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!