A Feast, A Tribute and A Giveaway

Jay over at Halftime Lessons and Deb at Dirty Socks and Pizza are up to their typical blogging antics.  Innovation, creativity, business prowess, networking, community, goodwill, new colorful buttons and banners touting cute lil' names of their blogging games, and hell, I need all the help I can get.  So I'm in for this week's installment of ..... 



And since this is MWOB's 3-month anniversary in existence, this tribute's got a little pot of gold at the end of the rainbow so hang tight with me peeps.
As all good tributes begin, let's start with talking about me.  Yeah, me.  I know, I know, it's not all about me - I'm not stupid - but how can a blogger survive for even one post if not somehow inserting ME into the equation?
I'm gonna let you all in on a deep dark insecurity of mine.  I'm not a good cook. Yeah, that's right, I suck it hard in the kitchen.   My feelings of lameness have gotten way worse since becoming a mama.  I'm supposed to nurture and provide and nourish.  I can fake it with whipping up a standard yummy breakfast of eggs, homemade hash browns and bacon, or throw together a yummy turkey sandwich for lunch to fool myself that I'm doing okay, but when dinner rolls around? Let's just say thank God I married a hot dude who loves me even when I'm serving him up a PB & J for dinner along with the kids. 
And to make matters worse, I have knowledge that other mamas out there are preparing sauteed shrimp, asparagus and risotto for their 1st grade children for LUNCH!  Oh you know, I'm talking about you Julia, and one of the reasons I'm scared to meet you on Friday (another story for another post but I'm headed towards my first blind date with a fellow blogger.) 
I desperately want to improve in the kitchen but I first have to conquer other problems I have like not showering or getting out of my pj's before noon and finishing the laundry before it starts overflowing into the hallway.  
So while I'm working on a multitude of other deficiencies, I head over to the one place that can make a MWOB like me feel like a queen in the kitchen....Trader Joe's.  
Yes, for those of you who know about Trader Joe's, are you with me?  And if you don't have a Trader Joe's near you and you're like me, well then let's just say, you're screwed.
Trader Joe's is like heaven on earth for a mama like me.  Not only can I walk out of there with a little bit of self-worth restored, I can also actually make it through a shopping trip with my kids without turning into one of those moms you see in grocery stores screaming through clenched teeth and squeezing their kids' arms hard.  (Not like I've ever done that, mind you.)
TJ's makes it so easy.  With a bare fridge and no ideas as usual for dinner, I headed over on a hectic Monday afternoon to my local TJ's for some inspiration. The trip was nothing short of, magical.  
Upon entering, we're greeted with this brilliant idea:
Search for Molly the Monkey, a stuffed animal hidden somewhere in the store, and once you find her, get a prize!  Holy moley, The Love Fairy goes ape-shit over that challenge.
 
After locating Molly in the freezer section which took 15 minutes, we redeem our reward - two suckers to keep kids occupied for another 10 minutes.  Oh yeah, and we grab two balloons which can enthrall El Destructo for days on end.   Not sure why. Maybe I should be concerned.



Another bonus:  Bathroom is not like other LA grocery stores where the scene is so nasty, but instead I'm able to get decorating ideas for my own bathroom.


The dude at check-out is so friendly, I think I'm living in the midwest for a moment.  We chat, we laugh, we exchange phone numbers and he's now my new BFF.  (just kidding)  He lets The Love Fairy snap some photos of his mad checkout skills and we're on our way.


And not only are we on our way, I am armed with some mealtime ammunition.  I picked up some old faves like Citrus-Glazed Chicken with Rice and Toasted Cashews, a stir-fry extravanganza, and some new ones to try out like Marinated Tilapia Fillets Topped with Grilled Asparagus and Sliced Carrots.  (If that doesn't sound like I know what the eff I'm doing in the kitchen, I don't know what will.)

So last night when the dude got home at his usual "too-late-for-a-normal-dinnertime" time, I confidently threw together a meal fit for a king, in like five minutes.  Yep, FIVE.

That's Chicken Sausage Polenta Lasagna, a spring salad mix with cranberries, pecans, and gorgonzola, and a rustic panini roll.  And you know what?  It was damn yummy.
So this tribute is for you Trader Joe's.  For knowing there are overtired, overworked, underachieving, inadequate cooks out there in mama-ville who just need a little love to get through the day. And you know how to dish out the love I need, Trader Joe's, so thanks.  From the bottom of my hungry heart.

And MWOB readers?  This tribute must end with a tribute to YOU! For three months now, there have been enough of you out there wacky enough to read this drivel to sustain this creative endeavor and for that I also say a sincere thanks.
So today, on MWOB's anniversary, I am offering up a $20 Gift Card to Trader Joe's for one lucky MWOBBER. And if you live in a place where there is no Trader Joe's, we'll figure something out for you if you win. 
All you have to do is comment below.  And peeps, I know there are so many more of you out there reading who don't comment, so no worries if you don't have a Google Account or whatever just pick the name option and just leave your name.  It's so easy and so not scary.  Trust me.

And if you want an extra entry into the gift card giveaway, simply go up to my review section, read my current Lunch Box Card review and consider entering for that giveaway too. That is, if you are so inclined. Then come back here and let me know you did that.  By leaving a comment again. Sound complicated?  It does to me.  Just do your best.
This Trader Joe's Gift Card giveaway will end at the end of the blogging day Wednesday, January 14th.  That's how long it will take me to recover from this post.
Rock on people in that comment section!

Disclosing my wacky methods

I had said I would not disclose the methods I would use to choose a winner in this week's first ever MWOB giveaway.   

I have changed my mind.  

This morning, the children all played an integral part in choosing a winner and I am sharing the process with you, my beloved readers, because you may want to do your own giveaway (real or pretend) just for the sheer joy of having your kids engaged and happy for like, ten minutes.

Step One:

Cut construction paper into colorful strips and write names of each and every commenter this week on the strips.  Then listen to CR read some of the names and listen to her and The Love Fairy giggle at their favorite names which included Mr. Lady, Dizzblnd, and Sass.

Step Two:

Instruct CR and The Love Fairy to fold all strips of paper into tight little squares to ensure total fairness.  Watch CR try to sneak three strips of papers with THEIR names written on them in the hopes of "winning the book."

Step Three:

Throw all folded squares in bowl and admire how neat it all looks.  (I know it looks measly but there were like 45 entries.  Yippee!)

Step Four:

CR picks one strip of paper and holds it tightly in her fist resisting the urge to peek.

Step Five:

The Love Fairy chooses her strip of paper and doesn't even have the urge to peek (probably because she doesn't read yet).

Step Six:

Place each of the chosen two names under two plastic bowls on kitchen floor.

Step Seven:

Watch El Destructo walk over and pick up one of the bowls to uncover winning strip of paper underneath.

(Sorry no pic because it all happened so blazingly FAST!)

Step Eight:

CR unfolds paper and reveals .... the WINNER!

Congratulations Dizzblnd of Soggy-Doggy-Bloggy!! 

(Email me with your address or I will get in contact with you so I can mail you The Manual for Motherhood.)

Thanks to everyone for reading and commenting.

Now I'm off to ready myself for a 7-hour drive across the desert with the kiddos.  

Wish me luck.