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Friday, August 7, 2009

Ooh la la -- A Giveaway, a Summer Salad, and a Big Tease

Lots happening on this Foodie and Hooked On Friday.

I am Hooked On a Giveaway, there's a cool summer salad for the Foodie crowd,
and I would like to kidnap you but don't worry -- not till next week!

To see what other bloggers are Hooked On today, visit Julia's Hooked On Houses blog. There's a link to the Hooked On party at the end of the post, and a Foodie Friday link right after the Giveaway.

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Whoever likes French country design, raise your hand!


The second That Old House giveaway is . . .

Let me show you. Step into the dining room; it's a little dark, sorry.
Don't look now, but nights are falling a bit more quickly than they did 2 months ago.

And the giveaway is:


Two things, both from French General.


A book, Home Sewn:


French General is a home decor shop that was hatched in New York's Hudson Valley,
migrated south to New York City, and then packed up its wares
and moved to Beverly. Hills, that is. Swimming pools, movie stars.

Well, Los Angeles, anyway. The shop has grown beyond its four walls, and
has expanded way beyond its origins selling vintage French fabrics and other things Gallic.
I'm not sure what all they have now, but it's lots.

Back to my point: I'm giving away a brand new copy of
French General's Home Sewn.


A peek inside the book. It is a luscious-looking book.
On the inside cover, an envelope of pattern pieces:


Some of the 30 projects in Home Sewn -- Party Banners:

Fringed placemats:


Cushions and pillows:


And my favorite:


Actually my favorite is the chicken. I do love chickens.
Sadly, the chicken does not come with the book.
If it did, I'd be keeping it.
Should that chicken be nervous at being held by a woman wearing a Butcher's Apron?

But wait! There's more!

A set of Ginsu knives. . . .
No. I lie. It's a box of stationery:


It is unopened. (You could even re-gift it, but you didn't hear that from me.)
The papers are based on vintage French fabrics. So lovely!


How to enter? Tres simple, mon chers. (I speak no French, can vous tell?)

Just leave a comment on this blog post by Sunday night, August 9th, at midnight, EDT.
We'll let the computer pick a number, and I will announce a winner on Monday morning.


(And yes, I'll send to Canada.)

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Now next week, I am going to take you on a mystery trip.
I'll pack you all in the minivan, my glamorous vehicle.

Highways . . .

A country road . . .


And some little faces waiting for us in a window. Can you count three black noses?
Look carefully!

Miss Frances Rose is being coy. Or, her sisters are hogging the window.
They will greet us at the garden gate when we arrive.

There will be lots to see on our Mystery Trip, including
flowers -- loads of flowers!



And a delicious summertime lunch, including this:

Summer Corn Salad!

It's my Foodie Friday offering. Check out Designs by Gollum for more Friday Food. Ummm... click here!

I've had corn in salad, but never had corn as the featured ingredient before. It's delicious! Next time you make corn on the cob, cook a few extra ears, cut off the kernels, and try this:
  • corn, sliced off several ears
  • grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 sweet onion, finely diced
  • some diced peeled cucumber
  • diced red or yellow sweet pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or fresh cilantro (try the cilantro -- it's great!)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste, and a pinch of sugar
Mix it all together, let it nestle in and get cozy, and serve cold. It's a refreshing alternative to a green salad, and goes great with sandwiches. I can prove that, too. You'll see.

That's if you come back next week for our mystery trip.

Miss Frances Rose wants you to come.


How can you disappoint her? Don't you want to meet her?


Now remember that I am Hooked On my giveaway, but others are hooked on all sorts of things.
Click here to see what other bloggers are Hooked On, at Julia's lovely blog.

If you leave a comment but don't want to participate in the giveaway, no problem-o (I think that is French). Just write "No thanks" and I won't count your comment as an entry. Oooh lah lah! Have a lovely Friday! -- Cass

57 comments:

  1. Hi Cass,
    Please enter me~ I love the giveaway! I like the corn salad too! Cindy

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  2. Good Morning Cass,

    I love the stationary box and want to be entered, for sure!

    That last photo of your sweet Frances Rose stole my heart. Can I get it back?

    Have a wonderful day!

    Becky K.

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  3. Cass-Is Miss Fances Rose a springer or King Charles? Your giveaway is wonderful--I love pretty stationery. Vous are very kind to offer it--:)

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  4. What a wonderful giveaway. I make handmade cards so this would be perfect. Please enter me in your giveaway. Blessings...Sherry

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  5. You have a beautiful blog. I have only begun reading it recently, but it is like a mini-vacation in the middle of the day! I do not have a blog, but I hope I can still enter your giveaway. Bonnie

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  6. Oooh a giveaway. Have you checked out the shipping costs on books? Ouch. I speak from experience.
    Of course I would love to win anyways. I'm thoughtless like that.
    What a pretty puppy face. (no I'm not sucking up to win)

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  7. I would love to enter your giveaway if its not only for the US...I'm in Canada.

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  8. Love the blog and would love to win (also loving the pup and the corn salad-such yummy photos)

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  9. Entre mois, sil vous plait......haha...my french is lacking as well......I love, love, love pretty papers and such and would love, love, love to win this! Mon ami.....you are too sweet.

    Suzanne

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  10. Good Morning Cass--
    Thanks for sharing and please sign me up for the giveaway.
    PS--I came over from Acorn Cottage.
    Melinda

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  11. Good morning Cass :)

    I would LOVE to win. I can't sew to save my life, but I might be able to get my neighbor to make something for me :)

    Can't wait for the trip!

    hugs,
    rue

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  12. Oh to have a shop even remotely like The French General on this island! Please enter me in your draw, s'il vous plait!

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  13. Ooh la la indeed! Love the generous giveaway! Thanks for your bloggy sister kindness. Love French country looks.
    Love the dogs!
    Julie

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  14. Ha! I think "no problem-o" is Spanish! We hear it a lot out here in the west! Your beautiful photos are making me homesick for a home I left as a child.
    De-Lovely! Your giveaway is Devine! Everything on this very ambitious post is! Happy Friday.
    **blows kisses** Deborah

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  15. Hi Cass, It is my first time visiting your blog. I am a newbie to blogland. I am so enjoying blog hopping and meeting such wonderful people. I will create a link back to your fantastic giveaway. Thank you for being so generous and offering the Home Sewn Book! I have been wanting to purchase it for a while now,and talk myself out of it. I have sooo many decorating books, my hubby thinks I should open my own book store. Love your blog!

    Blessings,
    Jan

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  16. Thanks Cass! Such a great giveaway!

    I adore your pups! Petey the Boston terrier would love to have them visit for a tug o war with toys and then a nap on the sofa.

    I'm gonna link your give away at my blog too.

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  17. Cass, this is a wonderful giveaway. How fun. I love to sew, so this is right up my alley and I am all about frenchy all of a sudden. Love the cute puppies, one is just a little bashful. I can't wait to find out about the trip, where are we going? Such fun. Hugs, Marty

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  18. I love giveaways - never won but still love them. Since I am on a diet, I loved the picture of the corn - looks delicious.

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  19. The corn salad looks delish! I love cool summer salads! Love the giveaway too, thanks!

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  20. Yes, please enter me. Looks very interesting. So glad you came to visit! Love your house!!!!
    -The Tablescaper

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  21. I'd love to win the items from the French General. My family has 3 St. C spaniels too. I love making aprons and other things in the book and the box. thanks for stopping by to visit. Have a wonderful day!

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  22. What cute pups! And what a lovely giveaway. (A little disappointed that the Ginsu knives aren't included. Ha.) Pick me-pick me! :-)

    Hope you have a safe and wonderful trip!

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  23. Oh please, please, please enter me in your contest! I simply love French General! I have been waiting for the to restock their fabric squares ~ I want to sew something 'sew' badly with it! The book would be a delight! AND that lovely stationary!
    Your pups are adorable and the trip sounds like so much fun ~ can't wait to go with you!
    Blessings!

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  24. Hi Cass, this post was just the most fun.. definetly enter me in your give away... Looking forward to your mystery trip... your puppy is absolutely adorable.. our pets are sure an important part of our lives aren't they? Thanks for swinging by to see Mr. P on his tractor.. he loves that hat too. lol
    hugs ~lynne~

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  25. Wow...ten minutes ago I had never even heard of French General..off to their website for me! Looking forward to the road trip, it sounds like fun!
    Be well. ~Andrea~

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  26. Oh! I would LOVE to be entered! What a fantastic giveaway! The cor salad looks yummy!!!
    I can't wait for the trip!!

    Heather:)

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  27. PS What specific breed of dog is Miss Frances Rose? Is she a King Charles? She is beautiful.

    Thanks
    Heather:)

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  28. Very beautiful stationary! P.S. That doggy is so cute!

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  29. Love it. Very elegant! I would love to be entered please.

    ssummmer(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. Pick me, pick me!! ;o)

    BTW, my dog Edward thinks your Frances Rose is awfully darned cute!

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  31. What a wonderful giveaway! That corn salad looks great too, I will have to try it! Please enter me in... I will be back to explore your blog some more!
    karen....
    recycledrita.blogspot.com

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  32. Wow, what a great giveaway! I love fancy papers! The corn salad looks so colorful and yummy, and we always seem to have a few extra ears of corn leftover, so I'm trying it this weekend! I love your blog.. and your home!

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  33. What gorgeous, sweet furry faces they have! You take the best photos!
    Brenda

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  34. What a wonderful giveaway, please
    enter me! Your blog is so beautifully
    done! Love the flowers and dog picture.. tooo sweet!

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  35. What a nice giveaway! Oh what sweet faces.
    Looking forward to reading about the mystery trip. Corn salad looks good.
    Glenda

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  36. Awww, super-cute spaniel! Thanks for the chance to win two glorious prizes!

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  37. Sign me up for the drawing!

    I love corn salad and it almost as good as fresh corn on the cob dripping with butter.

    And I know -- your mystery drive was to pick up your new puppy!

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  38. Oooooh what an ADORABLE face!!! My boys are trying to talk moi into getting another Cocker Spaniel... might have to give in... CUTE!

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  39. That corn salad looks delish! And your furbabies are so cute!
    I'd love to be entered in your give a way...please.

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  40. Cass...what a beautiful and generous giveaway. Please add my name to your list. Thanks so much for your kindness!
    And the corn salad looks absolutely delicious.I'M HUNGRY !!

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  41. What a wonderful giveaway! Please enter me... and pick me! :)
    The corn salad looks delish!
    Visiting from "Hooked On Party"
    Happy weekend,
    ~Amy

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  42. Oh, count me in! This would be great.

    -Lauren
    lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

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  43. How wonderful; please enter me. Love the fact she has different aprons for different jobs, that's the only way to wear aprons!

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  44. Yes thanks. I want to be entered in your giveaway. It is a lovely gift. thank you for the opportunity.

    The corn salad looks so good I need to visit more often.

    Hugs...Jeanne.

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  45. Please enter me. They are adorable!

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  46. I love fresh corn salad in the summertime. Great photo.
    Love the pups in the window! Thanks for the giveaway, the colors of the box are beautiful.
    Alison

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  47. I love your giveaways. That butcher's apron is fabulous, as is the corn salad!

    christi@asouthernlife.com

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  48. Oh Cass Pick me girl..tell Mr.Random number thingy to pick me ha ha!! How have you been my friend...I just got home from Texas..Had a great time at my Grandson wedding and got to finally see that sweet little Kyra...May you have a great weekend girl...Hugs and smiles Gloria

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  49. Looks like a fab giveaway...count me in!!!!! Thanks

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  50. Hi Cass

    What a terrific blog and I've signed up to be a follower of yours too. I love your home and am anxious to hear what you've fixed for you dinner guests.

    Thanks for stopping by The Old Parsonage and for becoming a follower.

    Enjoy your weekend!
    Leann

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  51. The stationery box is lovely inside and out-this would make a wonderful gift for my friend!

    Elaine R
    emrosser@shaw.ca

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  52. Hi Cass. Please enter me in your giveaway. I love your blog and the post about the giveaway
    Marge
    PS I love coffee too

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  53. Well, geee wizzz, I want to win!! If I don't will you make me a runner-up apron in tan/white or olive/white??

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  54. I love your blog, and I'm glad I'm still in time for the giveaway... my sewing machine is still out in my guest room waiting for me to finish some pillows. If I win this, I won't have to pack it away ;-)

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  55. I hope to see you at Crock Pot Wednesdays at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com this week. Mr. Linky is up and ready for you.

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  56. Mornin' Cass...

    Just coming from your Sunday Favorites post! Ohhhh noooo....I fear that I'm too late to sign up for your fabulous frenchy giveaway! How did I miss this...sheeeshhh...old age! I'm never really sure if I'm coming or going! Hehe! Your gift giveaway is fabulous...would love that great sewing book...and the stationery is lovely too! Ohhh...am I too late?

    Warmest wishes,
    Chari
    PS...such a sweet and generous gift, my friend!

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Thank you for visiting That Old House; it's always exciting to find new comments -- they are treasured! Because of increasing spam, I have reluctantly eliminated "Anonymous" commenting. Legitimate anonymous commenters, please forgive me! You might try using "Open ID" instead. Blogger's spam software worked for a good long time, but, sadly, no longer.