Monday, August 13, 2012

Presents for you as The KM turns 2

The other day a post popped up in the little 'You might also like' box and I thought, 'crumbs, I don't remember doing that one'. So I clicked on it and realised with shock that it was my first post, from TWO years ago.
I can't believe I just about forgot The Kitchenmaid's second birthday altogether. Bad me. But good on you for sticking with me through what has been a fairly fraught year. Thank you for your support and your suggestions, they all mean a lot.
Various factors have meant I haven't had nearly as much time to devote to my favourite vanity project in 2012, nor spend as much time luxuriating in reading other blogs or just playing about in my kitchen. I often try not to think about what I could be doing with the time I do spend on it - but I do think two years' worth of posts is worth celebrating, don't you?

I think it's so worth celebrating that I have a whole swag of lovely things - which are all related to major topics covered on this blog, namely chocolate, whitebait, kitchenalia and tea - to give away. Hurrah!

First up - and this is for New Zealand readers only, due to postage problems - I have a collection of gorgeous Equagold goodies, including some Cocoa Nibs with Cinnamon, two bottles of certified organic Pure Vanilla Extract (one of which has the added bonus of star anise), some gold-strength leaf Gelatine and a gorgeous big bottle of Tahitian Vanilla Syrup. Just think of the fun you could have with that!


Next - and this is for overseas readers only - a limited edition West Coast whitebait tea towel, direct from the wild West Coast itself.


Overseas readers are also in with a chance on this one - I've just discovered the Pratty's Tea range and I am absolutely hooked. It's made in Auckland by a naturopath and tea expert and every single one is delicious. I have one tin to give away (even though I am tempted just to drink it all myself).

Last, but by no means least, I have this to give away:


This is Theo, mascot of the New Zealand Chocolate Festival. You might get to meet him - or at least get to see lots more photos of him - if you win the TWO tickets I have to give away to New Zealand's most choc-tastic event on Friday August 24. Anyone can enter this one, but obviously it will significantly improve your chances of being able to use the tickets if you can be in Wellington on that particular day.

All you have to do to be in to win is:

1. Leave a comment below - or on The Kitchenmaid's Facebook page, telling me what you'd like to see more (or less) of on this blog - baking? cooking advice? book reviews? family friendly food? lunchbox ideas? pictures of animals? a tour of my apron and tablecloth collection? I would really love your feedback. Let me know which prize you most fancy.
2. You can enter more than once - eg via leaving a comment below AND on Facebook, or by mentioning the giveaway on Twitter. You don't have to leave your phone number with your comment but it would be helpful to have some way of contacting you.
3. Entries close at 12 noon (NZ time) next Sunday. Winners will be drawn at random and no correspondance will be entered unto (unless you want to tell me how pleased you are that you won).

Don't forget to tell me what you'd like to see more of on The Kitchenmaid, because cooking for one just isn't fun. Good luck! Pin It

35 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your second anniversary! I love your blog, and have made almost all of the recipes. I'd love to see more baking and more lunchbox ideas - these often are the same thing around here. If you have any ideas for quick lunches for those of us working from home, that would be great, too! Thanks for a great read.
    shell.strand@gmail.com

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  2. Happy Birthday to your blog!

    I would love to see baking and lunch box ideas and would also love to enter draw for the Equagold goodies :-)

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  3. Happy Birthday KM, a great milestone. You provide me with constant baking inspiration, so more of that (caramel cream cheese frosting, anyone?) but likewise I love your easy dinners, with leftovers for lunch.

    Prize wise, having smashed a brand new bottle of equagold vanilla extract all over my kitchen floor last night, I'd love to replace my stock with the vanilla goodies.

    Keep up the great work!

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  4. i'll show you my tea towel collection if you show me yours x

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  5. Happy birthday! I love your blog. I don't think it needs improving, although maybe it could do with a few more savoury recipes as I am not much of a cake/sweet treat maker. But then again, I love admiring the delicious photos and imagining making them. I am now off to the Asian grocer to buy that Japanese chili condiment.
    I would like to win that beautiful tea towel!

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  6. Congrats on two whole years of blogging! Love reading your latest recipes etc, great procrastination tool! I'd love to see more lunchbox ideas, and just more of what you do in general, it's all great!

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  7. Wow - birthday time! Congratulations and well done.

    I would love to see more items about bread, sweet and savoury.

    Thanks for the chance to win such a lovely prize.

    Alison

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  9. Whoops sorry for the above.

    Congratulations on reaching your second year and its been fantastic. Looking forward to many more. I have always found your blog inspiring. I love your baking, but I do like your musical Mondays as it introduces me to new sounds/music. Thank you so much for your generousity too x

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  10. how could you forget?... congrats honey... 2 years is a wonderful milestone, you should be well proud of yourself innit...! I'd like to see more of ME on your blog...?

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  11. Happy bloggiversary!

    I like reading your posts, especially the baking ones so yes, please, more of these.

    It would also be great to hear more about your favourite cookbooks, or about restaurants around you, anything a nosey reader might like :)

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  12. Happy birthday!

    I would love to see more quick and easy dinners (and less baking because it's all too tempting and my jeans are getting waaaay too tight now - selfish much?!)

    I also love Musical Mondays, perhaps a day dedicated to a favourite book (cookbook or fiction - I relish all recs)...

    The tea would be amazing - I love tea, being English and all that. :)

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  13. Wow Equagold goodies= amazing! Love your blog, especially sweet sweet friday. Its the perfect way to go into the weekend! Would love to see some more seasonal produce on here, It would be cool to hear about new treasures found at farmers markets etc!

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  14. More amazing baking recipes! Your pear & ginger loaf, berry polenta cake and orange polenta muffins are on regular rotate for me. Really admire your blog - keep up the good work!

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  15. Keep up the sweet Fridays.

    Since I'm overseas the tea towel would be great :)

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  16. Happy Blog Bday!! Love Equagold,,,,and for me more baking....need all the tips I can get post this weekend's victoria sponge debacle!

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  17. Congratulations. As you know you are one of my very favourite blogs. I love all your posts so I am not going to be at all helpful in telling you what to do more of - just more! :)

    Can I be in with a shout for your tea towel please. I do love whitebait. Who doesn't?

    Happy 2nd birthday!

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  18. Congratulations. As you know you are one of my very favourite blogs. I love all your posts so I am not going to be at all helpful in telling you what to do more of - just more! :)

    Can I be in with a shout for your tea towel please. I do love whitebait. Who doesn't?

    Happy 2nd birthday!

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  19. Wow Happy 2nd Birthday Kitchenmaid. I love your blog and find it very therapeutic and relaxing reading your blogs after a busy day.I would like to see a few vegetarian recipes :)

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  20. Happy 2nd blog birthday!!

    I love everything that you post (really helpful answer, I know!), but hmmmm… perhaps you could post more lunchbox ideas? I always struggle a little for inspiration when it comes to lunches!

    I discovered Equagold at the Food Show recently, and would love to be in with a chance of winning some goodies! Theo is just the cutest!!! I'm surprised those puppy dog eyes don't melt all the chocolate. I desperately wish I could meet him, but I won't be anywhere near Wellington on the 24th sadly.

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  21. Congratulations - I love your sweet sweet fridays. I like the idea of lunchbox ideas (some veg ones for me please) and also would love to see your tea towels and aprons

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  22. Congratulations! I love your baking Lucy, more please! And dibs on the equagold goodies :)

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  23. Happy Birthday Kitchen Maid!

    I love seeing cooking advice. Tips rather than just recipes. Your header always makes me hungry as salmon is my favourite fish in the world.

    Lunchbox ideas would be a great idea. I know my lunches are either store bought or leftovers.

    I would love to try the apple crumble tea. Sounds divine.

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  24. Happy Anniversary dear Kitchenmaid, I wonder how many hours of my employer's time have been spent in reading you over the last 2 years?
    I've made so many of your baking recipes, but the all-time fav has to be the chocolate fig Christmas cake, That is one great cake! So, yes I'd love more baking recipes, but then I'd love more of everything! I also appreciate the regular rhythm of your posts.
    I would love to win the Equagold goodies, and am very glad to hear that they do cocoa nibs.

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  25. Congrats on 2 years Lucy! I use your fastest flatbread recipe ALL THE TIME! Go for another two years and keep giving me fast meals.. I need it with three kids. hehe xo

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  26. Congratulations !!
    I enjoy reading about easy, but nutritious, meals using (mostly) common ingredients as I struggle to get enthused to cook when I am working full time.

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  27. Happy second birthday!

    BTW - no email invite.

    Happy baking!

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  28. I love your site. I think its pretty perfect as it is. However, I always love more ideas on what to do with chocolate, particularly baking type things. I like easy recipes too, because I am time poor and a little bit lazy. I fancy the Equgold stuff very much.

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  29. Dear wife, could I have the dog pictured? I think I am now grown up enough. Don't you? Or am I barking up the wrong blog post? That was paw, I know. Here's a big woof, woof to you and your many readers on KitchenMaid's second bday.
    The slightly aged Boy Wonder.

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  30. whoa- 2 years. congratulations. these presents look generous and very good. i love your blog.

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  31. Congrats on your two years - quite an achievement! Can't wait to see what the next year brings ;0)
    Now about your prize ... I feel the need to explain that I have always dreamt of having a chocolate lab (s/he will be called Denby after the pottery company - long story, I'll fill you in sometime!) so I was wondering if there is any chance in sending me the actual Puppy as the prize???? Hubby can't argue with me if I win the puppy ... can he?

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  32. Congrats on reading the 2yr milestone!
    I'm in London and love reading your blog, it's a little moment of home heaven for me :-)
    I would love the tea towel,I've got a few kiwi ones family have sent over!
    Xx

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  33. Hi, I always love your simple meal ideas, but then your baking is always gorgeous too! The NZ Choc festival tickets would be awesome =)

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  34. Hello everyone - I promise I haven't forgotten about this - I'll be drawing the winners this week (I did manage to get the Chocolate Festival tickets to someone who entered on Facebook, so I haven't been completely slack). If you still want to enter, you've got a chance...

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Hello - thanks for stopping by. If this was real life I'd make you a cup of tea and open the biscuit tin, but in lieu of those things, let's have a chat anyway...