Costco Cookbook 2011 Debut

Hi Girlfriends,   Each year, Costco hands out free, to each customer, the DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING, their own published cookbook.  Their cookbooks feature fantastic recipes using Costco products. Included in them are recipes from some of our favorites: Ina, Giada, buttermustadd Paula, Sandra Lee and Christopher Kimball. Ironically, back in November 2009, I blogged Costco's 2009, "Home Cooking, the Costco Way."  On this blog, I featured one recipe, which I have repeatedly made since.  

Fast forwarding..............

In early 2011, Costco Connection, ran a contest asking for customers to submit a favorite recipe which they love and use, from previous Costco cookbook years. The winners would be featured in THIS Novemember's Costco Cookbook 2011.(HINT: Only passed out the day after Thanksgiving...because they run out fast!) This year, 2 entries, from the Chicago area won. One gal from Naperville with a fish dish and the other winner..............ME!! 


To be selected amongest so many was exciting, and then, along knocks a professional Chicagoland photographer, to photo me in my gallery size kitchen. Before the knock, it took me days to "de-cluttter" then, "stage" my kitchen (thanks to the knowledge from following blogger, Maria Killam, Colour Me Happy forever) and all the time I was pondering over what to wear. 

Here is my winner.  Hope it becomes your winner too!*

*I use Peppermint ice cream & add fresh mint as a decoration

Talk soon and Happy Thanksgiving, 

Denise

COSTCO'S SAD SOFA WINNER-!

Costco knows how to have fun.


BACK IN JULY 2009, Costco held a really fun contest offer from their "The Costco Connection." It was so creative I posted this contest in July too. The contest could be any Costco customer who wanted to take a picture of their sad sofa and send it in. The winner would receive a $500 Cash Credit Card. How many of us have been down the road where we say, "Honey, I think we need a new sofa?" And the response is usually, "Not yet."

Congrats go out to Jared Sorensen, Wooddbury, Minnesota who won.............not a minute too soon-!

I was in my COSTCO Glenview, Il. store over the weekend, and I saw endless possibilities for young families to enjoy watching the Olympics on wonderful dark chocolate colour leather sofas & loveseat with contrast stitching and solid wood legs in a rich espresso finish. Also, what is nice, the 9 x 12 area rugs are now placed near by to help the buyers select and complete their project(s). Anyone on the way home with their new purchases, should consider picking up a can of paint. For sure, select a colour in the rug. Instant gratification for dad, mom and budding olympians-!

GO USA FOR THE GOLD-!!

A la prochaine,
Denise

"Home Cooking" THE COSTCO WAY #8

Hi, I look forward to "Black Friday" for one reason only. After finding a parking spot, I only hope there is 1 much anticipated Costco cookbook showcasing their products still available for me........... "Home Cooking" THE COSTCO WAY. I was not disappointed. This beautiful gift from Costco, printed for 8 years with new recipes, is a fabulous Costco Way of saying "thank you" to me and all of their members for shopping Costco all year long. AND, this household sure did visit Costco too-!!

Yes, from the clear and tantalizing photos by Iridio Photography, to recipes from famous members such as Semi-homemade Sandra Lee, founder of America's Test Kitchen Christropher Kimball, to, Down Home with The Neeleys (Gina and Pat)............and so many more.



This is where Costco's cookbook comes in very handy for me. My husband likes to pheasant hunt in November. Tis the season to entertain during the holidays and I like to have a Game Dinner with the hunters and their wives. As I will be doing Pheasant with a scrumptious wild rice and a sophisticated turnip souffle, my other guests are given an assignment to bring something too. Costco makes it so easy.........each girlfriend is emailed a photo with the recipe. Since it is pheasant, fruit is so simple and such an available product at Costco.

This year Cricket (Christine) will be asked to bring the appetizer:



Nancy has already volunteered to make the salad. She buys her shrimp already from Costco and her confidence level is very high when she praises Costco for this demanding product:



Sandy is a very busy "Madame President" of her village so I will have her contribute the glazed carrots that go wonderfully with pheasant every time:



Finally, Patty. She has a house full of hungry teens all the time so she will have to make extras for them.........but I know how much fun she will have making this dessert for a Grand Finale.



One last thing I will put in my basket, before checking out at Costco, the day of my party. Flowers.

I promise to post photos once the party is over...............

Bon Appetit,
Denise

COSTCO'S SAD SOFA CONTEST

Hi Girlfriends, What a clever idea Costco has created to rid you of your trashed sofa-!! I love Costco's The Connection magazine they send to every member. Something for everyone.......like this Sad Sofa Contest they are now promoting. Do you think you have a sofa that is worst than this photo? If you do, submit it and win the Costco Sad Sofa Contest? Get your digital out, photo it (be creative too.......like tuck little Meow somewhere and have her peeking out). But hurry, this contest is over September 1, 2009. Send it to Costco. Here is all you have to do:

Send your photo to : connection@costco.com (with "sad sofa" in the subject line)

Or

Mail photo to: Sad Sofa Contest, PO Box 34088, Seattle, WA 98124 - 1088

Please include your contact information (moi) and membership number.

First prize winner will receive a $500 Costco Cash card. Other prizes will be awarded at judges' discretion. Photos of the saddest sofas will run in a future issue of Costco's The Connection.
Let me know if you win too-!!


Let me know if you win too-!!!

Denise