February Giveaway: Spring is in the Air!

Punxsutawney Phil may be predicting six more weeks of winter, but with these mild temperatures it’s a little difficult to believe that spring has been delayed.  On the other hand, a part of me keeps looking for the other shoe to drop, that last great arctic blast before old man winter at last gives up the ghost. Spring fever has definitely spread like a welcome virus in our home. My children are begging to play outside every afternoon. I’ve started cleaning and rearranging, inspired by the sunlight streaming through the windows and the lengthening days.  We find ourselves discussing vacation plans more often, looking forward to some adventure at a favorite theme park or some relaxation at the beach.

The apron styles are turning light and springy too. That’s why I thought I would be appropriate to offer our Marilyn Country Chic Apron this month as our giveaway.  For me the subdued colors and contrasting stripes and floral patterns invoke feelings of springtime and cooking in a light airy kitchen with the windows open.

OK, enough of my daydreaming, here’s how to enter.

1. Follow Swanky Aprons on Twitter and tweet the following: February Apron #giveaway! RT & follow @swanky_aprons for a chance to win! http://wp.me/pNk6l-8Y Ends 02/29. – Worth one entry per tweet (up to one per day)

2. Become a fan of Swanky Aprons on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/swankyaprons

3. Suggest our Facebook page to your friends (1 entry), if they “like” us and post a comment there saying you invited them; you’ll get an extra entry for each friend

4. Subscribe to this blog (see the right side of the home page under Recent Tweets) – 1 entry

5. Sign up for our mailing list (go to http://www.swankyaprons.com/ and look under the left navigation) – 1 entry

Sorry, but this giveaway is open to US residents only.

Recipes and Aprons: Candy Sushi

Several weeks ago, my eldest child’s teacher sent home a note that the class would be performing a Japanese tea ceremony on March 21. The children painted homemade kimonos and learned about Japanese culture and traditions as they prepared for the event. When she sent home the list of requested items, I immediately picked Candy Sushi. In a family that adores Sushi, I had never heard of a candy version and was eager to try it out.

Little did her teacher know when she created her lesson plan just how much not only her class, but the entire world would be thinking about Japan in the days leading up to the ceremony.  As I prepared the candy sushi tonight, I tried to think of any small way we could help.

So, in honor of our friends in Japan, Swanky Aprons will be donating 10% of all online sales from now through March 31^st to the Red Cross Fund for the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.  I’d also like to encourage you to donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

OK, time for the recipe!  I have to say it is sticky but fun to make, and anything based on a Rice Krispie treat is yummy in my book! 🙂

The Recipe: Candy Sushi

• 8 fruit rollups
• ½ cup butter or margarine
• 1 10.5 oz. package of mini marshmallows
• 16 gummy worms or 24 fish shaped gummy candies
• 6 cups Rice Krispies® cereal

1)      Unroll fruit rollups and place, plastic side down, on a cutting board.  If you live in a hot and humid climate like I do, you might want to pop them in the freezer for 5 minutes first so they are easier to unroll.

2)      Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium heat.

3)      Add marshmallows, stirring constantly until melted.

4)      Fold in Rice Krispies until coated.

5)      Immediately spread 1/3 cup of the Rice Krispie mixture over the fruit rollup, leaving a one inch margin along one long edge of the fruit rollup.

6)      Place two worms or three fish in the center of the cereal mixture end-to-end.

7)      Roll up each roll, beginning at the side without the border.

8)      Carefully peel off the plastic (again, you might want to pop them in the freezer for five minutes to make the plastic easier to peel).

9)      Cut each roll into four equal pieces.

10)   Serve with chopsticks.

11)   Enjoy!

Women's Original Cherry Blossom Apron

The Apron: The Women’s Original Cherry Blossom Apron

With its Asian-inspired theme, the Cherry Blossom Apron was a natural choice for the companion apron to this recipe.

Recipes and Aprons: Comfort Food: Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

This is one of my all-time favorite comfort food recipes. For a perfectly cozy winter Saturday, start a fire in the fireplace, and let the aroma of this delicious crock pot entree fill the house while you curl up with a good book.

The Recipe: Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole

In a slow cooker, combine:

• 1 bunch finely chopped cilantro (reserve some for garnish)
• 1 can enchilada sauce (10 oz. can)
• 1 can black beans, drained (15.5 oz. can)
• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ¾ cup picante sauce
• 1 can corn with red and green peppers

Cook for 5 hours.  Remove chicken breasts and pull apart meat.  Return to slow cooker and stir.  In a medium bowl, combine:

• 2 eggs
• 1 (8.5 oz.)  package of corn bread mix

Spoon evenly over mixture in slow cooker.  Cover and cook for 1 ½ hours.

Top with one bag of shredded Monterrey Jack cheese and sprinkle with remainder of cilantro.

Cook for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Enjoy!

The Apron: Women’s Apron Original Aqua Damask

I adore this apron! It makes me feel pretty AND keeps my clothes clean. (And it’s comfy too!)

Recipes and Aprons: Snow and Cocoa

Snow rarely makes an appearance in our corner of the state.  When it does, a light dusting is normally enough to send the whole city into an all-out panic. At the first hint of impending wintry precipitation, grocery stores are swiftly emptied of milk, bread, eggs and firewood. So when it was announced that our area could expect  4+ inches of snow this past Sunday night, a “flurry” (sorry, I couldn’t resist) of schools and businesses closings were announced  before the fluffy white flakes even began to accumulate.

My children were both home, and my husband’s work was closed as well, so we decided to take advantage of this rare opportunity and play outside as a family.

We had a blast.  But being used to a southern climate, it wasn’t long before teeth started chattering and fingers and toes turned numb. Reluctantly, we herded everyone inside to warm up by the fire. Naturally, my first thought was to fix everyone the traditional hot cocoa to speed up the warming process.

When I opened up our box of Swiss Miss, however, there were too few packets to prepare a cup for everyone.  After some digging, I found some cocoa powder in the pantry. Never having made hot cocoa from scratch before, I was a little apprehensive, but was pleasantly surprised by how easy and delicious it was to prepare.

The Recipe: Hot Cocoa from Scratch

• 1 heaping tsp cocoa powder
• 2 tsp sugar
• Dash of salt
• Milk

In a microwave safe mug, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk until blended. Fill the rest of the mug with milk and microwave for 1 to ½ minutes on high.  Top with marshmallows and enjoy!

The Apron: Cocoa Lime

The name says it all. 🙂

A New Year of Recipes and Aprons: Comfort Food

Happy New Year Everyone! We’re grateful for a busy holiday season here at Swanky Aprons, but at the same time, it is nice to get back into a routine that is a little more sane. That includes picking up our Recipe and Aprons series again, where we bring you our favorite food and apron pairings.

With the temperatures dropping and spring yet several weeks out, this month is all about comfort food. And while a nice warm creamy soup is soothing in itself, the inviting smell of the same simmering away in a crock pot lends a level of sweet anticipation that can last all day.

The Recipe: Hearty Potato Soup

The Apron:  Women’s Apron Original Midnight Bloom

Peeling potatoes can be a messy business, so we selected an apron that is fully lined and provides complete coverage from those flying potato peels.  The floral pattern also invokes a comfortable, homey feeling.

January Giveaway: Back to Reality

It’s the Monday after the New Year and time to return to routine.  If your family is like mine, you saw a lot of sad faces in your home this morning as everyone reluctantly rose once again to the ever-pleasant sound of the alarm clock. Happily, return to the old grind also means the Swanky Aprons monthly giveaways are back!

Since our inventory will be changing around this month, we decided to give away one in-stock apron of the winner’s choice.

In case you’re new to this routine, here are the ways you can enter:

Here’s how you enter:

1)      Follow Swanky Aprons on Twitter and tweet the following: Vintage style apron #giveaway! RT & follow @swanky_aprons for a chance to win! Ends 1/31. https://swankyaprons.wordpress.com

2)      Become a fan of Swanky Aprons on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/swankyaprons

3)      Suggest our Facebook page to your friends, if they “like” us and post a comment there saying you invited them; you’ll get an extra entry for each friend.

4)      Subscribe to this blog (see the right side of the screen under Recent Tweets)

Good luck and happy new year!

Day 8 of Recipes and Aprons: Cherry Chocolaty Goodness

The Recipe: Chocolate-Covered Cherries

I’ve never really been all that tempted by sweets. My indulgences tend to veer towards the salty-crunchy snacks that go nicely with a soda. There remains, however, one gargantuan exception to the rule; chocolate covered cherries. My addiction to these savory crumbs from heaven began at a very young age led most of the members of my family to defer to this particular candy as the standby gift for me for Christmas, my birthday, or whatever occasion happened to come along. It has only been in the last couple of years that my complaints regarding my chocolate-covered-cherry-related weight gain have curbed the tide of these well-meaning but hip-widening treats.

I do still enjoy them in moderation around the holidays, and have come prefer the homemade kind. Here is a delicious recipe for those who share my compulsion. 🙂

The Apron: The Betty Double Band Cherry Apron with Red Ties

It was difficult to choose today’s apron, mostly because we have several styles featuring cherries, but I felt this one best reflected the combination of cherries and chocolate.

Day 2 of Recipes and Aprons: Blueberries in the Morning

This has been one of my favorite recipes for years, and something we serve each Christmas morning in our house. It’s nice that you can make it the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning, especially if you have a potluck breakfast or brunch to attend. If I’m pressed for time, I’ll skip the sauce, and just serve it with blueberry syrup from the store.  I usually use French bread for taste and appearance.  

Recipe: Overnight Blueberry French Toast

Apron: Women’s Original Blue Chocolate Apron

The friend that I mentioned yesterday actually suggested this one to go with the Blueberry French Toast Casserole, which is perfect, since the blue polka dots even resemble blueberries! 🙂

Happy weekend!

Aprons and Recipes vs. Fine Wine and Chocolate?

A good friend of mine, @gratefulkim, sent me one of her amazing ideas yesterday, and I decided to take her advice.  So for the next few days, I’m going to post a recipe and pair it with an apron (as she says, “like fine wine and chocolate”. 🙂  Some of the recipes will be my own, but others will be favorites that I either use as is, or alter somewhat. If y’all approve, we can keep going until we run out of aprons.

The Recipe: Turkey Ham Soup

This is one of my favorite comfort foods and is very easy to make.  It’s modified from a family recipe.

Ingredients:

• ½ turkey ham, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 3-4 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 red onion, diced
• ½ bag frozen cut green beans (not French style)
• garlic powder, salt and lemon pepper to taste
• 2 cans chicken broth

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 5 hours.

Enjoy!

The Apron: Women’s Original Pink Chocolate Apron

I chose this apron because it brings to mind the same attributes as the soup; warmth, tradition and comfort.

Ok, we have a recipe and an apron (which happens to have chocolate in the name), so who has the vino?

Have a great Thursday!

October Giveaway in Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness

Every month we give away one of our products to one lucky social media fan.  And, every month I ask our friends what they would like to see us give away as a prize.  This month, several people asked that we give away a pink apron in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I thought this was a great idea, especially since it is a cause very dear to me (my dear mother-in-law is a survivor). 

So in the spirit of all things pink, we are giving away our Chic Pink Apron for this month’s prize.  We’re also donating a $50 Gift Certificate to my friend’s Zumbathon for Breast Cancer Charity Event.  (If you’re in the L.A. Area, please check it out!  I mean, a Zumba Marathon? What could be cooler?)

Ok, so pay attention because we’re changing up the entries to show our support. 🙂

There are 4 ways to enter:

1) Follow Swanky Aprons on Twitter and Tweet the following: Apron #giveaway in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness! RT & follow @swanky_aprons for a chance to win! Ends 10/31. http://tinyurl.com/2auhlvl

(Change your avatar to a pink ribbon or add a Twibbon  for a double entry each time you tweet!)

2) Become a fan of Swanky Aprons on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/swankyaprons Post a pic on our Facebook page of you and your friends at your Local Race for the Cure for an additional 5 entries!

3) Suggest our Facebook page to your friends, if they “like” us and post a comment there saying you invited them; you’ll get an extra entry for each friend.

4) Subscribe to this blog (see the right side of the screen under Recent Tweets)

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only. All entries must be in by midnight, October 31, 2010.

Good luck and get your mammograms! ❤