January this and that

January 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment
  • It’s HGTV Dream Home Giveaway month again!  Besides the FoodNetwork, HGTV is my station and the Dream Home Giveaway every January always leads to some big dreaming.  You can enter everyday all month and why not?  It takes just a few minutes and its worth more than $2 million — including $500,000 in cash!  I’m ready!  http://www.hgtv.com/
  • And speaking of big bucks, did ya all buy a mega million jackpot ticket?  It was $242 million on Friday!  I’m not sure what it is now but I am sure we would all have a whole bunch of fun with those winnings. The best part of playing is dreaming.  I mean besides winning of course.  : )
  • And, while the pot is smaller, the odds are better and the experience is tons of fun — the Pillsbury Bake-Off information gets posted this month!  As soon as the info is up, I’ll let you know. 

  • Glen was kind enough to do another review on his latest chocolate bar and, surprise!, it was another thumbs up! : ) He really is taking this assignment seriously though and wants me to share that this bar had a wonderfully sweet taste with a “nice bitter end taste.”  My, isn’t he getting the lingo down. Again, he likes very much that this Theo bar used organic ingredients and he felt like the cookie crumbles were a perfect addition.  Overall, he declared it the perfect bar to leave Santa.
  • Tea, Jen and I didn’t plunge yesterday.  For a variety of reasons — maybe mostly because the lake actually has ice on it so it did seem kind of scary cold. It’s gone into the “next year” pile.
  • I’m ready for life to get “back to normal.”  The holidays have come and gone now and we face the long month of January. Some routine does seem welcome at this point and I’m looking forward to getting back to my Jazzercise which I’ve missed the last couple of weeks. I’ve decided much of my distaste for the month is of my own choosing so I’m looking at it in a new way and going to try to see the long, dark days as opportunities to slow down and recharge.  I have a friend who loves it as her favorite month and that is a great attitude.  While it could simply never bump October from the top, an attitude change by me might move January up several rungs from its long time place at the bottom of my favorite months list. I’m skeptical but open.
Filed Under: HGTV Dream House, Pillsbury Bake-Off, Theo Milk and Cookies Bar

Some interesting old stuff

May 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I think I’ll just chit chat with you here on a few random things this evening. First up, food’s on my mind (there’s something new) and I had two “blasts from the past” to share with you. I’ll start with the oldest. One of the women from work picked up a Bake-Off cookbooklet from the 1968 Bake-Off at a garage sale. What fun that is! It has some great sounding recipes in it (I love the name of some great looking brownies called “Simply Terrifics”) but what I really am getting a kick out of is the language used. The recipes are all submitted by “homemakers” and they are called Mrs. or Miss on their name line. The winner received $25,0000 (lots less than now!) and the three runners-up each got $10,000 (lots more than now!) and they had a third category of runners-up and they each got $2000. Every finalist got a full oven (we each got a microwave) and a trip to Atlanta, GA that year. I did a google search and found out the winning recipe was the Buttercream Pound Cake. It sounds pretty darn tasty and fairly simple so I’m thinking I’m going to have to give it a try. I’ll be posting my results.

The second “blast from the past” is related both to my work and my childhood. In the 60s and 70s electric ovens were being pushed big by utilities to help increase electric use. So the utilities, including the PUD, had home economists on staff. One of the things they did was offer cooking demonstrations and I got to attend at least a couple as part of our bluebird/Camp Fire group and always enjoyed them. But I really truly thought they were the best things ever the minute I won a banana cake in the drawing held at the end of each session for the foods made! I didn’t win the meatloaf, or the potato dish, or, god forbid, the peas. I won the dessert! And pretty much from that minute on, the PUD and me were linked in some kind of special way (although the utility might not have realized it for many years. : ) ) For me though, when I came to work at the utility 20plus years ago now, it somehow seemed absolutely natural that that’s where I would end up. I mean, we had shared a banana cake.

So all of that is just background to say that while going through a big pile of things in one of our common office file cabinets today at work, I came across a handout the home economists had put together in 1973 for the Christmas season. It’s loaded with recipes and tips of the times and shows their pictures. (On an interesting side note for those of us from around here, it turns out one of our home economists is a member of the Haggens/Top Foods family.) The economists jobs were to “ . . . give food demonstrations . . . be guest speakers . . . present at local schools . . . point out the advantages of electric household appliances . . . conduct oven checks to determine proper heating levels . . . assist in selecting new appliances . . . and assist with kitchen planning.” Do you love it? I thought that was just great stuff. It also recommends adding a couple of tablespoons of molasses to each cup of water to keep your cut Christmas tree fresher, longer. Good to know.

Alright moving on, it’s Memorial Day weekend and we are staying home this year. Actually, for the most part we are working through the weekend. Well, okay mostly it is Glen working through the weekend but I am going into the office on Monday. We have a big event happening on Tuesday, plus an all-day Commission meeting, and we’re getting ready to move our offices next month so I have lots of things I need to be doing. And Glen has been trying to work on a deck project all week but the weather has been pouring making that impossible. Wouldn’t you know though, that the weather is supposed to be nice on Saturday and perfect on Sunday so he has to go for it while he gets the break. But setting work aside, we have band practice happening tonight, I’m lunching with mom and Diana at Kafe Neo’s in Mill Creek tomorrow (Greek food!), Glen and I head to Rick and Tamy’s for a wine tasting party tomorrow night, I have Sunday open (after Jazzercise, I plan to laze around with the Sunday paper and a big coffee) and Sunday night Tea and Lisa and Jody are all coming over for an informal BBQ and to talk about Jody’s wedding. Isn’t life divine?

Filed Under: home economists, Pillsbury Bake-Off

A big — really, really, big — bunch of thanks

April 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I’m sitting at my dining table looking out the window at a glorious Northwest day, the doors are open, Van Morrison is on the player (I could listen to Into the Mystic 40 times in a row and not get tired of that song) I’ve got a Diet Peach Snapple, just talked to my mom and dad and they’re on the road heading home from Phoenix for the season, and my facebook peeps are entertaining as always. Life is so good.

I got up and worked out this morning and actually run/walked home from there as part of my commitment to be ready for the 1/2 marathon I crazily signed up for that’s happening in June. I am not a runner and find little pleasure in it so I’m always trying to think of anything but the fact that I’m running. This morning, I put the time back to the house thinking about all that I’m thankful for regarding the Bake-Off. I know you all know it but I want to be more specific. Huge thanks to:

  • Glen! I joke that if I hadn’t married Glen I’d probably be on my ninth or tenth husband by now! That boy is patient and kind and caring and super supportive. And he does the dishes. All the dishes all the time. He’s my biggest fan and my secret weapon. We’ve been married thirty years and the best part of it is that we’re still having fun.
  • My family. Wow, few people get such a good one. My parents, Loren and Noel, are always there for me. When I found out about the Bake-Off on the boat, I thought my mom’s screaming was going to get us kicked off! They are always happy for me. And my sisters. Lori is my number one blog fan, and shares news of my Bake-Off adventures on facebook and Jen calls and leaves me encouraging messages, counselled me on what to wear and talks me up with her big circle of friends. My brother-in-law, Darryl, was the original inspiration for me to even try working with sweet potatoes and my other bro-in-law, Rod is always quick with encouraging words. Then you add in my incredibly supportive nieces and nephews — Tyler, Kinga, Nathan, Ambyr and Spence. They never forget to cheer me on. And Spence is my secret weapon for all things technical. And last, but never, ever least is our wonderful baby Savanna, who adds joy to my life just looking at her.
  • My girlfriend posse. I have friends that rock the house. Diana has been going through huge things in her life with her mom and yet she always takes time to remember and cheer me on. She even made a HUGE goodee bag full of treats and magazines for me to take on the plane. And that was in the middle of grieving for the loss of her mom. Tina listened to me bounce ideas about what I could make to enter into the Bake-Off for hours. She has counselled me at length on ways to help my entry look good and patiently worked with me on it. And shored me up in the moments of doubt. Plus, she carefully “evaluated” my competition by checking out all the recipes in the cookbook. So great! Cindy is always, always there to cheer me on. She never doesn’t believe in me. Never doubts that I can do something. She’s the fittest person I know and never cares that I’m her chubby friend. She’s a sister as much as a friend. And Mitzi my wonderful, crazy, incredibly brilliant friend who has a voice like Shelby Lynne and a mind like Einstein. Her humor can make me scratch my head one minute and her talents can stun me in the next.
  • Our girls. Except for the tiny technicalities that we didn’t get them in the traditional sort of way and we have only had them in our lives since they were teens, we think of Tea and Anita as ours. We love them as our own and they love us in return. Tea is steady and loyal as anyone you will ever meet. And Anita might live on the other coast but she shares her life with us through her blog and photos and I LOVE that she did her Pillsbury Potluck party and rocked the house with it. Everyone should be so lucky as to have kids like these. And she and Bobby and Sebastian even planned their Florida vacation to coincide with when we going to be there — even though it was a busy time of year. All of that is about being family — biology be dammed.
  • But I do still have more family on my thank you list. Gen Olds in Phoenix is the best secret weapon anyone could have on their side for cheering you on and helping to spread the word and keep other friends and family in the loop. She and Lew have always cheered on us girls and made us feel well loved. And Gen really has been “blogging” long before it ever became trendy. She just does it though a more traditional email method. Leon and Donna in Phoenix were there cheering for me too. And moving over to Idaho, Ann and Gerry always have my back when we’re diving but I knew they were cheering me on to win from the minute they too heard about it way back on the boat in September. And on the other side of the family, my cousin Cindy has been super supportive and was the one person who taped me when I was on the local news. Very nice and kind.
  • Closer to home, my work group is pretty much the best bunch of people you could ever work with. Lisa, Jenni, Al, Mike, Neil, Tina, Nathan, and Diana are talented, thoughtful, quality individuals and they don’t just put up with their nutso manager, they support me. Including throwing a Pillsbury Potluck before I left so we could get a good taste of some of the competition. (None of which “even came close to my dish” — see how great they are!) And my bosses too are exceptional. Heck, almost every person that works at the PUD. I swear. They are too numerous to mention but many a day the past six months it was this bunch of people who made my day through their interest and kind words.
  • My hairdresser Joanna has been super duper wonderful from day one too. She has listened and cheered me on and helped me plan ahead so my hair would be perfect (or as good as it gets!) for the event. Joanna — I got several very nice comments about my hair from other finalists. You rock the color girl! Really all the girls at Split Ends Salon have been supportive.
  • Reenie and Jeanne! Reenie was my Boot Camp coach but even after I dropped out she still took time to cheer on my Bake-Off efforts. She’s just like that. And Jeanne is my Jazzercise instructor who is one of the nicest people ever too. And Cathi. How could I forget her? She’s my weekday Jazzercise instructor and wonderfully supportive. And all the women in my classes as well.
  • Scott and Cindy and Rick and Tamy. These are “couple” friends that we have and honestly, they came in to our lives only in the last three years. But it feels like we have always known them. Glen calls Scott his “brother from another mother.” We all bonded through music and wine to start with but they too have been there cheering me on and letting me bore them with the same Bake-Off updates over and over. Cindy has a lot happening in her own life and yet she and Scott never fail to cheer me on and check in on how its going.
  • Glen’s brother Jeff and his family — Joyce, Robin and our Nevada kid Cody — called every day to see how it was going.
  • And I could never forget to thank my other wonderful friends. Amy is my friend that has known me the longest and still loves me. Lu is my roommate from college and a skilled baker so of course she was excited with my news. Julie I almost never get to see but she made sure I knew she was cheering me on through facebook notes and postings. Cindy W. just lives down the road and she is one of the most thoughtful people I know when it comes to remembering to cheer people on. Cheryl and Joe may live in California but they remembered to send a note of encouragement on my big weekend. Same with Toby and Corrine, also friends from California, who sent off a great card when they got my news and then called to see how it went. And Brian and Brittany too — more kids who technically belong to someone else but we think of as ours. : ) And Debbie and Mike who cheered me on from California and Oregon.
  • Plus you’ve never met a nicer bunch then the people we love from our Great Harvest days. Lisa and July and Jody are all part of the extended family I know that loves me and cheers me on. And Chris and Camilla and Ruben and Ashley and Tessa and Kaylee too (and their moms!)
  • Sarah Jackson the reporter at the Herald who wrote great articles and was nice to work with. Same with Rochelle and Pam at Chat with Women on KKNW. I had a blast talking with them. And Sean and Tami at the Mountain. They were all doing their jobs covering the story but they were a lot of fun to meet at the same time.
  • And all of my Facebook peeps! I have this group of FB friends that I really love. They cheer me on and they shore me up. They share their news and let me share mine. Everyone should have a FB village.
  • And my neighbor Judy . . .my root canal dentist . . . Lynda who walks Dandy . . .and Angie and Monteys who were on the boat with us in the beginning . . . and Larry and JoAnne Ames who took the time to send a thoughtful note . . . and the sales lady at Macy’s that helped me pick out clothes for Oprah.
  • And all the people at Pillsbury. And Steve and Meghan at the PR agency. And Scott Rondeau, one of Oprah’s producer who is a local boy made good — made big! — and very nice to me and a pleasure to talk with when he called for finalist info to have just in case. All of these people were encouraging and kind.
  • And my fellow finalists. To a person they were wonderful.

I think that’s it. I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone. THANK YOU! This is my village and I feel blessed to have every one of you in my life. Who needs a million dollars when you have these kinds of riches? Thanks for loving me, cheering me on, shoring me up when I need it and adding depth beyond measure and value to my life. What a lucky girl I am.

Filed Under: Pillsbury Bake-Off, Thank yous, Village

home sweet home

April 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I love going and I love coming home. What I’m not as crazy about is laundry but it must be done!

Glen and I rolled in about 10:30 last night and our T-bird was still here waiting to greet us which we always love as a bonus. We had a great time boring, er, catching her up on all the details of the trip. Of course, she most loved hearing about our visit with Anita, but she let us ramble on about all of it.

When I last left off we had spent a marvelous day at Universal Studios. The next day we decided to hit Animal Kingdom. I have mixed feelings about this park. I love the overall message of being kind to our planet and animals. It’s so important and such a great thing to be teaching to children while they are young. But the park feels too small. The walking areas are narrow and all of the “lands” seem to have only one way in and out so they deadend. Plus, not surprisingly since this is a Disney park, this park had way more families at it then Universal Studios did and when you combine narrow walkways with loads of strollers it starts to feel crowded quickly. Still, we only waited to get on one ride and we managed to hit them all:

  • The Safari Adventure Ride — the wait said 15 minutes but it was closer to 30. Still this ride is worth it since you get to see loads of real animals on your safari ride through Africa.
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug — love this attraction, love it! It is so cute and fun. I made Glen do it twice.
  • Dinosaur — I also thought this ride rocked. It’s scary. I mean really scary. Dinosaurs are freakin scary and this one captures the whole thing well. Little kids should not go on this.
  • Mt Everest Expedition — Kind of like the Matterhorn but updated. I thought it was a lot of fun.
  • Wild River Raft Ride — We got SOAKED! Completely wiped out! What a blast.
  • Talk to the Animals — Glen’s favorite again. He loves these performing animal acts
  • Finding Nemo — I loved this too. Wow was it good. It’s liking going to a Broadway musical condensed into 45 minutes. Hard to imagine how it could be any better.
  • Mickey’s Jammin Safari Parade — It was a decent parade but not as special as lots of Disney parades we’ve seen in the past.

When it was all said and done, we again had spent eight fast-flying hours at the park. Orignally we picked this park because we had hoped to spend the night at the Animal Kingdom Lodge as an “after the Bake-Off spoil me just a little” treat but, ha! We could get a room but the standard room for a Thursday night in April was $428 a night! $428! We couldn’t make ourselves do it. We went back to our Hilton Garden Inn room for $104 a night including tax and breakfast every morning and sat by the pool drinking rum & cokes. I still felt special and spoiled.

Yesterday morning we got up early again and headed for St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Mexico coast. We didn’t really have any plans in mind other than we wanted to be able to say we had been to each Florida coast and our plane didn’t leave til 6:20 so we had plenty of time.

We loved St. Petersburg. Actually it was Treasure Island where we got out and walked around a bit. The water there is everywhere and very inviting with its aqua and emerald green colors. The whole area has a very “Florida” feel and a fun mix of old and new. We want to go back.

In fact, we are all for going back to Florida a whole bunch of times. It is a perfect vacation state with its perfect weather, beaches, water and zillions of attractions. Being home now, it really strikes me how totally different our state if from Florida: palm trees versus fir trees; robins vs; flamingoes; sunshine vs clouds; warm weather vs coldish; completely flat vs every 20 feet has a slope on it here. No wonder it feels like a vacation as soon as you walk off the plane! Both states are beautiful but in very, very different ways.

Moving on for a minute to the Bake-Off. Controversy has been a brewin. Man can people be haters. There are some really nasty comments being posted to the Pillsbury site about the Ice Cream Cups that won the million. Get over it already people! Or keep it to yourself. I don’t get wanting to live in that kind of energy. I bought sugar cookie dough when we went for groceries this morning and plan to give them a go soon. They look yummy and they look easy — I’m jazzed to try them.

Another thought while it’s in my mind: the GE Imagination Award choice surprised me. Pepperoni Pesto Popovers received the award but they didn’t seem that “imaginative” to me. The Chocolate Monkey Bread rocked the house for innovation or the Chai Tea Cupcakes but the popovers seemed pretty regular to me. Judging — a thankless job.

I didn’t take a lot of photos actually but I do have a few — especially a bunch of me at the Bake-Off thanks to my husband — and I’ll get them posted up this weekend. I’m so loving having two days off before heading back to work on Monday. We usually tend to get home from trips late the night before having to get up and go to work the next morning. This way is much better — time to think and organize and catch-up. It seems like we always feel like we need a vacation after a vacation! Guess there’s just never enough days off. : ) Enjoy yours!

Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Pillsbury Bake-Off

Well . . .

April 14, 2010 By 1 Comment

. . . the Bake-Off madness has come to an end. Yes, it’s done and somehow I didn’t land the big prize. I’m still a little stunned because with so many people cheering me on I thought for sure that would influence the outcome! : ) Alas. But I’m still feeling great about it — even losing.

The weekend started with Glen and I flying on Friday. I woke up feeling great! He didn’t. Bad cold coming on. Bad bad bad cold. So Mr. Crankypants and I flew to Florida with him grousing and me glaring. hmmmmmm.

Fortunately, the warm Florida sunshine seemed to brighten up both of our outlooks and things got better that evening. We walked the hotel grounds, enjoyed cocktails outside on the hotel veranda and had a tasty late night Italian dinner at the hotel restaurant.

The next day, Mr. Sick and I slept in a bit, I had some miscellaneous Bake-Off things in the morning and then we vegged by the pool for the whole of the afternoon which was really quite delightful. Not as delightful though as that evening. We grabbed the shuttle and headed to Downtown Disney to meet our kid and her kid and her guy (Anita, Sebastian and Bobby!) at Raglans Irish Pub for dinner. We had a wonderful time.

They had just come from spending all day at the Magical Kindom where it was busy, busy, busy but they still had a great time. It was so busy though they only got to do ONE ride. That is busy! Bobby was a great sport because when you get Glen and I together with our girl, who we rarely see, well, just try to get a word in! After dinner, we went strolling through Downtown and actually managed to get Sebastian on TWO rides this time. Ha! We did better than Disneyland for them. They have this cute little train and carousel that are just for small children and he had a blast.

Our night was done way too fast (you know how all the best ones always are!) Then on the shuttle back to the hotel last night we met our first other finalist — Melissa Stadler and her husband Dean. I really should have said, “we met the nicest and most beautiful finalist . . .” Holy smokes, both Melissa and Dean are super nice, friendly, gracious, talented and, well, gorgeous on top of it all. (She didn’t win the Bake-Off either but Pillsbury would be super lucky to have her as an ambassador.) Anyways Bake-Off finalists know no strangers and we were well acquainted by the time the ten minute shuttle had us to the hotel door! And, lucky me, she turned out to be one of my very favorite people I met the whole time.

I met tons of good people though. The next day the Bake-Off started “for real.” We had check-in, orientation, a long session about the rules (with a Q & A session that followed with some truly tiresome questions — the only part of the event I didn’t like) and a fun welcoming cocktail hour and dinner that night. Glen was still sick but hanging in.

In fact, he was a rock for me all through this event. He just chose to get into enjoying the unique opportunity and generally turned from Mr. Sick to Mr. Helpful and Charming which really takes a lot of effort when you’re not feeling well.

At last the bake day arrived and by 6:30 on Monday we were all expected at breakfast for last minute instructions, good luck wishes and the finalist parade into the kitchens. Let the Bake-Off begin! I had a true blast. The Pillsbury people put everything together so well that they made it easy. I loved the location of my kitchen. I was on the very end away from the viewing audience and close to supplies stored in the refrigerators. Best of all, I was located next to some very nice finalists and we just all had fun.

But it wasn’t without a few glitches. The biggest for me was that after I baked my first batch of pecans, I inadvertently turned off my oven! But I didn’t notice that until I had “baked” my first batch, went to pull them out and thought the oven was cooking very slowly. Actually, no, it wasn’t the oven that was on slow bake, that would be me. : ) So I sort of had this awkward few minutes waiting for it to come back up to speed and trying not to look like I totally did not belong there. (I mean really — how the heck did I get there?!?!? I just didn’t want them to realize that so late in the game :) )

But that is the beauty of having four hours to get three batches done — I knew I had plenty of time. Which was a good thing because you pretty much were steadily interrupted by reporters, photographers, people from the sponsors, videographers, Oprah’s people (my favorites) and others I wasn’t even sure who they were with! It was madcap mayhem at times! It actually added to the fun of it all in all. And my faithful supportive husband was watching from afar in the viewers area taking the best shots he could from so far away and giving me an occasional wave (conversation with guest was one of the things that was off limits.)

Anyways, my first batch having now been in the oven about 30 minutes instead of 15 actually looked pretty decent in the end and I headed to photos and display where a formal shot of me holding my entry was taken and then it joined others in an area where viewers could see all of the entries by the end of the event. Then back to my kitchen for round two. I thought they were some of my best ever — they had nice shapes and good color. I got them turned in to the judges at 10:59. After that it was a real piece of cake! The only thing in fact that I worried about then is that my third batch would look better than the batch I just turned in! That batch was for tasting and I got a big crowd for the 16 pieces I had for sampling. And lots of positive comments. All and all, when the contest ended at noon, I felt good.

Then I walked over and viewed all 100 of the entries and I felt great. Not because mine was such a standout. Not at all. Rather because it wasn’t. My entry was no better or worse than anyone’s. It was like looking at an art display or a nursery — your baby was on display and you had just delivered the most perfect, lovely, wonderful creation ever! All of us, I swear, every single finalist, had successfully completed their entry and it was awesome to see them all lined up together and awesome to be part of it! That moment was my favorite all weekend. More than anything, right then, it became completely okay with me whoever won. I didn’t want it any less than before, I just knew every single one of us deserved it.

That night, Sandra Lee — beautiful and welcoming — greeted us all and announced the winners. No one got it that I had guessed but I’m thrilled for the final four that were selected. I think that I really, really know how they must be feeling (winner still pending as I type this Tuesday night!) and I know they deserved it as much as anyone. For them, and especially one of them, this was just their well-deserved, lucky time. I get other things all the time — I can’t always be picked! : )

What a ride it has been! I don’t think I’m totally done talking about the Bake-Off (sorry everyone!) I have a few more this and that kind of thoughts in my head, some things I think they could do better, and even a wild idea that I’m going to do a “Julie and Julia” kind of thing and bake and blog my way through that Bake-Off cookbook as a sort of warped salute to my co-finalists. We’ll see — it all could still just be a Bake-Off haze I’m in from 100 ovens cooking up a storm all at the same time!

No hazy thought on this though — thank you everyone! I have no illusions that I accomplished this on my own. Ha! Every winner has a whole bunch of “wind beneath those wings.” Thanks my wonderful windy ones! I tried really hard to make it happen and I sincerely wish I could have brought home the grand prize and treated all of us to something special. A case of Crescent Rolls for everybody for example . . . : )

Filed Under: Anita, Disney, Pillsbury Bake-Off

The best!

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

This day is in my top three of best days ever – and I’m not even sure what days I would list as the other two! Holy smokes it was good.
It started out pretty rocky actually – or blustery would be a better way to put it. The wind came blowing in so blustery at 3 am that it blew the top off our beehives! That is blowy! And loud. Needless to say, that woke us up and in my case kept me up. I had my last radio interview to do and had promised them some appetizers and I managed to convince myself the power would be going out any minute. So, by 5, I was up and baking! And by 6:15 I was on the road to Bellevue for my 7:45 appointment. And by 7, having made record-breaking good time getting to Bellevue, I was at Starbucks having a skinny vanilla latte waiting to arrive at a respectable time for my 7:45 appointment.
But what fun I had. It was all worth the hassle and lack of sleep. Rochelle and Pam of Chat with Women were welcoming and supportive and great talkers! I met two of my own kind! What a great job they have. I got to chat away with them for like 15 minutes or so and they even invited me back – win or lose – after the Bake-Off to talk about how the whole experience went. If you haven’t checked out their show yet you really should. It’s just a nice morning gab fest about a wide variety of interesting topics.
At work, the fun continued as you can see from tonight’s photos! My work group made me a fabulous good luck banner and painted me a very stylin’ good luck apron. Don’t I wear it well? : ) And for lunch we had a Pillsbury Potluck with everyone bringing something from the Bake-Off which was great. So many fabulous entries! We tried lasagna cups, pesto wheels, caprese appetizers, asian salad and tropical pizza. And my pecan sweet potato appetizers of course. Everything was delicious – I can’t even imagine being a judge!
Then, maybe the best thing of all, after lunch, Oprah’s producer called me!!!! Woo-hoo! That’s almost bigger then when Pillsbury called me. And, even more fun, it turns out that Oprah’s producer, Scott Rondeau, is from Everett! C’mon, that has to be a sign that I’m destined for that show. : ) He was great and I had a blast talking with him – just a very nice, regular sort of from-Everett guy. Went to Cascade High School and still calls Ivars, Taylors – that’s definitely a local. He had a list of questions just to get some background on everyone so the show has some info no matter who gets selected. Me! Pick me! I want to go!!! : ) No matter what though it’s likely I’ll get to meet him since he says he’ll be spending some time in Orlando. I’m looking forward to it.
So, wow. I mean what can you say but that? Every day lately I think, “well that couldn’t get better” and then well, it does. In the morning we leave for Orlando bright and early for what is sure to be a memory-filled weekend. Win or lose on Monday, I want to be sure you all know how much I appreciate all of your unwavering support. I am such a lucky person. Everyone should have the family and friends and support team that I do.
Filed Under: Chat with Women, Pillsbury Bake-Off

“Bake a Leg!”

April 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I know, I know, the Bake-Off needs to happen because you are getting sick of me updating on the same thing day after day, huh? But, what will I write on later? Oh my goodness. I know I used to have a full life before the Bake-Off came along but I’m not sure if I can recall it. Well, I’ll save that worry for another day. For now, we’re still on Pillsbury — all postings, all the time!

And today I have for your reading pleasure just some small bits of this and that, that all add up to a bunch of good. To start, don’t you love the title for today’s post? I love it, love it, love it! Thank you Debbie Simpson! Last night she sent me a wonderful note of encouragement and at the end of it wishing me good luck she said “Bake a leg Julee!” How clever is that? I think she coined the best saying for the Bake-Off ever!

Also last night when I got home from Jazzercise, there was a gift bag left at our back door and one of my longest ever best friends, Amy, that lives just down the road, had thoughtfully left me a card and a very special magic wishing rock to keep in my pocket for the event. She says she has always found it works, and she is quite powerful, so I might have an inside advantage. At the very least I have the warm glow that comes from thinking about such a thoughtful friend.
And speaking of Jazzercise, that was fun last night too. As soon as I got there, my instructor came over and said I had helped make her a “rock star” at a party she was at last weekend. She said that she had mentioned I was in her class and they all piled into the computer room and looked up my recipe. Cracked me up. She was quite pleased because she said everyone was impressed she knew me. Ha! I’m getting to be like Kathy Griffin’s show on Bravo – My life on the D List. Okay more like the S or T list but the point is, I have a tiny –teeny tiny- bit of notoriety at the moment. I’m comfortable with the level – it’s enough for fun and not enough for real attention. (I mean, c’mon, too much attention could give me a big head – over appetizers! Ha! At all costs, that should be avoided.)

Next, I signed my first autograph today. Maybe my only ever so I don’t want to forget to note it as part of this experience. One of the women in our Finance department called as soon as I got to work this morning and asked if she could come down and have me sign her cookbook. She had picked up one of the new booklets at her Albertsons last night. She has been so supportive and kind and it was very nice of her to indulge me that way.

And last but not least on my wonderful-things-that-happen-to-me-because-of-the-Bake-Off list for today, my former Boot Camp coach Reenie, emailed me today still cheering me on – but this time for the Bake-Off instead of the big hill ahead of me that somehow she thought I could run up and I never quite made it. But still, she never quit believing in me and her smiling face and great attitude is what kept me coming back to try again. I love that she took the time to send along her best wishes. She rocks the house as a great person and excellent personal coach.

I live a wonderful life. Thanks for all that each of you do that lets me be able to say that statement with such deep conviction and knowingness.

Filed Under: Pillsbury Bake-Off

One Week!

April 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

It’s only one week from today until I’m baking for a million dollars! Wow, what an opportunity. Thank you again to Pillsbury for providing so many people over the past 60 years such a fun addition to their lives. It certainly has been wonderful for me.
So, I am still feeling pretty darn calm about everything – baking, meeting new people, flying to Oprah, travelling — everything that is except . . . shoes. Aaahhh! I swear every outfit I’m taking takes a different pair of shoes. And while usually I really don’t care that much when we travel if I look a little oddball, well, this time I do. Thinking about shoes is actually keeping me awake at night. I’m trying to accept it as just the way it is and take what I need but the problem is I think I “need” just about every pair I own! Too funny. None- the-less, at this point, I literally have one whole suitcase full of nothing but shoes (okay and a few socks and my computer charger.) And on top of that, what if I get super lucky and get to go to Oprah?! I am a huge fan but she is a shoe snob!! None of my shoes would pass muster with Oprah. None of them. Glen can’t imagine as he looked at my closet how that could possibly be true but I know every girl reading this must surely be able to relate! However, this Oprah shoe dilemma is the kind of problem I do so want to have. Besides, Pillsbury sent me four luggage tags so if I want to have a whole bag of shoes — well, clearly they support me in that!

Falling back for a minute to this weekend, we had a very lovely Easter Sunday. Darryl managed to score us reservations at one of the top sought out places for Easter dinner in Seattle and the seven of us who were around completely enjoyed the buffet, the view and the company. The only negative thing I have to say about it at all is that I am still too full! (I maybe should have stuck to one less chocolate covered strawberry.)
When we got home, I spent most of the evening packing and baking. I want to be sure I know how to put them together inside out. Plus it let me bring a bunch of them into work today to share with co-workers who all have been supportive. I plan to bring a few more batches in later this week too. Pretty much, at this point, I really need to win at least my category just to break even on how much I’ve spent on Pillsbury Crescent Rolls!
Filed Under: Easter, Pillsbury Bake-Off

Big Breaking Bake-Off News!

April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

We interrupt this evening to bring you important breaking news . . . we’re going to Oprah! Okay it’s not exactly locked in that I personally am going but for the first time ever in the history of the Bake-Off, Oprah is going to announce the winner live on her show! That’s big people, that’s big. And just as exciting, the top four finalists all get flown to Oprah so it’s not just the top one. All I need to do to be part of her show now is make the top person in my category. Then on Wednesday, April 14 she’ll make the announcement on her show! Pecan Sweet Potato Appetizers . . . Pecan Sweet Potato Appetizers . . . this is getting tooo exciting! And it gets even better because the next day the winner gets flown to NEW YORK CITY for more fun at the Today Show and Good Morning America. I’m ready! : )
But that’s not all to share tonight — check out the picture above. The new mini cookbooklet is out on grocery stands everywhere and yours truly’s recipe is in it. Tah-dah!
And lastly, still on Pillsbury, check out April 8th on this link. It’s the Chat with Women radio show and they have me listed as one of the upcoming guests. Fun!
Filed Under: Pillsbury Bake-Off

I had a blast!

March 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The morning started out rough. With Glen gone, I’m on full pet duty. Plus, I had to get up early to get my appetizers done and in the oven. And I had to be in Seattle by 9:25. It all seemed fairly doable last night but as soon as I heard the traffic report this morning it changed everything. The commute from Everett to Seattle was the longest one in months!!! Bad rain! It was a perfect day yesterday with one of the lightest commutes in months because so many people took the day off to soak in the sun and today was a 100% turnaround. But, I pulled it together, gave a quick pat to Dandy (I owe him a big walk tonight) and headed out by 7:55. I got to the station which was right downtown, using the express lanes, at 9:23! Worst drive ever! And despite all of that – and all of you who know me know that I am HORRIBLE about traffic – I had a blast!

A blast! The morning crew at theMountain103.7 – Sean, Tammy and Keira – were really wonderful. Sean is the new morning on-air host and I have to say he could not have done anything to make me feel more welcome. They were all gracious, inviting, self-depreciating and, well, regular people. I got to wear the head phones and just chat with them for about 7 minutes. It wasn’t that long but I felt comfortable and I felt like I did well. Even though it was taped, and he said we could stop if we needed to and rerecord, I’m happy to say we didn’t need to. It was just a really fun conversation about the Bake-Off and my entry. Afterward, they asked me to stay and we chatted about a bunch more questions they had, munched on my appetizers and invited me back when I win. (They feel sure I will :) )

So, huge fun, despite the drive. What I thought was especially surprising for me is how much I really liked the whole chatting in the radio studio thing. I’m thinking I might have missed my calling doggoneit! I want to be a radio talk show host now! I’m a natural for it – gabby and interested in knowing about everything. : )

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Filed Under: 103.7, Pillsbury Bake-Off
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