3 Years on RE Giveaway!

When I get invited to someone's house for dinner, I try to bring a hostess gift, although I never feel like I have to.

I like to take a baked item, or flowers from the yard, or maybe vegetables from my garden.

If neither are in season, I'll stock up on dish towels, bottles of soap, or even paper napkins, to be able to give as small gifts.

OR if I'm running short of time, I know that with my friends, a hug will do!

It's my 3rd year of writing and recording part of my life, here on Reluctant Entertainer, and my passion is as strong today as it was 3 years ago. My friend Barb encouraged me to start a blog, to write about hospitality, and look at what has happened! 

My first post on RE: 

... with the best intentions, many of us think about entertaining, but never get around to it. Usually this happens because we don’t have enough time, we’re disorganized or our spouse isn’t interested in hosting a party, or even a small dinner! For many this blessing of gracious living for both the host and her guests never takes place because of fear … fear of failure, unable to cook, unwilling to share their lives with others, fear of deepening friendships … they are intimidated and think the meal has to be perfect, or … they don’t have the lifestyle that says, “welcome.”

I've been blessed by RE readers and their comments and heartfelt emails on a daily basis, saying RE has made a difference in their lives.

This giveaway is for YOU! To say thank you!

COMMENT TO WIN

Tell me your favorite hostess gift to give or receive?

MORE CHANCES

Tweet about it (1 extra chance) or post on your blog (2 extra chances), but make sure and come back and tell me!

WHAT TO WIN

The winner will receive in the mail the above package - a gift from me to you to enjoy!

~ Wacky Jackie Cake Mix (Butte Creek Mill, made right in my town)

~ Pumpkin Bread Mix (oh, delicious, just like Wacky Jackie)

~ Meyer Dish Soap (basil scent - my favorite, thanks to my friend, Steph)

~ Fall napkins - perfect for entertaining

~ Plant holder (for your front door!)

WHEN TO WIN

The winner will be announced this Sunday!

Here's another THANK YOU and a BIG HUG, for being a part of my life, some of you having followed RE for almost 3 years! 

And Happy Birthday today to my sweet baby girl. Abby is (sniff, sniff) ... 13 today! Daddy, Mommy, El and Garrett love you very much, baby girl!

Remember to tell me your favorite hostess gift - to give or receive!?

Velveeta it! GIVEAWAY!

What do you do when you have a household of hungry girls wanting a snack? And they want it now?!

This past weekend I quickly thought of the new stone that Kraft Foods sent me, along with some great recipes, and looked for  ingredients that I had on hand.

It was easy. Two ingredients added to Velveeta Cheese, melted together, and served hot with a bowl full of chips, was my perfect answer.

Easy Cheesy Dip

16 oz. Velveeta Cheese (1/2 block of Velveeta)

1 can refried beans

1 cup of your favorite salsa

Melt together and serve!

The girls scooped the hot dip up with their chips, and then, as girls would do (my boys would never ask this question), they all wanted to know what kind of salsa I used!? I wouldn't have even thought to tell them!

My secret: Costco's Mango Peach Salsa made the dip nice and sweet!

Velveeta has many more fast and easy recipes that you can make with their cheese. And now I'm picking 3 winners for FREE Velveeta, a subscription to this fantastic magazine (Food and Family) ...

And other amazing coupons that I received from my box of Kraft goodies, and that the winner received when I held this giveaway (holy cow, 347 comments)!

 

LEAVE A COMMENT

Leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite quick and easy "dip" recipe is? (it does not have to include Velveeta)

WHAT TO WIN

Three winners will win a coupon for 1 brick of Velveeta Cheese ($4.99 value), Food and Family subscription ($13.98 value), and an envelope filled with amazing coupons!

WHEN TO WIN

The winners will be listed on Friday's post.

Want some mealtime inspiration? 

Visit the Velveeta it! Kitchenistas, here. 

This site features daily weekday tips from five Kitchenistas, revolving around common mealtime themes like Meal Planner Monday and Time Saver Tuesday.  Kraft Foods just fine-tuned the site so the recipes are printable, so you have to take a peek!

And if there’s not enough going on, Kraft's holding a daily sweepstakes for a $75 prize pack – all you have to do is comment for a chance to win!

So get on board, ladies, for some awesome savings!

OK, fire away with your quickest, favorite "dip" recipe!? 

And thank you, Kraft Foods!

Barney Butter GIVEAWAY!

Barney Butter is back! And Jennifer, the maker of this delicious treat, is giving away 2 jars!

 

But let me start with this story.  At our son's soccer game last week, my friend Dee made a batch of cookies with Barney Butter. Those around me helped devour the entire bag! Everyone kept asking what they were!  And then Dee told me she made this recipe - YUM!

What is Barney Butter?

It's just like peanut butter but better because it's made from almonds! My friend Jennifer is the master Barney Butter maker – I’m so impressed! (Check out Barney Butter recipes, here!)

What makes Barney Butter different?
With Barney Butter you get the same kind of peanut butter creaminess you grew up loving (or super-chunk if you like crunchy), only better with less than ½ the saturated fat of peanut butter, and more fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin E and magnesium than peanut butter. And that’s not all – Barney Butter is manufactured in an Almond Only Facility - no chance of cross contamination with peanut dust or peanut particles- which is a great solution for the peanut-allergic. Dieters and athletes love it. But everyone really eats it for the taste.

COMMENT

It's easy! Tell me your family's favorite cookie made in your home?

WIN

2 people will win a jar of Barney Butter!

TWEET

Tweet about the giveaway, your name goes in twice. (Come back and tell me, please.)

FIND OUT

Come back on Monday to see if you won!

The cookie we really love in our home is Peanut Butter. 

It's just the best, and when you add a chocolate KISS in the middle, like my Dad's wife Ginny, does - it's even better! 

A few months ago when I had foot surgery Ginny brought us several meals, and these cookies - which disappeared quickly.

Good luck on the giveaway and make sure and check out Barney Butter and pass the news on to your friends! Oh, and my friend Grace has 7 fabulous recipes that she has cooked with Barney Butter, here!

A Gigantic BOX Giveaway!

You just can't miss out on this GIVEAWAY from Kraft Foods!

It's just too good to pass up - so even if you don't have a blog, feel free to join in!

In August I was invited to visit Kraft Foods in Chicago, and as a thank you for coming, I received THIS gigantic box in the mail. 

Filled with these treats ...

·         Capri Sun 100% Juice

·         Ritz Crackerfuls Classic Cheddar

·         Ritz Crackerfuls Four Cheese

·         Velveeta Shells & Cheese

·         Oreo Fun Stix

·         Golden DoubleStuf Oreos

·         Golden Oreo Mini Cakesters 100 Calorie Packs

·         Crystal Light Skin Essentials Pomegranate Lemonade

·         Kraft Ranch Dressing

·         Kraft Barbeque Sauce

·         Chips Ahoy Fudge Bites

·         LU Biscuits

·         Maxwell House Vanilla Bean Latte, Mocha Latte, Vanilla Caramel Latte  

·         Wheat Things Flatbread and Reduced Fat

·         Back to Nature Dark Chocolate & Oats Granola Cookies

·         Planters Harvest Pistachio Grove Blend

·         Planters Harvest Dark Chocolate Forest Blend

·         Planters Harvest Almond Orchard Blend

·         Planters Deluxe Mixed Nuts

·         Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts

·         Kraft Miracle Whip

·         Food and Family Magazine and one free subscription

·         Food and Family Magazine Spanish

·         And a TON of FREE product coupons

Yes, all of these goodies, and my family's been 

snacking for days now!

And now you can too 

(these Lime Coconut cookies ... Mmm, Mmm, Mmm)

Because Kraft has generously offered for me to give away a duplicate box!

Yes, they have the exact box sitting in their 

Chicago kitchen, waiting for YOU!

COMMENT TO WIN

You're going to have to think, but only for a minute. 

Please leave me a comment, and tell me which relative (or friend) you've learned the most from about hospitality--who was your primary hospitality example?

I have so many women in my life who I've learned from!

TWO CHANCES

Talk about this Gigantic Kraft Foods Giveaway on your blog, or TWEET about it, and your name goes in twice (come back and tell me!). Make sure you leave a viable email if you don't have a blog.

WINNER WILL WIN

The exact box that I received.  Amazing! Yes, all of this stuff!

WINNER ANNOUNCED

I'll let you know on Monday, 9/21, who the lucky winner is! And then I'll contact KRAFT FOODS and they'll ship it directly to YOU!

Thank you, Kraft Foods, once again for your generosity!