Erin Akin Carroll

I’m not going to talk about the Gamecocks and our heartbreaking loss. I’m not going to talk about how stinkin’ hot it was in Columbia on Saturday. I’m not going to talk about the fact that my face, neck, and shoulders are more sunburned than they’ve been since I was in middle school.

I’m going to talk about my 200th post giveaway!!!

I’m really excited about this giveaway. It’s the Reisenthel collapsible basket and cover. And the cover is monogrammable! I got one of these baskets as a wedding gift and I love it. I use it to carry food to pot lucks. I use it at the grocery store. I use it for tailgates. I’m planning to use it for picnics when the weather is finally tolerable. It’s a great basket and it stores so nicely!

All you have to do is leave a comment telling me how you would use the basket. I’ll be entering all of your names into a drawing on Saturday, September 20 and announcing the winner on my blog. Make sure you don’t enter as “anonymous.”

There are so many cute colors and patterns! When the winner is announced, I’ll get the winner’s preference on color and monogram options.

Good luck! Leave a comment!

I love my Google Reader and check it about five times a day to see what’s going on. I get a little stressed out when I check it and see that I have 55 new posts to read! I like to check it more often and knock out my reading five at a time rather than fifty-five at a time.

I’ve noticed this “Following” link on my blogspot dashboard and think it’s just like my Google Reader, but I’m going to try it anyway. I really like being able to know who’s checking in on Blue-Eyed Bride every day. I want to read your blog, too!

I’ve also noticed that you can import your Google Reader into your “following” list on your dashboard. This made the process much easier!

So if you’re reading, please just find the “Who’s Reading” link at the bottom of the column on the right and click “follow this blog.”

Does anyone else think this process is at all redundant?

Am I the only one who just heard about Bakerella? These cupcakes and other treats are gorgeous! Sweets for the eyes and the tummy! I’m in awe of these images and the recipes. They’re obviously not good for my mission to lose the “newlywed ten” (pounds, that is), but I’ll dream of making them for a special occasion.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Ribbon Dessert

12 Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, divided
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tub (12 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
2 squares Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

Crush 8 of the cookies in resealable plastic bag with rolling pin. Mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press onto bottom of foil-lined 9×5-inch loaf pan.

Mix cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 3 cups of the whipped topping. Spoon 1/2 cup of the cream cheese mixture into small bowl. Stir in melted chocolate until well blended; set aside. Spoon half of the remaining cream cheese mixture over crust. Top evenly with chocolate mixture; cover with remaining cream cheese mixture.

Freeze 4 hours or overnight until firm. Invert onto plate. Remove foil, then re-invert onto serving platter so that crumb layer is on bottom. Coarsely break the remaining 4 cookies. Top dessert with remaining whipping topping and cookies.

More adorable Bakerella images:

I created this blog on September 25, 2007 and can’t believe nearly a year has gone by since then. When this entry posts, I will be three posts away from my 200th entry! Crazy.

In honor of my 200th entry, I will be hosting a giveaway. Yes, a giveaway to celebrate me and my blog! No, it’s really to celebrate those of you who stop by and thank you for hanging in there with me!

Stay tuned and come prepared to play!