.com/2010/02/thirteen-fourteen-and-qp.html
4. http://sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/2010/02/romance-is-in-air.html

5. http://donna-sugarspicesouthernlife.blogspot.com/
6. http://sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/2010/02/sweetheart-day.html
7. lululiz

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Fourteen Days of Love - Day 10 - Flower Power

There's lots of lovely pink prettiness in this post from the past. I think I'll share it at Beverly's Pink Saturday event.

Who doesn't love flowers? They are one sure way to win a girl's heart. Especially this girl's!

For me, almost any kind of flower will do. But those of the cottage variety are my favorites–roses, hollyhocks, delphiniums, etc. There is just something about their quaint beauty that always makes me smile.

When it comes to floral arrangements, I tend to prefer simplicity over fussiness–like the two simple roses I displayed with this vintage bride's basket.

And when you see flowers around the inside of my cottage–or on my porches–they will most likely be something I've gleaned from my own flower gardens, shrubs, or trees.

The large ornamental flowering cherry tree near my master bedroom porch is one of my favorite places from which to cut blooms. The profuse pink blossoms that cover it every spring provide weeks of fresh flowers to grace both the inside and outside of the cottage–like here on my front porch.

Now…all ye faux flower nay-sayers, look away–lest ye be offended!

I have no problem using silks and do so often–if they have a realistic appearance. Silks fill in quite well for the real deal during the colder months, when there is nothing in bloom around here.

I thought the pink silk roses looked great in my Valentine tablescape. And even the silks in this rusty metal basket–part of one of my tabletop vignettes–look pretty to me.

So…until my lovely cottage flowers have been coaxed from their winter slumber by the warmth of the spring sun–silks will suit me just fine! ; )

Either silk or real flowers would exude cottage sweetness in this adorable wire carrier and four clay pots. And...it just so happens to be today's addition to the giveaway!

And what about yesterday's prize you ask? Well, do you think you would enjoy a delicious cake...like this?

You can...along with ninety-nine others you can make from the recipes in this lovely cookbook!

Just can't wait for the treats to bake to get that chocolate fix (Donna)? I have just the remedy.

This "emergency chocolate" bar will accompany the cookbook, so you can satisfy your craving while you bake! ; )

Reminder: Please be sure to publish your

Valentine's post, before you link to the party. And

don't forget to mention the Brambleberry Cottage

in your post.

Remember to leave a comment to be entered in this

week's drawing for the giveaway!

1. Jenn Raley
2. Donna
3. Ann Creek
4. http://beansiebabbles.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-bloomin-red-post.html

5. http://sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/2010/02/precious-outdoor-photo.html
6. lululiz
7. Tammy

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Fourteen Days of Love - Day 9 - Sweets for the Sweet

If ever there was a holiday directed at those particular taste buds–this one's it! Let's share our favorite "sweet" recipe(s)–cookies, cakes, candy, beverages–to satisfy the sweet tooth in all of us.

Had I actually taken the time to make the two desserts I'm sharing with you today in this post, the Yankee would probably have thought he had died and gone to Heaven. Why? Well, I have a confession to make…I don't make sweets very often.

While I have made both of these treats in the past, because I am so time-challenged these days, I'm simply sharing the recipes–accompanied by one lovely photo for each–and letting you experience the step by step instructions when you make them for yourself!

The Yankee and I have been big fans of Southern Living magazine for decades. I would even dare to say, the majority of the recipes we have in our files have come from Southern Living.

If you are a cheesecake lover, this first recipe will tickle your taste buds divinely! As a matter of fact, it is so good, it won the Cook-Off challenge in 2006!

We've been using this recipe since then, and it's one of our very favorite desserts. You will love this yummy cheesecake...and so will anyone you might decide to share it with!

Caramel Macchiato Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce

from Southern Living

2006 Cook-Off Finalist. Prep: 20 min.; Bake: 1 hr., 10 min.; Chill: 6 hrs.

Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups crushed crisp, sweet cookies (about 27 cookies)
1/4 cup butter, melted
PAM Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
4 (8-oz.) packages PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup DOMINO Granulated Sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 1/4 teaspoons instant espresso
Caramel Sauce, divided [recipe follows]
4 large eggs
Garnishes: Caramel Sauce, whipped cream, dark chocolate curls

Preparation

1. Stir together crushed cookies and butter; press mixture on bottom and up sides of a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray.

2. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°.

3. Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add heavy cream, espresso, and 9 Tbsp. Caramel Sauce, beating at low speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears after each addition. Pour batter into prepared crust. Cover and chill remaining Caramel Sauce until ready to serve.

4. Bake at 325° for 1 hour or until center is almost set. Remove cheesecake from oven; gently run a knife around edge of cheesecake to loosen from sides of pan. (Do not remove sides of pan.) Cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and chill 6 hours.

5. Release and remove sides of pan from cheesecake. Garnish, if desired, and serve with remaining Caramel Sauce.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Pepperidge Farm Bordeaux cookies.
Bryan Thomas, Kent, Washington, Southern Living, OCTOBER 2006

[LIZ'S PERSONAL NOTE: We've experimented with graham crackers and various cookies, but the Bordeaux cookies are the best!]

Caramel Sauce
Yield: Makes 1 3/4 cups

Ingredients

1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 1/3 cups DOMINO Granulated Sugar
1 1/4 cups warm water, divided
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation
1. Cook corn syrup, sugar, and 1 cup warm water in a medium saucepan over high heat, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Using a pastry brush dipped in water, brush down any sugar crystals on sides of pan.

2. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 23 minutes or until mixture turns pale amber. Remove pan from heat, and carefully stir in remaining 1/4 cup warm water. Stir in cream, butter, and vanilla.

3. Cook mixture over medium-low heat 5 to 6 minutes or until sauce thickens and a candy thermometer registers 220° to 222°.
Bryan Thomas, Kent, Washington, Southern Living, OCTOBER 2006

The Yankee and I are trying to be a bit more health-conscious as we get older. Well, actually, I've always been health-conscious...I'm just still trying to convert the Yankee after all these years.

A great resource for recipes with a healthy slant is this magazine. It's where I discovered the next sweet treat.

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross (for mint bars)

Chocolate-Mint Bars

from Cooking Light

The dense base layer is like a rich, fudgy brownie, so don't overcook it or the dessert bars will be dry. Refrigerating the mint bars allows the chocolaty top layer to set properly. You can make the dessert up to one day ahead. For a more grown-up taste, you can also use dark chocolate chips for some or all of the semisweet chocolate chips in the glaze.

Yield: 20 servings (serving size: 1 piece)

Ingredients

BOTTOM LAYER:

1 cup all-purpose flour (about 4 1/2 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, beaten
1 (16-ounce) can chocolate syrup
Cooking spray

MINT LAYER:

2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons fat-free milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract [LIZ'S PERSONAL NOTE: I amended this to 1 ½ tsps for an even greater minty flavor.]
2 drops green food coloring

GLAZE:

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons butter

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. To prepare bottom layer, lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and salt; stir with a whisk. Combine granulated sugar, egg substitute, 1/4 cup melted butter, 2 tablespoons water, vanilla, eggs, and chocolate syrup in a medium bowl; stir until smooth. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture, stirring until blended. Pour batter into a 13 x 9–inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 23 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

3. To prepare mint layer, combine powdered sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter, and next 3 ingredients (through food coloring) in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer until smooth. Spread mint mixture over cooled cake.

4. To prepare the glaze, combine the chocolate chips and 3 tablespoons butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until melted, stirring after 30 seconds. Let stand 2 minutes. Spread chocolate mixture evenly over top. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Cut into 20 pieces.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 264 (30% from fat)
Fat: 8.7g (sat 5.2g, mono 2.5g, poly 0.4g)
Protein: 2.8g
Carbohydrate: 45g
Fiber: 0.5g
Cholesterol: 38mg
Iron: 0.9mg
Sodium: 139mg
Calcium: 12mg
Megan Patterson, Cooking Light, MARCH 2008

Now, please don't you worry about the Yankee being sugar deprived. He will get plenty to satisfy his cravings…at least on February 14th. ; )

Hmm…what would be a good giveaway for today? That's the very question I pondered for weeks leading up to this post topic. Come back tomorrow to see what you think of my idea.

Reminder: Please be sure to publish your
Valentine's post, before you link to the party. And

don't forget to mention the Brambleberry Cottage

in your post.

Remember to leave a comment to be entered in this

week's drawing for the giveaway!

1. http://tinandsparkle.blogspot/
2. http://sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/2010/02/cake.html
3. Jenn Raley
4. Marilyn

5. http://donna-sugarspicesouthernlife.blogspot.com/
6. Tammy
7. lululiz

Monday, February 8, 2010

Fourteen Days of Love - Day 8 - Must Love Pets!

There is no question about it.
For most of us, our pets are very special parts of our families.

You're probably glancing at the image above, wondering if it's a mistake,
or if I actually have cows as pets. No…on two counts!

Although, if it were up to me, I would have at least one cow as a pet.
I've been enchanted with that adorable species of mammal since I was a child—
and always ~~thought~~ hoped that someday I might just own one.

Well, I've lived on a small farm for over four years now,
and the Yankee and I still can't see eye to eye on that matter.
MOO MOO…I mean BOOHOO! ; )

But, I have managed to have some very special pooches as pets.

This was Sasha. She was the very first pet I had when I left my parents' home

to go out on my own. She was my "baby" before I ever had babies.

A sweet, yet timid little lady, her very favorite activity was

going for rides in the car with me.

Wasn't she a pretty princess?

When my daughter, Asheley, was seven, she received a Maltese

as a present from a dear family friend.

Tasha was only two months old when she came to live with us

and would literally fit in the palm of my hand.

Ashe and Ta were totally inseparable for many years. And that
pretty little girl—the furry one—would let Asheley do just about anything to, and with, her.

It was not uncommon to find the two of them together in various
comical situations—like Tasha donning doll clothes, while being wheeled around in a doll carriage by Ashe, both as content as could be.

Our son, Joshua, thought it quite unfair that his sister could have a pet
when he did not. So, six months later, Samson, a sweet Labrador
Retriever puppy, joined our family.

Samson and Tasha were six months apart in age—though worlds apart in size.

Yet, the two played together as though they were from the same litter of pups.

Not only were these two canines the best pals for our children,

they were best pals to one another.

When our children moved out on their own, Tasha and Samson moved to the farm with us.

I asked the Yankee to craft a sign for me that read:

FIRST YOU HAVE DOGS, THEN YOU HAVE KIDS, THEN YOU HAVE

THE KID'S DOGS.

Can anyone out there identify? ; )

This sweet guy was a rescue. A visit to the veterinarian's office

determined him to be a German Shepherd/Basset Hound mix. With the torso of a

shepherd and the legs of a Basset Hound, he is quite a sight.

When we brought him home, daughter Asheley chose the perfect

name for him—Frodo, of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

He's short, has furry feet and is totally lovable.

One of his favorite pastimes is playing fetch.
When he couldn't find a stick in this thick blanket of snow, he improvised and broke
off the lower limb of a small tree!

Frodo is really a great name for him, although...
the way he likes to wander, Bilbo might have been a better choice.

This is really our son's dog, Ellie. But she is so adorable, I thought

I would include her in the lineup. She's a purebred German Shepherd pup.

We're all hoping she soon grows into certain parts of her body!

Can you guess what they might be? ; )

Do you believe that animals have personalities—all animals? Well, I do!
We had nine chickens the first few years here at the farm.

We found out very quickly that chickens indeed do have personalities. So much so,
that we were able to name each one and identify one from the other.

They dearly loved the Yankee and would follow him like he was the Pied Piper.

When he began constructing the small addition on the back of the cottage, they

thought he was Prince Charming building a castle just for them.

They free-ranged on the farm and from sunup until sundown

would be scattered all around our eleven acres. But, if one of us left in a vehicle,

upon our return they would run to greet us—just like dogs!

That's the back of the outbuilding near our long driveway that they're
running toward—to greet the Yankee. I shared a photo with you earlier of the side of
that building and part of our driveway in the snow pictures here.

And how many pets do we have right now?
Zero, nada, not one!

A temporary situation we are looking to correct very soon! ; )

Today—the first day of the second week of the Valentine's party—
I will be adding a Cup O' Cats to the giveaway.

What? You're allergic to cats, you say! No problem.
These cuties won't make you sneeze, but they are guaranteed
to make you smile!