Le Creuset Giveaway Reminder! and Biting the Bullet

Don't miss my Giveaway - open through Thursday at Midnight. The winner will be announced Friday. Good luck to all!

The giveaway is has ended. Click here to find out the winner.
Thank you to everyone who entered!
We will indeed have more giveaways.
Stop back soon!


Go HERE to enter.

In other news...
I'm biting the bullet. I'm buying a KitchenAid.
I'm thinking silver. Dark silver.


I thought I would get the Professional 600. Or, one of the bowl-lift KA's. But honestly, after reading the very well-written articulate reviews on the Pro 600 at Amazon, I think I might just opt for the Artisian 5-Quart with the tilt-head. It has a 325 watt motor rather than the 500something. And, 5 quarts rather than 6. But, everyone I know has an Artisian and loves it. I'll just have to do large batches of cookies and breads in batches, I guess. For most things, the Artisian will likely suit me well.

Time to bite the bullet. I need to pick a color.
I have Valentine's Day cookies to make.
(Adoooooooorable ones...pics and recipes to follow.)

Speaking of color, don't forget to enter the
Le Creuset giveaway :)

Le Creuset Giveaway!

Guess what?
The fine folks at www.allbarstools.com gave me "run of the house"...
To pick out a special gift for you!

The giveaway is has ended. Click here to find out the winner.
Thank you to everyone who entered!
We will indeed have more giveaways.
Stop back soon!

Of course they have a wonderful selection of stools - from the more traditional and classic to more of a stylish retro feel. (And, you know how I love that retro!) They also have wine racks and pot racks, and oh, it was so difficult to decide.

I finally picked something from their sister site, cookware.com.

Who wants a new 1.5 Quart Le Creuset Round Casserole?!
YOU choose the color - Cobalt, White or Kiwi!

To enter -
Simply leave a comment telling me which color you would choose.
(If you don't have a blog where I can reach you...be sure to leave your e-mail address.)

Want a second entry? (Or 3rd, 4th or 5th?)
Link to this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter.
Or, become a Follower on my blog- the link is to the right.
Then leave me another comment letting me know what you did.

(Be sure you leave a separate comment for each entry!)

How simple!
The contest ends February 4th at Midnight C.S.T.
Open to U.S. residents only. (Sorry rest of the world.)
Winner will be chosen by random generator and announced on Friday, February 5th.

Your pretty new Le Creuset will be shipped to your door by your friends at www.allbarstools.com. Dontcha just love free?

So, what's it gonna be?
Cobalt, White or Kiwi?!

Valentine's Gifts and February Home Decor Ideas

I just love my new header photo, don't you?
It's called "Love on the Line" and it's from one my my favorite Etsy stores,
Mistflowerphoto.

You may recall we did a feature of the artist, Valerie Fuqua in November.
I just love her work.
Here's another one.
This one is called Nature's Valentine.
Ooh, isn't she pretty?

I can think of so many girlfriends I'd like to give a framed print of this photo.

At Christmastime, I bought 3...yep 3... copies of the heart-shaped candy canes,
It Must Be Love. One for my sis, one for my niece and one for me.

Valerie has lots of other photos available. (I should just hand my wallet right now.) Her flower photos are amazing and I tried to resist buying a custom order of her largest sized Daisy Tunnel. I caved.

(If flowers aren't your thing, she has lots more. Me...I have a flower weakness. No, it's a photo weakness. Pretty colors make my heart go pitter-patter.)

Anyway, if you find that your home is stuck in dreary of winter and you need a little COLOR in your day...I hereby give you permission to push that spring envelope just a bit.

Never mind that it's 14 degrees out.
I won't tell.

A Sweet Birthday Surprise

Er, ignore the pencils in the pic, please - we were doing homework. :)

My blog pal, Lisa, over at The Cutting Edge of Ordinary (an AMAZING food and life blog in my personal opinion, omg, her Double Chocolate Espresso Cookies are...you just *have* to try them)...

Er, was I?
Oh.
Lisa e-mailed me, asking for my address because she saw something that just screamed Dana.

And, she's right.
I opened the package and I was floored.
Inside was a vintage apron in lots of fun colors - including turquoise - just like in my vintage Fransciscan Starburst* pattern.

Lisa - I love it. Love it.
It was a really nice surprise!

* Some sites say that this pattern contains lead. Others say it's negligible. Me? I really only use the plates for display right now. Before using them, I will likely head to the local hardware store for a lead tester.

Free Canvas Print and a Promise!

I've been longing for spring lately. Camping. Walks in the woods. S'mores. I stumbled on this pic I took in traffic last year. It's difficult to see in the pic I took with my cell phone - but there's a double-rainbow there. Just think of it as a little promise, from me to those of you in the Midwest with snow, that sping will be here soon. (Click pic to embiggenate.)

Oh, and here's a freebie!
The nice folks at The Canvas People are giving away $55 in free merchandise! I uploaded a cute print and made it into a canvas 8x10. I will let you know when it arrives. I did have to pay $15 in shipping, but if the canvas is nice - it will be worth it. When you order your free canvas, they will also give you 50% off other work.

Just a little something - for your Monday.
I'm longing for spring.
So, what are you longing for right now?

We have a Winner!

Er...Winner!

And, Entry 4 would be....drumroll, please...Kathy!


I'll be sending out a copy of "Never Put Ketchup on a Hot Dog" by Bob Schwartz - even though, apparently Kathy puts KETCHUP on her hot dog! How ironic.



Kathy, e-mail me at CookingAtCafeD (at) gmail (dot) com and I'll send that prize out to you. Thanks for participating everybody! It was fun hearing what you put on YOUR hotdog!

Time's Running Out! Giveaway!

Just a reminder...
If you haven't already entered my giveaway, it's still open till midnight.
A winner will be announced on Friday.
Good luck to all!

(The contest has ended. Click HERE to see the winner.
Thanks for participating and check back for more giveaways soon!)

NOT A TOY! - And, Giveaway Reminder

Hey, glad you dropped by to see what's Cookin' At Café D!
If you are new, there are many ways to find out what's cooking.
We have our Cooking at Cafe D Facebook Page, and of course our Twitter.
You can subscribe to our RSS Feed and even follow via Google Friend Connect.
So glad you joined us!
Just a reminder...
If you haven't already entered my giveaway, it's still open through Thursday.
A winner will be announced on Friday.
Good luck to all!

(The contest has ended. Click HERE to see the winner.
Thanks for participating and check back for more giveaways soon!)

We had a good laugh at Christmastime when we spotted an overly-helpful note on the back of one of our gifts. It was a picture frame. An ordinary frame-or so I thought.

But, this frame musta been special. It needed a clarification. Needed a warning. The frame looked friendly enough.

(I don't have a picture of the actual frame, so this one from a really cool looking store called All Barn Wood will be our stand-in.)

So, just a heads-up about picture frames...
No matter how friendly they might appear...
They are NOT toys!
Thus ends the P.S.A

Whew! Glad I could help!
Be careful out there! :)

Ny "new" Antique and a Giveaway Reminder!

Just a reminder...
If you haven't already entered my giveaway, it's still open through Thursday.
A winner will be announced on Friday.
Good luck to all!

(The contest has ended. Click HERE to see the winner.
Thanks for participating and check back for more giveaways soon!)

So, every few years I get the urge to treat myself to something really nice on my birthday. That often means heading to an antique store and choosing something I might not normally allow myself to get. This year, it was this ADORABLE tiered stand.

I'm looking forward to putting some fun Valentine's Day candies in it! Since it's still January, I resisted and decided to go with some vintage "Shiny-Brite" Christmas ornaments. They were a virtual (pardon the pun) steal on eBay. (I waited patiently as batches of them came and went. Then one day there were Shiny-Brites that no one seemed to like...but I thought they were cute. I pounced!)
Can you see the detail in the silverplate? I love it! And, that's why I decided it was the perfect gift. You see, it goes well with an antique silverplate vase that my sis gave me years ago.

I'll leave you with once last find. This is a non-antique - straight from the Pier One clearance section! This little wall hook will be perfect for...well, I'm not sure yet. But, I have a few ideas :)

Don't forget to enter my giveaway.

Chicago Hot Dogs and a Giveaway!

As promised, I've decided to have my first Giveaway!
(It's my birthday this week - but YOU get the gift!)

(The contest has ended. Click HERE to see the winner.
Thanks for participating and check back for more giveaways soon!)

I will be giving away one copy of "Never Put Ketchup on a Hot Dog" by Bob Schwartz - a fun food book. The preface is by Joe Montegna with a foreword from Bob Sirott.

"This book is an insider's view of a love of hot dogs - eating them, selling them and talking about them. The author, an executive at Vienna Beef, has spent almost 40 years developing and enhancing strong emotions for the business and for the people who operate hot dog stands. The book includes detailed stories about a long list of hot dog stands located in Chicago, city and suburban, as well as stands located around the country."

You do NOT have to have a blog to enter.
Simply provide your e-mail address with your comment below.

You can earn up to 6 separate entries.

For one entry - Just leave one comment letting me know what you like on YOUR dog.
For a second entry - Leave an additional comment letting me know you are or have become a follower. (link on right)
For a third entry - Leave an additional comment letting me know that you subscribe to my posts. (link on right)
For a fourth entry - Leave an additional comment letting me know you blogged about this giveaway.
For a fifth entry - Leave an additional comment letting me know you tweeted about this giveaway.
For a sixth entry - Leave an additional comment letting me know you mentioned this giveaway in your Facebook status.

The contest will be open through Thursday the 21st.
A winner will be chosen at random on Friday.
Good luck!

(And, thank you to Miss Mustard Seed for the clearest explanation of multiple entries I have seen.)

My Collection is Complete! Mostly.

First, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of yesterday's Haitian earthquake. May injured victims find the strength to hold on and the rescuers sustain the energy to leave no stone unturned. God bless each of them.

If dishes aren't your thing, you might want to skip today's post. However, if you drool over Pioneer Woman's Jadeite, this might get your heart pumping.

You might remember a post back in November where I decided to start collecting my first set of holiday / winter dishes.


I chose the Royal China Star Glow pattern for a few reasons:

1. It was a pattern I knew.
(My Mom had one of the chop plates - probably from a promotion at "The Jewel.")
2. It had a holiday feel to me, but it could still be used all winter long.
3. It was authentically vintage.
4. my Goodwill store had the plates for $1.99 each.

So, since that day in November - when I picked up 12, yes 12...never know when you might need to feed an army - I've been patiently waiting for the best deals on eBay.

And, I've scored!
To date I have:

12 dinner plates
4 soup bowls
4 sauce/berry bowls
6 dessert/bread plates
4 cups and saucers
salt and pepper shakers
creamer, (no sugar bowl yet.)

So, other than a sugar bowl - no hurry for that - I'm done.
And, the best part?
INCLUDING shipping, I've paid on average $2-3 per piece.
Yea!

(That doesn't include the 4 soup bowls which were a pretty penny...but it's been my experience that over the last 3 months soup bowls have been sold on eBay exactly ZERO times. I bought them through another site and I'm waiting for them to arrive as we speak.)

I'm a happy camper.

And, a Whole Lotta Love.

COOKIN' AT CAFÉ D
A pound of inspiration, a pinch of serendipity and...
a whole lotta love!

I realize that "a whole lotta love" might look small.
But, trust me, whenever anyone asks about a recipe...
Even the 12 year old replies, "and...LOVE!"

It's ingrained in the brain.

Isn't that sign adorable? I would love that for my kitchen!
It's from DaySpring.com's Danielson Design's Studio. You can custom design a sign of picture frame with your favorite saying, bible verse, heck...your favorite rice pudding recipe, I suppose.

The Nester is giving away a couple of wonderful gift certificates, so if you are interested, drop by.

About Me

 

I'm Dana. 

I'm pleased to meet you.

And, I'm glad you're here.

Cafe D is a place to share tips,

grab a recipe or technique,

and maybe see some travel pics.

If I'm really lucky, perhaps I'll inspire you.

But, most of the time...you inspire me.

I think of blogging as a "Modern Day Tupperware Party."

And, I love hearing from you!

Whether it's a comment on the blog, facebook, or  twitter - you make me smile.

(And, I think seeing your stuff on pinterest is a real blast!)

This blog began a few years ago focusing on...

cooking, traveling, saving money - and a touch of vintage love.

I've changed, so has my blog.

That's an understatement...
I wasn't even married when I started!

I still write about cooking.

And, now there's a lot more life tossed in the mix.

I'm a newlywed and a step-mom to two amazing teenaged guys.

I'm a Christian  woman - with a lot to learn about God.
And I'm a small group leader for junior high girls
who know more about God than me some days.

I'm fascinated by retro and old fashioned living.

The photo above was taken at the Wishing Well Motel on Route 66

It was demolished later that week. 

*sniff*

I have the decorating bug - though you'd never know it from my home.

There are oh-so-many boxes of "treasured items" left to unpack
(New to me via eBay, Etsy, or Goodwill.)

Slowly, things are coming together.

Like our Jimmy John's kitchen.

And, yes.
We really did have Jimmy John's cater our wedding rehearsal.

Sorta.

I believe in butter.
And, biscuits & gravy.
Yep, I said it.

I think that time moves fast
and while you can,
indeed...

Make a quick and unprocessed corn soup
in 30 minutes.

Sometimes...
you just want 4 minute mac n cheese.

If you interested in following along our our journey
you can subscribe via e-mail or reader.

All the best,

P.S. You can also read about Why I Blame Alton Brown for my love for cooking. *grin*

Favicons: How'd you get that little "D" up there?

Psst.
Later this week I expect to have my first Giveaway. I'm kinda excited.
Now...back to your regularly scheduled post - already in progress.

Do you see...
That little "D" I put up your URL navigation bar about a year ago?

I don't think I ever let you know how it gets up there.
Want one? It's a Favicon.

It's really easy to make. Even better - you'll end up with your letter or symbol (or whatever) at the top of your Followers' tabs, too.

Just a little tip from me to you.
I got it from a friend.
So...go tell 2 friends, and they'll tell to friends.
And, so on...

Ramdom Survey: What was your Baby's First Word?

Just wondering...
What was your baby's first word?

Or, what was your first word, if you know it.

I'm wondering how many kids have something other than "mama" as the first.
Looking forward to your responses :)

Cookbook Holder - how simple!

I love simplicity.
Okay, I also love complex.
But, when there's an easy 1 step solution - I'm drawn to it.

Kelly, over at Modern June offered the simple solution above.

Dang.
Why didn't I think of that?


I think maybe I'll grab a clear removable book cover like this one for a penny (plus $4.99 s&H)....and use it as a splash shield. (I'll just fold it up and it can live in my cabinet.) With the a pretty colored clothes pin - it's the perfect cookbook holder solution for me.