Simple Summer Essentials: the round up

As you've probably (hopefully) noticed, my posts recently have all been themed around Simple Summer Essentials. Oddly - and conveniently - coinciding with the only extended period of sunshine we've had this summer, as both that and the series come to an end I thought I'd do a quick round up post for you. With a bit of a difference.

I've mentioned that Asda provided me with the fresh produce for these posts (all additional ingredients were purchased myself) and they're offering one reader of the Pantry a chance to win £50 worth of Asda vouchers. To do this you need to complete the Rafflecopter widget below, telling me which of all these recipes would be your chosen Simple Summer Essential.

Deeply dippy about asparagus

Beetroot and feta salad

Herb oils: two ways to infuse

Tomato and mozzarella salad

How do you solve a problem like overripe fruit?

Patriotic Pavlova

Peach Melba

Frozen Grapes

How to enter:

• Complete the Rafflecopter form below to confirm your entries made by commenting on the blog, tweets or Facebook
• The competition is set to run until 10th September
• Check the Rules below *Guider hat on* I will check to make sure that you've done what I've asked
• The winner will be announced via the Rafflecopter widget

How does Rafflecopter work? (short video link)

 

• Can you not see the Widget? Press F5 to refresh your page
• Complete the form, or I can't see any entries you make

Good Luck and fingers crossed!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules:

• This competition is only open to UK Mainland residents
• You need to be 18 or over to enter
• Read all the instructions above - they are part of these terms and conditions
• I will check all entries, I am a Guider please don't try and pull a fast one. If you cheat I will disqualify all your entries
• This is being hosted on behalf of Asda who are responsible for sending out the prize - to do this you will need to confirm your contact details
• The decision about who wins is final. No discussion will be entered into
• There is no cash alternative to the prize
• As mentioned above, the prize is offered in good faith but equal or similar value substitutions may be made by Asda if items are unavailable.
• Winners are picked by Rafflecopter, who use random.org to generate that information
• If you don't claim your prize within 7 days another winner will be chosen.

Empty chairs at empty tables: Where do you eat?

This is a very exciting post. My first ever giveaway, in association with Kitchen Stools Direct - a £50 voucher to spend on the product of your choice from their website. I'm genuinely excited at the prospect of there being an actual prize for someone reading my blog, and that prize is, Statistically speaking you have very good chances of winning if you're reading. Although you do need to comment, and again, statistically speaking if only my regular commenters comment then you'll probably win. Confused? I hope not.

Anyway, enough burbling - exciting though the giveaway is - the prospect of it prompted me to think about where we eat.  When I take the Brownies away I'm always a little bit surprised that so few of them eat at the table at home, and so struggle to lay a table, use a knife and fork properly, or are used to chatting over a meal. Similarly the Guides (with a few noteable exceptions) mainly report that they eat on their laps. I say this, not from a place of judgement as Mark and I have just happily scoffed chinese takeaway from our laps whilst sitting in the conservatory and neither our relationship nor our capacity for communication seem to have deteriorated in any way, shape or form because of that aberration. However for the children, they don't seem used to communicating during meals, and one of the things as leaders we notice that they enjoy on Pack Holiday is that time to chat about their days, what they're enjoying, and very importantly what they're worried about. It seems that the combination of a meal at a table, and a pair of listening ears prompts even the most reticent person to open up.

Having recently just moved house into my first ever place of my own, one of the things that was most important to me was making sure that I had somewhere to sit and eat. A trip to Wilkinsons provided a table, which as you can see is fetchingly covered by some Cath Kidston oilcloth I got on sale some years ago. I always try to have flowers in the jug, and to keep the table clear from clutter. It's my space of a morning to listen to Chris Evans while I munch on yoghurt and fruit, to plan the term of Guides or Brownies with the other leaders, to sit with Mark and chat about our days, our jobs, our holidays, our plans for the future. It's very special to me, and a very important part of my home. I'm not suggesting that a table rather than a lap tray is the solution to all the world's problems, but I do think it's not a bad thing in life to aim or aspire for.

Having lived in flatshares for many years now, I know all to well the frustration of not having room for a table, and I think kitchen stools against a worktop can provide that inbetween solution when you don't have the space. As a child I remember having stools at the counter and loved clambering up to eat my cereal.

I think if I were entering I would choose the 50's Diner stool as it fits with the slightly retro feel of my teeny flat of wondrousness, up against the countertop it would provide a fantastic spot for breakfasts or dinners.

 So, how can you win your £50 voucher?

Well there there are 4 ways to enter the contest (numbers 1 & 2 are mandatory). Each way earns you  another spot in the contest:

1. Follow this blog and comment telling me where you eat your meals.
2. Like us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kitchen-Stools-Direct/181313508553285
3.  Find the product you love the most on our site www.kitchenstoolsdirect.co.uk and leave a facebook comment on the product page (bottom area) writing 1 thing you like most about that product. For example " I love the comfortable seat this bar stool has"
4. Visit the Kitchen Stools Direct homepage. Find the Facebook Share button on the side and share our website on your facebook.

Closing Date is Friday 17th June 2011 at midnight. Winners will be picked at random.

A comment must be left on this blog to let me each way you have entered. Good Luck!