Winners of Stephanie O’Dea’s Totally Together: Shortcuts to an Organized Life & Genius Bread & What’s New?
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~ The winners of Steph O’Dea’s new book, Totally Together: Shortcuts to an Organized Life—“the indispensable guide to organizing a busy household so anyone can have a tidy and tranquil home in just minutes a day”—are as follows:
Nikki L’Hommedieu, Shannon Lewis, Brittany, marina, and Candace S.
Congrats to all! I will contact you via email. Your books will be mailed out this week along with the five copies for the individuals (Debbie Ross, Vicky Patton, Dawn Hogan, Sarah Macdonald, Aileen Markowsky) who won the earlier Facebook giveaway of Stephanie’s Totally Together Journal.
~ The winner of the Genius Bread (two loaves of multigrain bread and two loaves of white bread) is Helga Jones. Congrats, Helga! Look for my email, dear.
~ What’s a girl to do when she finds out that’s she’s somehow deleted ALL her photos on her computer, including the photos that she had for several cookbook reviews (well, except for a few already uploaded to her blog gallery)? Well, when it happens to this girl, gfe becomes gluten free extreme … as in the gluten free extreme cookbook giveaway. Look for that gfe cookbook giveaway coming up where a LOT of cookbooks will be given away. But just so you know, there won’t be a lot of photos or words from me … however, I don’t think you’ll mind as there will be some recipes and photos from the cookbook authors! (And yes, this will be the wrap-up of my birthday giveaways.)
~ Well, one set of photos that somehow got deleted is the set of the weekend of four gluten-free blogger buddies hanging out together. I was going to show you most of what we ate when we got together. Instead, I’ll show you all of us—Jules (Jules Speaks Gluten Free and Jules Gluten Free), Nancy (The Sensitive Pantry), and Stephanie (Gluten Free By Nature), and moi—after Thomas (the kind fellow sent by AAA) replaced my car’s flat tire with the “may-pop” spare. The beverage photo is of the agave wine “margaritas” that we drank during a break of our mini-tour of Fredericksburg. This agave wine was a lovely light wine that tasted enough like a margarita to please all of us. Our agave wine margaritas were very light and refreshing on the hot day. (FYI: Both photos are courtesy of Jules.)
Stephanie, Nancy, Shirley, and Jules
Agave Wine Margaritas
Speaking of Jules … for a limited time, she is giving away her Back-to-School book, a $9.95 version. Follow the link, enter the code 2011BTSebook (case sensitive, so a “cut and paste” may work best), and then click on Apply. Price will then drop to $0.00. 
Tips, hints, recipes, and more apply from pre-school to college–enjoy!
Nancy just made her first pie since going gluten free—Fresh Blueberry Pie with Lemon Thyme Crust. You must go check out Nancy’s blueberry pie right now. Can that really be her first gluten-free pie? Isn’t it stunning? Oh, and did you notice that it’s not only gluten free, it’s also dairy free, egg free, and vegan.
Stephanie just made Frozen Cashew Butter Squares … for Mikey. The sudden and unexpected loss of well-known food blogger Jennifer Perillo’s husband, Mikey, last week affected anyone who heard about her tragic loss. We couldn’t help but be reminded of just how fleeting life can be and send out our love and hugs to Jennifer and her daughters, as well as hug our own a little closer. Right after her loss, Jennifer shared two posts, this one and this one telling everyone that Mikey’s favorite pie was peanut butter pie, but she hadn’t made it in a long time. She asked that we not put off things, hug our loved ones, and to make a peanut butter pie to honor Mikey. The response to Jennifer’s request was amazing, and beyond heartwarming. Peanut butter pies in all forms—and some made with other nut butters (like Stephanie’s) and substitutes (like Aran’s Chocolate and Tahini Tart)—and lovely, sweet posts … like Diane and Todd’s (White on Rice) very moving video and words … filled the food blogosphere. Last I checked, Tastespotting still had most of its home page dedicated to pies for Mikey. I’m keeping Jennifer and her family in my thoughts and again hugging my loved ones tighter as I count my blessings. I’ll make my Blueberry Honey Pie with Honey Whipped Cream for Mr. GFE as that is surely his favorite.
I’ve been slacking on sharing what’s new in the gluten-free community of late, but luckily Tia has come to the rescue! She’s got a new weekly roundup, Gluten-Free News You Can Use. Check out her first weekly link listing here.
Cheryl (Gluten Free Goodness) posted the roundup of the Self-Care Retreat that she and Valerie (City | Life | Eats) co-hosted. Wendy (Celiacs in the House), Iris (The Daily Dietribe), and I also joined in. Cheryl’s summary has all the posts here. There’s really worthwhile reading in this series. I know that you will find the posts inspiring and the ideas “implementable.”
And at some point this week, I’ll share one of my gfe recipes. I’d share another beverage recipe (Frozen Watermelon Margarita, anyone?), but I don’t want you guys to think I’m a lush. But the truth is when steamed crab season is over, my higher octane liquid refreshment phase pretty much comes to an end. So enjoy the great beverages while you can, and I do promise to post that one soon. I don’t normally go for frozen margaritas, but with this flavor, frozen works!
- Catch up with me on Twitter.
- “Like” gfe—glutenfreeeasily on Facebook to see updates/more content.
- Get gfe posts (including recipes) by email.
- Looking for a gfe recipe?
- Get the best gluten-free desserts recipes at All Gluten-Free Desserts.
- Local to Fredericksburg, VA area? Check out Support Group & Events page.
Comments
28 Responses to “Winners of Stephanie O’Dea’s Totally Together: Shortcuts to an Organized Life & Genius Bread & What’s New?”
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Okay, I still CANNOT believe that all of those photos were deleted. I am with Heidi…it is officially my worst nightmare. I am so proud of how well you are handling it though! I love the pic of you girls. I still wish I could have made that weekend happen.
PS I am officially anxiously waiting for that Watermelon Margarita recipe. I do not think anyone at all thinks you are a lush. Instead, you are just really really smart to be beating this wretched heat with a little frozen liquor!!
xo
k
Hi Kim–Thanks! I suppose I take a bit of comfort in the fact that it’s only my photos since December. But after the inital shock, what can you do? I so wish you had been with us that weekend, too, but there will be more weekends in the future, right?
Haha on the watermelon margarita recipe … okay, I’ll share it just for you! Plus it’s an easier post to get together than my extreme cookbook giveaway (that’s taking me forver, even without mega number of pics). Yes, heat and steamed crabs are the reason for frozen liquor.
Thanks for reminding me on the former reason. I love justification!
xo,
Shirley
Oh, and I totally owe you an email. Will do that tonight! Just got back from SF on Sunday night and of course, as usual, way behind!
xoxoxo
Still waiting … but no pressure.
As soon as you send it, I’ll feel behind on replying. That is the nature of emails! 
If you have to have a flat, that seems the best way to do it!
Thanks for including the retreat.
hugs!
Hi Cheryl–They were great girls to be with when I had a flat … even on a very busy street corner. Did I mention that three police officers checked on us? One cutie even offered to change my tire, but that was after the AAA guy was on his way.
I was very happy to include the retreat, dear. Now I have to visit again to comment and then remember self care daily!
xo,
Shirley
Oh Shirley, can’t believe you lost all those photos – fortunately Jules had some to share the happy times you shared. Looking forward to your beverage post!
Hi Jeanette–Another vote for the beverage post! Okay, girls … coming up.
I was grateful that my old school husband didn’t remind me that that’s why he doesn’t like digital so much. Much to his dismay, I print almost no photos these days, but I will now, just in case.
Shirley
Thank you! I am so excited! Cannot wait to get this
Hi Candace–You’re welcome! It went out yesterday first class, so I expect you’ll have it this weekend at the latest.
Shirley
OMG Thank you so much I am so excited! I cant beleive I won I really need to get organized! thank you! thank you!
The picture is so cute and I hate it when I lose pictures! the margaritas look delicious!
Hi marina–I’m excited with you! The idea of getting organized is one that appeals to all of us. If Steph sells a book to everyone who has that goal, she’ll sell a LOT of books. And all those lucky folks will have more streamlined homes and lives!
I’m slowly implementing her routines. 
Thanks on the photos! Glad Jules had her iPhone at the ready for us.
Shirley
Yippee….I can’t believe I won a contest, lol. Looking forward to trying the Genius Bread….and sharing it w/others….Thank you so much!!
Hi Helga–Yippee indeed on winning! And I so love that you’re sharing your “winnings” with others. Free and fun taste testing!
Shirley
Congratulations to all the winners! I need to get Steph’s book as I need some help being “totally together” and marginally organized. =) Great picture of you girls. Aaaah, I wish I had been there. It sounds like you had a blast! Give me a “head’s up” when you and Kim make watermelon margaritas. I’ll fly out for that (or to AZ, wherever you two decide to do your recipe developing).
Melissa–Another reason to use your Amazon “one-click” ordering!
It would have been fabulous if you had been with us.
Haha on the watermelon margaritas! I know you’re really a red wine gal.
I could make you a virgin version and pass the tequila “cork” over your drink though. 
But yes, do join us wherever!
xo,
Shirley
Oh my goodness, I am so excited! I just read the Amazon review and it sounds like exactly what I need. I just heard a quote that is very timely as well, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” ~Agatha Christie
Hi Nikki–Love your enthusiasm! I always like to take a gander at the Amazon reviews, too. I tend to throw out the really extreme reviews, but when everyone is saying a book is good and life changing like Steph’s book, I have to have it!
Love the quote–thank you! I’m such a quote gal, and that one is so true. It’s been said in a million different ways, but that one is clear and to the point!
Shirley
Shirley! I am terribly sorry that your pics were deleted. That really REALLY stinks!
I loved reading your little recap and wanted to say thank you so much for the sweet mention. So very kind of you.
Those watermelon margs sound divine. Count me to sit back, put my feet up with you, Kim and Melissa
now THAT would be a get together!
hugs
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie–Some bad photography karma around that gathering, remember? Mercury Retrograde as Nancy said. I lost ALL my photos not just that group.
It’s a real mystery, too, since the folders are still there showing photos on the labels. But at least I still have my camera, dear. I hope you’ve gotten a new one since then.
I’m actually realizing I said little about how wonderful you gals are and what a great time we had. Oh, well, sometimes less IS more.
Oh, yes, do join us for the margaritas! All of us together would be simply fabulous!
xo,
Shirley
Too much info for one post, my little head is spinning! Major bummer about your photos!
Hi Saretta–Yes, I have a tendency to do that, and this post shares less info than many of my other newsy posts. If you see anything in my post titles that indicates a newsy post, you might want to just click away in the future.
Thanks re: photos!
Shirley
Oh you poor thing! I’m glad you had a good weekend with your friends though.
Hey InTolerant Chef–It was a fabulous weekend. If I had all those photos, I could have shown you how terrific.
But even without photos, those of us who were there won’t forget our time together with food, drink, and many misadventures. 
Thanks, dear!
Shirley
So bummed I’m missing from that photo.
Great give a way. Love Stephanie’s new book.
You always have the best things here.
Diane–We were so bummed you were missing from the photo and adventures, too! There will be a next time though.
Steph’s book rocks as does Steph, of course!
Thanks, Diane!
Shirley
I am so excited to win! Thank you Shirley and Stephanie!
Hi Brittany–I’m excited for you! To rephrase the old saying, “When others snooze, they lose and you win!”
Will ship out Steph’s great book as soon as I return from vacation!
Shirley