I can’t start this post without first squeeling a gigantic, “THANK YOOOOOOUU!” to everyone who has taken time out of their busy holiday-preparing-lives, opened a new browser window and read about the amazing food bloggers and contributors featured in the Holiday Issue of FoodieCrush mag.
Sharing these food bloggers stories, recipes and photography is such a reward, one that I hope shows through in the flippable, online pages I hope you’re inspired to cook from. I also encourage you to visit their blogs where there is so much more to discover.
Last week I featured a few food bloggers in my Holiday Gift Guide, all of whom generously donated items for a giveaway for FoodieCrush readers. Please be sure to enter the giveaway before Monday at 11:59 p.m. MST to be entered to take home some foodie blogger swag.
In addition to getting the mag uploaded, I’ve been doing a bit of traveling of late—some for the mag and some for me and my man to do some celebrating of a big number anniversary. Let’s just pretend I got married at 14 so it doesn’t hurt so much to think of the fact that much time has passed us by so quickly.
The travel combined with the holiday eats within the pages of FC magazine and barking dogs welcoming packages delivered to our door…well, it’s starting to feel like the hubbub and crazy energy of Christmas is in full swing at casa del Larsen.
One of my favorite features in the new issue of FoodieCrush (okay, I loved them all!) is this Christmas brunch put together by Jillian and Robert.
They hit an entertaining homerun—creating inspired recipes with a casual entertaining vibe that makes me want to be one of their cute friends, so I could hang out, be waited on and spend a lazy Sunday chit chatting and noshing from the amazing snack board they put together, oh yes! A little sweet, a little salty, a little savory.
For me, when the mood strikes and impromptu get togethers happen, I feel best when there’s a little something in the pantry, giving me no reason to be unprepared to serve up a bite and a sip. Entre vous the Harry & David gift basket.
When I visited Harry & David earlier this year—oh how I’m still coveting my White Peach Sangria— I walked the Oregon orchards where Royal Riviera Pears are grown, tended to and plucked by hand by Harry & David workers. 700 tons of pears a day plucked by 300 pickers. 2.9 million pears a day. For 28 days. Then these beauties sit and ripen to juuuuuust the right maturity until they’re shipped off to homes and savored upon many a holiday table.
When Harry & David offered to do a giveaway to celebrate the release of the new issue, you might wonder why I chose this gift basket out of the many that H&D create?
First, my aunt lives in Seattle and thanks to the fond food memories of visiting, checking out Pikes Market and eating amazing meals at restaurants I’ll always remember, I have a soft spot for the northwest. Second, in this basket, Harry & David has paired some of the best of the northwest, showcasing products that emulate a visit there while creating an insanely easy way to entertain. Without the chaos or the strain.
Oh man, take me back to Oregon, or Seattle, will you pleeeassseee? This is as close as I’m going to get for the time being, and thanks to my stocked pantry, I’m alright with that.
The Harry & David Northwest Basket (value $79.95 and shipping) contains:
- 3 Royal Riviera Pears
- Lemon Dill Smoked Sockeye Salmon (6 oz.)
- Olympic Provisions Finocchiona Salami with fennel and garlic (4.5 oz.)
- Rogue Creamery TouVelle Cheese (4 oz.)
- Oregon Whole Roasted and Salted Hazelnuts (6 oz.)
- Beecher’s Honey Hazelnut Crackers (5 oz.)
- Marionberry Pepper Jelly (5.5 oz.)
Ship it to yourself, or a friend. If you’re the winner, you decide.
To enter to win one Northwest Gift Basket, leave a comment below answering, “What is your favorite food gift to give?”
For bonus entries:
1. Join FoodieCrush on Facebook and leave a separate comment letting me know you did so.
2. Follow @FoodieCrush on Twitter and leave a separate comment letting me know you are a follower.
3. Subscribe to FoodieCrush newsletter and leave a separate comment letting me know you subscribed.
4. Follow FoodieCrush on Pinterest and leave a separate comment letting me know you follow.
***Congratulations to Jen L. who has won the giveaway after following me on Twitter.***
The giveaway is now closed. The giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. Be sure a valid email address is included with your comment(s). Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on this post. We will email the winner and if the winner doesn’t respond in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. Products will be shipped by Harry & David.
And now, my Friday Faves. It’s been a week focused my online magazine so lets just keep the ball rolling going heavy on the magazine and cookbook theme.
1. I think this sounds like such a cool idea for a magazine and Kickstarter is helping them make it happen. Maybe I should start a Kickstarter campaign so we could see FoodieCrush in print. Whaddya think?
2. We know about the Bon Apetits and the Food & Wines, but have you checked out some of these new to me food mags.
3. When I wasn’t creating my own magazine I was contributing to this one along with some of my favorite food bloggers.
4. Did you see what Deb said about creating her best-selling cookbook? Fat congrats and well deserved!
5. While trolling other issues as my issue was uploading, I discovered this DIY online mag that I have quickly become obsessed with. Glitter baby animals. I am so down with that.
6. Oh Martha, Martha, Martha. While you did win the best Thanksgiving cover contest, I’m not so down with you discontinuing my subscription.
7. Thanks to Bree for turning me onto Alison, of who I am so enamored! She did a guest post about how to take advantage of those camera pics and create an Instagram book. Use the code WARM on checkout and save 25%!
8. While my man and I were slurping ramen and downing sushi in San Francisco, we went to my late grandmother’s favorite store, Gump’s. I walked away wanting these and these ornaments and drooling over how purdy my cake would be perched atop this. No, I’m not hinting at all. Nope, not me. Not at all.
9. I’ll be sitting down at my computer to read this bit of blogging advice from the man who knows. (via Sarah)
10. And my favorite Tweet of the Week: “I’m TTTP: Too Tired to Pin” via @runningwithtweezers
Good luck in the Harry & David Northwest Gift Basket Giveaway and have a happy weekend.
Thanks for reading and please keep in touch. Subscribe to Foodie Crush and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest and check out Foodie Crush magazine and Cookie Cravings Holiday Cookie Cookbook.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Harry & David. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
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SLF says
Homemade Cookies – a gift everyone loves.
Yoon says
Fruit!
abbi says
Anything homemade, I like to try different things to give as gifts each year.
Rachel J says
My favorite gift to give is cookies!
Penny @ From Harvest To Table says
I love Harry and David! My favorite food gift to give is a home baked loaf of bread, with a jar of homemade jam.
Penny @ From Harvest To Table says
I already subscribe to your newsletter!
danielle says
Homemade sweets!
Tara says
Cookies!
Denise | TLT says
Foodiecrush in print? I say Yes!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Heidi. You can be proud for creating such a gorgeous and inspiring magazine!
Urban Wife says
I love baking cookies to give as Christmas gifts.
Urban Wife says
Already follow you on Pinterest.
Deb says
Favorite food gift is meat, cheese and fruit
Deb says
I follow you on facebook
Deb says
I follow you on Twitter
CathyWMDA says
Oreo and peanut butter truffles… Crowd pleaser every time.
FB and twitter follower :)
Deb says
I subscribe to your newsletter
Deb says
I follow you on Pinterest
Becky @ Olives n Wine says
I love giving away my homemade baked treats for the holidays!
Becky @ Olives n Wine says
I follow you on Twitter!
Becky @ Olives n Wine says
I follow you on Pinterest!
CathyWMDA says
I follow you on Pinterest :)
[email protected] says
Homemade fudge!
[email protected] says
Twitter follower!
Sarah Beth says
I love making homemade peppermint bark and cookies and giving them as Christmas gifts!
Sarah Beth says
I like Foodie Crush on FB
Sarah Beth says
I follow Foodie Crush on Twitter
Sarah Beth says
I follow Foodie Crush on Pinterest
Sarah Beth says
I subscribe to the Foodie Crush newsletter
Mary says
Homemade cranberry nut bread is my favorite gift to give.
Mary says
I receive your newsletters and look forward to reading them (and looking at the lovely photos!).
Mary says
I liked Foodiecrush on Facebook!
Sammy says
Any sweet food! Cookies, bars, pies…
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Fave food gift to give? Homemade cookies of course! :)
Lisa says
I Joined you on facebook! Love the magazine!
Lisa says
I followed you on Twitter :) @Culinarymom21
Lisa says
I subscribe to your newsletter!
Lisa says
I follwed you on Pinterest – awesome!
Elin says
I love giving away Christmas cookies.
Heather says
My favorite food to give – especially during the holidays – is white chocolate peppermint bark!
It makes a great and easy giveaway. Thanks
Heather
Heather says
I follow on Facebook. Cheers
Heather
Heather says
I subscribed to the newsletter. Thanks
Heather
Dessi says
COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dessi says
I like you on FB
Dessi says
I follow you on twitter
Dessi says
I follow you on pinterest
Dessi says
and I’m subscribed to the newsletter
Heather says
I followed you on Pinterest.
Heather
Heather says
I followed you on Twitter
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
The magazine is gorgeous once again, Heidi! I loved every piece of it!
MaryB says
I love to give homemade vanilla.
MaryB says
I follow you on Facebook.
MaryB says
I follow you on Pinterest.
Cassie Z says
I love to give someone’s favorite food. If I know they love chocolate peppermint bark, I give them that, or bread, or browned butter toasted coconut dark chocolate chip cookies. I’ll make their favorite.
Cassie Z says
I follow FoodieCrush on Twitter (it’s how I found out about this contest!)
Cassie Z says
And I follow FoodieCrush on Pinterest!
April says
I don’t know if I have a favorite but this year Im obsessed with homeade lemon curd and gifting it in jars with a little note on what to serve it with. Im also gifting herb roasted pecans for the men in my life!
I’ve been following your newsletter but I just started following you on Facebook and Pinterest!
Elizabeth Kellett says
I always make my late grandfathers popular peanut butter fudge recipe to give out as a gift! It’s delicious!
Elizabeth Kellett says
I’m following you on twitter !
Elizabeth Kellett says
I’m following you on Pinterest!
Amy S says
I liked you on FB
Amy S says
I love to give homemade cookies.
Amy S says
I subscribe to FoodieCrush newsletter.
Amy S says
I follow FoodieCrush on Pinterest.
kimberlee trim says
I love to give anything made with chocolate. Brownies, cookies, cocoa, cakes…. Who doesn’t like chocolate?..
Elizabeth says
I joined FoodieCrush on Facebook
Elizabeth says
I follow @FoodieCrush on Twitter
Elizabeth says
I subscribe to FoodieCrush newsletter
Elizabeth says
I ollow FoodieCrush on Pinterest
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking says
I love giving an infused liquor and jalapeno cheddar crackers as gifts for the holiday. I also love to give homemade salted caramel cheesecakes to family friends.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I love giving banana bread as a gift!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I subscribe to your newsletter
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I follow you on Pinterest
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I joined you on Facebook
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I follow you on Twitter
Amber K says
I love giving away homemade candy. I can easily customize it to fit the various food allergies of the people in my life.
Amber K says
I am subscribed to the foodiecrush newsletter.
The Healthy Apple says
I love Harry & David and your Friday Fave’s are always fabulous, Heidi! xo
Auntiepatch says
Cookies, brownies, moose poop……..
Chelsea says
I like giving away homemade baked goodies!
Auntiepatch says
I subscribe to your newsletter.
Sarah G says
I like giving away homemade sweet treats, especially rum balls!
Sarah G says
I am a newsletter subscriber.
Cafe Johnsonia says
I love making homemade caramels to give to friends and neighbors. They kind of expect it now. :)
Cafe Johnsonia says
I follow you on Twitter.
Cafe Johnsonia says
I follow you on Facebook.
Cafe Johnsonia says
I follow you on Pinterest.
Cheryl S says
I am a newsletter subscriber!
Cafe Johnsonia says
I subscribed to your newsletter!
Cheryl S says
I love to give cookies!
Terri says
Chocolates!
Denise Wilson says
I actually like to give Harry and David gift baskets, food is better than flowers when someone close to me experiences a death.
Sarah says
I love to give Sparkling Cranberries.
Amy S says
Homemade candy and cookies!
Sarah says
I liked you on Facebook.
Sarah says
I follow you via Email.
Sarah says
I follow you on Pinterst.
Jean says
I already subscribe to your newsletter!
Jean says
Homemade candy and cookies!
Jean says
I follow you on Pinterst.
Jean says
I follow you on Facebook.
Lynda @Me and My Pink Mixer says
Cupcakes! I delivered some today :)
Lynda @Me and My Pink Mixer says
I follow you on Twitter.
Lynda @Me and My Pink Mixer says
I’m an email subscriber.
Lynda @Me and My Pink Mixer says
I follow you on Pinterest.
Lynda @Me and My Pink Mixer says
I like Foodie Crush on Facebook.
Heather says
My favorite gift to give is homemade fudge. Thank you for the great giveaway. Merry Christmas.
kesha says
My favorite food gift to give is Chocolate Chip/Chunk Cookies! Every one loves them
kesha says
I like you on FB!
kesha says
I follow you on twitter
kesha says
I subscribe to you via email
kesha says
I follow you on Pinterest
Jen L says
Butternut Cake
Jen L says
I like you on FB
Jen L says
I follow you on Twitter
Jen L says
I subscribe via email
Jen L says
I follow you on Pinterest
libby says
I like to give cookies
libby says
I follow you on Facebook
libby says
I follow you on Pinterest
Angela P says
Homemade Granola!
Kristen says
Love giving cookbooks!
Kristen says
Follow you on Facebook.
Kristen says
Also now following you on Pinterest!
Kristen says
Subscribe to the newsletter.
Susan says
My homemade roasted sugared pecans!
Sunnie says
I like to give homemade goodies.
Sunnie says
I like you on facebook
Sunnie says
Iam an email subscriber.
Sarah H.P. says
I love giving the gift of homemade cookies and quick breads!
Corisa says
i love baking new recipes of cookies and cupcakes to give out! everyone always loves them!
Dre Horton says
Well, since I am a cheese monger it isn’t surprising that it would be cheese. It’s amazing how happy a little peice of cheese can make someone (myself included)!
Lisa S says
Tweeted!!
https://twitter.com/leesastokes/status/279813643481272320
Lisa S says
Love baking cookies to give away
Lisa S says
I like foodie crush on fb
Lisa S says
I follow on Twitter
Lisa S says
I follow on Pinterest
Lisa S says
I subscribe to email
Leanne T says
My homemade Almond Roca!
sarapete says
I love to give home made Christmas cookies. It is always fun to see which one is a favorite and you can never have to many!
sarapete says
follow twitter @saramama
sarapete says
follow pinterest @saramama
Tami D says
Assorted Christmas candies that we make…fudge, english toffee. butter mints, pecan log, peanut brittle, caramels, russian tea cakes, and buckeyes!!
Tami D says
I subscribe to email
Tami D says
Twitter follower!
Tami D says
Pinterest follower!1
Terri Morawiecki says
My favoritie food gift to give – homemade jams, nuts in jars, and biscotti or cookies!
Terri Morawiecki says
Following you on Twitter!
Terri Morawiecki says
Following you on Pinterest!
Terri Morawiecki says
Following the Foodiecrush newsletter!
Lily Sheng says
I love to give away chocolates during the holidays!
Lily Sheng says
I liked FoodieCrush on Facebook
Lily Sheng says
I already follow you on Twitter, I’m @lilysheng
Lily Sheng says
I already subscribe to your RSS feeds via my Google Reader, that’s how I found out about this giveaway! And thanks for it
Lily Sheng says
I follow you on Pinterest, I’m at http://pinterest.com/lsloves/
Vanessa says
I gave my brother a crock pot, crock pot recipe book, and grocery gift card the year he moved out on his own. It was perfect and he still uses the crock pot 4 years later. momlovesdeals at gmail dot com
Vanessa says
I follow you on Twitter. @Mom_Loves_Deals
momlovesdeals at gmail dot com
Vanessa says
I follow you on Pinterest. @momlovesdeals (Vanessa Vazquez)
momlovesdeals at gmail dot com
Vanessa says
I subscribe. momlovesdeals at gmail dot com
Meryl says
I like to give homemade chocolate truffles.
Louis says
Assorted chocolates and cookies.
Sarah says
My favorite food gift? Probably my Granny’s Rum Cake…a perfect Holiday treat!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
I love giving chocolate!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
I’m a fan of yours on Facebook.
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
I get your newsletter.
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
I’m also following you on Pinterest.
Jo says
Miss Elizabeth’s homemade pimento cheese.
Lisa says
Fun baking molds!!
Diana H says
Homemade cookies – usually sugar cookies!
Abby says
I just made some new-to-me killer salted caramel cookies. Any cookie wrapped up cute in a mason jar is the way to go :)
Abby says
Like you on FB!
Abby says
Follow you on Twitter!
Abby says
Following on Pinterest
Natasha O says
My favorite gift is cookies! :D
Carmen says
I usually give homemade caramels
Carmen says
I follow FoodieCrush on Facebook
Carmen says
I follow @foodiecrush
Hanna says
Cookies are definitely my preferred choice of food gift. Happy holidays to you!
Leslie says
I love to give homemade mustard.
Wehaf says
I give homemade vanilla extract – everyone loves it!
stylefriendly says
Salted caramel.
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