Friday, June 24, 2011

i've got mail + a giveaway


I must admit that one of the highlights of my week is to receive a parcel delivery. In our village we only receive the mail three times a week, making a parcel appearance that little bit more of a treat.


I was very grateful to be the winning recipient of an Oliver + s pattern from Little Betty's giveaway. If you haven't already, do check out her lovely blog. There's lot's of sewing going on over there, with some delightful bonnets on Etsy (you can see Violet's here).


Some lovely fabric off Etsy from one of my favourite blogs to visit, Tiny Happy. The trouble with really nice fabric, is deciding which project to use it for.


I just had to show you the sweet card that was included in the parcel. Isn't it pretty? I do love her botanical paintings.



 And last of all, is my new best friend in the kitchen, a Staub. I have been intending to buy a good cast iron pot for most of my married life (over a decade). Well, I finally took the plunge. I researched Le Chasseur vs Le Creuset and then finally decided on the Staub. The metal handle on the lid was the decider. It is a whopping 28cm and weighs a tonne.The verdict? I swear my cooking tastes better, really! And looked after they are supposed to last a lifetime.

As time goes on I am far more convinced that it is false economy to buy cheaper items. Better quality items do cost more, but they do last longer. There is also the moral issue to consider with cheap items and the poor working conditions that goes with all that. Quality over quantity.


And now for the giveaway part, because I know you like to get mail too. And I do want to thank all my lovely blog readers for visiting. Due to purchasing a book pack, I ended up with two copies of Sally Wise's Slow Cooker book. So I have one new copy to give away.  This book has been my slow cooker bible. Most of the ingredients are basic store cupboard ingredients and are quick and easy to prepare. Then you go about your day and that night dinner is ready and cooked.



To enter, please leave a comment below. The giveaway is open to everyone, including international readers. Entries close 12pm Monday (AEST). The winner will be picked at random and announced on Tuesday. Good luck!
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46 comments:

  1. AshleyJune 24, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    I'd love some new slow cooker recipes.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  2. KylieJune 24, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    Although I'm having a little break from blogging I had to enter your lovely give-away...thanks Tania, it would be lovely to win this x

    p.s. have you entered my give-away???

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  3. TaniaJune 24, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Good morning Tania.

    Some lovely goodies in those parcels and the card is very pretty.

    I have been using cast iron pans for a while now. I have four in different sizes and you are right they weigh a ton! I just love the way they cook and the flavour they produce.

    That book looks like a must have for any cook to add to her collection :)

    x

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  4. LindaJune 24, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Ooooh yes please!
    I enjoyed her "Year in a bottle" book too. Everyone simply must have a slow cooker (I'm from the generation that still calls them a crock-pot though!)

    X

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  5. PetaJune 24, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    I'd love to win. Slow Cookers are the perfect accessory in any winter kitchen and it is so lovely to get home after work with a house smelling delicious!

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  6. NikiJune 24, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    A lovely giveaway! please include me :)

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  7. KateJune 24, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    I am a le Creuset addict. We got a heap of it for our wedding eleven years ago and I just love it. I did say the other day that I am a bit tired of all the blue though and that green is looking mighty refreshing.
    Have a great weekend Tania.

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  8. RhiannonJune 24, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Oooh yes, please. I have not been able to find the joy that everyone else finds in using the crockpot, everything I make just seems to taste bland and boring. Perhaps this book will change that?

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  9. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    I love my slow cooker, this would be perfect, i'm always on the hunt for new things to cook.

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  10. AllanaJune 24, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    I love mail too, even when I've paid for it myself hehe. Thanks for the recommendation, I have one on my list also. Thanks for the generous giveaway :)

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  11. JacquiJune 24, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    That fabric's beautiful. I'd love to get this book, I keep meaning to get that slow cooker out of the cupboard for winter, but have never really found recipes for it that the kids like.

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  12. Tracey@bountifullyJune 24, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    lovely give away, I am currently looking to buy a slow cooker - I used to have one years ago, but it was not great quality and I ended up giving it away. What type do you have? The book sounds great, thanks for the opportunity:)

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  13. zigsmaJune 24, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    I have an old 70s orange crock pot needing something putting in it!

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  14. ZaraJune 24, 2011 at 4:07 PM

    That cast iron pot is beautiful. I might have to add one to my birthday wish list. A slow cooker is already on the list, so this book sure would be mighty handy.
    Zara

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  15. RusthawkJune 24, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    The Staub pot is very nice! So I've just discovered slow cooker cooking and would love some new recipes to try! Thank you for the entry!

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  16. Archer's MumJune 24, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    ohh fingers crossed :) i love my slow cooker! am jealous of all your lovely fabric :)

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  17. Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]June 24, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    I've yet to get to grips with my slow cooker so this book would be great. Lovely lovely fabric.

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  18. melaniaJune 24, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Ooh wow, thanks for the tips on the Staub (looking it up now!) - I still haven't taken the plunge. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the fabric - it is lovely.
    Those two words 'slow cooker' have been popping up around these parts a bit lately, I'm thinking of getting my hands on a big one to cater to our household.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Melania

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  19. purplepearJune 24, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    What a great opportunity. Thanks. And that fabric is beautiful. I sometimes have trouble deciding on what to make when I find nice fabric -I want to make sure I use it most wisely.

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  20. The Provincial HomemakerJune 24, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    Oh what a delicious pattern.

    I would love a copy of Slow Cooker. We too have a staub - apple green.

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  21. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Oh I would love a new slow cooker recipe book. I am envious of your cook pot too!

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  22. AnonymousJune 24, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    I love my slowcooker and couldn't live without it...that cookbook would be a great addition to my collection.

    Have a wonderful weekend Tania :)


    xx

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  23. BungalowgirlJune 24, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    I am yet to jump on the slow cooker bandwagon but with all this cold weather it's becoming more appealing. Would love to have a new recipe book over at Betsy's.

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  24. DEBJune 24, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Sally Wise is often on our radio here Tassy as she lives nearby. I love her food philosophy and this book would be well used in my home. So please count me in.
    Thanks
    Deb

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  25. karlyn JacksonJune 24, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    The Oliver + S patterns are lovely, I have made this one and they are so nice to follow. Love your cast iron pot, we have one and it is used all winter. Thanks for the chance to win such a great book. x

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  26. ChristyJune 24, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    So happy you got the pattern. Good choice on the pot. I also have a 28cm cast pot, of the 'le' brands and have also just gotten a roasting dish. You'll be amazed at how well it washes up! Happy cooking and sewing. Also can't beleive you only get mail three times a week!!

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  27. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    What a great giveaway - please add me to the Slow Cooker drawing - thank you!
    Debbie V.

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  28. LindaJune 25, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    I'm a little bit in love with Sally Wise! Before I bought her book "A Year in a Bottle" I thought jam was too hard too make. Now I make jam!!!! Good luck with your pot. I hope it goes well. I bought another brand that was supposed to last a lifetime and the coating was blistering within five years. It sure had a workout in that time though! :)

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  29. DianneJune 25, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Like Rhiannon my slow cooker meals are all beginning to taste the same. Maybe this lovely cookbook is just what I need. Your new cookware looks amazing. I must invest!!

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  30. RebeccaJune 25, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    I've been reading your blog for a little while now, probably time to introduce myself and what better excuse than a give away! Would love to be entered - thnk you!

    Now your villiage looks strangely familiar to me... any hints on where it is?

    Bec.
    XX

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  31. KateJune 25, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    I love my slow cooker, but have found it hard to get a good basic recipe book. I must say I have started just improvising - a bit of this and touch of that, which usually turns out ok.

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  32. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Oh gorgeous, thanks so much for the opportunity!! We're a Le Creuset family, in cherry red, love it!! After 14+ years of marriage some pieces are a bit 'seasoned' i love it even more.
    Completely love a slow cooker book, i need all the help i can get with my cooking, any kind of sewing giveaway is just pure joy, love Posie
    PS i have a giveaway ending tomorrow!!

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  33. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Fabulous giveaway - please add me to the draw:) x

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  34. Gooseberry JamJune 25, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    Always up for a good slow cooked meal!
    Congrats on your lucky Book win, it's looks a lovely book. :)

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  35. TaniaJune 25, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Trace - mine is a Sunbeam 5.5L (I'm not sure if it's the Banquet one, but it's an oval stainless steel)

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  36. Mama RachaelJune 25, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    A slow cooker cook book would just round out my cook book collection, perfectly!

    I found your blog via Down--2--Earth, and I'm enjoying it. You have such a beautiful family.

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  37. elflynJune 25, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    A gorgeous recipe book will be just the thing to make me use a slow cooking method more.

    Thanks for a great giveaway.

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  38. AnonymousJune 25, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    count me in too please. I love a good slow cooker recipe.

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  39. Reginas CottageJune 25, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    hi tania
    a lovely book.thanks for a great giveaway.
    greetings regina

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  40. CarleyJune 26, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    My cast iron cooker is invaluable! Definitely couldn't live without it.
    Don't yet have a copy of Sally's book though... this giveaway was made for me :)

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  41. Hear Mum RoarJune 26, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Oh, I'd love to enter this please! I'm in love with my slow cooker

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  42. CatJune 26, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Thank you Tania for a lovely giveaway I would love to have a chance to win a slow cooker book I haven't used my yet this winter and some inspiration would be lovely. xo

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  43. EviJune 26, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    This would be a nice companion book to Sally's 'Year in a Bottle' that I use a lot. Thanks for the chance to win it.

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  44. JenJune 27, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    I just came across your blog last week, I would love a copy of this book.
    I recently bought A Year in a Bottle and am looking forward to using it so to have a slow cooker companion as well would be fantastic

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  45. duchess_declutterJune 27, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    Hello have followed you from afar, but this is a good opportunity to jump in! Lovely blog, lovely giveway, thanks for the opportunity. cheers Wendy

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  46. PamJune 27, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    I'm a single girl living on a suburban block just North of Brisbane and working fulltime. I am on a path to live each day more sustainably than the day before and so I love your blog for inpiration and motivation. After reading your blog the other week I walked down to my local op shops and found some great goodies. A fab old pyrex dish and some lovely vintage sheets. Thank you for sharing your life and ideas on here.

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