Friday 24 February 2012

Baker Boys cookbook winner!!

Here are your random numbers:

2 

Timestamp: 2012-02-24 11:22:12 UTC

Congratulations Yasmin!

Please email me your address to debbie(@)countryheartandhome.com and i will get it ordered for you :)


Sunday 19 February 2012

Hilton, Sushi and Chocolate!

When I was at the dizzy heights of my competition wins I seemed to rack up a few wins a week! Now its come time to use some of them!

An overnight stay at the Hilton hotel inc bed and breakfast - won!
A day making chocolate truffles - won!
Sushi eating at Yo Sushi - because its against the law to go to Newcastle and not visit Fenwicks for teriyaki chicken!

Me and my little sis had a fabulous time, pjs at 5pm and room service on the Friday night - heck, we werent leaving that room and view for anything! As the sky darkened, the light all came on, and to watch the Millenium bridge switch from pink to blue to yellow and everything in between was just perfect! We tucked into Linguini with King Prawns, Hot chocolate fudge cake, Baileys and crackers with cheese :) This was the view from the bed - ok so i had to move the table etc but we slept with the curtains open just so we could see the lights all night! Yes we did wake up middle of the night and go to the window - heaven help us if there was anyone out there with binoculars - it would have been enough to scare the drunk sober!
Follow this with a trip into Newcastle and heading straight to Yo Sushi for our ritual meal out, conveyor belt style! We had our usual favourites and then tried some of the newer menu additions - Soft shell crab and battered squid to name a couple.... verdict - crab was too fishy and a little too well cooked and crunchy (plus it just didnt seem right having a whole little crab sitting there! Im a visual eater so this just didnt appeal straight away and i really felt sorry for him!) lol Battered squid was delicious, a little chewy but delicious!At 2pm we headed back to the Hilton and had our chocolate making workshop, it was good - truffles arent exactly rocket science so it was more fun than anything else! Getting covered in chocolate and messing around is always fun! lol 30 truffles later and some good quality chocolate bought ready for my additions to the book we were ready to make the journey home.A good day in all and well spent time with my little sis - thank you hun xx

Thursday 16 February 2012

Giveaway 6/52 - Fabulous Baker Brothers!

Anyone else love this pair of brothers - one a butcher, the other a baker - I mean come on, I could make my candle(sticks) and we could be a trio!! ;)

For this weeks giveaway I am offering a copy of their hardcover recipe book from Amazon (not funded or sponsored by Amazon - its paid for by me but sent direct from them!) :)All you need to do is tell me what kind of thing you would like to see in a recipe book- layout or actual food ideas (...you never know you may see it in September along with a little mention in the thanks section!) ;)

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Winner of the Muppets OPI mini set is.....

The winner of the Muppets mini Nailvarnish set is
Here are your random numbers:
45 

Timestamp: 2012-02-15 10:12:10 UTC


POOCH! Please email me your postal address to debbie(@)countryheartandhome.com and i will get them in the post :)

Saturday 11 February 2012

New renovation projects!

The shabby chic bug has bitten me again!

Managed to pick up a farmhouse table and chairs, console table and mirror from the British Heart Foundation Furniture store the other day. Cant wait to get started on them - im thinking off white for the table and chairs (with the top sanded and waxed), Eau de Nil for the console table and white gloss for the mirror.As you can see the hallway is part stripped - I need to get the rest of the backing paper off before the plastering can be done then im papering it and painting it cream. The carpet will be changed from brown to a cream with bluey/green and brown stripe that ive fallen in love with and the console table will sit further along than it is now - just behind the front door where theres more space in the hallway. SO EXCITED!!Hubby started building the shelving and built in cupboards and tv unit etc in the sitting room today so fingers crossed they should be done soon (if i keep on his back!) Then its trying to sweet talk him into getting wooden floors and new sofa! lol (when i say new you know i mean second hand though - it wouldnt feel right if it wasnt a bargain!) LOL

Wednesday 8 February 2012

Chocolate Philadelphia!!

Oy yes you heard me right!!How many times have I made cream cheese frosting for cakes.....countless!!

How many times have I made chocolate cream cheese frosting for cakes....never - it just seems like too much fuss!

There is no need to go to any fuss at all when you make cakes now - simply take it straight from the container and pipe or use a palette knife to add to your cakes! (or biscuits....or croissants...or toast...or bagel... you get the idea!)

I was invited down to London for the launch where we got to try the new chocolate favourite and mess around with photo props etc!
Chocolate Philadelphia is half the fat of another well known chocolate spread (so technically you could eat twice as much!) lol

Try some and let me know what you think!

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Special little something for kitchen lovers!

I was so excited when asked to review something from the Handpicked Collection as ive had my eye on many, many things in their catalogue for a looooong time!

I received this fabulous Olive Heart chopping board and was really surprised by the weight - it is so heavy it screams quality! How fabulous would it be to have on the table for Valentines day! Maybe its just me but I would love this instead of flowers anyday - something to keep and which will only get better with age!Take a look at all the Valentines gifts they have and Im sure you will find something to either surprise your loved one with or even treat yourself - go on, you know youre worth it! :)

Getting there!

I am having so much fun right now! Honestly, the stress is kind of euphoric as I know there will be a book at the end of it - its SO wrong of me to be wishing away the year but I cant wait until September! EEK!!A little sneak for you...Banoffee Muffins - bananas, toffee, caramel and fudge!

Any requests for the kind of things you would like to see included in the book - I cant promise but will try :)

Monday 6 February 2012

Giveaway 5/52! Muppets OPI nailvarnish!

OK, since the last OPI giveaway was so popular I thought I would do another!

This time you are entering a draw for the Muppets OPI mini Nailvarnish set - how cute are these and im so pleased Muppets are coming back (...Pigs innnn Spaaace) Anyone else love it??
All you need to do is tell me who your favourite Muppet is and why :)

Draw takes place Monday night and I will announce the winner next week - Good Luck!!

Sunday 5 February 2012

Winner of the £50 experience day giveaway!

Here are your random numbers:

18 

Timestamp: 2012-02-05 14:36:39 UTC


Congratulations to VIV WILKES!! Please can you send me your email details to debbie(at)countryheartandhome.com and i will pass your details on to Experience days who will be in touch to organise your voucher :)


Congratulations!!