(it’s almost) spring giveaway

I was reminded today that the vernal equinox (try saying that in a snooty accent! yes, I am easily amused), also known as the first day of spring, is less than a month away now. I think I’m justified in saying it’s almost spring. Or I’ll be justified until we get a late-in-the-season snowstorm, and everyone scoffs at my premature declaration. But until snow DOES ruin it, I am declaring it ‘almost spring.’

[chair art found at apartmenttherapy]

And you know what almost spring deserves? A giveaway. Specifically, a giveaway to help prepare for a new season, for growth and exciting projects, and for any entertaining that goes with it. Have you started planning your spring cleaning? Perhaps a revamp of your dining room or the addition of some modern office furniture? How about new bakeware for that kitchen project you’ve been waiting to tackle, or maybe just an indulgent gift for yourself?

I’m partnering with CSN stores to offer a $75 gift code that you can spend at any of the 200+ CSN stores. Think of it as a jumpstart for all of your almost spring plans. *grin*

To enter:

Fill out the FORM. Giveaway is open to those with a US mailing address, and ends on March 7 at 11:59pm EST. I will notify the randomly-selected winner via email. Gift code will not cover shipping.

Fine print: I will not and have not received any monetary or other compensation for hosting this contest.

exhibit a: kitchen experiment

It’s been a while since I posted a cooking or baking post. I’ve been sticking to the tried and true and not branching out as much. Well, no more! This is one of those whatever-was-at-hand-is-what-I-used sort of experiences. I based it roughly off of this recipe, but I put my own spin on it (by using ingredients left over in my fridge/around the kitchen).

Bacon, Pear and Red Onion Galette

INGREDIENTS

Tart:

½ red onion, thinly sliced

2 peeled Bosc pears, thinly sliced

½ cup bacon bits

1 frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed

1 teaspoon honey

½ teaspoon hot sauce

1 teaspoon olive oil

Topping:

½ cup pretzels, crumbled (breadcrumbs or cornflakes would substitute)

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (any mild white cheese will work)

½ teaspoon hot sauce

2 teaspoons honey

DIRECTIONS

For the tart:

Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Grease or spray a non-stick baking tray and place the pastry sheet on it to thaw. Peel and cut up pears, set aside.

In large saucepan, sauté sliced red onion in oil on medium high heat for 3 minutes. Add bacon, honey and hot sauce to mixture, and continue to heat, stirring for another 3-4 minutes or until onions are caramelized and golden brown.

After unfolding thawed pastry sheet, place sliced pears in a single layer, leaving at least one inch on all sides. Spread onion bacon mixture over the pears. Cover with topping (see below), and then fold up edges to create a crust, pinching dough together to make it hold. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until topping browns. Let cool at least 5 minutes before serving.

For the topping:

Mix crumbled pretzels (or substitute), cheese, hot sauce and honey in a small bowl until combined. Season to taste.

[after all the ingredients were layered on, but before crimping the edges]

I searched the internet and found a recipe that used the ingredient combination that I wanted. What I forgot it that sometimes my little ‘improvements’ don’t always make for the most delicious food possible. While this turned out to be pretty and ultimately palatable, if I were to make the recipe again, I’d switch out Parmesan (too pungent) and I’d exchange pretzels for breadcrumbs. I think with Gruyere and without all the extra salt from the pretzels, this could well become a favorite recipe.

My roommate liked it; she told me that she kept thinking the pears were chicken pieces. The Bosc type was a great choice – the flesh stays firm and is flavorful at the same time. I think if the topping were a bit more cohesive (read: the cheese were different), this would have a lot of the same texture as pizza.

Recommended for: kitchen tinkering, and those with adventurous taste buds. You might want to play with it yourself before you pronounce it 'good.' *grin*

winners! (books are the best)

It's time (past time, really) to announce the winners of my best of 2010 contest. And when I say 'best of 2010,' I am of course referring to books. Though I might think about doing best of art next year. Love this print!

[from the etsy shop of beyondthrilled]

Please join me in congratulating:

Jill of The O.W.L. and Tuning into YA Books!

Both of these lovelies will receive a book of their choice from my 2010: best of blog post. If you're curious about which books I liked best in 2010, head over and check it out. Many thanks to all who participated. I love holding giveaways, and I'll be hosting another one soon.

fever crumb

It may not be socially acceptable to admit this, but I’m competitive. Super competitive. And my roommate enrolled in a children’s literature class for grad school last semester. I liked being the accepted expert on children’s and YA lit in our apartment. Not that anyone challenged my position up to that point, you understand. THEN: my roommate usurped the title! And read a lot of the books I’d been hearing good things about through the blogosphere, but didn’t have the time to get to myself. Talk about demoralizing.

Roommate presented me with her reading list at the beginning and asked if I could lend her any of the books so that she wouldn’t have to live at the library. Lucky her, I already had Fever Crumb on my shelves, and was looking forward to reading it. After she finished and liked it, I got into gear and read it for myself. So…what is this book and why was I so set on reading it and why did I feel jealous that she’d finished it first?

A stunning, new novel by master storyteller Philip Reeve.

Fever Crumb is a girl who has been adopted and raised by Dr. Crumb, a member of the order of Engineers, where she serves as apprentice. In a time and place where women are not seen as reasonable creatures, Fever is an anomaly, the only female to serve in the order. Soon though, she must say goodbye to Dr. Crumb – nearly the only person she's ever known – to assist archeologist Kit Solent on a top-secret project. As her work begins, Fever is plagued by memories that are not her own and Kit seems to have a particular interest in finding out what they are.

Fever has also been singled out by city-dwellers who declare her part Scriven. The Scriveners, not human, ruled the city some years ago but were hunted down and killed in a victorious uprising by the people. If there are any remaining Scriven, they are to be eliminated. All Fever knows is what she's been told: that she is an orphan. Is Fever a Scriven? Whose memories does she hold? Is the mystery of Fever, adopted daughter of Dr. Crumb, the key to the secret that lies at the heart of London?

I originally came across (and bought) Fever Crumb because of my interest in all things steampunk. And when I finally got down to reading it, I discovered an unexpected gem of a novel, full of science fiction, set in a fantastical alternate universe, and possessed of a tight plot and engaging characters. I loved it.

Fever, the title character, is thrust into city life and must up the task of unraveling exactly why science and logic can’t explain her personal history – or the history of her civilization. In doing so, she starts a quest of sorts, and avoiding peril on all sides, she bravely puts together the pieces to understand a great mystery (or several, really).

I thought Fever’s journey was interesting, suspenseful in parts, and ultimately fun. Why? First: Fever herself. Second: the central mystery, which I will NOT ruin for you. And third? The great, mad world the whole thing is set in. I felt as if I could climb inside the city Reeve built. Even more awesome? I’d want to. I mean, you can totally imagine Dante’s Inferno in spots, but you’d never want to go there. Reeve has created a dangerous, complex place that I’d actually buy a ticket to visit. And that, my dears, is a great reason to read ANY book (but especially this one).

Now we come down to the hard questions. Is this steampunk? I don’t know. It has elements that will be familiar to steampunk devotees. Is it only for YA or fantasy fans? Certainly not. My roommate, who reads almost strictly chick lit and pop psychology books (though I may be judging too harshly there...), loved it and talked about it for days. Will you like it? I darn well hope so. That’s enough of that!

Recommended for: anyone in the mood for a mystery, steampunk devotees, YA and fantasy fans, and those who can’t resist a good puzzle, no matter what the genre or medium. Also: everyone else. Yes, even you!