Last week Miranda over at Pocket Pause kicked off the start of some giveaways here at Not Dabbling in Normal. This week it is my turn, and I must say that I really struggled with trying to figure out what to offer. When we started talking about this behind the scenes, my original thought was to make a set of napkins or some cards. Somehow I started to doubt that anyone would want either of these things. Hmmm. The wishy-washy, flip-flop of my decision making was between said napkins & cards or something completely different, but what?! Ack!
When I really buckled down and started to think about it, books came to mind, but a book about what? Cooking, gardening, fermenting, preserving…. what?!
As I looked through the books on my shelves I came across one that might be of interest to some of you. Yes, you, our readers. After all, for me, this is a small way to thank you for commenting and sharing a part of your world too.
So, what did I pick?
Sherri Brooks Vinton’s Put ‘em up! I bought this book about a year ago and I really enjoy it. So far, I have only used it to make up dilly beans, but there are a few other recipes that I have bookmarked and will try at some point.
There is an entire section on food preparation methods which will be very helpful to those of you that want to start canning food as well as other methods of preservation like freezing, infusions, and drying.
Another thing I like about this book is the index in the back. I can just look up mushrooms to find where to look for mushroom recipes or I can just leaf through it looking on the side of the page to find the vegetable that I am interested in and all the recipes for that vegetable are all together.
Some of the recipes I still want to make are: Curried Cauliflower, Corn Salsa and Italian-flavored Pickled Zucchini.
Are you interested in an opportunity to win Put ‘em up! by Sherri Brooks Vinton? By the way, you will get a new book, not the one that has been sitting on my shelf.
Well, I will try to keep this simple… all you need to do is comment and tell me why you would like to win this book and how you would use it. Are you interested in learning different preserving techniques? Are you looking for a way to preserve more in new way? Have you been preserving things, but are looking for some new and exciting recipes?
Only one comment will be counted per person. The deadline for comments is Friday, November 16th at noon (that’s noon where I live – central time, USA). I will announce the winner next Saturday, November 17th.
Thank you again to all of the readers out there. I look forward to reading your comments.
Update: I just realized that I never titled my post. Hmmm I better put my thinking cap back on!
Sincerely, Emily
You can see what else I am up to over at Sincerely, Emily. The topics are varied, as I jump around from gardening to sewing to making bread or lotion and many things in between.
I’d love to win the book! I’m always on the lookout for new canning recipes or ways to preserve food. It would make an awesome addition to my “kitchen library”. Thank you for hosting such a lovely giveaway!
I would like it to give to my sister for a Christmas present!
I’m actually still trying to learn how to can! And I’m looking for some good easy literature to introduce me to it… and I trust you ladies on NDiM!
I do actually do some drying and freezing, but it’s not foolproof at the moment [ice crystals! Grrr!] So part of my Birthday/Christmas gift to myself will be a whole canning set… new mason jars, lids and shelving to hold everything!
[that jar of dried mushrooms on the cover... mmmm...]
[hahaha... oh dear, I said NDi"M"... can you tell it's entirely too early for me?]
NDiN! ;D
I have been canning for a few years but mostly just the basics like jams and tomatoes. I am trying to learn more so I can supplement homemade, homegrown products for the store bought items and I can feed my family with LOVE!
I would love to win this book. I have always used my Ball book for recipes, and I think I’m ready to expand. Thanks for a great giveaway!
Can one ever have too many food preservation books! I would use the book teaching my daughters and daughters-in-law to can.
That sounds like a GREAT book! I would love a chance to win
It would make an amazing gift for my sister.
As much as I would LOVE to win the book and delve into its hallowed pages to preserve our coming (bumper hopefully
) harvest, I realise that we out-of-towners are not an easy option when it comes to postage 
. Good luck everyone, I hope someone who really REALLY wants to preseve and learn wins this wonderful tomb 
Hi Fran, You are in the drawing. I know you are an out-of-towner! That’s fine! Thank you for all your comments and conversations.
WOOT!
Cheers for that Emily…now you had best hope that I DON’T win 
I would love to win this book–I am a beginning canner/pickler as my family starts making and baking more of the ingredients in our meals. I’ve started gathering the materials I need and this book would kick off my adventures!
As I strive to return to my farming roots preserving ones fav. Food is something basic that I can still do even though i currently dwell within an apartment. So far i have pressure canned raw packed chicken but desire to do much more
I picked this up from the library this summer when canning season was starting to peak, and have since renewed it 7 times… While it would be nice to be able to give the library their copy back, whoever wins it will thoroughly enjoy it! I too like how it’s organized – very easy to use, and simple recipes.
I try to preserve as much as I can every year and love to try new recipes. So much fun! This would be a fantastic addition to my small collection.
I love canning and am always on the lookout for new and unique recipes. I would definitely put this book to use!
It is now 12 noon in my neck of the woods, so the comments are now closed. Stop back tomorrow (Saturday, Nov 17th) to find out who the winner is! Thanks for all your wonderful comments!!!
[...] One thing that I can work out, is that it is time to announce the winner from last weeks giveaway. [...]