Post Christmas Glow & A Blog Giveaway Winner

I hope you all had the merriest of holidays!  Our son and daughter-in-law visited us and that made for a wonderful Christmas.

 

 

 

Now we're lazing about, slowly putting away the decorations, finishing off the abundance of Christmas treats, and I'm managing a bit of sewing.  All the while, I'm enjoying the quiet and post Christmas glow.  You know that feeling you get when you're so content, so happy that you feel as though you could burst?  Yep, that feeling.  It started Christmas day when Davey and Yujin arrived.

 

 

And even though they're back in Ft. Stewart now, I'm still feeling the love of family!

 

 

And speaking of love...thank you for all of your sweet comments to my December 10th blog post!  Your encouraging words really made my fourth blogiversary special.  From your comments, I randomly drew a winner for a set of my Pot Mitts.

 

 

Congratulations, Little Susie Homemaker!  Please send me (Cindy@RetroRevival.Biz) your address so that I can ship them to you.

Zesty Chicken Piccata, September Blog Winner & October Blog Giveaway!

Scroll down near the end of this post to see if you're the winner of my September blog giveaway and to read about THIS MONTH'S giveaway!

I made Chicken Piccata for the first time this week -- yum!  Thought you might want to try this simple, delicious recipe:

Chicken Piccata
Ingredients:
4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
3 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
Additional all purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chicken broth
Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions:
1. Place chicken between 2 large sheets of waxed paper and pound with mallet until about 1/4-inch thick
2. Sprinkle each side of chicken with salt and pepper
3. Mix 1 tablespoon butter and 1 1/2 tablespoons flour in small bowl until smooth
4. Place additional flour in shallow baking dish.  Dip chicken into flour to coat; shake off excess.
5. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet, then place chicken breasts into skillet and cook until golden and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side
6. Transfer chicken to platter and tent with foil to keep warm
7. Bring wine, lemon juice and broth to boil in the skillet over medium-high heat, scrapping up chicken bits
8. Whisk in butter-flour mixture and boil until sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes
9. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.  Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.
10. Serve and enjoy!

(Serving in my "1940's Secret Garden" apron)

Hope you'll try this recipe and like it!

Now, on to the winner of this month's giveaway...

Congratulations to PAULA PARRISH!

Yay Paula!  Paula's comment read:

"WOW, I love your new dress and it looks amazing on you Cindy. I believe that the best of your new dress is that it is handmade by such a talented person. Thanks so much for sharing the information about Kim and her Etsy shop. Smiles, Paula"

Please shoot me an email with your address, Paula, so I can ship your book.

For my October blog giveaway, I found these autumnal-themed kitchen towels:

They're 100% cotton.  The one on the left says, "Pumpkin Fest," and the one on the right says, "Gobble, Gobble."  So cute!

For a chance to win, just leave a comment on this blog entry, or any of my October entries; each comment counts as one entry so the more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win - yay!  I'll randomly draw a winner on October 31st.  Good luck!

Easy Peasy Pickle Recipe & August Blog Winner

Visiting Wisconsin, my mother-in-law Lois served Refrigerator Pickles with our sandwiches one day.  I asked if they were sweet (I don't like sweet pickles) and she replied, "They're sweet and tart."  Not wanting to be rude, I had to try them - and was pleasantly surprised - delicious!  Then she shared the recipe with me and I thought, well I've never canned before but I can make these!

Lois' Refrigerator Pickles

Ingredients:
12 cucumbers, thinly sliced
2 bell (green) peppers, bite-sized chopped
4 small onions, thinly sliced
2 cups sugar
2 cups white, distilled vinegar
1/4 cup pickling salt
(Note: I had to double the sugar, vinegar and salt to cover all the veggies - cucs I used were huge!)
Directions:
1. Place veggies in a big bowl or container and cover with ice; leave sitting on counter for 2 hours

2. Drain all liquid from container and fill mason jars or other container(s) with veggies

3. Combine sugar, vinegar and salt and stir until well mixed then pour over veggies

4. Close containers, refrigerate and serve anytime after 24 hours

5. Enjoy!

These were fun to make and super duper easy!  And they'll keep in the refrigerator for at least six months.  Hope you'll try them and let me know if you like!
Now to the winner of my August blog giveway...

The winner is NADINE.  Congratulations, Nadine!  Please shoot me an email with your address so I can send you your new cupcake book.

Winner of June Blog Giveaway

Thank you all for following my newly madeover blog.  I LOVE reading your comments!

From your many June comments I drew a winner...

Congratulations to Cindy from Rick Rack and Gingham (she has a cute blog; check it out at http://rick-rackandgingham.blogspot.com/2010/04/spoon-licking-good-recipe.html).  Please send me an email, Cindy, with your address so I can ship you your lovely, retro-inspired make up bag!

Please check back soon to see what's in store for the July giveaway!