A Bright Summer With Pier 1 - Gift Card Winner

From the day we set up our new patio furniture from Pier 1, I swear we have been out there enjoying it Every. Single. Day. We find any excuse to get ourselves out to go sit on the comfy cushions and watch the world go by. 

I feel ridiculously proud of this. I thought we spent a lot of time out on our porch, but now it's become A Thing.

The other morning, I made cinnamon rolls. (Every now and then the urge hits, what can I say?) Eric was working outside digging and fixing up our new planters. 

"Can we just eat out here?"  (I have a feeling this is going to be happening a lot this summer.)

Which is how the Darbys of Mission Viejo ended up sitting outside decadently eating cinnamon rolls for breakfast on their new, beautifully re-designed porch. Look at me, living the lifestyle magazine life. This is the stuff my dreams are made of.

Every morning I can find Eric out there doing his morning reading. It makes me happy to see him so content.

All this to say that I'm super grateful to Pier 1 Imports for the awesome inspiration for our new outdoor living space. It's made a huge impact already on our day-to-day living. Also, the weather has cooperated beautifully. We're seriously on the cusp of summer and my plan is to spend as much time here as possible, thankyouverymuch.

I want to thank you all for entering the giveaway. If you want to be inspired, go through the comments on the last post: Hello, Summer - A Pier 1 Giveaway and see what everyone would choose for their outdoor space. You guys are kind of fantastic. 

Oh, yes! A winner. I chose one, of course.

I took the number of entries (not counting the doubles - you know who you are or maybe the website glitched on a couple, but that's not important right now) and entered them into the True Random Number Generator on Random.org which chose a number (randomly, of course). 

The winner of the $50 Pier 1 Gift Card is:

Congratulations, Laura!

Please send me an email that says, HEY, MARTA! I WON STUFF ON YOUR BLOG! in the subject line (so I won't accidentally delete it). Include your home address so I can get this gift card out to you ASAP. 

Thanks again to all of you for participating! A very special thanks to Pier 1 and Latina Bloggers Connect for sponsoring this really fun summer giveaway. The opinions are all my own.

La Llave Coffee Basket - A Winner

Someone's Mami is in for a wonderful surprise.

Congratulations to the winner of the La Llave Cuban Coffee Basket for Mother's Day.

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Nery, please send me an email with HEY, MARTA! I WON SOMETHING ON YOUR BLOG in the subject line, so I don't accidentally delete it. Also, include your name and mailing address so I can forward to Gaviña Gourmet Coffee so that they can ship that beautiful coffee basket out to you ASAP.  

Thanks to all of you who participated in this giveaway and for sharing your love of Cuban coffee. It never gets old, does it?

A very special thank you to my friends at Gaviña Coffee for their generosity. Also, go "like" La Llave on Facebook (if you don't already). They are always having promotions for some seriously delicious Cuban coffee goodness.

In case you don't know the secret to making Cuban Coffee with KILLER Espuma, here's my daughter, Amy Kikita to show you how.

When the Zombie Apocalypse Happens, Havana Will Be Ready

And now for something completely different....

I don't usually enjoy horror movies. Wait. Let me rephrase. I don't like horror movies. At all. In fact, I hate them. They're usually so... well, horrific. (But I did enjoy An American Werewolf in London back in the day, mostly because of the comedic elements, but I'll deny it if you tell anybody.)

But, when I was contacted by Focus World to get the word out about their latest film: “a zombie comedy made in Cuba,” I was intrigued. When I read the synopsis, I laughed out loud. When I saw the trailer, I knew it was something I wanted to share.

Plus it's October and I'm kind of more tolerant of gore and silliness the closer it gets to Halloween. (Don't judge me.)

I totally understand that this is a departure from my usual fare, but I think you will enjoy it (or at least your teenage kids will). It's a zombie relajo set in the land of my birth.

From the studio that brought you Shaun of the Dead, meet Juan of the Dead. (He's Havana Killer Day. <--Best tagline ever. Am I right?) In Spanish, with English subtitles.

Synopsis:

Juan is 40 years old, most of which he spent in Cuba doing absolutely nothing. It’s his way of life, and he’s prepare to defend it at any cost, along with his pal Lázaro, as lazy as Juan but twice as dumb. Juan’s only emotional tie is his daughter, Camila, a beautiful young girl that doesn’t want anything to do with her father because the only thing he’s good at is getting into trouble.

Suddenly some strange things start to happen, people are turning violent attacking one to the other. Juan was first convinced it’s just another stage of the Revolution. Official media refer to the attacks as isolated incidents provoked by Cuban dissidents paid by the US government. Little by little Juan and his friends start to realize that the attackers are not normal human beings and that killing them is quite a difficult task. They’re not vampires, they’re not possesed, but they’re definitely not dissidents; a simple bite turns the victim into other violent killing machine and the only way to beat them is destroying their brains.
Juan decides that the best way of facing the situation is making some money out of it…..

“Juan of the Dead, we kill your beloved ones” becomes his slogan. Lázaro, along with his son Vladi, and Camila (who had no other choice but joining her father after he rescued her from grandma´s killing desires) are Juan´s army, and their mission is to help people get rid of the infected ones around… at a reasonable price.

But this plague of bloodthirsty attackers is out of control. The population is helpless. There comes a moment in which the only way out people found is throwing into the sea and try to run away from an island that became a real carnage, and Juan has no choice but to do what he avoided all his life: take some responsibility assuming a hero role, to guide his beloved ones with the hope of getting them safe out of the madness in which Havana, full of flesh eating zombies has turned.

I especially loved that so much of it was true to Cuban life today. In fact, all the actors are Cuban.  And the premise that the state media blames the zombie attacks on dissidents who have been hired by the U.S. government? Classic.

It's not Shakespeare, but it's So. Very. Cuban. And I didn't love the gory parts (duh), but listening to the dialog with the hilarious deadpan (pun intended) Cuban delivery was just awesome.

The story was told creatively and in a very, very Cuban way. Juan of the Dead mocks everything that the Cuban government has sold for 50 years as “The Triumph of the Revolution,” and that's where its value lies.

For me, personally, I can barely stand the over-the-top slasher-oh-holy-hell-there's-blood-everywhere scenes even though they were way too campy to be genuinely scary. But there were a lot of moments of surprise, so I had to keep covering my eyes. Also, the zombies were really, really slow, which I totally appreciated because that gave me time to cover my eyes, but that's not important right now.

But my favorite part of the entire bloody-undead-Havana-zombie-slash-fest was that Cuba's salvation comes in the form of Capitalism. Isn't that just too delicious? 

{Disclaimer: This is not what you will usually find here on MBFCF, and I get that Cubans are already living their own horror movie, but I think there's an audience for this sort of thing out there somewhere. Also, my 16 year old, Jonathan loved it in that way that 16 year old guys do.}

MBFCF Blogiversary Giveaway #3:

Juan of the Dead (DVD)

Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a DVD copy of Juan of the Dead and please answer one or all of the following questions:

• Do you like horror movies? (Is there someone you know who is into this stuff?)
  
• Zombie Apocalypse in Havana...your thoughts?

I'll choose the winners at the end of MBFCF Blogiversary Giveaway Week on Monday, October 8th, 2012 at 11 am.

Havana killer day. LOL!

It's the Little Things (A Giveaway from IMUSA)

 Growing up Cuban has always meant turning normal size things into the diminutive form.

When there were Everest-sized mountains of sandwiches, they were called "bocaditos." Or "just a mouthful." Lies. It took more than "just a bite" to consume these particular delicacies.

We don't just drink café, we have a "cafecito." (A little coffee.) Or an espresso topped with steamed milk is called a "cortadito," no matter what size it is. "Cortadito" translates to "little cut." (Don't ask me why this makes any sense.)

We don't eat just eat papas fritas (French fries), we enjoy "papitas fritas." Can you see just how much cuter and much more appetizing they are when you add the "-ita"?

Your adorable Cuban grandmother is not just your abuela, she is your "abuelita."

Everything seems much more adorable and cuter with the addition of the diminutive suffix.

Add an "-ito" or "-ita" to something and it becomes small and precious. In Cuban circles, I'm not just Marta, I'm "Martita," Or "Martica."  See how much cuter I am when I'm called Mini Marta.?  ;-)

I have Cuban diminutives on the brain because my friends at IMUSA USA have released a line of Mini Cookware. Yes, I said, MINI. I know. Shut up.

WARNING: Cuteness overload coming up...

Cazuelitas! Sarténcitas! GUAT? How fabulously cute are these?

The mini line is perfect for making scaled down or "-ito" versions of your favorite recipes. Ideal for singles, empty nesters and college-bound cooks. (Miss Lucy has taken to making herself two perfect, little pancakes each day on that perfect, little mini griddle. Yes, pancakes-itos!) I could weep from the cuteness of it all.

It comes in some deliciously rich Spice Line colors (think Fiesta) including: Chili Pepper Red, Cilantro Green, Sazon Orange, Saffron Yellow and Tropical Blue.

The IMUSA USA Mini Cookware product line includes the following:

• 1/2 qt. mini casserole 
• 1/2 qt. covered saucepan
• 6" grill pan,
• 2 pc. cookware sets of 6.5" griddle & 6" fry pan

Can it get any better than this?? Yes! How about if we do a comment giveaway for a set of these? (I knew you'd like that.)

1) To enter this drawing, please leave a comment on this post and answer one or all of the following questions:

• What can you see yourself making in any or all of these beautiful mini cookware pieces?
• What color Mini Cookware would you choose? 
• What's your favorite word to add an "-ito" to?

2) For an extra entry, please go "like" IMUSA USA on Facebook and come back and leave me another comment telling me:  

• "I like IMUSA USA!"

So that's not one, but two entries apiece. You're welcome.

Remember that if you want to enter the drawing for this adorable IMUSA Mini Cookware set (and trust me, you do), you must leave a comment (plus the 2nd comment if you do the Facebook liking thing) on this post and I'll choose a winner on Sunday, March 4th 2011 at 8 PST.

I just got home from my trip to Nashville, which I'll tell you all about next week when I'm all recovered. In the meantime, I'm thinking that for breakfast tomorrow, I'm going to be making a delicious English-muffin-egg-and-ham sandwich-ito for myself using all this mini cuteness.

And for the record, I'm still totally into the Orange (!).

 Hasta lueguito!  ;-)

IMUSA Orange(!) Caldero - A Winner

Can I just tell you how much I love how well you guys answered my question: "What favorite recipe of yours will taste fabulous when made in this beautiful Orange(!) caldero?"

Plus, your comments seriously made me hungry, but that's not important right now.

I also want to thank you for the enthusiasm you've shown for IMUSA USA. They are a lovely sponsor for these giveaways and they've generously offered to partner with MBFCF for the rest of this year. I'm so looking forward to the next cool product they'll be offering my readers.

Without further ado, the winner of the beautiful Orange(!) caldero is:

Congratulations, Susana! Please send me an email with "Hey, Marta! I won stuff on your blog!" in the subject line so I don't accidentally delete it. I will then forward to IMUSA USA so they can send you your cool Orange(!) caldero.

Thanks, everyone for your support. You can find IMUSA products at all Macy's stores.

I'm going to be making picadillo tomorrow in my Orange(!) caldero. ;-)

Orange(!) is the new black. (A Giveaway)

I am waiting (a little impatiently) for my fabulous new kitchen appliances to be delivered. I think we're still about a week out from that. You would think I'd be totally content now since I'm getting all new appliances, but you know how it is, suddenly everything starts looking like it needs upgrading or replacing. *sigh*

There is, however, one item in my kitchen that still makes me completely happy and that is my IMUSA USA Orange(!) caldero. I use it constantly and am always looking for new recipes to make in it.

Arroz con pollo. Carne con papas. Sopa de pollo. All made in my beautiful Orange(!) caldero. I am starting to think it has magical properties because everything I've made in it tastes amazing. I have to add that I also go ahead and put the Orange(!) caldero straight on the table, not because I'm lazy (shut up. I'm not!), but because it's so seriously beautiful.

My good friend, Chef Ana (don't-hate-me-because-I'm-beautiful) Quincoces shares her recipe for some amazing Pulled Pork Sliders in her Orange(!) caldero.

Brilliant, no?

Doesn't that just make you want this beautiful Orange(!) caldero to cook something fabulous in?

Here's your chance.

My friends over at IMUSA USA have graciously partnered with MBFCF to host this giveaway for a beautiful Orange(!) caldero.

Oooh! Yes, please!

Usually, I would only ask you to leave a comment to enter the drawing for the giveaway item, but I want to give you each a couple of chances, so....

1) To enter this drawing, please leave a comment on this post and answer the following question:

• What favorite recipe of yours will taste fabulous when made in this beautiful Orange(!) caldero?

2) For an extra entry, please go "like" IMUSA USA on Facebook and come back and leave me another comment telling me:  

• "I like IMUSA USA!"

So that's not one, but two entries apiece. Yes, I'm generous like that, but that's not important right now.

Remember that if you want to enter the drawing for this beautiful Orange(!) caldero, you must leave a comment (plus the 2nd comment if you do the Facebook liking thing) on this post and I'll choose a winner on Monday, January 16th 2011 at 8 PST.

Buen Provecho! And thanks, IMUSA USA!

This fabulous Orange(!) caldero is also available at all Macy's stores.  

{Disclaimer: IMUSA USA very generously sent me that beautiful Orange(!) caldero for my own use and to review the product and also offered one as a giveaway for one lucky MBFCF reader. The opinion that it is fabulous is my own.}

¡Sabor! Cookbook Winner

I am still laughing at some of the rice comments you all submitted for the giveaway. 

So, about half of you wash your rice. About a third of you used to wash, but have since given that up.

Some of you use rice cookers because you remember that mami or abuela had a Hitachi going all the time and I love that you have some great memories of rice and rice cookers and the happiness that rice brings to the Cuban table.

A lot of you are still stovetoppers. Impressive.

And, of course, all of you agree that my cousin Yllien is adorable. =D

A few of you have some bad memories of burning the rice. (Did I ever tell you about the time I cooked for 300 and screwed up the rice? No? Umm....never mind.)  ;-)

Thank you. I swear it makes me so happy to hear from you and I love that you keep the conversation here lively. 

Sadly, I could only choose one winner. (insert sad face here) As usual, I went to Random.org and put in the number of entries (subracting those who accidentally left multiple comments, and you know who you are, but that's not important right now).

Congratulations to the winner of the ¡Sabor! A Passion for Cuban Cuisine Cookbook, autographed by the author, my friend, Ana Quincoces.

Congratulations, Annie! Good job on getting your gringo husband to learn The Ways of The Rice Cooker. I'm so proud. *wipes away a tear*

Send me an email with HEY MARTA! I WON STUFF ON YOUR BLOG! in the subject line. Please include your snail mail address so I can get this beautiful cookbook out to you ASAP.

Thanks again to you all for playing. More fun giveways and stories coming up this week, so stay tuned!

What do you do with an empty (ORANGE!) caldero? (A recipe and giveaway)

Let me tell you about the big plans I had for this past week when I got back from Texas:

1. I was going to cook a big, fat pot of arroz con pollo.
2. I was going to cook it in my new big, fat ORANGE (!) caldero from IMUSA USA (which totally matches my Fiesta dishes, but that's not important right now).
3. I was going to do a video and teach you how I make it.
4. I was going to give away an ORANGE (!) caldero (it looks fabulous on my stove) to one lucky MBFCF reader.

What I didn't count on...

1. I didn't count on being exhausted both physically and emotionally when I got back.
2. I didn't count on getting that scratchy-throat-fevery-oh-no-it-might-be-strep thing which has me super run down.

So I'm staring at this empty ORANGE (!) caldero (and totally loving it, by the way) and feeling guilty. In that intense, Cuban, swim-around-in-it-until-your-fingers-get-pruney-from-the-guiltiness way.

What to do?

1. Share my friend, Ana's recipe for Jambalaya, which she geniusly makes in this same beautiful ORANGE (!) (orange is the new black, you know) caldero.
2. Host the giveaway anyway.

So here's Ana's recipe for Jambalaya. (The photos are also from her beautiful site, AnaQuincoces.com - go there. Surf around. Find the quote from me about her. You're curious now, aren't you?)

JAMBALAYA

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
• 8 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 large sweet yellow onion, diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• ½ cup diced celery
• 2 tbsp chopped garlic
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper or to taste
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 (12oz) can fire roasted tomatoes
• 2 cups uncooked converted white rice (Like Uncle Ben’s)
• 4 and ½ cups chicken stock (double it for brown rice)
• 3 bay leafs
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp hot pepper sauce
• salt & ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Heat oil in your large IMUSA CALDERO to medium high heat.
2. In your IMUSA SAUTÉ PAN, Sauté chicken and andouille sausage until lightly browned for about 5 minutes.
3. In your IMUSA CALDERO, stir in onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic.
4. Season with cayenne, onion powder, salt and pepper.
5. Cook for 5 minutes, or until onion and bell pepper are soft and onion is translucent.
6. Add the tomato sauce and cook for 5 more minutes.
7. Add the rice, the chicken stock and bay leaves to your caldero, bringing to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until rice is tender.
8. Add the chicken and the Worcestershire sauce and stir it with hot pepper sauce.
9. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

SERVES 6

Isn't that just crazy-beautiful?

But this still leaves me with an empty ORANGE (!) caldero (I'm thinking carne con papas would be awesome in this) to give away....

So, to enter this drawing, answer one or both of the following questions:

• What would YOU make in this beautiful ORANGE (!) caldero?
• Do you forgive me? ;-)

Remember that if you want to enter the drawing for this beautiful ORANGE (!) caldero, you must leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a winner on Tuesday, July 26th, 2011 at 5 pm Pacific.

Buen Provecho! And thanks, IMUSA USA!

This fabulous ORANGE (!) caldero is also available at all Macy's stores. And if you're on Facebook, please give IMUSA USA some "like" love.  ;-)

{Disclaimer: Imusa USA very generously sent me that beautiful ORANGE (!) caldero and offered one as a gift for one lucky MBFCF reader.}

Gnomeo & Juliet and I am Number Four - DVD Winner

Thanks to all of you who entered the giveaway for these fabulous Disney Picture DVDs:

Gnomeo & Juliet and I Am Number Four.

Congratulations to:

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Andria said...

- Candle in the Wind

- I already wear glasses and it's a pain to have to wear the 3-D ones on top. So, I don't enjoy the movie as much since I'm always fidgeting with my glasses x2

Reply May 20, 2011 at 05:51 PM

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Please send me an email with your snail mail address and  HEY, MARTA! I WON STUFF ON YOUR BLOG! in the subject line and I will forward your address to the generous folks at Disney who will get those DVDs out to you immediately.

For the record, my favorite Elton John song is still Your Song. (Did I ever tell you that when I was in high school we snuck into the trees to hear Elton John sing during his very first U.S. tour in 1970 at the Greek Theater?)

And I like the "modern" 3D films. As long as I'm sitting far enough back and there's not too much motion, but that's not important right now. ;-)