Cookbook Giveaway: Taste of Canada

Cookbook Giveaway: Taste of Canada

Often, when I’m busy doing one thing, a totally unrelated thought will slam into my brain. This happens to me so often in the shower, I actually bought a diving slate to jot down my ideas should inspiration strike while I’m under the hot spray.

Well, this time the revelation arrived while I had my head in the oven. I was bent over, hands swathed in oven mitts, poking tongs at roasting beef bones when it hit to me — I never really celebrated the launch of my new blog. Oh sure, I issued a pathetic plea to bookmark the new location and pushed a few Facebook friends this way. But no cat-shaped cake. No burnt-toast cookies. Not even a Yippee-I-Have-A-New-Blog Recipe.  What was I thinking?

That’s akin moving to a new home and sending your friends a change-of-address card in lieu of throwing a great big housewarming bash. What sort of crappy hostess am I?

This will not do.

We’ll have cake. Soon. In the meantime, let’s get into the party atmosphere with a cookbook give away. The lovely and extremely generous people at Whitecap have provided the prize. Ironically, one of the reasons I moved my blog was to make contests easier. You’d think I’d have cottoned on to this oversight sooner.

Anyway to this week some lucky reader will win a copy of:

a-taste-canada_cover-small.jpg A Taste of Canada: A Culinary Journey by Rose Murray.

This is one of my all-time favourite cookbooks. The recipes are rock solid and Rose comes across as a lovely person you just want to sit down and chat with her over a cup of tea and some of her Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls. I met Rose briefly at last year’s Canadian Culinary Book Awards, and she’s as warm and interesting as her book suggests.

Rose’s Indian take on Chicken Pot Pie has forever changed my mind about this stodgy classic. She’s also given me a whole new respect for curry powder with her amazing Cheddar Apple Soup.

So, how do you win this beautiful and endearing cookbook? Simple. Leave a comment telling me how you think I should celebrate the new blog. Be silly. Be sensible. Be sincere. Just leave a comment.

Unlike with other contests, I don’t promise to act on a single suggestion. The only thing I promise is to send one lucky winner a copy of this book.

And to throw more conventions out the window, I’m opening this contest up to family members. Yup. People with the last name of Christie are no longer culled from the lottery. After all, they put up with me running over every few days asking for feed back on the new header, passing judgement on every handwritten font in existence and talking me off the roof when terms like 301 redirects and MySQL had broken my otherwise robust spirit.

So, leave your ideas and on Sunday, November 8, 2009, I’ll use a Random Number generator to select the lucky winner. The entire process will be overseen by a ginger tabby. Sorry Dine-o-Matic, your services for this sort of thing are no longer needed.

I’ll announce the winner next Monday. Good luck!

49 Comments
  • Shelley
    Posted at 11:18h, 02 November

    Love the new blog! I think you should celebrate with champagne and something decadent or your favourite junk food of all time.

  • Kathleen
    Posted at 11:54h, 02 November

    No celebration is complete without party food and a special cocktail! I suggest doing some updated party favorite recipes and picking a signature cocktail for the blog party. I’ll even lend you my husband’s favorite: The Horsefeather.

    How to make a perfect Horsefeather:
    Place a few ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass. Not too much, as you don’t want a watery drink!
    Pour a double shot of good bourbon (Maker’s Mark is traditional and Knob Creek is also nice, but most single barrels will be wasted on this drink) over the ice
    Add 2-3 dashes of Angostura Bitters
    Fill the glass with a spicy ginger ale (Vernor’s is traditional, but Reed’s is also nice)

    The bitters elevate this from a typical boubon and ginger to something a bit more special. My husband first encountered this in Lawrence, KS at a bar where a band called the Horsefeathers were playing. It quickly became his own favorite cocktail and has been featured in some places as the “Bubble Guy Cocktail” for my husband’s part-time gig selling copper bubble wands at music festivals and art shows.

  • Ellen
    Posted at 13:08h, 02 November

    I think that giving away a delicious book to celebrate your new blog is a wonderful idea! I’ve been enjoying reading your blog after discovering it through your designer, Melissa!

  • Debbie
    Posted at 13:11h, 02 November

    Charmian, I think you and Andrew should go see Bob Dylan at the Aud. in Kichener this Saturday. That would be a great way to celebrate.

    P.S. I love the new blog, but I miss the pictures of the various degrees of burnt toast. I liked that much better than what I see now. Just my opinion.

  • George
    Posted at 13:51h, 02 November

    I’d throw a cocktail party; much like we Southerners do for our first child’s first birthday. But in your case it would be the announcement of your blog ~ Christie’s Corner.

    You could serve various enticing delectables from your amazing recipe collection. Have them scattered around your home, with laptops already connected to your site, so your guest could “ou & ah”. There could be printed cocktail napkins with your website address and possibly chef’s aprons with your blog heading: Christie’s Corner – across the top. What better advertising could you get, than your friends taking home that special apron?

    Most of all make the evening a celebration to your creativity shown through out your blog. Have friends & family give toast while you do a signing of tear-sheets of your homepage.

    As for your featured drink, I suggest a ~ Godiva Chocolate Orange Diva ~ 1 ounce Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur, 1 ounce Grand Marnier, 4 ounce club soda. Just pour Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur and Grand Marnier over ice; top with club soda. Your guest will think they are drinking a fabulous soufflé!

    Best of luck and keep posting your incredible creations!

  • Lisa MacColl
    Posted at 13:55h, 02 November

    I love your new blog, and Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls sound perfect.

    And you know how I feel about cookbooks…work with me Gladly!

  • Cheryl
    Posted at 14:00h, 02 November

    First, congratulations on the gorgeous blog. Secondly Cheddar Apple Soup? Oh my goodness, drool. Thirdly, to celebrate I say take a day off. I assume blogging isn’t a piece of cake, and that it takes work. So I say sit back, relax and just relish in the accomplishment.

  • Cari
    Posted at 16:11h, 02 November

    Congrats on the new site, Charmian. LOVE IT.
    How to celebrate? Do what I do when I am absolutley ecstatic over something new: Dance a silly dance in the kitchen (usually for me this looks like Elaine’s dance from Seinfeld), eat some chocolate, yell “whoo hooo!” as loud as you can or have a really hot bubble bath, complete with candles, music by Diana Krall, and a really BIG glass of your best red wine.

  • Turner
    Posted at 17:23h, 02 November

    A celebration is definitely in order. Doing a blog–especially one as fresh and gorgeous as yours–LOVE the photography, which is always really sharp and really tantalizing (no small feat, BTW, for anyone besides professional food photographers). Congrats on your site!
    Why not have your readers/followers send YOU their recipes–maybe specifically for a celebratory food (or drink) and you take them as gifts from US?

  • Emily
    Posted at 17:55h, 02 November

    I think one way to celebrate would be to feature (expose) a fellow blogger on your blog. 🙂 Perhaps have a recipe contest and then feature the winning blog? Or you could always just bake a seriously naughty cake that you never have blogged about and then make us all drool, you’re already good at that! 🙂

  • Maryke
    Posted at 19:00h, 02 November

    Firstly, I think you should celebrate by taking your head OUT of the oven. There’s nothing to worry about…..it’s a great blog. You really don’t need to do something as rash as sticking your head in the oven.
    Once you’ve recovered (read “your senses” here), then I suggest something that involves chocolate and red wine!!! :0)
    PS I look forward to checking what’s new each and every day….REALLY!

  • Dana McCauley
    Posted at 19:38h, 02 November

    I love your blog – and I think celebrating is a fine idea? I’m always up for champagne. Shall we toast or something? Maybe you could cut champagne glass shaped bits out of burnt toast and have a burnt toast, toast?

    And, you are brilliant! My husband has a diver’s slate (yes, he is a diver) but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind me using it to jot smart ideas down when I’m in the shower. The only problem is that I don’t see that well with out my contact lenses and I rarely have them in when I shower. It was almost a perfect plan….

  • Roxanne @ Champion of My Heart
    Posted at 22:09h, 02 November

    Ooh! I know! Adopt a dog. Every blog needs a canine sidekick. Of course, I’m biased that way.

  • Teresa Fontinato
    Posted at 22:49h, 02 November

    Hi Charmian!

    Write your own cookbook using your uplifting personal style. I know we’d all buy it!!!
    You’d have to make the pages waterproof though for all the slobbering!
    How’s that for silly , sensible and sincere?

    Teresa

  • Robin Smart
    Posted at 22:55h, 02 November

    If only I got good ideas in the shower!
    I’m up for any celebration you care to have. It is a great idea to have a party, a book give away, a cake, some champagne, and mark our 2010 calendars for the first anniversary of the “new” blog. You work so hard on this blog, and it shows! You have a quality product and I can’t wait for the book and or movie to come out.
    Love,
    Robin

  • Andrew
    Posted at 13:42h, 03 November

    I believe this should be celebrated in the way all things should be celebrated: Candles, red wine, the music of Mr. Barry White and velour. Lots of velour.

  • Sophie
    Posted at 15:52h, 03 November

    I love your new look & your new blog! It is very cool & fab!
    How to celebrate?? I think the best Champagne & a chique dinner is in order!
    And to end the meal with a lovely decadent dessert, mostly enjoyed with your husband!

    Your cookbook give away is also a grand idea!

  • Karen L
    Posted at 16:23h, 03 November

    A massage. Definitely.

  • The Diva on a Diet
    Posted at 11:40h, 04 November

    I’m with Teresa … celebrate by writing a cookbook. I’ll be first in line to buy it! Then, when you do have the party, it can be a double celebration. 🙂

  • Kerry Dexter
    Posted at 12:54h, 04 November

    Charmian,
    I think you have received some fine suggestions here… but I’d add Cathie Ryan and Heidi Talbot to the musical selections for whatever sort of party you choose.
    as with Rox and dogs, well, I’m biased toward the music of Ireland and Scotland…
    really enjoying the new look, especially the contemplative cat in the header.

  • Eve
    Posted at 15:15h, 04 November

    I thin k you should cook up some of your favorite recipes and share it with your friends by throwing a party and then sharing that with the bloggers. Also a giveaway is a nice start

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 15:34h, 04 November

    I think you should celebrate by having someone else cook you dinner. I would do it, maybe next summer when I’m in your neck of the woods.

  • Heather
    Posted at 17:24h, 07 November

    This is a great blog! I’m with Teresa and The Diva – you should gather all these great recipes together into your own cookbook. Insert some Charmianism’s amongst the recipes and you’ll have a sure fire success!

  • Karen B
    Posted at 20:48h, 08 November

    It was great seeing you at the Royal this weekend. Thanks for telling me about this contest. I would love a copy of Rose Murray’s book.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:39h, 09 November

    A real party and virtual party combined? That’s a great idea!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:40h, 09 November

    You’re coming to Ontario? Let me know your timing and I’ll make sure we connect. We can cook for each other. Oooh. Now I’m so excited.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:44h, 09 November

    Charmianisms? If Andrew chooses to adopt this word, I’m in big trouble….

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:46h, 09 November

    Music is always a welcomed addition to a party. Great suggestion!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:48h, 09 November

    Thanks for the vote of confidence. Between you and my family, I’m sure I’d sell at least 27 books. 🙂 Can I put you down for 3?

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:48h, 09 November

    Smartest answer so far. Yes, a massage — or two– is in order!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:51h, 09 November

    I think I’ll double up on the champagne and skip the junk food since I ate too many Halloween candies this year.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:54h, 09 November

    Thanks so much for the recipe for a Horsefeather. Never heard of this before but it sounds great. Andrew has been thinking of getting a bottle of Maker’s Mark (“thinking” means it will happen). When he does, I’ll give this a try.

    Copper bubble wands? Not sure what they are, but they sound intriguing.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 08:55h, 09 November

    Thanks for reading, Ellen. It was lovely of Melissa to mention me. I see she designed your site, too. She has a very clean style which makes it so easy to navigate a site.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:07h, 09 November

    Debbie, will you settle for Bruce Springsteen in Buffalo later in the month?

    I loved the burnt toast motif. too. It was one of the reasons the decision to move the blog took so long. I knew I would have to give up that motif when I moved since it wasn’t my design concept. Due to copyright, we couldn’t swipe the design and it was so perfect a knock-off wouldn’t do. So we decided that a big change was best. I appreciate the feedback.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:11h, 09 November

    George, I should hire you as my marketer. This is a great idea!

    And the Godiva Chocolate Orange Dive sounds too amazing for words. I have got to get my hand on some of the liqueur. Thank heavens Christmas is coming. I’ll start dropping hints now.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:12h, 09 November

    Glady is hardly a good luck charm. He’s broken my light box and I am constantly pulling orange hairs from the oddest places. I swear, he sleeps in my sock drawer when I’m not looking.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:14h, 09 November

    Burnt toast toast? What a fun idea!

    The divers slate is a godsend. I hang mine from the curtain rod. I don’t see well either without contacts / glasses but can get my nose in close enough to jot notes. Heck, write with your eyes closed if you must. If you’re like me you have about 30 seconds before the flash of genius is gone…

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:18h, 09 November

    Adopt a dog? That’s more work than writing a cookbook! 🙂

    I love dogs and we seriously debated getting a golden retriever. In the end we decided on cats since we aren’t home enough and goldens get depressed when their owners aren’t around. We just wouldn’t be good dog owners at this point. Perhaps I can borrow a canine sidekick from readers? Any dog owners out there other than Roxanne?

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:20h, 09 November

    That answer is a perfect combination of silly and sensible. Perfect!

    I actually had a Plexiglas cookbook stand that acted as a splatter guard and holder. I eventually broke but for a while I had very clean cookbooks. Now? Splattered.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:22h, 09 November

    I like the idea of the one-year anniversary. I might have some of George’s idea in place by then.

    Champagne comes up often. Guess I better pop a cork on that bottle I’ve been saving.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:26h, 09 November

    You know other people can read this, right?

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:29h, 09 November

    Mmm. Chocolate….

    Okay. Head’s out of the oven…

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:38h, 09 November

    Seriously naughty cake? Hmmm. That opens so many options.

    I’ve been debating one with burnt caramel and chocolate…

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:40h, 09 November

    Thanks for the kind words about the photos. I’m working on them!

    Love the idea of receiving recipes from readers. Great suggestion.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:41h, 09 November

    Cari, I have been known to do the silly dance but usually in the living room where there’s more room. My kitchen’s a bit on the small side and there’s usually a cat under foot.

    Chocolate, wine, a hot bath… ohhhh. I’m so there….

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:42h, 09 November

    Cheryl, that soup really is good. Even my non-foodie father feels it’s worthy of comment.

    Thanks for permission to take the day off. Sometimes doing nothing is the biggest treat of all!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:44h, 09 November

    This sounds perfect — if only Andrew hadn’t just mentioned velour 🙂

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 09:45h, 09 November

    Your wish is Random.Orgs command….

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