Like most blogs, The Kitchenmaid had a long gestational period. With the naivety of most first-time mothers I thought it would be a good maternity leave project, something to keep my brain moving. I was going to run it in my spare time, along with website on parenting, training for a half-marathon and continuing my freelance work, because, you know, babies are really easy. Yeah, right. Pull the other one, sweetheart, it’s got chocolate cream cheese icing on it.
Anyway, today marks one year since my first tentative post. I’d like to thank Joan of Sempiterna Me, who acted as an encouraging midwife, and everyone who has stopped by and shared their thoughts, tips and ideas ever since. I couldn’t – or indeed wouldn’t – do this without you. And last but by no means least, thanks to the Small Girl and Boy Wonder who help out in all sorts of ways, not least by being such appreciative eaters.
Now – it might be The Kitchenmaid’s birthday, but I’d like YOU to get the presents. So, thanks to the generosity of Penguin Books, Visa Wellington On A Plate and Whittaker’s Chocolate, I have a bumper hamper of loot to give away.
There’s a copy of Alexa Johnston’s new book, What’s For Pudding?, a Visa Wellington On A Plate goody bag loaded with Wairarapa pinot noir and olive oil, plus a Wellington On A Plate apron and tea towel, AND a whole box – that’s 10 x 250g slabs – of Whittaker’s 72% Dark Ghana Chocolate (which will be split up into pairs).
All you have to do to be in to win is:
1. Become a follower of The Kitchenmaid if you aren’t already. It’s easy, really it is…
2. Leave a comment below, telling me what you’d like to see more (or less) of on this blog – baking? cooking advice? gluten-free ideas? book reviews? pictures of animals? relationship advice?
3. Spread the word – for every extra mention you give this giveaway (and The Kitchenmaid) on Twitter, Facebook, your blog, your national radio or TV show, your local deli, your hairdresser etc, you get an extra chance at winning. (Just nip back and leave another comment to let me know.)
4. This giveaway is open to readers in all geographical locations, though it will help if you have a reliable postal service. Actually, it might be tricky to arrange posting wine and olive oil, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it…
Don’t forget to tell me what you’d like to see more of on The Kitchenmaid, because cooking for one just isn’t fun. Good luck!
Ooh, me wanna win! I would love to see more baking (yes!) and book reviews (double oui!), because I am a total cookbook addict. Congrats on turning one!!!
Happy blog-a-versary! What a lovely cake to celebrate! Look forward to the next brilliant year…
I'm a very new follower of your blog and one of the things I like about it is the range you cover – from recipes to music to miscellaneous interesting 'stuff'. Book reviews, stories about being a mum and more of the same would be great!
Thank you and keep it up!
Now let me go share your blog on Facebook 😉
well happy bloody 1st blogaversary… I simply love your blog and I love that I have you as a blog-friend all the way across the world to say hello to tomorrow for me… don't change a thing!
Happy blogging birthday Lucy…love the cake! and the blog too. The great easy to follow recipes, introduction to cool new bands and the humour…but I especially love the postings with recipes from friends or family with stories attached. Stories like the one about Great Aunt Makiri 's pikelets (hope I've remembered her name correctly) and her handbag full of goodies…
Congratulations and count me in!! Love all your food posts so more of those would be fab!!
Hi Lucy, I've been following you for a while now and have tried a few of your recipes and love them! I honestly don't know what more you could do, because I like the mix you already present, but one thing that I like as a Wellingtonian is sharing more of the city we live in, and more than just reviews… Stuff like what's in season for us and not too expensive, maybe? Anyway, great work and Happy First!
Happy Birthday x
congrats on your first birthday! I always love baking inspiration, but it was your recent post on Nigella's recipe that got me writing a shopping list straight away. The flatbread was awesome. I love it when food blog makes me re-evaluate books I already have too!
I hear you about maternity leave plans – I was going to study nutrition, that so did not happen…
Happy first blog birthday Lucy!
My name in the credits of Peta Mathias' tv show.. and a mention on The KitchenMaid.. (big sigh) I'm up there with the STARS!!!
Hooray – happy blog birthday! Your recipes are fast becoming a staple in this household, so please keep 'em coming 😀
Happy Blog Bday! I love everything about your blog…so keep doing what you are doing! and bread bread bread!! 🙂
Happy 1st blog birthday! I am so glad to have found your blog and I look forward to the next year… I could actually do with some relationship advice 🙂
congratulations – love your blog and have managed to make a few of your recipes and bookmark a whole lot more – look forward to many more
Congrats on a year! Well done. (Already been following!) I've enjoyed a few of your recipes already and shared them with friends who love them as well. I love the baking posts. I would like to see more but maybe some family meal ideas.
Maybe as your daughter grows older you could share some recipes to do with children. My girls love to help out in the kitchen. xo
I'm following, I thought I was already but apparently not! That is corrected now 🙂
I've tweeted @serialcrafter
I'd like to see more posts about your country, not just the food but the places too.
Happy first birthday KitchenMaid! And I can;t wait to see many more recipes … especially baking and chocolate.
I've posted about your giveaway on Facebook 🙂
Congratulations on your first year 🙂
I love your blog just the way it is. Fave bits so far have been the recipe book reviews (I truly just bought How to Eat based on your blog post!), and your easy peasy cakes (with lovely stories). But if you do more savoury things too, that would be good, cause I really should eat less cake… 🙁
If I win, I will donate the olive oil and wine to a local 😉
x Rhi
Lucy,
Happy Happy 1st Bloggy Birthday.
I love your approach to blogging.
My fave parts have you been introducing me to your Musical Mondays. I don't think I can make any suggestions, as I like your blog the way it is.
Wishing you many more blog Birthdays.
Congratulations Lucy.
Yours is one of my favourite blogs and I really didn't realise it was so new! But a year is a long time to stick at it so great going!
I like the mix of posts exactly as it is.
Lou. xx
I think you're awesome. Realtionship (or lack thereof) advice is always welcome, but maybe over a wine instead? I love your baking recipes (cakes especially) and your smatterings of music often brighten up my day. Keep up the wonderful work and congratulations!
Happy Blogday! Heres to many more… x
Count me in! I'd love to see more DIY posts.
I'd love to see more about how you juggle your busy life.
Oh, and more recipes for dishes that can be concocted out of the normal contents of a regular pantry, rather than those with a single ingredient that requires trips to twelve specialist shops after you've tried to find it in every single supermarket within a 50 mile radius! 😉
Happy first birthday! Love your blog – it's a recent discovery for me. I would like to see more cookbook reviews and baking recipes. My favourite!
Happy birthday! Love the mix of baking, DIY recipes, music… especially the DIY recipes. Keep those coming!
Yay, congratulations! I love your blog and stop by regularly to check out your new adventures 🙂 It's been a great inspiration for my new blog. My favourites are your DIY recipes. Happy blog birthday and keep posting!
I am not here to win a prize, just to say "Happy Blogaversary"!
I love your blog 'cos you are funny and love condensed milk possibly as much as I do. Not to mention so many other yummy recipes.
Keep up the yummy recipes and cook book mentions/reviews, we are always on the look out for fab cook books.
Cheers, Cat 🙂
hi love, i think your blog rocks just as it is x
Congratulations on reaching your first blog birthday 🙂
I'm a happy folower 🙂
Happy blog birthday!
I'd love to see more recipes and book reviews.
ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca