a spicy giveaway!

Good morning and happy Saturday! Turns out, this is my 250th post, so I thought that a giveaway was appropriate, eh?

Today's giveaway involves one of my favorite things---

spices!

I'm sure I've made aware my cookbook obsession and mentioned recipes I've made, but those wouldn't be complete without some of the spices I use regularly. My favorite spice store is Penzeys. Do you know it? My best friend, a sous chef, sent me a few from there for my birthday one year and since then, I rarely buy them at a grocery store. You'd think that they would be more expensive, but that isn't the case at all. I've found that many of them are actually cheaper then even the store brand, and they are much better!

There are some that I use more often than others, of course, but I still have a pretty stocked up spice rack, I think (do you need to see pictures of that too?!). So, here's what I am offering you-

These are a few of my favorites---

Vanilla Sugar

Sweet Basil (French)

Sage (Albanian Whole Leaf)

Apple Pie Spice

China Cassia Cinnamon

French Thyme

California Minced Lemon Peel

Krakow Nights (Polish Seasoning)

Dutch Process Cocoa

The vanilla sugar is so nice sprinkled on fresh berries, to add just a bit of sweetness! I sprinkle the apple pie spice onto applesauce for a snack and I often add the lemon peel to muffins. The Krakow Nights was the first spice I got from Penzeys! I sometimes add that to kielbasa and potatos when I make those. Steve loves it!

Those are just a few of my favorites, though they have many, many more wonderful spices. The company is based in Wisconsin. If you are in the DC area, there is a store in Falls Church and Rockville, so go check them out. Otherwise, they ship, so order online :)

So for the giveaway-

For one entry, comment and tell me your favorite cooking spice.

For two entries, suggest a spice shop in your area that I may not know about, but should try.

For three entries, do the above and tweet about this giveaway and comment with the link.

For four entries, do the above and blog about this giveaway and comment with the link.

For five entries, do the above and become a follower of my blog. If you already do, let me know.

The giveaway will run for two weeks, until Friday, July 31 and the winner will be announced the weekend of August 1. It is likely that I will add a few goodies to the prize...not necessarily spices, but something else!