I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!   I've been blogging for a little over a year now!  So much has changed since that first day.  For the first week or so, I thought I was just talking to myself, but after a year of obsessively checking my stats and FB "Likes", I can say that someone is actually reading this.  So cool....Anyway, I had the best of intentions.  I was going to do a giveaway for the first anniversary or when I hit 300 on FB, but I got sick and missed both dates.  : (  But I finally got some things together, and I'm ready.

So, in the next paragraph, I'll tell the story behind the cookbook.  Good story.  I decided for the two other items to give something that I think every cook needs.  You can not have too many wooden spoons, and I love these bamboo spoons I found.  And, they're made from recycled bamboo, so now I'm ecologically responsible.  ; )  The measuring cups were included because I'm always losing mine.  I don't know for sure, but I think the gremlin who steals one sock from every laundry load has a cousin in the kitchen, and he has a yen for my measuring cups.  Anyway, it's not a Lexus, but hey!  they're useful, right?

 And in the future, I promise to try not to get sick so that I can shop better.  I couldn't have done this one without help.  Credit must be given where due, right?  Funny story.  While trying to plan for my own giveaway, I entered Lisa's Cookbook Giveaway at I Heard It's Yummy....and I won!   Yay!  Three new cookbooks to play with, and one of them a Fix-It and Forget-It title.  I love those, don't you?  So, they arrived.....I opened the box......and .....I already had that Fix-It and Forget-it book!  AAACK !!!!  But, Lisa is a very nice person, and she said it was okay for me to pass it onto you in my first giveaway.  So, now two people can be happy.  : )  And on the bright side, I can tell you that it's a great cookbook.   And I mustn't forget to give credit to my photographer.  SuperHubby has been helping me with that part of the blog lately, and I must say, I think his work is better than mine.  Hmmm.....so far, I've had him cook, now he's doing the photography, if I can just get him to write the posts, I could retire and play Words with Friends all day.  LOL

So, here's how the giveaway works:  I'm keeping it simple this time until I feel more comfortable doing these things.  Two entries are possible:  

(1)  MANDATORY:  Leave a comment on THIS BLOG POST.  It can be anything, even a simple "Hi!"  Just let me know you were here.  Make sure you leave your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

(2)  "Like" my FB page and leave a SECOND comment ON THIS BLOG POST.  If you already have, just leave a comment telling me that.  Again, make sure I have your email address.

The drawing will be WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2012 AT 10:00 P.M. EST.  I will notify the winner by email.  You have 48 hours to answer with your shipping address; otherwise....I have to draw another winner.  : (

OK?  That's it for the giveaway.  If you have questions,  or if I left out any info, let me know.  I'm still new at this.

Brown ground beef with spices.  Drain and mix with corn, beef stock, and noodles in a casserole dish spraying with non-stick cooking spray.  Top with bread crumbs.  Dot with butter and Velveeta cubes.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  

MUSIC TO COOK BY