Post Valentine's Giveaway

Good day to you all! I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day and had some good quality time with your loved ones. Come see me at Savvy Suzi for a giveaway. It is a $35 gift certificate for CSN Stores. Hope to see you soon.

A Winner! A Winner of the Carolyn's Kitchen Christmas Apron

Sorry for the delay Apron Goddesses!

I am in the midst of Christmas mayhem and mischief of one kind and another BUT finally got this done.

The winner of this lovely apron . . .

. . . IS TopHat at number 76! Congrats to her on her wonderful win and THANK YOU Carolyn's Kitchen for sponsoring this great apron giveaway.

Merry Christmas Apron Goddesses!

Cyber Monday Giveaway of a Christmas Apron from Carolyn's Kitchen!

Happy Holidays Apron Goddesses! Yes, I've come out from retirement for a post this month . . .

Carolyn from Carolyn's Kitchen asked me to host a giveaway for the holidays and I could not refuse. Look at this beauty below. The sparkling assortment of Christmas trees on the fabric are cheerful and bright. This Holiday Sparkle Apron is just the thing to wear while entertaining guests this holiday season.

This apron is built in the classic Carolyn's Kitchen fashion with a heart-shaped pocket and ruffles. These aprons look great on every body type. I think they are universally flattering. I do love my zebra striped apron from Carolyn's Kitchen since it looks great on any occasion . . .

If you would like to win this Christmas themed apron feel free to sign up below in the comments after you have visited Carolyn's Kitchen and browsed the selection. Come back to The Apron Goddesses and make a comment below naming your favorite.

For five extra entries into the drawing create a blog post about this giveaway, leaving your permalink in your comment.

Good luck Apron Goddesses!

Contest ends on December 13, 2010.

Psst... Giveaway Coming Up on Cyber Monday

Hi Apron Goddesses.

How's everyone doing?

Psst. Here's a secret.

There will be an apron giveaway next week. Well, the giveaway is starting on Cyber Monday.

But the sponsor is . . . . . . . . . . . . .

none other than . . . . . . . . . . .

Carolyn's Kitchen!

Be prepared. It's a cute holiday themed apron!

Don't say I did not warn you. :)

Boo!

Halloween approaches.... Get motivated!!! Here's a special apron made by San-dee!

She's got this apron just right. :)


Now I hope you plan on answering the door for trick-or-treater's wearing something like this!

Good Bye, Farewell! Happy Aproning!

Well Apron Goddesses, I can not tell a lie. I can not find the time to keep posting on The Apron Goddesses with my busy life schedule.

While I won't be posting any new material, I will leave the blog up for folks to find aprons made by all the fabulous hand made, sewn in the USA, women owned businesses who I want to support. If an apron maker wants to request an ad with a link, I'd be happy to post. Just send an email with your request. (I am amazed at how many visits The Apron Goddesses garnishes even with very limited posting...)

The biggest overall time constraint for me has been my need to market my newly published children's book called Bingo's Big Adventure and make time for writing the next book in the series. Reviews for Bingo's Big Adventure have been very positive and can be viewed HERE on Amazon.

I am running a book promotion at the Bingo's Big Adventure site too.

Books are discounted through purchase on Paypal. Hardback copies are $2 dollars off cover price at $13.99 and softbacks are $1 dollar off cover price at $7.99. Your purchase supports a women owned business right here in the US. Buy a book for your kids, grand kids or as gifts for the holidays! I will personally sign any books ordered and customize as requested.

Since I find my self trying to balance on that narrow fence that life has provided me.... I thought Bingo's balancing act was an appropriate allusion to my current place in life.

Part of balancing is knowing just when to jump off without hurting one's self....

So that's the end of my tail...

I've Been Busy!

Sweet Pepper Salsa

7 c. chopped tomatoes (about 5 lbs)
3 c. chopped peppers (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 green)
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 cloves garlic
2 tbs. cilantro
1/2 c. vinegar (5% acidity)
2 drops hot pepper sauce

Combine all ingredients in a saucepot. Stir and bring to a boil; then reduce heat and simmer for 10 min. Prepare canning jars as usual. Then ladle salsa into hot jars. Process in a boiling water canner for 15 min. (covering the tops of jars with approximately 1" of water. Yields 3 pints. I double the recipe to can more at a time.

So far I have canned about 7 pints and 10 1/2 pints. It is not at all hot, so if you want hot you will need to add some sort of hot pepper either before or after the processing. Enjoy!

You Too Can Look This Good In An Apron: Apron Goddess Mira

Well especially if you are the winner of the Cupcake Provocateur apron... see post below this one. :)

This is Mira! She sent in this picture for extra credit in the Cupcake Provocateur giveaway. I am sorry she did not win but we can agree she looks awesome wearing her apron.


Mira wrote, "Here's a pic of me in my "cupcake cutie" apron. Huge fan of Cupcake Provocateur - getting to wear that apron is pretty much the only reason I cook at all!"

There are definitely days that I commiserate with her on this sentiment. Mostly I just don't cook on those days.

The Winner of the Cupcake Provocateur Apron

Good Monday Apron Goddesses!

It's been quite a month and busyness is a disease which I can't seem to cure.

However, good news is that I did the drawing for the apron from Cynthia's Cupcake Provocateur store and,

Drum roll please.......

Ta da!!

Number 6 is Sue at Country Pleasures!

Congrats Sue! Just send me an email with your shipping information and apron preference from the hostess style and we'll get it off to CP in a jiffy!

Quite a Set UP

Good Thursday Morning Apron Goddesses!
I feel as if I have been MIA.....I guess I have, it's been about 2 weeks since I have graced you all with a picture and some words to follow.

Suzi here to bring you some men in aprons.

I think they have the right idea. It is quite the set-up. A small toaster oven with what appears to be pots on top for cooking. If only kitchen/dining areas were this simple. These men look thrilled to be preparing a meal for someone special. I even love the fact that they are taking great care by putting on their aprons in order to keep their attire nice and clean.

Boys, you can come cook for me anytime!

Winner of the Hostess with the Mostest Apron

Good day Apron Goddesses everywhere in Bloggville!

Some how during my bout with viral meningitis and walking pneumonia last month I forgot to do the drawing for the apron giveaway for the Hostess with the Mostest apron pictured below.

How could I forget this beauty? It must have been the feverish haze that was consuming my brain but oh goodness looking at this apron again makes me a little envious of the winner.


The random number generator produced No. 42 which makes Sally the winner of this apron. She blogs at Sally's Spot.

Congrats to Sally! Please email me with your address and I will forward to the Hostess with the Mostest!

Ahrisha is an Apron Goddess in her own "Cupcake Provocateur" style Apron

This is blogger Ahrisha here with her own Cupcake Provocateur style apron that she made in tribute to the "real" thing. Initiation is the grandest form of flattery and I know that Cynthia would approve wholeheartedly of this darling creation below.

Ahrisha said, "This is an apron I made with inspiration from The Cupcake Provocateur (CP). The first time I saw her aprons on The Apron Goddesses I went crazy for this design. As you can see her aprons are much better fitting and looking than mine, but I wear it in my kitchen and just love it. I love how she edges her seams with bias tape they do look amazing. I'm a real ric rac gal so that is what I used. It is my goal to someday own a real CP apron. They are the Cat's Meow for sure!

If I won an apron from CP, I would wear it only for special dinners with my special someone. Or maybe just holidays. I have made a few aprons for myself and when I find cute printed fabric I immediately think APRON. I don't sew too much anymore but I do like to have a few aprons around."

With your ten extra entries Ahrisha, you have better odds now!!

Thank you for sending in your lovely picture.

Tie on Yer Aprons! It's Tomatillo Time!

What is this sprawling mess of a vine??

This little beauty of a fruit may be a new one to you, but I wanted to share the abundance of my garden this summer.

My plants have set a prolific quantity of fruit . . . and belong to the Solanaceae otherwise known as the Tomato Family. These gems are more formally known as Physalis philadelphica, or the amazing tomatillo!


The tomatoes and yellow crookneck squash are just keeping the tomatillos company inside my garden harvest basket... The papery part that wraps around the green fruit is the calyx left over from the flower parts. The calyx is the green stuff that wraps around the flowers before they bloom.

Ripe tomatillos will keep in the refrigerator for about two weeks. They will keep even longer if the husks are removed and the fruits are placed in sealed plastic bags stored in the refrigerator.

However, these tomatillos were destined for another fate. The fate of becoming SALSA VERDE!


The recipe for salsa verde is easy. I really never measure making salsa. It's an organic, loose process where I throw together what makes sense. But if you need quantities here's what you can start with:

- The equivalent of three to four cups of tomatillos. Depending on fruit size the total number of tomatillos will vary.
- Large handful of cillantro. Wash and chop or cut up in food processor.
- Three cloves garlic - roasted.
- One large onion - roasted.
- Two or three jalepeno peppers. Deseed peppers and roast. Add more seeds if you like your salsa HOT!
- One lime.
- Salt (1/2 tsp to 1 tsp) and pepper.



Fire roast all veggies except cilantro. Chop onions, garlic, peppers, and cilantro in food processor. Add roasted tomatillos. Whirl around until combined! Add salt and pepper to taste! And VOILA! You have a delicious healthy salsa that you can claim to be the chef!


And don't forget to wear an apron. This can be splattery business!

Back To School Sale on The Bingo Book!

Hey Ladies, in celebration of back-to-school I am having a SALE on both the hard back and soft back copies of Bingo's Big Adventure. This is a children's book which can proudly say I wrote and published.


I know many of you have children to whom you read, so this slight diversion from aprons may be just the thing for this time of year.

For hardback books the price is currently reduced from the list price by $2.00 and the softback book by $1.00. As Bingo's Big Adventure is already competitively priced that brings the cost down to $13.99 for a hardback and $7.99 for a soft back.

Inside this colorful story of a curious cat you can find an action adventure for your kids. This book is suitable for ages 3 to 8 . . . and adults have been buying it for them selves too.

Apparently, it is making a great addition to coffee tables. Within the pages of Bingo's Big Adventure, there are great photos and a lively story line which introduces NEW words to children.

Bingo said during his last post, ". . . if you want your kids to learn new words, let them hang out with me. If you need some background, there is an excellent study explaining the importance of new words to kids HERE.


Bingo continued to explain, "While I appear casual and relaxed for my daily grooming, I am really thinking of new words that should be introduced to children. I want kids to have a BIG vocabulary. It makes their minds grow!"

Then he thought, "I guess I should have been wearing an apron for this post... Drat. Next time I will ask for a cat sized apron."

"As I lay between the corn rows contemplating what new words I could use, I realize that it was not long ago that I was taller than the corn . . . but I digress."


Then Bingo was heard to say, "I was thinking about what vocabulary enriching text I could use in my next book . . . Hmmmm."


Then going off on a tangent Bingo explained, "I think kids get bored after a while with the same "ole" word set. For most kids my book will seamlessly merge into the family library. For other kids who are not quite ready for my word empowerment, then the adult humans should wait until those kids are a little bigger before letting them dig into my thoughts!

So with all things, parents are crucial in implementing a reading program that broadens children's exposure to new words. If you want your kids to grow their minds, read books like Bingo's Big Adventure to them! It will make reading a treat and expand their vocabulary at the same time.

And remember your purchase supports a women owned business and independent author and publisher. If nothing else check it out and spread the word.

Thanks!!!

Bye for now Apron Goddesses.

I've Been Making Whoopie.....

Lots of whoopee. Whoopee in the morning, whoopee mid day, and whoopee in the evening. Can't get enough whoopee!

.....Whoopee Pies that is!

I love chocolate chip cookies so I thought I would try these first.

Chocolate Chip Whoopee Pies
by: Sarah Billingsley and Amy Treadwell

Ingredients:
2 1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 tbs. unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 tbs. vegetable shortening
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 tbs. milk
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. white vinegar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. mini chocolate chips

*Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
*Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt onto a sheet of waxed paper (I skipped this step)
*In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter, shortening, and both sugars and beat until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs and the buttermilk and beat until combined.
*In a measuring cup, combine the milk, baking soda, and vinegar. Add the milk mixture to the batter along with the flour mixture and beat on low until just combined. Add the vanilla and beat on medium for about 2 minutes, until completely combined.
*Using wooden spoon, stir in chocolate chips until incorporated.
*Using a spoon, drop about 1 tbs. of batter onto one of the prepared baking sheets and repeat, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time for about 10 minutes each, or until the cakes begin to brown. Remove from oven an dlet the cakes cool on the sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.

Makes about 48 2-inch cakes.

Classic Marshmallow Filling:

1 1/2 c. Marshmallow Fluff
1 1/4 c. vegetable shortening
1 c. confectioners' sugar
1 tbs. vanilla extract

*In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the Marshmallow Fluff and the vegetable shortening, starting on low and increase to medium speed until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low, add the confectioners' sugar and the vanilla, beat until incorporated. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes more.

Personally? I wasn't too thrilled with the Marshmallow Fluff center. It was fine the first day when it set, but the next day? Not so great. Next time I am going to give butter cream filling a try.

Cupcake Provocateur? Yes! It's time for a Giveaway.

Morning Apron Goddesses!

Are you ready for a new giveaway to double cross your fingers about?

If not, you should.

Cynthia at The Cupcake Provocateur has offered your choice of a hostess apron for the current giveaway.

I happen to have an apron from CP. I use it first out of all my aprons...


I was recently wearing it while "frosting" my son's birthday cake. And YES. I forgot to unplug the mixer before this stupid frosting tasting maneuver. But I lucked out and did not chop off my tongue . . .


But at the Cupcake Provocateur store, I currently am loving these aprons:

This is the Cindy Apron-Rag Doll. You will see upon visiting this store that Cynthia has designed Retro & Vintage Inspired Aprons and Housewares for the Haute` Hostess!

There are cooks aprons, half aprons, children's aprons, gifts and more at The Cupcake Provocateur. With all the gorgeous aprons, it's just a matter of choosing which one you like best that is the challenge.

My next favorite is the Cindy Apron-Homemade Cupcakes in Blue. I don't have any blue aprons so maybe I should think about one of these for my next addition....Hmmm.

With colors to match your mood and whim and a touch of a little more...you will be sure to find just what you are looking for in aprons at this wonderful store!

Now to enter this giveaway you need to hop over to The Cupcake Provocateur and browse the apron selection. Come back here to TAG and make a comment about the hostess apron that you would like to win. That will give you one entry into the giveaway.

You can gain one more entry if you join up or already follow The Cupcake Provocateur Blog!

For five extra entries into the drawing create a blog post about this giveaway, leaving your permalink in your comment. Be sure to mention this in your entry.

And for 10 extra, bonus chances at winning send in a picture of you or a family member wearing an apron and a few words about you and your apron. Give me the dirt! Leave a comment that you are sending in a photograph too! (Contact is above) No headless apron wearers please!! We will write up your "apron-ography" in the weeks to come.

Closes September 9, 2010

Winner....Here winner, winner, winner.... of the Apron from Sugar 'n Spice Aprons

Hello Ladies!!!

I have a winner of an apron. An apron from Sugar 'n Spice Aprons! It looks like this:

Super cute if I am aloud to say so myself.

And the winner is number 45 as spit out by the random number generator for this drawing. And this means that Maria D at Downright Domesticity is the winner. But seeing as how she is expecting a baby very soon, the apron might not get used right away.

I was over at her blog and saw her husband trying out baby stuff.

He was not exactly using things correctly. But at least he is trying...

Well he made me laugh and I think you might laugh too.


Please go and say congratulations to Maria D and her very funny husband at her blog Downright Domesticity. And you can also wish her best of luck with the new baby!!

A little apron art and poetry

I was digging through some of my old photos and found this. I believe this photo was taken for a TAG contest last summer. I just love it! It would be great to frame it and hang it in my kitchen someplace.

I also found this wonderful apron poem today and just had to share!

Grandma's Apron
courtesy of cowboyfun.com

When I used to visit Grandma.
I was very much impressed,
by her all-purpose apron,
and the power it possessed.
She used it for a basket,
when she gathered up the eggs,
and flapped it as a weapon,
when hens pecked her feet and legs.
She used it for a hot pad,
to remove a steaming pan,
and when her brow was heated,
she used it for a fan.
It dried our childish tears,
when we'd scrape a knee and cry,
and made a hiding place
when the little ones were shy.
Farm produce took in season,
in the summer, spring and fall,
found its way into the kitchen
from Grandma's carry all.

Wishing you a most wonderful weekend!

Kim -theUngourmet

Apron God and Goddess: Yes it's a Matched Pair

Good Morning Apron Goddesses! Here's a treat today...it's an apron-ography from a husband and wife with matching aprons. And with the rapidly approaching holiday season this may give you some ideas for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Matching husband and wife aprons anyone?? I am seeing some potential in my own home....


Ellen wrote, "My husband and I live about 400 miles away from my family, and Hubby's family is typically out of the country. We're always traveling for Christmas and we have a busy fall due to college football season. So several years ago we decided we'd just do Thanksgiving at our place with our kids. Whoever shows up eats with us. One time we got Chinese food with Hubby's parents. The year after we first hosted Hubby's parents and brother for traditional Thanksgiving they gave us these matching aprons for Christmas.

The year of this photo my mom came up, and at the last moment we hosted an Indian couple from my husband's work. Plus our then 1-year-old.

Although it's all but impossible to avoid the holiday shuffle, trying to see all parents, siblings, step-siblings, cousins, etc, we've gotten back a bit of the season by declaring we're staying home for Thanksgiving!"

Ellen blogs over at Stuff Growing. Please give her a holler and say good morning. Every body likes to have some comment love.

Thank you Ellen for sharing your photo and story!

Thank you Ellen for sharing your story.

Nature's Goodness

Good Day Apron Goddesses! Suzi here. We received a four pack sampler of honey from Mohawk Valley Trading Co. I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Love the just about anything that involves sugar! So what better way to enjoy it than in it's rawest and most natural form?

Here are the jars of raw honey, from Mohawk Valley Trading Co. The package contained orange blossom, apple blossom, Adirondack wildflower, and Maine wild blueberry blossom honeys. The flavor's of these honeys are hinted with the flower from which the bees gathered nectar and pollen.

This honey is: Pure, Unpasteurized,Unfiltered, Unprocessed, Unheated, Unblended, Gourmet Wildflower Honey.

This morning I decided to have it on my butter milk hotcakes. I typically dress hotcakes in Agave Nectar, but decided to try out the Raw Orange Blossom Honey. It tasted quite good, complemented the other flavors in the hotcakes. I could taste a hint of the orange trees the bees raided their pollen from. The taste of this one resembles the taste of honey purchased in the grocery stores.

I figured if the Orange Blossom tasted that good then the Apple Blossom must taste just as good. I did what any person who loves honey does....I grabbed a spoon and dipped it right in. The Apple Blossom Honey has a drier taste to it, but I could taste a bit of the apples it was derived from. I am imagining what I might enjoy it with....a cup of tea, an English muffin, cornbread, added to salad dressing and the list goes on. I am quite satisfied with both jars of honey.

Julia prefers to use this delicious honey on her wheat toast while working on the blog in the morning. As you can see by the lack of honey in the jar, this Main wild blueberry blossom honey is very popular in her house. Julia's kids love this stuff too.

These honeys are very delicately flavored and are really great used full strength to accent the foods you eat. We highly recommend the Mohawk Valley Trading Co. honey products as they are very high quality and are of course, made in the USA!!