Day 20: Summer Entertaining GIVEAWAY from National Pork Board
Thanks for joining me in my “30 Days of Summer Entertaining” series. (Scroll down to the bottom for previous posts in this series) :)
Grilling is a big part of summer entertaining, so today’s post is a very exciting one!
Back in May, I was invited by my cute and inspirational friend, Marla Meridith, from Family Fresh Cooking, to attend a wonderful evening with … the National Pork Board. It was called a Pork Crawl, hosted by Jaden Hair from Steamy Kitchen. Basically, a group of bloggers went to some of the finest restaurants in Atlanta, where chefs created pork recipes in ways I’ve never experienced before.
Lori @ Recipe Girl, Angie @ Bakerella, Jenny @ Picky Palate, Jaden @ Steamy Kitchen, Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer, Georgia @ Georgia Pellegrini, Marla @ Family Fresh Cooking, not pictured Carrie Minns @ La Pomme De Portland, and photo credit by Amanda @ Kevin & Amanda
And the night didn’t end there … when we got back to our hotel room, we were given a gift of great cooking tools and spices for making our own pork chops when we arrived home. (Items in very top photo – my favorite? The grilling pan and juicer! Both awesome!)
Yesterday I shared this fantastic recipe that our family enjoyed for an early Father’s Day celebration using fresh pork chops and glazed apricots.
Today I am sharing with YOU the exact same items I received from the National Pork Board, to give away here at RE to ONE LUCKY WINNER!
As the generosity continues … here are the items I’m giving away here on RE today:
Pork Be Inspired brand Apron
Pork Be Inspired Brochure
Digital Meat Thermometer
Cuisinart CCJ-100 Citrus Pro Juicer
Vacu Vin Pineapple Slicer
Norpro Grip-Ez Jalapeno Pepper Corer
Cuisinart Grill Pan (I’m most excited about this!)
Dry Ingredients (Salt, Light Brown Sugar, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chili Powder)
If you are interested in receiving this generous gift from the National Pork Board, leave a comment and tell me:
What is it about summer entertaining that stressed you out?
Extra ways to win, 1 point each, and please come back and share the link.
-Tweet this giveaway (@SandyCoughlinRE)
-Share this post on your Facebook page
-Post this giveaway on your blog
-Become a brand NEW follower of RE Facebook page
-Become a brand NEW follower of ReluctantEntertainer.com (Brand NEW folks, easy to sign up with your email)Contest ends Wednesday at midnight, 6/22/11. Winner announced Thursday, 6/23/11 on RE.
(Very top photo credit of giveaway items from Carrie, La Pomme De Portland.)
If you’ve missed the last 19 days of this series, you can catch up now:
Day 1: Summer Entertaining is About the People
Day 2: When Perfect Robs You of Something Good
Day 3: Who To Invite to Dinner
Day 4: Planning the Menu for Outdoor Entertaining
Day 5: Setting the Table Using What You Have
Day 6: Using One Classic Water Glass
Day 7: Napkin Options for Summer Entertaining
Day 8: When You Feel Like Canceling the Party
Day 9: Leave Your Technology at the Front Door
Day 10: Candles That Enhance Good Conversation
Day 11: Serving Flavored Herb and Fruit Water
Day 12: Leafy Greens and a Tiny Bit of Agave
Day 13: Keeping Nut and Fruits and Cheeses on Hand for Easy Appetizers
Day 14: Move Your Table to a Different Space
Day 15: Greek Salad on a Stick and Getting the Kids Involved
Day 16: Three Lies of Perfectionism that Ruin Entertaining Moments
Day 17: Be Creative When You Run Out of Linens for Your Dinner Party
Day 18: Gather Around a Fire for Intimate Summer Entertaining
Day 19: Last Minute Father’s Day Invite and Pork Chops with Glazed Apricots
Feel free to grab my button and share it with your readers :).
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
I shared the giveaway on facebook
I tweeted the giveaway @amyscookingadve
I’m a new follower on facebook (Gina R)
The weather can be very stressful when entertaining during the summer. You have to worry about rain, or extreme heat and humidity. But it can be so nice to eat outside and take advantage of our backyards during the summer months
Thanks for the giveaway! I get stressed out about who to invite and if they’ll have fun. Will we lack for conversation? What if I invite couples who haven’t met and they have nothing in common?
The most stressful part is planning to have something everyone will like. It’s so hard when there’s so many pickyeaters!
I “like” you on FB.
Hmmm, what stressed me out about summer entertaining. . . probably the weather? If I’m going to have it outside, or should I open windows or will it be too hot, etc…
Making enough food – I’m always afraid we will run out – we haven’t yet – but that’s because I over buy – LOL
thanks for hosting this giveaway!
I have lots of stress and anxiety about entertaining period, but during the summer I get concerned about it getting too hot in the house and there not being enough room in the house and too many mosquitoes to go outside comfortably.
Trying to be more relaxed and following your tips…but still find myself stressed about getting everything done on time. Clean the house, make sure deck/backyard is presentable, set table, prepare food. I work full time (as do many of us!) and just feel like I never have enough time. This coming weekend is the first time I’m going to entertain a small group of friends with children (only 12 people) using your tips. Having your menu of hot dogs, corn on the cob and watermelon. I do have to make a cake because we’re celebrating the birthdays of two of the children.
What stresses me out is knowing exactly how to the grill the food and for how long. I’m always afraid it will either be uncooked or cooked too long – thus making it tough. Love the porkchop apricot recipe. Thanks for sharing.
I get stressed out that the weather will not be good the day of my gathering. Because of this I worry too much about trying to have both inside AND outside just perfect. Your series has been great – I always look forward to what you’re going to share for the day!
It stresses me out when I have a party planned and the lawnmower or weed eater or tiller go on the blink and I can’t get the lawn or garden looking nice beforehand!
Not having enough outdoor space (flat that is) to put tables and people.
Not having enough free-time to have as many get-togethers as we’d like while the weather is nice!
Hey! Shared the link on my facebook page. I usually do ok with entertaining in general till someone I’ve invited comes in and notices stuff I really didn’t want them to notice, and then they start redoing my organization or something about our evening. Hmmm…frustrating. I makes me feel as if I’m not doing right.
Keeping things lively and entertaining…but usually it works out on it’s own. Thanks for the great ideas! Keep them coming!! :o))
great giveaway! i can be stressed in the summer by how quickly what i am cooking in the kitchen can heat up our small apartment.
now following on fb! :)
Biggest stress for summer entertaining is that there seem to be so many birthdays – one of which is the biggest holiday of the summer – hard to always make things special when the easiest thing to do is burgers and dogs!
Great giveaway!
I think having the house straightened up is the most stressful thing.
I’m probably most stressed out just about having my home in decent order, same as entertaining in any other season. Also, we live in an apartment, so I wish we had a better area to entertain out of doors, but that’s pretty much out of my control :)
I am following you on twitter and I tweeted http://twitter.com/rusthawk/status/82836978067963904
I posted this giveaway on my facebook wall. http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=171307382932060&id=100001156831237