BetterBaking.com Giveaway

BetterBaking.com Giveaway

Kreskin at The River Run Centre, photo courtesy of Collen Clack

Yesterday afternoon,  I sat in the River Run Centre’s Main Stage theatre and witnessed  The Amazing Kreskin in action. Yes, he found his cheque. Yes, he knew a volunteer had cut 19 cards from the top deck during a trick. And yes, he convinced more than a dozen people they were freezing cold despite sitting under blazing stage lights. Impressive to say the least.

I’ve seen mentalists before and found them entertaining, but I nearly fell out of my seat when Kreskin nailed my brother-in-law’s license plate and wedding anniversary — pinpointing the month, day and year. The 75-year-old mentalist then sent shivers down my spine when he asked my brother-in-law, “What’s Le Manzinaie?” Like you’d pull that word out of thin air.

It’s a the name of  the Tuscan villa where our family stayed during a once-in-a-lifetime European trip. They had sent everyone in the family an email just the other day, and the villa was on all our minds.

How’d Kreskin do it? I don’t want to know.

Shortbread Hearts currently featured on BetterBaking.com

Shortbread Hearts currently featured on BetterBaking.com

So, doing away with random number generators, Dine-o-matic and personal bias, I’m going to ask you to tune into my wavelength to win a  prize.

Here’s the deal:  I’ve gone to my copy of a The New Best of Better Baking.com by Marcy Goldman and selected a recipe. Leave a comment guessing the page number (the book has 324 pages). The TWO people closest to either page number (without going over) will get a free subscription to Marcy’s membership-based, online magazine  BetterBaking.com. These subscriptions are courtesy of Marcy Goldman, one of Canada’s best and most practical pastry chefs.

I’ll announce the winners on December 24th. Then, in the new year, I’ll bake the recipe I selected, post the results and pass on the baking tips Marcy shared with me in a recent interview. Sound good?

Okay then. Ready, set, THINK!

No Comments
  • Terry (from Beamsville, lol)
    Posted at 11:01h, 21 December

    Oooh, this is fun. Okay, can I please pick 277. Thanks.

  • Amy Proulx
    Posted at 11:24h, 21 December

    Oh oh! If a subscription includes her Majestic and Moist Honey Cake recipe, I’m in! It’s our favorite everyday cake.

    Hmmmmm…. I’m going for page 24, to coincide with the date for the draw.

    And Charmian, can you use your Kreskin-like mental powers to guess what we were doing yesterday? Something to do with raisins, seeds and rosemary. They are SOOO good! I couldn’t keep the surprise until our Christmas eve wine and cheese around the tree.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 12:03h, 21 December

    Yes, you can! Consider yourself entered.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 12:06h, 21 December

    Amy, my keen mental powers tell me you were baking Rosemary, Raisin & Pecan crisps. Am I right? What do I win?

  • Daniel
    Posted at 12:17h, 21 December

    I’m in too Charmian!! I guess page 109. But let me tell you, I have minimal psychic powers. I can’t even take a hint. 🙂

    Dan
    Casual Kitchen

  • Amy Proulx
    Posted at 12:24h, 21 December

    @Charmian Christie, I’d say you win my admiration for posting such a yummy recipe.

  • Katerina
    Posted at 12:26h, 21 December

    Lol! What a hilarious segway. I am going with 72!!

  • Elisabeth N.
    Posted at 12:37h, 21 December

    How about 35.

  • The Diva on a Diet
    Posted at 13:22h, 21 December

    Oh how cool! I love this kind of stuff and would really love to see Kreskin live some time.

    As for my guess, I’m going with page 15.

    *I have been known for some psychic flashes but, sadly, only as pertains to impending disasters. I don’t know if my capabilities extend to cookies! 😉

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 13:26h, 21 December

    Oh Dan, I’m tempted to award you a subscription just for making me laugh.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 13:27h, 21 December

    Consider yourself entered and glad you liked my tenuous link between Kreskin and cooking.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 13:27h, 21 December

    I’ll let you know on the 24th….

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 13:28h, 21 December

    Where were you when I was setting the microwave aflame?

  • Susan Hoffman
    Posted at 14:11h, 21 December

    I’ll choose page 27 because there were 27 family members at my in-laws’ Christmas celebration yesterday. I saw Kreskin in Kitchener a few years ago, and he was somewhat spooky with accurate observations about people in the audience!

  • Kathryn
    Posted at 15:43h, 21 December

    I say … 208.

    No reason, so I am going to say that it is my psychic powers.

    Happy Holidays,

    Kathryn

  • JenB
    Posted at 15:51h, 21 December

    Page 197. No reason!

  • Monique
    Posted at 16:32h, 21 December

    Well I have a Passion For Baking~

    I love Marcy Goldman.. when I first started getting interested in recipes online..her site was so helpful..and so was she..she answered every e-mail..herself~
    I’ll guess page 270.. Winging it~

    Great idea..

  • Helen Lammers-Helps
    Posted at 20:07h, 21 December

    I’ll pick page 60 if it’s not taken.

  • Jill
    Posted at 21:06h, 21 December

    47. Please and thank you!

  • Robin Smart
    Posted at 22:51h, 21 December

    I was going to take 47, but that is what I get for not getting to my e-mail until the late hours.
    Please put me down for the psychically chosen 17 of yesterday. It is my lucky number.
    If you think you were blown away with Kreskin imagine how I felt!!
    Love,
    Robin

  • Laura
    Posted at 00:58h, 22 December

    I love her recipes as well! My favourite bread is made from her Montreal bagels recipe which I started doing when I didn’t have enough time to make bagels.

    After some internal reflection, I’m picking page 185.

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 11:21h, 22 December

    I have know mentalist abilities, I’m going the Price is Right route. I pick 112.

  • Turner
    Posted at 13:45h, 22 December

    I can SMELL those shortbread cookies! Oh, YUM! My guess is going to towards the back of the book, just because: page 234.

    I love your blog, Christie. You make me more adventurous and a better cook!

    Thanks,
    Turner

  • Dana McCauley
    Posted at 09:16h, 23 December

    I can’t believe he’s still working – that’s just incredible.

    Fun contest!

  • Maryke
    Posted at 10:24h, 23 December

    I’m hoping that page 254 is bang on :0)

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:46h, 23 December

    Wow, I’m tempted to give you a subscription based on sheer volume. Great reason for selecting page 27.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:46h, 23 December

    “Locked in!” as Kreskin would say.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:47h, 23 December

    I’ve got you down for 197. No reason is reason enough.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:48h, 23 December

    Thanks for the feedback on Marcy’s site. Great to hear.

    And you’re down for 270.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:48h, 23 December

    Hi Helen. Number 60 is yours.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:49h, 23 December

    Great number. It’s our family’s lucky number. Hope it’s lucky for you, too.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:49h, 23 December

    When I saw Jill took 47 I knew you’d slap your head. You’re down for 17 — the number Kreskin honed in on…

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:50h, 23 December

    Thanks for the suggestion of her Montreal Bagels. Good to know it works as bread.

    And page 185 is yours.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:51h, 23 December

    Works for me. You’re down for 112. And remember to neuter or spay your pets.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:53h, 23 December

    Turner, that’s the nicest comment I’ve ever received. And my commenters are a great bunch of folks. Thanks so much.

    And you’re locked into 234.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 11:54h, 23 December

    I know! When we saw he was coming we just HAD to go. Figure he’ll slow down soon as he’s 75. But he still does about 200 shows a year. And he’s sharp as a tack.