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Decorating Dilemma

February always poses a decorating dilemma. I mean, I decorate for Valentines Day, but then I also want to decorate for Mardi Gras. What's a girl to do? This year, Fat Tuesday falls on February 16th, so I'll just have to make sure the Valentines Day comes down quick and get the Mardi Gras in full swing ASAP. Likely, only the Mardi Gras wreath and flags will be all that gets displayed this year.

What I am going to do for Mardi Gras is finally getting around to making some Crawfish Etouffee. I've had the authentic Louisiana crawfish in my freezer for a while now, and the recipe sitting in my recipe box, but one thing has been holding me back...the rice. You see, I wanted to make it and have some GOOD rice to go with it. I don't love Minute Rice and I'm not even touching the microwave stuff. Every time I attempt to make "real rice" it turns out gummy. Gummy bears = good, gummy rice = yuck!

It seems all my problems have been solved with an e-mail I got this week (well not all of my problems, but at least the rice one). A company contacted me about doing a product review and/or a giveaway. Now this company sells EVERYTHING from mailboxes to dishes, to cookware, to baby stuff. I was so excited because they have so many great products to choose from. Sadly I had a budget! That word Budget is such a dirty little word! I searched and searched for something to select that was within the budget and finally came up with this...


It is a Black and Decker Handy Steamer & Rice Cooker.

I'm so excited to be getting this product. In addition to solving my Mardi Gras menu issues, I think that the ability to cook "real" brown rice and steam veggies will ultimately lead to some healthier eating.
Of course, I wouldn't have felt right about getting something great and not getting one to give away to you guys too, SOOOOOOOO without further ado...it's giveaway time here at LBP! That's right, one will be coming to one of your kitchens too. All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post.

Answer this question: What is your favorite thing about New Orleans? If you haven't ever been to New Orleans, I won't hold that against you. Just tell me what is one of your favorite American cities to visit.
All entries must be posted by January 28, 2010, 10:00 p.m. CST. Sorry, only United States and Canada residents can participate in the giveaway. Only one entry per person. Winner will be chosen at random by Random.org. Winners will be posted on January 29th and will have 48 hours to respond. If no response is received, then another winner will be chosen. Good Luck!

Comments

Spotted-Bird said…
How exciting for you and all your readers. I have never been to NO, but want to go so bad. It is on our list. I want to go during the fall/winter and see a football game.

My favorite city to visit is Chicago. We have been a couple of times and I love it!
JEF said…
How can I possibly choose my most favorite thing about NOLA ??? I just love being in that city as you know....love walking around, love shopping, and love the cuisine....K-Paul's baby !!!!
Suzanna Cooper said…
Favorite thing...no question....beignets at Cafe du Monde! Yummy!!!
courtney said…
this is going to sound really creepy and weird, but i love cemeteries in NO. i love that they're "buried" above ground. it's so euro.

also, for something less creepy, i love NO's food!!!

btw, i'm one of the ones who's google reader isn't updating your updates very quickly!
Anonymous said…
I never planned on visiting NOLA ever but my husband really wanted to take me. I fell in love with just about everything you can list. Jazz,people,plantations,food and drinks,history, historic buildings, Love that place-best vacation ever. I want to go back!
Abby said…
I love my rice cooker (the one your giving away is much nicer than mine!). We have a Koren friend who told us to cook rice any otherway is a waste! Love it! I can get you some good rice as well. We do live in one of the largest rice producing counties in the US (or something like that?).

I've never been there (you know minus a stop over in the airport!). I would love to go. Maybe you and I should meet up their for our next fun girls event. We could invite our blogger friends!! Any one? Any one?

Since I haven't been to NO, then I'd have to say New York, New York. Broadway, Central Park....you get the drift!!
New Orleans is one of our favorite places, ever. It's always been our escape city! We loved Cafe Du Monde, Mother's, Deanie's Seafood. I'll stop now, but I could go on and on. Oh, and I have already pre-ordered my king cake from Paul's Pastry. I can't wait for it!
Linda K said…
I have not been to NO, but it is on my list of places to visit. I don't have just one favorite city; however, one place I really enjoyed was Minden, Nevada. It is a little ski resort at the bottom of Lake Tahoe/Heavenly Ski Resort. I also had an interesting trip last summer when I went to Kenya (Africa), with my husband. I wouldn't say it was one of my favorite places to visit but it was quite an experience.
Angela said…
Yeah an awesome give away! I have never been to NO but I so want to go. If I did go I want to see most the french quarter.

As far as fave place is Dallas TX there is so much to do there!
Natalie said…
I've never been to NO, but would really love to visit.

One of my favorite cities is San Francisco, the city by the bay. I grew up there and love it dearly..
Mom said…
My favorite thing about NOLA is the food!
Caroline said…
Never been to NO, but I would love to go!
Heather said…
I've never been to NOLA, but I'd love to go sometime soon. My favorite U.S. city to visit so far is San Francisco... hopefully I'll live there at some point, too!
Emily said…
Well saddly I have never been to NO, but I love Scottsdale, AZ. Yes my sister would disagree b.c it is all so blah and the same...but for me it is the memories there. I mean the amazing propsal from Chris and having my family makes that my favorite place!
Anonymous said…
Well i have a very hard time picking only one thing but i believe that my favorite NOLA thing is the beads...

Lisa
Unknown said…
Love love love the food, love the history & architecture and of course the warmer temperatures!
Traci said…
I have NEVER been to NOLA but really want to go SO bad!!! I did watch The Real World New Orleans after all!!

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