The Unemployment Cookbook Collection: Kickstarter Q&A

Note: This post was originally written on Sunday, January 20, 2013, then updated for a previous Kickstarter Campaign. Because there are new backers for the current project [June 4 – July 4, 2013], I’m once again posting this information to reflect further questions and answers, as well as to clarify those already posted.

I call it
The Kickstarter pre-order (and RE-order) Campaign!

The Unemployment Cookbook, First and Second Editions

TUC, x2

Whether you’re a long-time friend or an infrequent visitor to Frankly, My Dear… you’re probably aware that I’m trying to raise funds to publish more copies of THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK COLLECTION.

Cookbook Teaser

The Unemployment Cookbook, First Edition

I’m trying hard to not spam every inbox, every Facebook and twitter post, and every social media friend I have. But since New Inklings Press (my home-based company) doesn’t have a marketing budget, the only advertising I have is Word of Mouth… and it starts here.

I’ve also taken to direct marketing: I’ve asked many of my family and friends to share this post and the Kickstarter link with their family, friends, coworkers, and garbage-picker-uppers. I’ve noticed an increase in views during those sprees and my faith in a mass media blitz is solid! [*Feel free to join the fun… share this Link, support the Project, spread the Word!]

I’ve been able to respond to a few questions, but I realized that some of you may not know what this entire project is and how it works. So I’d like to take this Post and tell you all about it.

The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition

The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition

(Q) What is THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK?
(A) THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK is a collection of recipes for eating abundantly on a frugal income. These recipes were either created in my own kitchen, or handed down from my Mother’s. I wanted to feed my family healthy and hearty dishes, or sometimes just a fun snack, that didn’t cost much and would allow us to change it up.

(Q) Who is the primary audience for this Cookbook?
(A) Anyone! College students. Children moving away from home for the first time. Large families on a frugal food budget. People who live alone. They’re great for travelers and campers. They make great gifts for clients of realtors, house-sitters, Grandparents and Grandchildren. Don’t know how to cook? These recipes are easy. Love being in the kitchen? Change them up and make them your own.

Let me put it another way… Who’s this Cookbook for?
You. And everyone you know.

(Q) What kind of recipes are they?
(A) These are quick and easy recipes, made with everyday ingredients. There’s no hard-to-find or expensive touches… unless you choose to change them up. These recipes are also not “one size fits all”. Not every household has the same tastes, or the same food budget.

Frittata

Frittata

You’ll find that most of these recipes can be altered significantly (for instance, substitute tuna for chicken in my Potato Chip Casserole), or served in various forms (my Slow Cooker Ratatouille also makes a great veggie pizza topping). There’s even a “Notes” section with each recipe, so you can turn it into your own family favorite.

TUC Ratatouille

Slow Cooker Ratatouille

(Q) Did you really come up with these recipes yourself, and do you really cook them in your own kitchen?
(A) Yes and Yes! Actually I can take credit for only some of the original recipes. The rest are what I call “heritage” recipes from my mother’s kitchen. She taught me how to eat well on a budget. I cook regularly for my family and friends, and most often I use these recipes because they are so delicious and hearty.

(Q) What makes the Second Edition different from the First?
(A) After producing the First Edition, typos and minor mistakes were discovered (Hey, I’m a one-person company, and by the time I was done proofreading it for the umpteenth time, I couldn’t even tell you my own name). These have been corrected. Additions include 22 new recipes, different food quotes (including one from Casey Reinhardt, owner of Casey’s Cupcakes), and more pages in the back for you to add your own family favorites. There are also two identical pages of measurement conversions: one to keep in the book, another to tear out for easy reference.

(Q) What are some of the new recipes?
(A) Well, I don’t want to give anything away, but each of the five categories (Soups & Slow Cooker Recipes, Casseroles & Main Dishes, Side Dishes, Desserts & Drinks, and That Extra Touch) will have at least two new additions. Adobo, Tuna Burgers, Cup o’ Tea, and Potatoes with Egg Gravy are just a few on the list!

(Q) If this is the Second Edition, is the First Edition still available?
(A) I don’t have any copies at this time, but if this Kickstarter Campaign succeeds, then I will have as many as are ordered, plus extras to be available for local book fairs and craft shows.

(Q) I already have my Cookbook. Why order another?
(A) I’ve heard from many people who have given their copies away to college-aged children moving out for the first time, or loaning it to a friend. This is your chance to only get the Edition you don’t yet have, but to order a set for those around you as well.

(Q) Will you offer a digital (eBook) copy of either Cookbook?
(A) Not for a while. The formatting for cookbooks is far different than a regular book when it comes to digital books. And since I’m definitely not that talented in the computer coding department, it’s best for me to stick to the regular old-fashioned hard-copy renditions.

(Q) What other Projects are you working on, and how are they affected by this Project?
(A) Thanks for asking! I always have several writing projects in the works. If this Kickstarter Campaign succeeds, I will have enough funds to not only order and ship each Pledge Reward within a month of receiving the funds from Amazon, but I’ll also have inventory for local events, as well as funds for a starter set of my next Project. My “Big Project” is a series of fantasy-based novels I’m writing with my very talented cowriter, Megan Holbrook. Those books are not affected by this Project in any manner.

(Q) How can I stay informed with this and other Projects?
(A) Simply subscribe to both my Blog and the monthly email newsletter. To subscribe to the Blog (receive emails each day there’s a new post or other new content), simply add your email address in the SUBSCRIPTION box in the column to the top right of this post. To subscribe to the monthly email, CLICK HERE and you’ll be taken to the sign up link. All you need is an email address, but I hope you’ll also leave your name. I love knowing who my peeps are!

Q) I know you’re trying hard to get funded by July 4th. Can’t I just wait until after then and order my copy at New Inklings Press?
(A) As much as I’d love to say yes, if this Project doesn’t fund by July 4th, I’ll still have a small inventory of the Second Edition, but there are no more First Editions in print. So this is sort of a now-or-never venture. Without getting fully funded through Kickstarter, there won’t be any more Cookbooks for a while.

This is the video I made for the Kickstarter campaign… please remember, I’m a much better writer than I am a videographer. Just sayin’….

(Q) What is Kickstarter?
(A) Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform. That’s a fancy way of saying fundraiser. Remember those school kids from down the street that knock on your door each autumn selling chocolates and wrapping paper? It’s like that. You choose the product you want, you pay for it, and part of the proceeds help the school. In this case, the “school” is New Inklings Press and the product is based on the amount you pledge.

(Q) What are the basics of any Kickstarter project?
(A) Simple. Kickstarter is an easy way for any creative project to receive the funding it needs to be completed. The artist/writer/creator (“Project Creator”) first comes up with an idea and a reasonable budget. The Project Creator then starts up a Kickstarter Campaign with that goal, and a time frame. Different projects offer Backers (supporters) different “rewards”. For instance, anyone can pledge as little as $1 to any project. Depending on the Project, you may not receive any tangible reward for a smaller donation, but your help is nonetheless appreciated. With THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK COLLECTION tangible rewards begin at the $15 level and increase up to $30. You can pledge more than the Reward amount, too.

(Q) How do I “back” this Project, and how does pledging work?
(A) Just go to the Kickstarter campaign (the link is through the Cookbook Collection photo at the bottom of this post) and click “BACK THIS PROJECT”. You can pledge $1 or more. Choose your Reward and pledge accordingly. Whatever you pledge, the amount won’t be processed unless the Project is fully funded at the end of the Campaign. If it doesn’t fund by the end, your pledge is null and void. If the Project funds with several days left, your pledge still won’t be processed until the end.

PLEDGE NOW. PAY LATER.

(Q) If I pledge $15 for a Cookbook, but you don’t reach your goal, what happens?
(A) Nothing. Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing campaign. The goal for THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK COLLECTION is $2,000 and ends at 7:15 p.m. PST on Thursday, July 4th. It’s a “pledge now – pay later” gig. So if you pledge any amount now, you won’t actually be charged unless I reach $2,000 or more in total pledges before the end of the Campaign. Even then, you won’t be charged until it’s over.

(Q) I pledged a certain amount, but now I need to change it. Is that allowed?
(A) Certainly. For various reasons, people opt to increase or decrease their pledge. That’s okay! And hey, things happen. If you need to cancel your pledge, it’s understandable.

(Q) How can I order more than one Cookbook through Kickstarter without making more than one pledge?
(A) That’s the fun part! Because pledges can be any amount over the Reward level, Backers can contribute more than the minimum. Let’s say you want five copies of the First Edition Cookbook. That Reward is for pledges of $15 or more. Just pledge $75 and send me a note that you want five copies.

Box of books. The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition.

The Unemployment Cookbook, Second Edition

(Q) What if I want to “mix and match” my order? Say, five First Editions and three Second Editions?
(A) Simply message me through Kickstarter before you make your pledge, and I’ll let you know the total and which Pledge Reward to select when Backing the Project.

(Q) Okay. So now I get it. You’re trying to get us to pay for the printing for you. Why can’t you do it yourself?
(A) That’s true, but it’s not true. The cost of producing the Cookbook is expensive. Even though the only color photos are the front and back cover, printing itself is a little pricey. When you pledge $15 or more, you’re pre-ordering your very own copy of the Cookbook including production costs, shipping supplies, and handling charges. Don’t think of it as paying my business expenses. Think of it as ordering a great tool to help you stretch your food budget while still allowing you to be creative in your own kitchen.

(Q) If you’re fully funded or overfunded, what will you do with all that money?
(A) First, I’m fully committed to giving back to my community. I know what it’s like to be unemployed and not able to make ends meet. I will donate to funds that help families in need. People need more than good wishes. They need food, shelter, clothing, medicines, as well as needs I can’t even comprehend. I want to pay it forward and help those who could use a helping hand.
Next, Kickstarter charges a processing fee for using their platform, and Amazon collects a small amount, too. These amount to just about 8% of the total funding. If this Project funds at exactly $2,000, that’s approximately $160.
There are standard business expenses to take care of and the aforementioned production costs. My goal is to have some inventory available to sell at local Flea Markets and Book Fair. Finally, this will also help me run a small production of my next project.

(Q) When you spell it out that way, it doesn’t seem too profitable. So why do it?
(A) Because this is about more than a Cookbook. This is about helping families in the kitchen, and getting my name out there as a Writer.

(Q) Why does this Cookbook Project mean so much to you?
(A) Because I’ve lived in poverty yet still enjoy life. My wallet size has minimal effect on the joy I find in the world around me. I want to share this foundation with anyone who wants it. I find such joy while being creative in the kitchen and cooking for others. I love sharing my Meal Plans and Cooking Tips.
I’ve also poured my heart and soul into this Project. As a writer, an editor, a cook. It’s so important to me that others will see in it what I do: more than recipes. A means to help themselves have a more enjoyable eating experience, regardless of how big their family or how small their wallet.

It’s not just about getting published, it’s about helping other people feed their families. It’s about helping people who I know are struggling. I’ve been there done that, and this is a really big deal for me.

(Q) You’ve convinced me. How can I help?
(A) I’m so glad you asked! First, you can order your own copy through my Kickstarter campaign (the link is at the bottom of this post). Second, share this post! Since the only advertising I have is Word of Mouth, I need your help in getting the word out! Tell your family, friends, co-workers. Share it on your own social media sites. Email it to your long lost cousins. Just help me get the word out. Please and thank you.

And thank you. Thank you for asking the hard questions. Thank you for sharing this post. And thank you for supporting this Project.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

Help me to reach my funding goal before July 4th!
Just click on the photo below and click “BACK THIS PROJECT” to pre-order
The Unemployment Cookbook Collection!

The Unemployment Cookbook, First and Second Editions

THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK COLLECTION: KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

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Kickin’ It. Again.

The Unemployment Cookbook, First and Second Editions

TUC, x2

It’s another whirlwind week here at the Blog… It’s been so busy, I can’t believe it’s already Thursday and not only Tuesday evening. But that’s good because that means tomorrow’s Friday. And you know what that means: another Five Things Friday post! So be sure to come back tomorrow to share your Friday Five stories. There’s a theme, there’s always a theme. But I’m not telling. It’s a surprise. Guess you’ll just have to come back tomorrow. Yay! I love company!

Things keep falling into place with the New Blog design and the writing and the housing projects. Every day it seems something else is getting started and completed. Not always the same item, but as long as I can mark off a To Do each day, I’m so okay with adding another.

I’ve never been busier, and I’ve never been happier. I’m looking forward to this weekend, but that doesn’t mean a lot of rest. Sometimes I almost feel like Alice’s White Rabbit, always scurrying, always fretting about things to do. Except he worried too much. I’m enjoying my busyness. And yes, I am allowing myself some downtime when I get it. Iced coffee is a wonderful commodity!

One of the Projects I’m keeping my eye on is my newest Kickstarter Campaign. After the success with printing THE UNEMPLOYMENT COOKBOOK, SECOND EDITION, I’ve received more interest in both Editions. Terry from Kickstarter worked with me to set up this new campaign so it wasn’t just a redundant duplicate of the last one. We made a few changes, simplified the Campaign.

I’ve spoken with many who have given their Cookbooks away as gifts. Others want to complete the set by getting the Edition they don’t currently have. Now’s your chance to pre-order (or RE-order) your copies.

The Campaign only runs until July 4th. In it’s first 36 hours, it’s nearly 10% funded. This Campaign is strictly Cookbook orders. No additions, no difficult packages to mail out. Just Cookbook orders to be shipped in flat packages.

Thanks to you who have previously ordered, and thanks to you who are supporting this current campaign. I truly do appreciate each and every one of you!

As I always like to say,

HAPPY EATING!

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

The Unemployment Cookbook, First and Second Editions

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY CURRENT KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN

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Too Hot to Cook (June’s Meal Plan)

It’s been a few months since I’ve written a Meal Plan post. Based on the success of my recent monthly WinCo trips, I’ve had enough foods in the freezer and pantry to not have to buy too much. So I’ve been winging it; making what I can find. Occasionally, I’ve put together some meals like this hearty chicken and pasta dinner.

Grilled chicken, pasta, tomatoes and garlic bread

Chicken & Pasta

I always keep frozen salmon filets in the freezer. Last month, I bought a 5 lb. bag of chicken breasts (admittedly not from WinCo). Sure, it cost nearly $17, but with 20 breasts, that’s less than $1/piece.

So my Plan for June is to eat more chicken. I don’t have an entire month of menus planned out. But I have my Aroma Rice Cooker. And I have a plan.

Again with the savings I find at WinCo, I’ll supplement what I already have and make some wonderful meals. My goal is to make some scrumptious dishes without having to cook too much in the summer heat. Some of the meals I’ll make more than once because they’re easy and delicious.

Not only do I want to save money, I want to eat better. My eczema has been rapidly improving as I now have prescription-strength ointment and have been eating less fast foods which, I’ve discovered, can significantly induce a flare up. So, for the health of my body and my wallet, June will be a Home-Cooked Meal Month.

Here’s my tentative meal plan (each meal is followed by how many days we can eat from one preparation by how many times I’ll make it for a total amount of dinner days):

  • Chicken and Pasta (as pictured above), 2 x 2 = 4
  • Steamed Chicken and Rice, 1 x 4 = 4
  • Slow Cooker Chicken & Kraut, 3 x 2 = 6
  • Steamed Salmon and Rice, 1 x 4 = 4
  • Spaghetti with sauce and garlic toast, 2 x 2 = 4
  • Baked Frittata (usually a weekend meal for brunch as well), 2 x 2 = 4

That leaves four days with no menu plan. We like to keep a few “open” days on the calendar. We’ll eat at least twice at my Mom’s house, or order a pizza on Pay Day, or just not feel like eating. I know, pizza. But it’s not regular fast food. And if I only eat it once a month, I should be okay…

With this great plan, I already have the main components. My grocery list is just the sauerkraut, cream of chicken soups, and frittata ingredients. I’ll include a cheap dessert like Jell-O and Cool Whip, pudding, or a few of Dot’s favorite cookies. We always keep ice cream in the freezer; especially in the summer.

It’s my goal to spend less than $100 this month, including the cat food, litter, and household needs. At a regular grocery store this would be nearly impossible. But, as I so often like to say, “WinCo Wins!”

*Cheater Meal: We did treat ourselves to Red Robin yesterday since I won a gift card from work.

Avacado and Chicken Salad at Red Robin

Ava-Cobb-O Salad at Red Robin

Note, I ate the A-va-Cobb-O and Chicken salad.

So, as I also like to say, “Happy Eating!”

What’s on your plate?

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

You may also enjoy reading:
WinCo Wins
WinCo Wins: Lunch for a Dollar!
My Bento Box: Part I
How To Eat For Free And Have Fun Doing It (Or, How Printing Coupons Gave Me a Really Great Weekend!)
My February Meal Plan

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How To Eat For Free And Have Fun Doing It (Or, How Printing Coupons Gave Me a Really Great Weekend!)

My birthday is coming up soon. Tuesday to be exact. You’re wishing me a Happy Birthday right now, aren’t you? Sure you are, I can tell. Thank you!

It’s off to a great start. And I’m going to share some of my secrets to a successful birthday with you. How do you like them apples?

How Do You Like Them Apples?!

How Do You Like Them Apples?!

Let’s face it: Birthday is a bit of a misnomer. What we all really like is a Birthmonth. Am I right? Y’all don’t wake up on midnight of your special day and say, “Wow. Today’s my birthday.” And then 24 hours later think, “I did not see that coming.” Not at all. If you’re an inkling at all like me or my daughter, you start thinking about it a wee bit in advance.

There’s some planning involved. Some surprises. Mostly, just some great go-with-the-flow adventuring.

It starts with a small time investment and some printer ink. Visit your favorite restaurant sites online and see if they have any eClub offers. Many will give you either a completely free or free-with-purchase coupon just for signing up. You might also get a second coupon to be used during the month of your birthday. Just a few of my favorites are Del Taco, Carino’s and Panera Bread.

On Friday, Dot visited me at work during lunch time. We went to the local Del Taco and got two free chicken soft tacos. I have a second coupon to use next week, good for one free premium shake. No purchase necessary on either coupon. I did, however, indulge in a small fries. $1.72 is a nice price for lunch, don’tcha think?

IMG_1690Saturday morning we woke up early. I had a $5 reward certificate from Best Buy that expires in three days. Lucky for me, they have a good selection of cheap CDs. Unlucky for me, they were one penny short of what I needed to spend in order to use the certificate. So I had to add to my purchase. What on earth does This Girl find at Best Buy? A pack of pens, of course! Oh, darn. (You can hear the sarcasm, right? Okay. Just checking.)

Then we crossed the street to enjoy a behind-the-scenes Grand Opening of our new Macy’s store. Trust me, we need this store here in the desert. Just the right touch of snobbery to get people out of their jeans and flip-flops. Yeah. This is a good thing. A better thing? Coupons! Macy’s doesn’t open to the public until Wednesday, but many charity organizations in the area sold $5 tickets. All proceeds were kept by the charities. A ticket was three-part: The first got you in the door, the second got you an entry for a $500 gift card drawing (No. We didn’t win. But thank you for asking.), and the last got you discounts at checkout.

For the regular price of one piece of clothing, I picked up a nice blouse for myself, and two tops for Dot.

Dot's Tops

Dot’s Tops

It’s like my top paid for itself. Happy Birthday to Me. Guess what I’m wearing on Tuesday!

The crowds were excessive, of course, and standing in line was nearly like doing so on Black Friday. But we managed. We also built up an appetite so I took Mutti and Dot to Carino’s where I had a St. Patrick’s Weekend coupon: wear green and get a free pizza.

Pizza for St. Patrick

Pizza for St. Patrick

They start each table with free bread and dipping oil. We ordered a plate of fried Mozzarella and beverages. They even threw in a free chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert!

Warm Chocolate Cake. Cold Vanilla Ice Cream. 'Nuff said.

Warm Chocolate Cake. Cold Vanilla Ice Cream. ‘Nuff said.

Are they awesome or what? It was so much food, we took some home. Not bad for $25, including tip.

Then we decided a movie was the ticket! Dot treated us to LINCOLN at the dollar theater. We were so stuffed from lunch that it didn’t even cross our mind to get popcorn or a soda. But if it had, we belong to the theater’s Rewards club so every time we go, we get free snacks with purchase.

After the movies, I decided since we were so close, I needed to use my Staples certificates. Do you have a Staples office supply store near you? Did you know they pay you for turning in your empty ink cartridges and buying product at their store? It’s awesome. I tend to save up my cartridges and turn them in only once or twice a year so I get all my rewards at once instead of little by little. For Saturday’s indulgence, I used my certificate to buy a colorful insulated lunch tote. I treated myself to an insulated tumbler. Less than $8.00. I’m okay with the cost. It’ll last. And who doesn’t love drinking out of a fun cup?

By this time, it had been about four hours since we last ate. Panera Bread was calling our name. Let me check… yup. There’s a coupon for that. Just for signing up, I got a free pastry. Pastry? More like a meal! I’m not selfish. I bought Dot a blueberry bagel. Mom wanted to get her own, so I let her. We both spent just over $2.00.

Cinnamon Roll from Panera Bread

Cinnamon Roll from Panera Bread

But what’s a pastry without a drink? Oh, look! Just down the street is a Juice It Up! and I happen to have a BOGO. That’s “Buy-One-Get-One” in Couponeze. These are a little pricey, but so worth it. $5.49 gave Dot her large Seabreeze Squeeze and I picked up a free Pineapple Punch.

Juice It Up! BOGO

Juice It Up! BOGO

Then we went home to enjoy our day’s spoils and watch Celtic Thunder on DVD. Hey, it’s a weekend full o’ the Irish, y’know? And seriously. Who doesn’t love some mighty fine singing (I’m also partial to the good looking men in suits…. Oh, Man Store, please deliver!).

That ends the day, but not the celebration! In my bag, I still have coupons for free, no-strings-attached:

  • Rooty Tooty Fresh n’ Fruity Breakfasts from IHOP (two coupons: one for joining, one for the month of my birthday).
  • One free burger (up to $10 value) from Red Robin. [Shout out to Penny for telling me about this!]
  • Two free desserts from Carrow’s. One for joining, one for my birthday.

I’ve had a Starbuck’s Gold Rewards for a few years (this doesn’t surprise you, does it?). On my birthday, I’ll get a free drink. Any drink or food item. Now that’s golden!

I’ve also heard that I just need to show my ID at Jack in the Box for a free Chocolate Cake or New York Style Cheesecake. The tough part will be deciding which one to choose.

Aside from all this great food, I’m especially excited to be a member of OSH (Orchard Supply Hardware). I actually love to spend my lunches there (that’s another post altogether). They gifted me a $5 certificate for my birthday, and $10 off any $30 purchase for taking a short survey. That’s going to be $35 worth of gardening beauty for only $20. I’m thinking a windchime and a birdhouse. Or a tree to transplant. Or a few potted herbs. Or flowers. Or cacti. Or a yard flag. Or… whatever else I can find for that amount.

I love these coupons not just for saving money. Let’s face it, y’all know I’m not the richest woman on the block. So saving money goes without saying. But I also love these coupons for two more reasons. The first is, they give me the opportunity to spend quality time with my family. We couldn’t have afforded a $40 pizza lunch. But $20 plus tip? Not a problem. And I’m not going to eat a Rooty Tooty alone. Nope. I can share the bill with Dot and Mutti on that. A simple breakfast for each of us. A cup of coffee. Nothing fancy. But definitely fulfilling. And OSH? That’s the second reason I love coupons. They offer possibility. Promise. Planning. All of the above.

If couponing makes me look like someone who’s counting her pennies… Well, guess what. I’m all in.

Pre-Birthday Spoils

Pre-Birthday Spoils

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

You may also enjoy reading:
Clipping Coupons
Clipping Coupons, Part II

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“I Just Wanna Eat My Stinkin’ Food!”

That’s an inside joke between me and Dot. You can read about it here. It’s one of our little catchphrases that’s grown into a life of its own. When something keeps interfering with the end goal, you can hear us chuckle and shout, “I just wanna eat my stinkin’ food!”

So. This post isn’t really about all that. But it is about food. And a goal.

I’m hosting my annual Pampered Chef party. Have you ever heard of Pampered Chef? It’s one of those Direct Home Marketing businesses like Mary Kay or Tupperware. I used to sell it. This product sold itself! It’s that great. It really is.

After I bought my house, I hosted two shows. It’s so much fun. It’s like inviting your friends for a dinner party that somebody else caters. And you know I’m all about the food, right?! So… yeah. Recipes. Friends. Someone else doing the cooking for once. It’s a blast!

Anyway… on April 7th, I’m hosting a show. My wish list keeps growing. Mostly I’m after the egg slicer, free with any $60 total order. My mom has the egg slicer. I use it every chance I get. It slices boiled eggs, soft fruits, cheeses. This toy is amazing!

And then I saw their new herb infuser. This great little gizmo that you can use to drop fresh herbs, berries, or citrus into your drinks, soups, stews.. whatever you brew.

Of course, we can use a new set of their outdoor picnic glasses. Those are our favorites. We use them all the time. These wonderful large cups are fun to hold, and they hold a lot!

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I invite you to check out my friend Holly’s website, here. If you see something you like, I invite you place an order. Product can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. (no P.O. Box) for a nominal charge. You can add your total to my party (a win-win for everyone) by searching for Host first name “Molly” last name “Jo”.

Pampered Chef is wonderful. Long-lasting. Enduring. And it makes being in the kitchen fun. Don’t believe me? Host a Pampered Chef of your own and find out!

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

I’d post photos, but I’m prohibited by copyright laws… I guess you’ll just have to click on Holly’s link to see for yourself.

~Happy Eating!

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