I know this is not the usual way of writing a Thank You note, but be assured that there will be another one coming your way the old fashioned way.

I am not sure how to Thank You properly really, so bear with me while I stumble through.  I was first introduced to your website by Bakerella and her glorious cake pops.  I don’t make them right now because they go straight to my hips and if you see my Workout Wednesday posts, I am trying desperately to get rid of my extra baggage. When I first clicked over to your site from Bakerella I was immediately drawn in.  Your love of cooking, photography, decorating and renos is everything I love and more.  Oh yes, and you are a Mom and live on Ranch.  If Hubby had had his way years ago we would be living on a Farm and I would be sneezing my way through life.

I found it very interesting that you gave away prizes all the time.  At first I was very shy to enter, because I had just started stopping by and was getting to know you.  I didn’t feel that was fair to others who had been visiting your site for two and a half years.  But, when I realized that you had some 15,000 – 20, 000 people entering your contests, I started popping my name in here and there, but never in a millions years did I ever expect to see my name in the list of Winners.  Or Wieners as you like to call them sometimes.

Well, a few weeks ago, I entered your Kitchen-Aid Mixer contest because I wanted you to make Croques Monsieur for your guests who were meeting Smitten Kitchen.  Well you didn’t chose to make the Croques but, I did win a Mixer!  I know, how crazy is that? It took a little while to get here, but it arrived on Saturday morning by way of a very good looking delivery man.

You were expecting a photo of him weren’t you?  Didn’t think of that.

I chose Blue Willow, because my kitchen is blue and blue in my decor makes me happy.  I feel closer to the beach when I live in a blue world.

Fresh out of the box, look at that baby shine!

This is the Artisan Model, it is beautiful.  A large bowl (5 quart) with handle and spill guard with a pouring spout.  Just think of all I can make.

I planned and had the ingredients for Chocolate Chip Cookies.  A favourite in my house, I figured Saturday morning was a good day for cookies.

And in action…

And the end result after all that mixing, more because it was new.

A boat load of cookies.

That were gone by Sunday morning.

I did give some away, but the rest were consumed by the four of us here chez BeachMama.  And today, I went for a run.  A long hard run.

Thank you so much for inspiring so many people, sharing your stories and recipes and photo tips. And for constantly being so generous towards your readers.  I never thought in a million years that I would ever win something, but I am truly grateful and I love it!

Thank you with all my heart,

BeachMama