Divine Pumpkin

The pumpkin tasting was a smashing success. Get it? Pumpkin? Smashing? Oh never mind.

A few days ago, my friend Rachel and I decided that we wanted to bake. That baking together was FUN. More fun than baking alone, right?

Actually, Rachel said that baking was NOT fun, so, I told her we just needed to do it together, and I could change her mind. You'll have to ask her if it worked. I am not sure yet. I put a Facebook post out there for any and all of your favorite pumpkin recipes. I got plenty to choose from. They were ALL delicious. Rachel made the Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bread, Pumpkin Craisin Muffins, and Pumpkin Carmel Cheesecake. . . .

Doesn't this look like the most beautiful cheesecake EVER?

I made these scones. . .and they were completely and totally scrumptious. Doesn't that scone look amazing? It was.

Here is the Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Bread.

And the pumpkin craisin muffins. (Aren't these pictures awesome? Thanks Liz!)

Here is a happy customer. HI ANGEL!

And this would be an amazing Pumpkin Bisque with Mexican Cream.

And this is what my counter would look like after Rachel told me she was frustrated in my kitchen because things were in the WRONG PLACE. Honestly, THE NERVE.

Actually, I agreed. My kitchen wasn't working for me either. It was a combination of moving into a kitchen 1/2 the size of the one I had before, and gaining about 500 new kitchen gadgets ala Pampered Chef. It is tough to find space for all those fabulous tools, I admit.

However, after declaring that I could NOT have three junk drawers in my kitchen (the most organized junk drawers anyone has ever seen mind you) she swiftly re-arranged my kitchen to make it work. And I must admit, I like it.

Except, this pile on the counter.

Of which remnants of this pile are still there. Three days later.

I will be posting the rest of the recipes on my food blog soon!

PUMPKIN OBSESSION

I don't know what happened, but suddenly I am obsessed with Pumpkin. Pumpkin Waffles, Pumpkin Trifles, Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Pumpkin!!! I hatched a plan this morning. I want MORE pumpkin recipes, but the thing is, I only want the BEST! So, I gathered a partner in crime. I don't have time to make every pumpkin recipe that comes along, but I still long to look at them, and ooh and ahh over them, and I would like to make WAY more of them than I can do by myself,

So, I am having a PUMPKIN OFF.

Send me your best Pumpkin recipe between now and Sunday night. Your favorite one. I mean the BEST you have EVER had. I want it, and I want to make it and then: Monday morning, I am going to make it. There is going to be a Pumpkin Explosion at my house. I have roped in another famous chef, Rachel Thomas, to help me out that morning, and at 12:00 noon, we are going to feast on our pumpkin explosion, and you can too.

PUMPKIN TASTING PARTY AT 12:00 p.m. I need to have your recipes though, so, e-mail them, message them, post them in the comments. If we decide to make YOUR recipe, then you might win a Pampered Chef item that is a MUST HAVE in the kitchen!

YOU IN?

PUMPKIN NOW.

HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST PUMPKIN, and YOU MIGHT WIN!

GIFT GIVING

Honestly. Does Holiday shopping stress you out? I try to not let it, but let's face it. It does. The lists are long, the lines are long, money is tight and people should be happy, but most of them are GRUMPY.

Most of the people on my list are getting Pampered Chef. (CAN YOU BLAME ME?) And, in order to save your sanity, I have decided to share some of Pampered Chef's greatest gift ideas. Honestly, there isn't a person I know, cook or non-cook, who wouldn't love a scoop, or a spatula stuffed in their stocking or tied to the top of their box.

I also have a little GIFT for you. For you local peeps. If you are willing to come and pick it up at my house, I am offering FREE SHIPPING. Yup. You heard me. FREE. Because I love ya. And because if you have read this far, I REALLY love ya. If you want some items for yourself, be sure to send me your wishlist, and send your husband my phone number. He will get free shipping too. (Ps- if you don't live by me, you can host your own catalog show and get free shipping to your house! Kara Kelly just got $90 of FREE PRODUCTS for her own catalog show. How is THAT for a Merry Christmas, and cheap shopping? However, I think it was all a present for herself. :) Oh, I guess you can do a catalog show if you DO live by me too. I'm easy like that.

Does anyone else hate shopping for the men in your life? Seriously. Mine are tough, and they have everything already. But guys love grill tools, and ours are awesome. The grill tools aren't even pictured here! But HERE is a link, you're welcome.

Are these classic batter bowls the cutest gift ever? I am sure you sister would LOVE to get these cute bowls, stuffed with a few goodies. I just love the presentation.

I have to admit, these new Bamboo Bowls are seriously beautiful. A total piece of art. I am sure you momma would be grateful to throw that old wooden one in the TRASH!

In my family, Pie is BIG.

Who would have thought an oven mitt could double at as a stocking!

In my family, Pizza night is a Friday night tradition. Maybe it should be in your family too.

Quick and cheap? A scoop. Love 'em. Once you have ONE, you will want them ALL. Need a teacher gift? Give her a scoop with your favorite cookie recipe attached. Perfect.

Beautiful and festive? The Tiered Serving Tray. In the Holiday Catalog, they have it topped with greens on a table. Great idea. I think I will be adopting it.

And these stainless steel bowls will seriously be going to someone in my family, because they really really want them. Your wish is my command.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

COME SEE ME SATURDAY!! 29 VENDORS!

GET YOUR SHOP ON.

IF YOU MENTION YOU SAW THIS ON FB or MY BLOG YOU WILL GET FREE SHIPPING! :)

We have a winner!

Congratulations goes to Heather for getting the GRILL PRESS! She also got the Grill pan too at 60% off for hosting her show! Great job Heather!

PS- Kara thinks she is a winner too because she got $90 in FREE PRODUCT and 60% off the GRILL PAN, just by sending out a quick e-mail to her friends and passing out some catalogs! Way to go KARA!! :)

Don't forget . . . .

I have a GIVEAWAY GOING! There is still time to enter, AND still time to host a catalog show to get your GRILL PAN at 60% off! You can host a catalog show anywhere in the US. Kara Kelly is ROCKIN' her catalog show! You can too! DO IT!

GIVEAWAY! But first, a story.

It has been a long time since I have done a Giveaway, huh? Well, I am doing one, RIGHT NOW. But first, a story:



Tonight I had to take some Pampered Chef boxes to a client, and pick up some swimming gear for Abby and then take her to swimming. This was all supposed to be happening during the "dinner prep" hour. Where I think about what I am going to make, check to make sure I had all the ingredients, and commence with dinner.




Instead, I was in the car.



I decided on Chicken Curry. But wasn't sure I had the toppings, and there is nothing I hate more than a 5:00 p.m. grocery store run. Because the store is ALWAYS packed. ALWAYS. And I ALWAYS just need one thing, and it drives me bonkers to drag 4 kids into the store, fight the crowds, and get back to have to cook dinner after it all. Going to the store is quite enough. No?




I avoided the store, and hoped for the best.




When I got home I discovered there was no Cashews, and no shredded coconut. Curry wasn't happening.


This is where my life has been transformed. Truly, truly transformed.


I have a Pampered Chef Grill Pan.

If you have been to a show in the last 5 or 6 months, you have probably seen it in action. It is amazing. And up until about a week ago, I had the Grill Pan, and used it religiously. To be fair, it has ALMOST been as amazing as the Deep Covered Baker. But, I was missing something. It's companion piece the GRILL PRESS. I finally got it, and my life has changed. Forever.

I store them sitting inside one another in my cupboard. When I got home, I turned on my stove, and put the pan with the grill press inside it on my stove top. I had a conversation with Jaxon's respite worker, and got out all the ingredients to my dinner. . . . and THEN, I got out three FROZEN chicken breasts out of the freezer, and when my pan and grill press had been on for about 6 minutes (I really wasn't counting) I threw the frozen chicken in there, put the press on top and walked away. I prepped my veggies, I boiled water, I got out a bottle of Thai Peanut Curry Sauce. Within 11 minutes, my frozen chicken was completely done. And looking beautiful, like I had just pulled them off the grill.

Please ignore the dirty stove top.

And you might say, why didn't you just use the grill? And to that I would say, who wants to walk in and out a bunch of times, have live fire with a toddler around and have to clean the grill? NOT ME.



So, now, to my GIVEAWAY!

I know you are all HOPING it is the Grill Pan. But it isn't. It is the GRILL PRESS. Why? Because the grill pan ain't cheap ($135). HOWEVER, I DO want you to have it. And you can get it for $54.00 right now, because the special of the month for hosts is 60% off the GRILL PAN. And before you think, wow, even $54 is alot, I want you to think about all the "power tools" your hubby has bought for 5 times that amount that he has used a couple times. Now think of having THIS power tool in your kitchen. Enough said.



So, here is how the GIVEAWAY is going to work.



ONE ENTRY- Post a comment


SECOND ENTRY- Grab my button and put it on your blog (Post a comment saying you did it!)


THIRD ENTRY- Do a post about my blog, and link back. (I will check, so post another comment so I can see it!)





FOR FIVE MORE ENTRIES- Place an order from my Pampered Chef website at http://www.pamperedchef.biz/Lindseyscooking . ENTER GRILL PRESS as the host name. I will ship directly to you, where ever you are. No problem.



FOR 10 MORE ENTRIES- Host a catalog show. Why do that? Because if you can collect just $150 in orders, you can have the Grill pan for 60% off, and it is WORTH IT! It can be ONE order, or 10 orders, they just need to add up to $150 BEFORE tax and shipping. I will even set you up on-line and have everything shipped to you. If you go this route, I will be dropping catalogs in the mail to you tomorrow. If you get more than $150 in sales, good for you, and you will get more free stuff.





FOR 20 MORE ENTRIES-

Host a cooking show. Now, I know that this puts my local peeps at an advantage, but HEY! That is what they get for living by me! :) If you book your show, I and you win the drawing. I will put the press on your order when you have your show. If you don't hold your show, you don't get the press.

DEAL? GIVEAWAY ENDS OCTOBER 28th!

Suhweet. Let's go.

All entries will be entered into the drawing and the winner will be pulled out of a Pampered Chef bowl. Of course.

Dinner in 20 minutes.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

I have moved 9 times in 10 years. (Or something like that) I pretty much had a nervous break down after the last move, and just didn't unpack.



Although I finally got my act together, there are still aspects of my "move" that are un-finished. Call me crazy, but when you are renting, it is hard to put a lot of effort into making the place "HOME". Especially since I am feuding with my landlord right now.

MY GARAGE DOOR IS STILL BROKEN!



Anywho. I DO have some good news, and the GOOD news is. . . since I am having my PARTY on Saturday night (ARE YOU COMING?) I finally got something FIXED.


My toilet started running. . . Like 6 months ago, but who is counting RIGHT?

So, instead of going to the store and picking up ONE part to fix it, I just turned off the water, closed the door, and locked it.

Kaylie was in "play in the toilet" phase anyway, so, it just seemed like one less trouble. AND, it ended up being a PERFECT hiding place for the TARGET CHRISTMAS HAUL. (I did it AGAIN this year!)

Plus, I just couldn't figure out how to go to Home Depot to pick up JUST ONE THING. It seems like the ultimate pain in my butt to pull into home depot, unload 2 (0r 4) kids and go in to pick up ONE THING.

I. just. couldn't. do. it.

Guess what.

I finally DID IT!

Not to forget, I also hung that gigantic wall mural up on the wall (it was merely propped up on the wall) AND I hung a plaque in the bathroom too! (I don't like where it is, but it's not comin' down now!)

So welcome. . . . My COMMODE is OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

Come sit on it, will ya?

EAT . PRAY . LOVE

EAT. LOVE. PRAY

Great NEWS! Pampered Chef is coming out with their new fall catalog September 1st. Not so great news! They are making 72 price increases, and shipping is going up too.
Now is the time to take advantage of current pricing AND SEE ALL THE BRAND NEW FALL PRODUCT!

PAMPERED CHEF
FALL KICK OFF EVENT!

Win prizes!
Win FREE PRODUCT!
Win 20% off your order!
Past Hosts get 20% off ANYWAY!
Bring a friend, get a prize!
Bring two, GET FREE SHIPPING!

I am making lots of FABULOUS FOOD and I PRAY that you will come and EAT and LOVE the new products!

Saturday, August 14th 2010
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
EAT.PRAY.LOVE AFTERWORDS!

If bloggy peeps want to get in on the action, you can order at:

www.pamperedchef.biz/Lindseyscooking

Enter: FALL KICKOFF
as the host.

Your order will enter you into my prize drawings that night!

Please RSVP to: Lindseyscooking@hotmail.com

HELP WHIP CANCER APRON GIVEAWAY!

So, I ended up having an extra Help Whip Cancer Apron this month. Do you love it? Me too.

Do you want it?

You DO?

Ok, well, if you book a show in June, you will be eligible to win it, along with ALL OF THE OTHER FREE STUFF YOU GET FOR HOSTING A SHOW.

So, contact me at Lindseyscookingathotmaildotcom

And book a show. It can even be a catalog show, if you live far, far away, and you will be entered to WIN! :)

Why I do PAMPERED CHEF.

What happened to "WHY I" week?


NOTHING!


It is just getting started a little late.



So, let me start with Pampered Chef.

This is what my entry looks like at least one day a week, if not two, or three, or... well you get the idea. I constantly have Pampered Chef product and boxes laying around my house and, I LOVE IT.

I do Pampered Chef because:

• Honestly, having something to "do" keeps my mind more active and I waste less time. I know, even as I sit here and blog. But it is true! I am more organized and make better use of my time, ALL THE TIME.
• I LOVE the product. Seriously. If you know me at all, you know that I love to cook and bake. Having almost ALL the product in my kitchen is seriously a dream come true. I love it. I feel like my kitchen is completely "decked" out with all the most fabulous latest tools.
• I love being able to do the things that I want to do without the guilt. i.e Get a pedicure (hello $40 goodbye). Get shoes at the Rack. And pretty much whatever else I want including my new SWAGGER WAGON. Ok, so it is an Odyssey, and it is used, but it is still going to save my life traveling around the West this summer. Serious. And if you don't know why it is such a big deal for me to have a Swagger Wagon, click HERE.
• So yes, I am making my very own car payment, and you know? I kinda like that too. It pushes me in my business, and helps me keep the ball rolling.
• I like getting out of the house and talking to big people. It is nice. I am not gonna lie, there are some days where I am like, "I can't believe I have to leave the house right now!!!" But most of the days, I WANT TO.
• I want to go to Maui, which is the incentive trip this year. . . I mean, who wouldn't? And me and the hubby got kinda snaked out of our 10 year anniversary this year, so, wouldn't it be nice if I got him an all expenses trip paid? Yeah, it would be. Even if I don't get Maui, I think I might have enough $$$$ left over to take him on a trip anyway.
• And finally, it is nice to have a little extra dough after these last couple of years where pinching pennies was a must. I still pinch pennies, but, at least I know I have a little splurge fund.

So, I have been averaging about $700 per month with Pampered Chef, and that is only a three month average. February, March and April. So, Really? That is a nice piece of change. I love the freedom it gives me and my family through this rough patch. Couldn't YOU use an extra $700 per month? It is possible. SO, if you want to, please let me show you how.

TOMORROW?

Why I do secret shopping.

WE HAVE A WINNER!

Ok, someone won the citrus press.


Crazy huh.


Guess what?


You could STILL totally get the citrus press. . . FOR FREE.


If you hosted a catalog party with me.


Serious! I don't care if you live in Timbuktwo!


(Pampered Chef will totally ship there, I am sure!)


I can set you up on my website and you can have all of your friends order and then guess what. You STILL get FREE PRODUCT AND I will throw the citrus press in too.

Because I am nice like that.

And because I like FREE STUFF as much as the next person.

So,

If you are not KATIE! Who said, "I would love to win this! I make a lemon cake that requires TONS of fresh lemon juice and I hate squeezing them by hand!" (Number 38 by Random.org)

Then you can host an on-line party and STILL get your citrus press for FREE.


Awesome.

Come on, wouldn't it be nice to STILL get something for FREE?

PS- I WILL be doing my customary blog post on the Bachelorette, but I will be waiting my turn, because I have "Joined Forces" with Jeanelle and Holly, both of which obsess equally as much as me on The Bachelor. :) Holly will be posting tonight (or tomorrow - NO PRESSURE HOLLY!) and Jeanelle will do next week. I will be privileged enough to do week 3. We all started saying/thinking/and feeling the same thing anyway, so, it just made sense!

"Why I" week.

Don't you love it when I do "Weeks" on my blog.. and they turn into one or two posts? Yeah. Me too.

But I always have good intentions! I have ideas. And then I start them, and then... well, life happens. You know?

So, I am going to do "Why I" week. In which, I will answer questions like,

Why do you do Pampered Chef?

Why do you work out?

Why do you care about what you clean your house with?

And if you care to ask me some other "WHY" questions. I will consider answering them. :)

I have already answered the:

Why do you blog? HERE. And HERE kind of.

Stay tuned! Oh yeah, and a winner for my GIVEAWAY soon too!

ENTER TO WIN! :)

GIVEAWAY!

OK, have I made you wait long enough? I am finally doing my GIVEAWAY! Yippee! I have been so super busy doing PAMPERED CHEF shows (thank you everyone!) and doing some secret shopping, which I will post about later. You all want to know, don't you?



And the item for the month is:>

{Drum Roll Please}



THE CITRUS PRESS

I love this thing.

It is easy to use.

It is not flimsy.

You can squeeze ANY citrus in it.

Cut side up, or cut side down.

It makes your fish fantastic.

Your salsa stupendous.

And your Lemon Pies. . . PERFECT.

It is $17.

But today, for you, it is FREE.

Because I love ya.

Oooh. Oooh. I forgot to mention the winner will also get a SURPRISE item making this giveaway valued at over $30! Enter. It will be worth it!

RULES TO ENTER

1. Post a comment

2. Become a follower! (Only if you aren't already one)

3. Post about the giveaway on your blog.

4. Put my button on your blog. (Only if you don't have it already!)

5. Place an order with me and get 5 additional entries!

If you do any of these things, besides posting a comment, you can post an additional comment!

GIVEAWAY ENDS on MAY 23rd at 10:00 P.M.

Rollin Rollin Rollin

Hey!

I am coming YOUR way this summer.

In my hot new Swagger Wagon. Yo.

I am excited to get on the open road with that thing... Wanna hear about some of my "other" single momma on the road adventures?

Click HERE

or

HERE

Those stories are worth the clicks. Promise.

Anyway, in order to KEEP my Swagger Wagon, I also have to KEEP my business rollin'. So, I am looking for people who want to host Pampered Chef Parties in Utah or Washington while I am there!

(Please, oh, please)

I will make it worth your while and get you some FREE STUFF, feed you some GOOD FOOD, and get you some AWESOME PRODUCTS FOR SUPER CHEAP! Because in July, the Ultimate Mandolin, the Chopper and the Salad Choppers are all 60% off for Hosts. Yeah, I know. Don't miss it.

Please e-mail me with dates that you are available. IT WILL BE FUN!



NEXT UP? MY GIVEAWAY!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE JULY SPECIALS!

LAST DAY OF TRIFLE BOWL SALE!

Today is the last day to get your Trifle Bowl for more than 25% off!

Just go HERE .

Order the TRIFLE BOWL

And when asked about the host you are using: put

FREE SHIP

(Just from me-you're welcome)

And enjoy.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MY WINNER!

Paula Michelle!

Oh, and thanks for wishing me a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It was.


Congratulations Paula Michelle!

And don't forget. If you want the Trifle Bowl for $10.50 off, you can still get it RIGHT HERE!

And if you put FREE SHIP as the Hostess, I will even ship it to you free of charge. I am THAT nice. :)

Come back again soon!

My PHOTOSHOOT will be on-tap soon!

GIVEAWAY!! CHECK HERE NOW!

Alright, it is time.

TIME FOR MY GIVEAWAY!

As you know, the Pampered Chef Trifle Bowl is on sale this month! YIPPEE! $10.50 off! That is a savings of MORE than 25% off. Normally, the only people who get discounts with Pampered Chef are the HOSTS! So, take advantage of it while you can. It is a great idea for Mother's Day.



But, just for fun,
I will GIVEAWAY ONE Trifle Bowl
RIGHT HERE ON MY BLOG!



See, you KNEW there was a good reason you were reading my blog! YIPPEE!




I will post the winner on my BIRTHDAY! (April 22nd) So, now is the time to enter!

RULES

• Post a comment (one entry)
• Become a follower (another entry-for new followers only)
• Grab my button and put it on your blog! (another entry!)
• Post my giveaway on YOUR blog (another entry!)

GOOD LUCK!

Never too Early

It is NEVER too early to be ready for Mother's Day. Pampered Chef is giving you an opportunity to not only be prepared, but to get a great deal! Pampered Chef is giving you the Trifle Bowl for $10 off!



Pampered Chef RARELY gives a discount to anyone other than a host! So, this is a great opportunity to get a great deal.



I am going to make the deal a little SWEETER by offering FREE SHIPPING! If you order the Trifle Bowl from my website and enter FREE SHIP as the Host name, I will send you the Trifle Bowl for $10 off and with FREE SHIPPING! HOORAY!




This offer is not available at parties, and is only good on web-orders submitted in the way that I have outlined!


Need some ideas on what to put in your Trifle Bowl? Look no further!

These are just a few ideas! How about a gigantic Ice Cream sundae or you Mom's Favorite Candy! How about a few other Pampered Chef items! You choose! The Trifle Bowl is fantastic because the base is removable and you can store it right in the bowl. That makes it easy to store and easy to transport your Trifle for special occasions. It also had a lid to make sure it doesn't spill!

Get this great deal NOW! Valid April 1st through April 30th. Please share this post with others!

WINNA WINNA MINI SPATULA!

Congratulations to JULIE!!!

She was selected by RANDOM.ORG to win my mini spatula! YAY JULES! It sounds like you needed one! Let me know if you need anything else!

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1
Max: 9
Result:
2
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Please e-mail me your mailing address and it will be on it's way! :)