First of all, I have to apologize for the major delay in drawing the winner's from the Everything 'In the Kitchen' Grand Opening giveaways. Since many of you know I am currently a university student, at the end of term, things get extremely busy. I am finally off for the summer and now have time to get down to business. I am proud to announce the following winners. Congratulations!

By the time this post is up, you (if you were a winner) should have received the congratulations email. If you did not, please check your junk mail. If you did win, please make sure you reply with your mailing address within 48 hours. If I do not hear back from you within 48 hours, I will be required to choose a new winner.


Relish!
Winner: Comment #64 - Andreah

Savings Offer: Relish! is offering all my readers the chance to receive a free silicone basting brush when you sign up with Relish! Just quote the coupon code “dinner” during checkout.


Eat Well Live Longer (Book)
Winner: Comment #130 - Jane


E-cloth
Winners: Comment #90 - danosor & Comment #248 - karmakaytlyn


Microplane
Winner: Comment #393 - cari_and_kevin_king


Cheerios Helping Hearts
Winners: Comment #231 - Shawn, Comment #248 - Roxy, & Comment #74 - LuAnn G


Swedish Designs
Winner: Comment #293 - Jolene


First Juice
Winner: Comment #240 - reana, Comment #3 - Felicia & Brandon, Comment #36 - tutugirl, Comment #130 - Emilie, Comment #182 - Gianna, Comment #113 - paleseptember, Comment #234 - Joanne, & Comment #115 - Ali and Josh Holt.


Women's Bean Project
Winner: Comment #334 - Fibro Fog and More... (**There was no email address provided so I left a message on your blog. Hopefully you will receive this message or the one on your blog. Please write back with your mailing address asap. Thank you.)


Carolyn's Kitchen
Winner: Comment #294 - Treasia


GelPro
Winner: Comment #628 - auntrene


O.N.E.
Winner: Comment #25 - Rebecca Graham


Thank you to everyone who took the time to visit my blog and enter my giveaways! I enjoyed reading each and every one of your comments. I hope to see you again soon. Remember to stop by my main blog, Everything Up Close, for more great giveaways!


**To keep things short, I did not including the random.org screen shots. However, if you are interested in seeing them, feel free to email me and I will gladly send you a copy.

Many of you have probably been looking forward to the featured food blogs of the week. I can imagine that a couple of you may have been disappointed to see that instead of them being weekly, they have only been monthly. This is due to two reasons. First off all, my university term is coming to an end, so this past month has been packed with assignments, tests, etc. Second of all, I have been having a lot of trouble choosing which food blog to feature. Because there are so many things I like about a pile of food blogs, the choice is difficult. Luckily, I have finally made a decision!

This week’s (yes I plan to feature another food blog next week) featured food blog is called ‘Chubba Gurl – Basic Everyday Home Cookin’. The author of Chubba Gurl is Carmen from Utah. Carmen has been married for 14 years and she enjoys cooking for her husband and her three daughters.


The main reason I chose to feature this blog is that it is chock full of family friendly meals that I think would appeal to many people. I think Chubba Gurl does a fantastic job of summarizing top-notch recipes that she finds from various sources, such as other websites and blogs, Recipezaar, cookbooks, as well as some of her own favorites. I really enjoy the pictures that the author of Chubba Gurl includes with a majority of the recipes on her blog. Many of the recipes also include systematic instructions, which is a bonus!

Another aspect I really like about Chubba Gurl is the ‘My Fav Food Blogs’ Feature included on her left sidebar. This is a great way to find out about new and interesting blogs, that you may or may not know of, that are dedicated to food and cooking. I think this is a great resource for anyone interesting in finding recipes or new food blogs to read. I was happy to see such a wide variety of blogs listed (many that I haven’t heard of before).

Here is a list of my top 10 favorite recipes listed at Chubba Gurl (no ranking order):
1.) Crock Pot Salisbury Steak (recipe from Southern Plate)
2.) Peanut Butter Choc Chip Brownies (recipe from My Tasty Treasures)
3.) Sour Cream Banana Bread (recipe from Recipezaar)
4.) Cheeseburger Paradise Soup (recipe from Taste of Home)
5.) 7 Layer Taco Dip (recipe from AllRecipes.com)
6.) Crazy Crust Taco Pie
7.) Carm’s Goulash
8.) Kitchen Sink Cookies
9.) Turkey Pot Pie (recipe from AllRecipes.com)
10.) Grandma Ople’s Apple Piece (recipe from AllRecipes.com)


The recipes I’ve listed above are only from the last 6 months on the Chubba Gurl Blog. I can assure you that there are several others worth checking out. I could have made this list a lot longer but I figured that limiting it to 10 recipes would give you a good idea of what she has to offer. As you can see from the above list, Chubba Gurl offers a variety of recipes that are good for each and every meal of the day.

Overall, I think Chubba Gurl is a fantastic blog for anyone who loves to cook (or eat). Because of the vast variety of recipes offered at Chubba Gurl, there are sure to be at least a few that catch your eye. Are you looking for something to make for supper tonight? Or, are you trying to find that perfect recipe for Easter? Check out Chubba Gurl today!

"All it takes is one easy and delicious recipe idea, so we hope you let your readers, friends and family know that it’s time to get creative in the kitchen for their chance at a million! One hundred finalists will win a trip to the finals, April 11 – 13, 2010, at the Waldorf=Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek hotel in Florida. Pillsbury is looking for original recipes that taste and look delicious, are easy to prepare and that families across America will love to eat. There are four recipe categories—Breakfast & Brunches, Entertaining Appetizers, Dinner Made Easy™ and Sweet Treats."

"Entries are being accepted online between now and April 20th, 2009, at http://www.bakeoff.com/. You’ll also find contest details, including eligible products, prizes and the official rules, at the web site. "

Here is a video featuring last year's Pillsbury Bake-Off winner, Carolyn Gurtz:

You could be this year's lucky $1,000,000 winner! Enter today!