October 7, 2011 {Friday Five}

Things I'm loving right now:

1. Early autumn is my favorite part of my favorite season and save for sad apples, this one has been lovely so far.

2. I recently downloaded the free CardioTrainer app on my outdated android phone. It tracks workout distance, route, time, steps, etc. in a very easy to use and reliable interface. Lil and I are having fun seeing how far we walk and I'm sneaking in some math lessons when we compare distance and speed.

3. Did you watch Ken Burn's Prohibition? I learned so much and was entertained to boot. Watch for free through PBS, linked above.

4. My walks are made a thousand times better by the Merrell Women's Barefoot Pure Glove. I have arches and insteps as high a campus student at 4:20 and struggle to find shoes that fit. These are basically like socks with soles and I love the weightless protection. I don't understand why they cost $90, but that's a matter to discuss another day.

5. We are leaving in a few hours to go backpacking in Hocking Hills. The area is beautiful in all weather but today's forecast sunshine and mild temperatures is perfect. Tomorrow, Athen's Farmer's Market!

Charcuterie Class {Birthday Giveaway}

Ever wondered how to make bacon? Why nitrites/nitrates are sometimes used? Do you enjoy making meat jokes? I will cover all this and more in my Charcuterie Class on October 18 at Wild Goose Creative, the last of my Preserving Series. Participants get to go home with tasting samples in their belly and a few fresh sausages to boot.

One lucky reader can win a place at the meaty table! Just leave a comment below with your favorite cured meat product.

Giveaway Details

The winner will receive free entry to the October 18 Preserving Class at Wild Goose Creative in Columbus, Ohio. Class time is 6:30-8:30 pm, value $35. Transportation to and from class is the responsibility of the winner.

Contest entries close at 12:01 AM EST on Friday, October 14, 2011. One winner will be selected with random.org. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to email notification to claim their entry. Only one comment per person please.

Disclosure: I am personally sponsoring this giveaway.

Sad Apples

They say it was too cold or windy to warm the little bees' wings.

Or the apple flowers blossomed just before a storm and their white petals marbled the ground before they could attract pollinators.

Perhaps it was Colony Collapse, A frightening name for the frightening idea that we humans or weather or something mysterious is killing the bees on which we depend.

The only certainty is that apples are few this year.

Then last night the news came that Steve Jobs, curator of a technology company named after the simple fruit, died.

Jobs did not stop living in the face of cancer, or economic difficulty, or poor seasons, but his body still succumbed to the inevitable.

Those of us who love apples and Apples are sad.

We will grieve for a time. Then we will think with the creativity of Jobs. We will find ways to grow new fruit, to protect species known and unknown, to communicate and connect.

It is the way of the apple.

Pictured is the last of the apples I picked at Charlie's last season. It is ugly but I will cut into it and savor the gold rush. With no planning, this post is the first I have composed entirely on an apple product, our ipad.

Earthlust Bottle and BuiltNY Sleeve {Birthday Giveaway}

If you've ever come to a Hounds in the Kitchen class or event, chances are you've seen my Earthlust stainless steel water bottle. I carry my beloved bottle nearly everywhere I go. It's safe (no BPA or other nasties), easy to clean in the dishwasher, and sipping is a cinch. (Yes, I am one of those people who dribble down my chin when I drink from a wide-mouthed vessel.) The 20 ounce size is perfect because it doesn't weigh too much when full and fits easily in a cup holder. Unlike some knock off water bottles, Earthlust bottles are built with quality - mine is 3 years old and still in great shape despite plenty of washes and drops.

I want to share my love of this bottle with one of you readers. Simply comment below to enter. In honor of the parsley on the bottle, share your favorite herb or just say hello.

Giveaway details

Up for grabs is a 20 ounce Earthlust water bottle in the cream on green parsley design with a eggplant purple neoprene insulating sleeve from BuiltNY, retail value $30.

Contest entries close at 12:01 AM EST on Wednesday, October 12, 2011. One winner will be selected with random.org. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to email notification with their mailing address for shipment. Winners must have a US address. Only one entry per person please.

Disclosure: I am personally sponsoring this giveaway. Opinions are my own and shipping is also covered by me.

Blog Changes - Your Help Needed

You may have noticed a few changes on the blog recently. Here's what's going on: Updates

I updated the category titles and am working behind the scenes to make sure posts are correctly categorized.

I took down the Foodbuzz ad block when my contract expired at the end of September. I want to earn something to pay for all the work I put into this blog but I'm not sure whether ads are the right way to go about it.

The About page was recently tweaked and I'm working on a new Media Kit.

Logo and Redesign

Allie Lehman and I are almost through revising the logo she designed and it's awesome. I can't wait to share!

I am looking at new themes to make Hounds in the Kitchen more professional and pretty. I'm a little scared of editing a new theme to suit my needs all by myself but I don't have a budget to pay. If anyone out there loves CSS or wordpress or themes and wants to offer a trade for cooking class instruction, basic writing and editing or something else I'm good at, let's talk.

Input Welcome

Can you help guide Hounds in the Kitchen? I designed a simple survey that will take about five minutes of your time. Questions range from your cooking habits to what you like about the blog to events you might attend. Fill out the survey at the bottom of this post or follow the survey link.

Thank you, as always, for reading and following my crazy life.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Eco-friendly Dog Gear {Birthday Giveaway}

As I was thinking about my life and readers, I considered 'how about something for the four legged beasts?' My dogs keep me company on walks in the alleys, bark at strangers, and eat cooking leavings off the kitchen floor. They also eat my tomatoes, birthday cakes, and everything else passable. They are, in part, evil.

But even evil dogs deserve a nice fresh collar and leash once in awhile. Today's birthday giveaway is a OLovesM leash made from reclaimed Chaco sandal straps, a biodegradable poop bag dispenser, and a collar in your choice of size medium or small.

Comment below with your dog's name to enter.

Giveaway Details

Contest entries close at 12:01 AM EST on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. One winner will be selected with random.org. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to email notification with their mailing address for delivery of the gift card.

Winners must have a US address. Only one entry per person please. Retail value of dog gear gift pack is $30.

Disclosure: I am personally sponsoring this giveaway. Opinions are my own and shipping is also covered by me.

Additional Birthday Giveaways:

Kroger Giftcard (ends October 10, 2011)

Bacon Wrapped Almond Stuffed Dates {Recipes}

Last week I was looking for a first course for a corporate cooking class that was easy to prepare and certain to please. I decided to test making bacon wrapped dates. Am I ever glad I did. The bites are salty and crisp on the outside, soft and sweet in the middle and contain a dense, satisfying almond in the very center. They are best served very warm.

These babies are so simple that I made enough to feed my class of twenty (forty dates worth) in fifteen minutes. After a few minutes on the grill, they disappeared from the serving plate as quickly and with as much gusto as Devie the big hound pursues squirrels in the backyard.

When you want an appetizer to wow the crowd that takes just minutes, try these dates.

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Bacon-Wrapped Almond-Stuffed Dates

dried, pitted whole dates homemade or high quality bacon, one thin 6 inch piece per date raw or blanched almonds, 1 per date

1. Preheat oven or grill to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Insert one almond into each date. Wrap bacon around the date and secure with a toothpick. 3. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until bacon is browned and crisp. 4. Serve warm over arugula salad for a plated appetizer or on a hot platter for a party.

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PS. Did you see the first of my birthday giveaways? Stay tuned tonight for another one and enter the Kroger Giftcard Giveaway today.

Birthday Week: Kroger Gift Card {Giveaway}

Last year, when I turned 30, my birthday was all about me. This year, I want to celebrate with you fellow cooks and readers. Let's countdown to my birthday (October 9) with some giveaways!

First up is free shopping at Krogers. Krogers is a supermarket store chain in the Midwest. I shop at our Graceland Marketplace location once a month of so for staples and organic produce.

What I like most about Krogers is that they carry canning jars and supplies year round. This time of year, especially, I keep an eye out for sale and clearance canning equipment.

Up for grabs are five $10 gift cards. I will award one each to five separate commenters on this post.

To enter, simply reply below with why you want to win. Be sure to include a valid email so I can contact you! Contest is now closed. Congratulations winners!

Giveaway Details:

Contest entries close at 12:01 AM EST on Monday, October 10. Five winners will be selected with random.org. Winners will have 24 hours to respond to email notification with their mailing address for delivery of the gift card.

Winners must have a US address. Only one entry per person please. Retail value of each gift card is $10.

Disclosure: I received a gift card to Kroger of my own. Opinions are my own and shipping is covered by me.