8.05.2010

Vacations and Giveaways!


Thanks everyone, for all your kind comments regarding my broken wrist. I am constantly amazed at the caring and support that pours forth from our blogging community for even the most minor problems (which this is). 
 You are the best!  :)
         
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We're going on a short vacation to the Turks and Caicos. Providenciales to be exact.

 


Ahhhhhh. Will you look at that! Pink sand and vivid blue ocean.

Can there possibly be a down side? Well, yes, three. #1: it's hurricane season and August and September are when they tend to hit Florida and the northern Caribbean. And # 2? I'm going with a cast on my arm! Damn.  Last but not least,  I won't be visiting your blogs until I get back. I need a rest from everything. I know you'll understand.

But I'm going to leave you with two things:

A Summer Giveaway!!

From American Spoon in Northern Michigan, my old stomping grounds, I give you their summer gift package.


Please go to their website to check out this wonderful company. I was there when they started as just a little storefront in Petoskey. How they have grown!
This is a perfect way to celebrate the end of summer....with a gift assortment of the fabulous fruits of the Michigan summer to cheer you with warm memories through the long winter ahead!

Flavors include: Early Glow Strawberry Preserves, Red Haven Peach Preserves, Blueberry-Lime Preserves, Leelanau Apricot Preserves, Sour Cherry Preserves, Bartlett Pear Preserves, Neva Betta Whole Wheat Crackers and Neva Betta Original Crackers.



To win, just leave a comment and if you become a follower, you'll get two entries! (Please leave a separate comment for each.) U.S. only, please.
I'll announce the winner on August 25th.

And the last thing I'm leaving you with? A lovely little recipe that I've made for years and years. You can get the kids to help you make them on a rainy day. Make a bunch and freeze them. It just can't get any simpler than this. And do they ever taste great. Shades of the 60's!


Cheddar Olives

 
Ingredients:
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (your choice)
a jar of small pimiento-stuffed green olives, drained and patted dry (about 24)


Method:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Drain the olives well, and dry them completely with paper towels. Set aside.Combine the other ingredients in a bowl and mix well until a dough forms. You can knead it with your hands, if necessary, until it has the consistency of play-dough.Pinch off a small amount of dough, flatten it, and wrap it around a dry olive. Being careful not to squeeze the olive, pinch off any excess, then roll it in your hands until smooth. Continue until all the olives are covered.


Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. OR freeze, wrapped tightly, and they will last for months. Bake straight from the freezer for 20 minutes.

79 comments:

  1. Barbara: What a lovely place to enjoy and heal. Hopefully no hurricanes or tropical storms will appear.
    And, oh what a lovely gift. I know American Spoon well and have, for many years, enjoyed every delicious bite of their jams and other offerings. Their pear butter is such a fall treat!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  2. And, I'm already a follower. By the way, I'm happy to have the recipe for a little party nosh. I've had them before but never prepared them myself.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  3. Barbara, I hope you have a wonderful vacation. On the up side of going this time of the year (I know because we lived in the islands for years) is that there won't be as many tourists and it's not crowded. That is always more relaxing to me.

    I'm already a follower and that's a lovely give-away.

    I haven't made those cheddar olive balls in while. They are VERY addictive and you definitely can't eat just one or two. You're right - they freeze well and it's very handy to have some in the freezer.

    Have fun - we'll miss you but we'll all be here when you return. Rest and relax. There's no better place in the world than the islands to do that. And with a cast on your hand, everyone should wait on you!
    Hugs,
    Sam

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  4. Wow, lucky you! have a great vacation!

    Those Cheddar olives look delicious!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. What a wonderful giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Best wishes.
    Chanticlear1@gmail.com

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  6. I'm a follower, too!
    Best wishes.
    Chanticlear1@gmail.com

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  7. I'm already a follower, hope that counts. :-)

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  8. This is a great give away Barbara and I'm heading over to their website as soon as I'm done with this comment. Have a great vacation.

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  9. Barbara, what a lvoely gift away. I must check into this company more. My husband once interviewed for a job in Petoskey. Enjoy Provo. We were there many, many years ago and still talk about the great time and even at that time, the great restaurants.

    Yes, I am a follower also. Wouldn't have it any other way.

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  10. Thank you for the comment on my site. Wow,cheddar and olives two of my favorites. A definite must try! Nice giveaway, please enter me.

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  11. Wishing you a fantastic vacation with lots of fun and sunshine... yeah, and some cheddar olives wouldn't hurt either, now would they? :D
    Daaaaahling, I have a US address too, so please count me in the contest. I am also your follower (have been for a long time *kisses*). I want to win these yummy goodies.
    *kisses* HH

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  12. Have a wonderful vacation it looks gorgeous there. Sorry to hear about your brocken wrist, I must of missed that post. I broke my first bone this summer (my toe) I feel so silly, but it still hurts! :)
    I love Petoskey, we used to go there by boat on our family vacations as a kid. The town is so pretty with all the petunias planted along the sidewalks. I love all the little shops and all the art it has to offer!

    This recipe looks so interesting. I'll have to try it! Yummy!

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  13. I have been a follower for awhile and thoroughly enjoy it!

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  14. Very Sixties Indeed!
    I know that you will have a lovely vacation. Sometimes just being in a beautiful place is all you need.

    what a gorgeous beach!!

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  15. The giveaway jams and jellies look wonderful, such I shame that I live so far away!
    Have a wonderful time on the islands, fingers crossed that the rain clouds pass you by.
    Maggie

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  16. Enjoy your trip. Turks and Caicos are gorgeous and relaxing. My husband swam with a dolphin when we were there many years ago.
    Fun give away.
    Mimi

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  17. I'm already a follower.
    Mimi

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  18. Am happy to hear that you're taking some time off to enjoy a bit of summer - albeit with a broken wrist - boo! But such a nice giveaway from Michigan!

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  19. What a great vacation, even with the cast :) Have a great time! Those cheddar olives look perfect to serve at my next book club!

    Love American Spoon, very nice giveaway!

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  20. Awww those jams remind me of Michigan and the years I lived outside Chicago. It was an easy drive up the Michigan coast, and we so enjoyed all the little stops along the way! Here's hoping for a great vacation for you with healing and no hurricanes!!!

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  21. Here's hoping for beautiful weather on your vacation, and that your cast doesn't hinder your fun at all. (Hope that arm heals fast!) Thanks for the giveaway and the recipe. Not an olive fan here, but hubby is. He'd love them.

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  22. Hope it counts that I'm a follower already!

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  23. Have a wonderful time! I hope your arm gets better.

    Going to go pig out on cheese olives now.

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  24. I hope you have a fun trip Barbara, cast and all!

    What a lovely giveaway. You are too sweet.

    Those cheddar balls. Um. Amazing.

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  25. Already a follower and love your blog! What a wonderful giveaway! The preserves look wonderful.

    Oh, what a gorgeous place, Barbara. I'm sorry that you are going with a broken wrist but being able to see beautiful views like that will be healing for the eyes and soul! Have a wonderful time.

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  26. Hey Barbara, your vacation sounds like it's going to be awesome! Really. I hope you get some good rest and relaxation-these things are so important I'm realizing this more and more lately (smile). Ooh, and we'll be here when you get back!
    p.s. Nice cheddar balls:)...

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  27. Sorry to hear about your brocken wrist, I dont hae idea dear Barbara, I hope you are will be OK soon and hae a loely acances, huggs gloria

    PD Nice and yummy recipe!

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  28. I was so enthralled with that beach scene that I forgot to say thank you for the recipe flashback! I had forgotten about that great appetizer. We love olives here...and cheese, of course ;)

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  29. Dear Barbara- get well soon. I'm sorry to hear about your broken wrist, but gosh that holiday on that perfect beach might just perk you up a little!
    And you still have time and energy to post a fab recipe for cheddar cheese olives (yum by the way!)
    Enjoy the vacation x

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  30. Hi Barbara,

    What a heavenly place you are going to ahhh! rest and relaxation will be wonderful.
    Have a fabulous time at the beautiful beach.
    I have made those little olive cheddar balls, they are great for nibbles.

    Hope that your wrist is healing well.
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  31. I hope you have the most wonderful vacation despite the cast on your wrist. The sun and that beautiful ocean surely will wash all your troubles away.

    What a lovely giveaway. I've enjoyed American Spoon products for years and it would be so exciting to win that beautiful assortment of goodies.

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  32. Most definitely, I'm a loyal follower.

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  33. That picture took my breath away. I hope you have an amazing time! It's funny, I was just looking through my mom's old Betty Crocker cookbook last Saturday and I found a recipe for cheddar olives! They sound fantastic.

    Thanks for hosting this great giveaway!

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  34. The olives look scrumptious Barbara! I hope you have a wonderful vacation and the best weather! Safe travels too.

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  35. That's a lovely little package of goodies! I'm a follower.

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  36. Barbara...you lucky bugger...Turks Caicos has such stunning water.
    You'll have a great time...and I'm sure your wrist will heal much better...especially if not on the computer ;o)

    Great olive cheddar treats. Gotta try this recipe. I think Mom used to make something like this when we were kids.

    Have a wonderful and restful holiday,
    Claudia

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  37. that beach looks like pure heaven, have a WONDERFUL time! and i love the olive, cheese and olives are a favorite at our house!

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  38. What a fun dish for a day with the kiddos, the salty warm cheesy goodness would be great.

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  39. Oh such fabulous giveaway! I'm drooling over those jam! Btw, the cheddar balls recipe sounds like a wonderful giveaway too. hehe.... It must be so scrumptious. Have a nice day and good luck to all.
    Cheers, kristy

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  40. These little cheddar olives look totally addictive! Hope the wrist is healing well :)

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  41. I must have missed one post, because this is the first I hear of your broken wrist. Ouch! Hope you enjoy your vacation and that water, even with a cast on.

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  42. speaking of vacations, i need one. :)
    your cheddar olives make for some perfect finger food--bravo!

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  43. That looks fabulous,Barbara.
    What other goodies could one put in these golden balls besides olives?

    Happy Holidays.

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  44. Num, I am crazy for their stuff... really fabulous quality... count me in on the contest. The vacation looks wonderful... hope you are healing well and enjoying the sun if not the surf! Great little noshes those cheese balls!

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  45. Have a great and well-deserved break. If I went to that beach I would never go home...

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  46. Enjoy! I hope the rest of your party waits on you to the point of annoyance! ;) Hopefully, I'll be back online at home by the time you return, but I'm starting to wonder...

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  47. I am so sorry to hear about your wrist, Barbara. The olives sound amazing, and I have to say, I am more than a tad bit envious of your vacation... I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing time!

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  48. Sorry to hear about your wrist, but what a paradise you are going to. I hope the weather is beautiful for you and that your cast won't bother you at all.

    Yummy Giveaway!
    Nancy

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  49. Not eligible for your giveaway Barbara but I wanted to wish you a very happy holiday! Wow, the destination looks stunning. Have fun, and hope the cast doesn't bother you too much.

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  50. Have a wonderful and restful time! Thank you for the cheddar olives recipe!

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  51. First of all, American Spoon looks delightful! Second of all, those olives? OMG. I've never heard of such thing but now I'll never be able to get them out of my head. They look awesome!!

    Sues

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  52. Oh enjoy your vacation, you deserve it!!!

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  53. Oh, and of course I am a follower! And nothing makes me happier than little jars of jams and preserves!!!

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  54. So thoughtful and generous of you for leaving these great two things behind for us before your holiday.... I wish you all the best and fast healing :-)

    Sawadee from bangkok,
    Kris

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  55. Hope that you rest up, enjoy the lights and let others cook for you :)

    I ADORE cheese and olives, this recipe has a strange significance for me that I must tell you about one day :) Peace, X.

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  56. So sorry about your wrist. I hope that you have a wonderful vacation. And lastly, I do love olives wrapped with a cheese straw. They are so good.

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  57. Barbara, hope you enjoy your vacation...and the cheddar stuffed with olive looks delicious...it sure would make a great appetizer :-)

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  58. I hope you have a wonderful time on vacation. Sounds like a fascinating place to travel. Sorry to hear about your wrist. My mom broke her wrist last summer and I know it can make things quite difficult. I hope you rest and relax while on vacation. Sounds like lots of pampering is in order!

    The cheddar olives look so tempting!

    Love the giveaway.

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  59. I'm also a happy follower:)

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  60. Such a gorgeous place for a vacation, white sandy beach, blue water, and gorgeous sky. What a bliss Barbara!

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  61. Ooooh, Cheddar Olives! Those look super yummy!

    Poor thing, enjoy the beach but don't get a tan if your cast is still on! But please take lots of pictures so we can live vicariously through you, k?

    Hope you're feeling better...oh, and cool giveaway!

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  62. Oops, forgot to mention I'm a follower as well. Or was I supposed to do that in a separate comment? Oh well... I'm tired. :)

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  63. I love that picture. You see sand and sea, I see sky. Look at those amazing clouds.

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  64. I want to be on that beach right now! Have a great vacation. And, those cheddar olives look fantastic. I have to make those for our next party!

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  65. I am so sorry Barbara...I just read about your break. I feel like such a heel not knowing and wishing you well.
    Have a wonderful time away. It really would be a bummer having to vacation with a cast, but I hope you will enjoy yourself anyway. This is my biggest fear at the age I am now...breaking something. It sure would make life difficult.
    Safe travels...
    hugs

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  66. I love love love green stuffed olives, which is odd because I cannot stand kalamatas or black olives. I can eat green olives by the truckload! So this looks like a delicious addition to an already perfect fingerfood! well done you! P.S. Hope you're still cooking away even with the wrist. :(

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  67. Oh. So sorry to hear about your wrist. :( But, I sure hope you have fun on vacation!!

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  68. Barbara I've been a bad friend & had not realized you had broken your wrist. I am SO sorry. The timing is poor but if I have learned anything about you, it is that you will not let it slow you down on your terrific holiday. Just think, you won't have to carry any luggage!

    So happy for you that you are away & soaking up all the beauty of Turks & Caicos. Hope you snap some photos to share?
    Count me in on the giveaway, I was taken with just the name alone.

    Heal well & above all hope your having magnificent fun? xx deb

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  69. I hope by now you are feeling much better with your wrist.

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  70. breathe taking image on top,
    yummy giveaways...
    wow,
    hope that you have fun!

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  71. http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/08/21/sunday-160-i-gaze-at-trees-in-breeze/

    two poets have celebrated their birthdays,
    pay them a visit if you wish…

    Happy Saturday!

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  72. Hope your time away is healing! What a wonderful getaway. Growing up in Michigan, I would love to win this reminder of my home state. I've spent some wonderful times in Leelanau on the lake.

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  73. I thought I was already a follower, but I wasn't. So now I am. Thanks Barbara.

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  74. I am going there before I die! Seriously, that beach has got my name on it! Love it! Hope you have a great time despite the annoyance of the cast!

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  75. Gawd, that first photo is something like out of a dream. I hope you had a great trip. And can you take me with you next time?? ;)

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  76. Oh these bring back so many memories. My Mom and I used to make them all of time. We'd freeze extras for unexpected guests.

    Who knows where our original recipe went so I'm happy to copy yours.

    I'm also off to become a Follower.

    - The Tablescaper

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