13 August 2010

My First Giveaway

I have exciting news! CSN Stores contacted me and asked if I would like to give away a $50 gift certificate to one of their stores to one of my readers.  Um...YES! They have over 200 stores in which they sell everything from dining room sets to bakeware, grills, swing sets, rugs, bedding, clocks, and...wait for it...Le Creuset! How cool is that?  It will be a breeze to spend $50 in one of their stores.  When they first contacted me I spent the next two hours pouring over all their items and I didn't even make a dent in all they offer! CSN Stores contacted me at the perfect time, too, because I have other news.  Exciting news!

If you follow my blog you have noticed by now that I make mom food.  Great mom food, but comforting, easy, usually healthy mom food.  And that's super, but I would love to cook like they do on Top Chef.  So, starting August 30th I am going to culinary school! I am going to be a chef!! Bubba, Goose, and Tink are super excited for me, although Goose is worried that I will be making "fancy food" that she doesn't care for. Not to worry, Goose, I will still make mom food.  :)  There are a lot of people in my life who have encouraged me to go to culinary school.  My buddies PMP (and her mom), Ms. K, and Ms. F are just a few of my strongest supporters and I thank them from the bottom of my heart!!  Bubba's family are also really supportive and excited to be my guinea pigs when I start making "fancy food." 


To enter the contest, just leave a comment on this post answering this question:

What is the first "fancy food" dish I should make for my picky Goose?

The contest ends at 5pm a week from Monday on the 30th of August (my first day of culinary school).  Winner will be chosen at random. (CSN Stores only ships to the US and Canada, so the winner will need to have a stateside or Canadian shipping address.) 

I cannot wait to read all of your suggestions!!  Make sure to leave an email address because the gift certificate will be emailed to you.  Now head on over to CSN stores and start figuring out how you are going to spend your $50! :)

Chef Sunshine Mom--I like the sound of it!
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19 comments:

  1. Suburban prepFriday, August 13, 2010 8:39:00 PM

    How about a 4 cheese mac & cheese.

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  2. The Church Cook Friday, August 13, 2010 8:59:00 PM

    Congrats!!! So wonderful that you will be going to culinary school!! And giveaway offer is a nice bonus!

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  3. AshleyFriday, August 13, 2010 10:58:00 PM

    What about crab cakes?

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  4. CynthiaSaturday, August 14, 2010 12:40:00 AM

    Chicken with a lemon risotto. Yummy

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  5. AnonymousSaturday, August 14, 2010 9:12:00 AM

    Fea- how about coq au vin or osso bucco?

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  6. AnonymousSaturday, August 14, 2010 9:50:00 AM

    Ratatouille! I'm so jealous you're going to culinary school. I'm dying to go to pastry chef school. Congratulations! Have fun!

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  7. CindySaturday, August 14, 2010 1:20:00 PM

    Congratulations! And thank you for the giveaway. Hmm... how about mini turkey burgers? :)

    clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  8. EMSFSSaturday, August 14, 2010 7:36:00 PM

    What about creme brulee ! a very fancy food- but I know lots of kids that will eat it.

    emsfsemsfs (at) gmail (dot) com

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  9. Colleen at Forty Something BrideSaturday, August 14, 2010 9:42:00 PM

    First Fancy Food....what about a cornish game hen? It might be fun to eat a tiny chicken.

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  10. SusanSunday, August 15, 2010 11:42:00 AM

    How about trying some stuffed zuccini blossoms- i always see those on the 'fancy' food shows, they look interesting- it would be fun to try them out.

    bairdism99 at yahoo dot com

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  11. CowWomanSunday, August 15, 2010 11:29:00 PM

    Culinary School and being a Chef will come naturally to you, Sunshine Mom.
    I know you will have great success.
    Now, you just need to serve your Goose Pickled Shrimp with Cajun Remoulade. It is a southern specialty and looks interesting.
    Good Luck and Love,
    Cowwoman

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  12. PMPMonday, August 16, 2010 8:19:00 AM

    So excited you made your announcement, mama. You're going to be awesome!

    Now, for Goose... fancy food... how about Chipotle Pork Cheeseburgers? LOL. By this I mean you could just start by fancying up your staples.

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  13. JunebugWednesday, August 18, 2010 7:23:00 AM

    I am so excited to hear about your plans to start culinary school! What a big step!
    As for 'fancy food' my friend who grew up with a Swiss chef as a father ate a lot of mushroom gravy and rice: staples of a 'fancy' restaurant. And a basic risotto is pretty tasty and even tastes a lot like mom food!

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  14. Lynda DelWednesday, August 18, 2010 9:43:00 PM

    For something fancy, how about either chicken or crab wellington?

    lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com

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  15. kitchen flavoursThursday, August 19, 2010 1:40:00 AM

    Congratulations on your going to culinary school! How exciting! I know that I am not qualify to enter this giveaway, but just for fun. How about grilled chicken kebabs served with a fantastic dip and a scrumptious salad...

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  16. GabrielleFriday, August 20, 2010 7:07:00 PM

    Individual Cornish Hens with Grapes and Onions! It is super easy but looks so fancy and everyone gets their own beautiful spread :)

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  17. Callie BradyFriday, August 20, 2010 9:20:00 PM

    "Macaronis et Fromage"
    I bet the picky goose would like a french version of macaroni and cheese.

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  18. scrambledhenfruitSaturday, August 21, 2010 2:30:00 PM

    Ooohhh, I'd love to go to culinary school, but there's not one anywhere near. I'll have to settle for cooking mom food for now. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway! I think you should make some kind of fancy pastry. Maybe one with a fruit and cream filling. Yummers!
    Just came over from Kitchen Flavours- it's my first visit to your blog, but I'll be back! Thanks!
    scrambledhenfruit (at) gmail (dot) com

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  19. matt4melisSunday, August 29, 2010 12:57:00 AM

    You should make homemade spaghetti noodles with meatballs. Kids love pasta and I'm sure they'll teach you how to make homemade noodles.

    matt4melis at hotmail dot com

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