Summer reading, gladiator-style

The Aurora Public Library, like many libraries, has a summer reading program for kids. You know how this goes, right?  Kids read a certain number of books (or in the case of non-readers, kids are read to for a certain number of hours) and they receive a prize when they meet the reading requirement. 

Last year, I signed the Little Guy up for this and we had a good time.  Prizes included pencils, bookmarks and coupons for free dinner items at local restaurants.  It was nice.   

This year, I learned that the APL also has a summer reading program for adults.  Adults have to read six books for an entry into a Grand Prize drawing, and there's something in there about receiving a free book.  Each person can enter the Grand Prize drawing up to four times.  

Now, I don't know what the Grand Prize is nor do I care. I do know that the adult summer reading program gives me the chance to read (which I like to do anyways) on a competitive level.  Competitive reading...isn't that awesome?

Finally, a sport at which I can excel.

The contest, er...reading program, started on June 4 so I am a little behind.  Here's my first stack:

First up is Jenny Lawson's Let's Pretend This Never Happened.  Jenny Lawson is The Bloggess, and if you don't read her blog I suggest you start immediately. 

The Aurora Public Library is having a book discussion for The Zookeeper's Wife in mid-July.  I am thinking of going not to discuss the book, but to check out my competition. I'm hoping to intimidate my fellow reading gladiators by convincing them that not only am I a better/faster/more awesome reader, but that I will win this competition OR ELSE.  My intimidation plan so far includes bringing a huge stack of books to the discussion group, opening them all and reading a bit from each before switching over to another.  I will occasionally, randomly and dramatically slam one shut and scream at my competitors "Another book bites the dust. IN YOUR FACE!"

That sounds intimidating, right? I just don't want to be too over the top and scare someone out of the competition.  When I win, I want my victory to be over thousands of fellow area readers, not just a few people who didn't attend the discussion that day and weren't able to witness my gladiator-level reading skills. Please let me know if this intimidation plan seems like too much.

Candy Construction, while on my reading list, will not be used in my intimidation plan.  Can you imagine how embarrassing it would be to be screaming "IN YOUR FACE" and then someone would be all "But you're reading about candy construction!?" 

How can I intimidate competitors with a book featuring edible crafts including this totally adorable rice krispie treat pirate ship (which is perfect for the Little Guy's 5th birthday, by the way)?  The answer: I can't.  And that's why Candy Construction will be read in the privacy of my own home.

So that's my Phase One reading for the Adult Reading Program: Literate Gladiator competition.  Though I have yet to log a book, I feel really confident in my ability to kick ass in this contest. Wish me luck, dear readers!

Unless you are a competitor, in which case....IN YOUR FACE!

Have a book suggestion for me?  I'd love to know what's on your summer reading list! Let me know in the comments.  Happy reading!

Manda Monday--The 2nd Annual Super Souper Bowl

The 2nd Annual Super Souper Bowl was a huge success and a ton of fun!  We had five entries and everyone had a great time.  Three of the entries were from new competitors...if this keeps up, I might have to get a bigger kitchen island in a few years!

Entries included a traditional chili, a pork chili with ditalini, jambalaya and bacon-infused potato soup.  All were delicious, but this was the winner:

We provided appetizers, drinks and desserts for our guests.  Here's the dessert table:

I made dipped pretzels, cupcakes, cookies and a pretzel-jello dessert not shown because it was in the fridge. And I have to admit, the eclairs are store-bought.  It happens sometimes.

These cookies, however, were not:

Decorated sugar cookies are always a hit, and these are quickly becoming a family project.  The kids and I make the dough, the Big Guy rolls it out, the kids do (most of) the cutting, I bake everything, and then the Big Guy and I decorate the cookies.  My plan is to withdraw bit by bit from this process over the next few years, so eventually I'll be able to supervise from the couch while eating bon-bons and reading magazines.  And maybe napping.  Good times!

I hope everyone had a great Sunday afternoon/evening, whether it involved watching TV or not.

A trophy for the Titan of the Tureen

Our Second Annual Super Souper Bowl Party is right around the corner.  There's still a lot to be done (clean the house, rearrange furniture, make all the appetizers, bake desserts, stop the kids from destroying the house that I will have just finished cleaning, etc.) but I am totally ready with the trophy.

For those new to the blog, our Super Souper Bowl party is a contest: guests bring their prized chili, soup, or stew, everyone samples the fare, and we vote on our favorite.  The winner takes home a totally awesome trophy and bragging rights for the year. Last year's winner Michelle won with her version of Paula Deen's taco soup:

Just like last year, this year's trophy is hand-made from bits and pieces I found at a local resale shop.  The candlestick was $1.50 and the bowl was $0.90. Unbeknownst to me, both were half-off, so the cost for the materials was only $1.10. Score!

After cleaning both pieces, I used a hot glue gun to adhere the bowl to the candlestick.  Easy!  Side note: I love my glue gun but rarely use it. I need to find more opportunities to glue stuff together.

Once the glue was dry, I spray painted the whole thing gold.  It's gorgeous! Truly, this is a chalice worthy of a Queen of the Crockpot.  Or Titan of the Tureen.  Or King of the Cook-Off. 

Whatever we call the champ, and whoever that person may be, I think we all know who the real winner is:  ME.  Because people are bringing food to my house.  So that I can eat it. And award this awesome trophy. Score!

Martha Monday--A new season!

Today marks the beginning of a new season of The Martha Stewart Show. My TiVo is set...all I need is some down time and a nice stiff drink so I can enjoy my Martha time!

Here's what she has planned for this week:

Season Premiere: Tricks of the Trade--Monday September 26
Martha's Summer Finds--Tuesday September 27
The Harvest Show with Emeril Lagasse --Wednesday September 28
The Ultimate Birthday Party--Thursday September 29

And have you entered the Ultimate Fan Contest?  The contest ends tonight, so enter now if you haven't already!

Happy Martha-watching!  Watching like a fan watches, not like a stalker watches. Because otherwise that's just creepy.

Manda Monday--100 fans!

Woohoo! It's finally happened! I've reached 100 fans on facebook, and I have to tell you, this has done wonders for my Monday morning outlook. What a great way to start the week!

Now, as promised back in May, one random fan is getting two dozen custom-decorated sugar cookies. And that lucky duck is....

...Michelle Devon!  Come on down!

Michelle, when you have a moment, send me a message/email so I can get your info.  And thanks to everyone for reading this blog and following along on facebook and twitter.  I heart you all bigtime!

Manda Monday--So close!

Back in May, I mentioned I'd bake some custom sugar cookies for a lucky fan when I reached the magic 100 number on facebook.  And I'm almost there! I only need two more fans before I draw a name at random...become a fan at The Martha Initiative on facebook.  Already a fan?  Suggest to your friends that they become fans, too. Then, if they win instead of you, they have to share their cookies with you. 

And, for all you tweeters, I'm on Twitter as well.  I've been tweeting some crazy stuff lately ("I need to start wearing pants more often, especially to the office") that you don't want to miss out on.  Good times!

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Remember last week when I blogged about Martha's zucchini recipes?  I was able to give the Salmon and Zucchini Baked in Parchment a try.

I modified the recipe a bit in that instead of using butter I used butter-infused olive oil, and instead of baking it in parchment I grilled it in foil. 

Overall, this was really good.  The lemon flavor was a bit strong, but I'm not sure if it's because I put too much lemon juice in or because I'm not used to having lemon on my zucchini and therefore could really taste it.

I will say that zucchini and salmon in foil on the grill is one of the simplest and quickest meals you can make. It was a breeze!  If you're looking to change up your grilling repertoire before summer ends, give this one a try.  Happy Monday!

Martha Monday--Martha's "Ultimate Fan" sweepstakes

Martha is having an "Ultimate Fan" contest exclusively on facebook, and the winner will receive a once-in-a-lifetime Martha Stewart fan experience. This includes a trip for two to see The Martha Stewart Show LIVE in New York City, round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations, lunch for two at one of Martha’s favorite BBQ restaurants, and two complimentary facials at Mario Badescu Skin Care Salon.

Martha's Ultimate Fan....HELLO!?!  Look no further, Martha, I'm right here!

Of course, if you think you are Martha's Ultimate Fan, you can enter the contest, too. 

To enter, go to the Martha Stewart Facebook Fan Page by September 26^th, select the Sweepstakes tab, “Like” the page if you are not already a Fan, and complete and submit the Official Entry Form.
All entrants must be 18 years or older, and entries are limited to one per person. See the complete rules here. 

Cookies and classes!

I'm approaching 100 "likes" on The Martha Initiative facebook page, and I'm thrilled!  Thanks to everyone for all of the facebook love.  And in anticipation of reaching that magical number, I've decided to celebrate.  

Here's the deal:  when I reach 100 "likes" I'm going to draw a name at random and one lucky facebook fan is going to get two dozen custom decorated sugar cookies. 

I'll draw a name next week at this time (Friday, June 3 at 12:00pm) provided I have at least 100 fans.  Are you not a fan?  Don't worry, you can be!  Just head on over to The Martha Initiative on facebook and click "Like." 

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As we move into the summer months, I'd like to remind everyone in the Fox Valley area about my upcoming community education classes at Waubonsee Community College:

Online Social Networking for Beginners at the downtown Aurora campus
Tuesdays, June 7-28 from 7:30-9:00pm

XTreme Couponing at the Plano campus
Tuesdays, July 5-12 from 7:30-9:00pm

Live Well. Spend Less! at the Sugar Grove campus
Mondays, July 18-August 1 from 7:30-9:00pm


Thanks a bunch, and have a safe and fun holiday weekend!

Cupcakes from kids

There were a TON of entries for the kid (12 and under) category at the library cupcake decorating contest, and two in particular caught my eye:

The apple tree is actually a formed rice krispie treat.  Brilliant!

This "Day at the beach" cupcake was the winner for the kids' category, and it was also voted crowd favorite:

My "crowd favorite" vote went to this solar system cupcake:

I have to give the kid credit for bringing a semi-educational space theme to a cupcake.  Way to go, Solar System Cupcake kid!  Way to go!

Teen cupcakes

There were only three cupcakes in the teen category at the library's cupcake decorating contest:

Obviously, the bunny scene titled "Hop into spring" was the winner in the teen category, as it should be.  But I have to give the popcorn cupcake decorator some serious props for creativity.  Look at the cupcake inside the container:

The 'popcorn' is actually tinted marshmallows.  Isn't that adorable? 

I really like all the teen entries, and that sundae cupcake is giving me inspiration for a summer ice cream social.  Hmmmmm....

I'll have the kids contest entries for you tomorrow.

My competition

The library cupcake decorating contest was divided into three groups: adult, teens, and kids 12 and under.  When I first got there, this was the only other cupcake in the 'adult' category:

It was cute, but I thought that my ingenious rose-butterfly combo could take it, especially since I put it on a darling cake pedestal:

That is, until all the other adult entries started arriving.  Then I realized I was toast.  Toast!

The middle of this sunflower is an Oreo cookie! Isn't that awesome?

This one, titled "Butterfly Garden in the Spring" or some such blabber, was the winner for the adult category. 

Really, though, I think the winner was this 3-D fondant fairy. 

Judging from the audience's reaction at the announcement, everyone must have thought the fairy was the clear winner.  It really was a beautiful piece of work made by a very talented food crafter.  Too bad the judges didn't appreciate it as much as the audience did.  As it was, the actual winner of the adult category didn't even stick around for the outcome of the contest.  Shame! 

I'll have the teen entries for you tomorrow. 

Manda Monday--Cupcake contest

Way back in early March, my local library announced that it would be having a cupcake decorating contest.

A cupcake decorating contest? Awesome! 

Naturally, I signed up.  I did this in spite of the following:
1. I had cookies and cake to bake/decorate for a baby shower that same weekend.
2. The next weekend is my biggest fundraising event of the year, and I would be incredibly busy and stressed.
3. I had absolutely no idea how I wanted to decorate my cupcake.

I signed up anyway, even though I knew deep, deep down that it was bad idea to be adding things to my schedule.  But when someone throws the words "cupcake" and "competition" together, I have a hard time saying no.

Due to my crazy schedule, I didn't even think about the contest until Thursday night when I made the cupcakes, and I didn't think about how I would decorate them until Friday afternoon.  I checked in with Martha for inspiration and found this:

Then I surfed over to Wilton and found this:

And there was my idea! I would do something resembling forget-me-nots on a cupcake and top it with a chocolate-covered pretzel butterfly.  Woohoo!

Of course, this was easier said than done.  In a perfect Martha-wannabe world, I would have had hours to work on my contest entry with no interruptions and real butterflies flitting about.  In reality, I started the cupcakes at 12:15pm for a contest that began at 1pm.  And, because this is sometimes the way I do things, I didn't even have the correct decorating tip to do a forget-me-not flower. 

Move over, Charlie Sheen, because I am more winning than you.

Here are the cupcakes I came up with for the contest:

Obviously, not my best work, but that's what happens without enough time to properly execute a crappy plan.  I took the pink rose cupcake to the contest. Needless to say, I got schooled. 

I'll show you my competition tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Martha Monday--April crafts contest

There's a giveaway contest every day on MarthaStewart.com, and each month it seems to center around a theme.  April is craft month, and there's a bunch of great stuff to be won that is just calling my name.

"Miiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnniiiiiiii Maaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrtttttttthhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaa!"  Can you hear it?

Today's prize is a craft punch pack:

To get started on your contest entry, click on the "Enter Now" button.  Then, pay careful attention to the wording of what comes next:

Already a subscriber? Click here to enter

Prefer to enter the sweeps without a free trial subscription?

Click here to enter

Obviously, you'll want to click on the link that applies to you. Or, if you want a subscription, then the "Enter Now" button lands you on that page. 

I'm really excited about tomorrow's prize, which is a glitter glue package.  Fun!  Now, if only there was a "time out from life so you can craft all day long" prize...then I'd actually have a chance at using these great crafting tools.   Happy crafting!

Simply ReMarthable

It's time to vote for your favorite Simply ReMarthable contest finalist!  The winner will be announced on the Martha Stewart Show on April 1.

Personally, I think the fortune cookie baby booties are darling so they are getting my vote.  And bonus! Your vote also doubles as an entry to win a big basket of Martha goodies--I see lots of crafts and cooking tools in the basket.  You can vote here. 

Trophy time

On Sunday we'll have our Super Souper Bowl Party, guests will bring the best soup, stew or chili, and everyone will vote on their favorite.  But what will the winner get?  Sure, the satisfaction of winning and the smack talk that goes along with it is great, but the jewel of any competition is the winner's trophy. 

So I decided to make one.

I got the trophy materials at my nearest Salvation Army.  The candle base cost $0.45 and the glass bowl was $1.95.  Not bad! 

I glued the base to the bowl....

...and then spray painted the heck out of it. 

Originally I was going to attach some spoons to the scroll work, but now I think the trophy is fine without them.  It does need a few more details, but I'll finish it up over the weekend. Isn't it fun?

I like this trophy so much, I might have to make a soup and enter the contest myself. 

A Victoria's Secret Giveaway

Happy Friday, everyone! Let's celebrate with a small giveaway here at The Martha Initiative.  I'm giving away two fun coupons from Victoria's Secret! One is for a free Lacie Thong (up to $12.50 in value with no purchase necessary) plus $10.00 off of a bra (valid November 2-29, 2010).  The second coupon is for a free tote filled with beauty goodies with any $60 purchase, valid only on November 26, 2010. 

Small confession:  I got these coupons in the mail early this week, and since I am old and set in my ways, I have no plans to step inside a Victoria's Secret store anytime soon.  Additionally, and this may be too much for my more sensitive readers, thongs are just not for me.  Unless Martha Stewart wears them.  In which case, I'm all about the thong.

That said, let me give these coupons away to one lucky reader! 

To enter, become a follower of the blog and a fan on facebook by noon on Sunday, November 7, and then give me a shout on facebook to let me know that you want to be entered in the drawing.  That's it!

Oh, you're already a follower and a fan? No worries! Just give me a shout and let me know.

Oh, you don't want to advertise to everyone that you want to win a free thong from Victoria's Secret?  It's okay, I totally understand.  Just send me an email.  The address can be found on my profile.

To review: 
1. Become a follower of the blog.
2. "Like" The Martha Initiative on facebook.
3. Leave a message on my facebook wall that you'd like to be entered into the drawing.

I'll have the Little Guy draw a name at random on Sunday at 12:30pm sharp.  Good luck and happy shopping!

Disclaimer: this giveaway is not endorsed or sponsored in any way by Victoria's Secret. They're still mad at me from years ago when they asked me to be a Victoria's Secret model and I turned them down to live this glamourous life instead.  Bwahahahahaha!  Good one, Amanda, good one.  Seriously, I got the coupons by being on their mailing list, and since I won't use them I'd like to give them away to someone who will. 

Martha and Jo-ann

Finally, a Martha Stewart retail pairing I can get excited about!  Martha Stewart and Jo-ann Fabric and Craft Stores have teamed up to host the monthly giveaway contest.  September is National Sewing Month, and all of the prizes revolve around sewing and crafting.  Woohoo!

Click here to see all the prizes. As is the case with all of Martha's monthly contests and giveaways, the entry page includes automatically signing up to receive Martha Stewart Living.  If you do not want to subscribe, there are two link sat the top of the form with the following choices:

No purchase necessary to enter. Already a subscriber? Click here to enter.


Prefer to enter the sweeps without a free trial subscription? Click here.

So, dear reader, enter the contest without fear. Good luck!
And hooray for MSLO finally teaming up with the awesome Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores!  I hope they do more than just a giveaway with this partnership. :)

The books are signed!

Recently I mentioned that Singer Sewing Company is giving away a copy of Martha's new book, The Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts every day in April.  They recently announced that thanks to Martha, each copy will be signed by the woman herself! 

To enter, simply become a Fan of Singer on facebook here, and/or become a follower of Singer on Twitter here. On each odd-numbered day, a winner will be chosen from the fans on facebook. On even-numbered days, they'll choose a name from their Twitter followers. You can find the official rules here.

Good luck and happy crafting!

Martha Stewart Clean Giveaway

Last Monday, I profiled Martha's new Martha Stewart Clean line.  Whole Living, a subsidiary of Martha Stewart Living, is hosting a daily giveaway of these products throughout the month of January.  They're giving away cleaning supplies, aprons, storage containers and more.

You can sign up for the giveaway here.  NOTE:  When you hit the "Enter" button for the contest, the first entry form it takes you to includes a trial subscription of Body & Soul magazine.  If you do not want to sign up for a subscription, be sure to click on the link above the entry form that specifically says you want to enter the content without trying a subscription. 

Apparently, the Martha Stewart Clean line is available at Home Depot as of January 8, though I haven't made it to my local HD to check it out.