It’s the unofficial last day of summer and with that I would like to celebrate.
As much as moms are ready for school to be done in June, I can probably speak for most of us that we are more than ready for school to be back in session in September.
Back to a schedule, back to a somewhat clean house, back to a little quiet time.
For someone like me who is introverted (I gather my energy from being alone in the quiet) it is so exciting for me to think that I’ll be able to have 3 hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by myself.
![]() |
Skyler, on his first day of preschool last year |
Here is an excerpt from an article that I found really hilarious
“Back-to-school supplies are on sale. We’re getting close. I didn’t find out until I was an adult that my mother threw a back-to-school celebratory brunch for the neighborhood moms on the first day of school after we all left for the bus. I was shocked. A little appalled even. These days I’m thinking, should I serve sit-down style or buffet?”
With the new school year, comes sports and all sorts of activities that will be happening during the dinner hour. Make your life easier by cooking in the slow cooker so that dinner time at home can still happen!
I’m giving away a copy of my cookbook to celebrate this joyous time of year. I know you’ll love it and be able to find at least 30 great meals for your family. If you already have a copy give one away as a gift.
In addition if the winner is from Utah, I’ll throw in 2 tickets to the Really Big Cooking Show that is coming up in November. Here is a little information:
Join us for a day of cooking tips and tricks at The Really Big Cooking Show. The event will feature cooking demonstrations, recipes, other culinary helps, and giveaways. Featuring: TV Star of “The Food Nanny,” Liz Edmunds; Cookbook author Karen Petersen; former Deseret News food editor Valerie Phillips; and popular food bloggers Echo Blickenstaff and Emily Walker.
Doors open at 9 a.m., and the show starts at 10 a.m. Come early to visit vendor booths that will have special discounts on the day of the show. Tickets: $16 available online or at Seagull Book stores in Utah. For more information, visit www.covenant-lds.com.
To enter:
Become a fan of my facebook page or follow me on pinterest or follow me on twitter. Then share, pin, or tweet about this giveaway.
Then leave me a comment on this post.
The giveaway will end September 24, 2012. I will ship to anywhere in the U.S.
Good luck!
Darn – I've just stumbled onto your site from the Justingredients FB page where they'd posted the tomato, basil and parmesan soup which looks amazing! Having got to here (the 365 days part) and been reading for a few hours I'm now thoroughly hooked so go to check out your book on Amazon – and here in the UK we can only get a kindle version of your book!!! Booo!! I have a kindle but for cookery books I want to see the lucious recipe photos in all their full colour glory! Soooo – I thought I'd swing past your giveaway and try my luck -but it closed yesterday. And is US only. :_( Waah… Any plans to release the hard copy in the UK? Or introduce a little extra UK-lovin giveaway… (Cheeky – moi??!) Love the blog, I shall be voraciously making the soup recipes especially as the autumn kicks in here. Love from Devon. x
I love the recipes I've tried!Thanks!!
Following you on fb! Excited!
Hi Karen! I follow you on Facebook and Pinterest! I shared this on both, and I'd love to win your book!
I already follow you on FB and just started following you on Pinterest. I posted the offer to my FB page. I'm just excited that the book is coming out. I have several of your recipes in my ZipList file. (I'm also in Utah)
I like, and follow you on Facebook, pinterest and twitter (treehugr0922). I also shared theis post on fb and will do so on twitter and pin it on pinterest! Thanks
I already follow you on Facebook and I have shared the link for the contest.
I follow you on Facebook & on Pinterest too! This book looks great!
I get email from you, I already like you on Facebook and have shared your contest with everyone. I also have already followed all your pins. And have pinned your contest on my Penterist page. I love using my crock pot and have made a lot of your recipes you've posted. I use my crock pot at least twice a week. There are times I have 2 going at once. The big one for dinner and the little one has dessert.
Awesome! What a treat – to plan and have the meal ready when its time to sit down together. Thankee for sharing!
Hi Karen, I love your post on Facebook, thank you for all the goodies!
186Would love to win this book full of recipes to share!
Thanks for sharing your recipes with us! They are fabulous!
I have been following your blog online as well as your facebook page for ages!! Love your slow cooker soups especially and have learned so very much from you about how to use my slow cooker for everything! Thanks so much!
Every one of your recipes has been a success and loved by my family. Thank you for sharing your talents.
I have repinned this giveaway on pinterest.
Thanks!!
Would love to win this but ……alas…………..I live in Canada!
Love the recipes. Have been following you in fb for a while. I already Liked your page and shared too.
Love your site! Thank you for sharing all of the great recipes! I just shared your contest on my facebook page!
Karen, I would absolutely use your cookbook. I've been using your online recipes and so far I've liked every one of them. The most reused is the Costa Vida Chicken recipe!
I follow on Twitter and Facebook. I twitted and here's the link:
https://twitter.com/southerncooker/status/249021539167657984
I'd love this book.
I have used so many of your recipes. I love cooking in my crock pot.
Fan and Shared post…would lOve to win!
Fan and tweeted
Would love to win the cookbook!
I would love this soooo much! I <3 these recipes!! Thank you so much!!
Shared the contest on my facebook page! Love the recipies!!
Love your recipes. You are definitely my goto person for those busy night I know I will come home too late to cook. You have saved my son from many a pizza or fast food burger to my delight (maybe not so much HIS delight – smile)
Just found your site by looking up a tomato basil soup. I am now following you on facebook, pinterest & twitter. I also shared on facebook. Your cookbook looks like a keeper I would love to dive into it and give it try. Thanks!
I want to win!!! Winning is awesome. Especially if you are the winner!!! I follow on Facebook!!! I share!!!
I just recently discovered your website and I would LOVE to have your cookbook! Slow cooking is my favorite!
Mechale B.
Thank you for sharing your great recipes. I have 3 boys and I love to utilize my crock pot. Last night we had a shredded bbq chicken in 1 slow cooker and I just did the apple crisp for the first time in another.
Splendid.
I would absolutely love a copy of the book! Even if I don't win it I would like to purchase it! I love crock pot cooking, and it is the only time my family eats real meals during the week (except the traditional spaghetti)!
I would love your cookbook! I have liked and pinned you on Pintrest!
I have three kids and would love a cookbook like this for any help!
Love love love ur recipes!! Can't live w/o them! I NEED this cookbook! 🙂
Missi Rogers
I love your recipes!!! You turned my crock pot into my friend:-)
I saw your recipe for the leek soup and cant wait to try it. and then I saw the contest and hope that I win so I can try all of your recipes
Lynda
We love cookbooks!
Lila
I'm a new follower on Twitter and will look you up on Pinterest. Crockpot cooking is my FAVORITE!!!
I followed many of your pins on pinterest. Love to cook in the slowcooker, as I'm not able to cook like I used too due to health reasons. You have a wonderful website here. I just love it to pieces. Best wishes to you and yours. Take care…
I love your site! I use it all the time! I am so addicted to following it that I even look and plan at work!!
LOVE IT
I love you recipes…as a wife, mother of 2 and a nurse, slow cooker recipes are the way to go. Thank you so much for your blog!!
love my slow cooker need new recipes
Really need to learn more recipes for my slow cooker! I always feel intimidated and worried that it will burn up when I'm gone!
Allyson
Liked and shared on FB!
I just joined Pinterest, came across your page and absolutely love it!!! The cooking begins! 🙂
I am a fan of yours on facebook!
I love your recipes, thank you so much for sharing them!
I live for crockpot recipes! Thanks for sharing!! This is also my entry into your cookbook giveaway. I liked your FB page and shared about the giveaway!
-Megan Casey
I just became a facebook fan and shared about the cookbook giveaway as Joan Osborne
Just found your site through Pinterest, and with Autumn just around the corner I'm especially excited to have some new soup recipes to try!
I love following your facebook posts and especially love all the boards you have on pinterest. I'm getting so addicted, and now I don't even know where to start with all the new ideas. I pinned the giveaway on my pinterest.
oh my! i would LOVE to get your cookbook!!!!
as a homeschooler, every time i buy a book it's for school… this would be great!
I love your recipes, thanks for sharing them with us! I follow you on facebook, twitter, and pinterest! I pinned about your awesome giveaway. 🙂
I am a "not so good" cook, but LOVE your recipes!
I shared your contest on Facebook. Thanks for the giveaway! Fingers crossed!
I already followed you on Facebook. And if I can figure out how, I'll share on FB. Thanks!
Followed and Pinned!
I followed you on Twitter and shared!
But the more people I share/pin/tweet to it about the less likely I am to win!
Pick me!! I teach early morning seminary and work…I need recipes, so dinner is done when I get home and can prepare the lesson for the next day. Thank you!
follow you on facebook. Love your easy yet so tasty recipes!!
I would so love to win this. With a Kindergartener and Pre-schooler- I need a little help.
Thanks!
I follow and shared this on FB.
I shared and pinned, love your recipes!
Already following you in Pintrest.. Love the recipes
I would love to win your cook book. I shared about the contest on my Facebook page.
I pinned!
I love your recipes, such inspiration!
Already liked on Facebook and followed on Twitter so I posted your link to both and followed you on Pinterest. I may have to unfollow your Fitness Pinterest board though :).
My husband doesn't normally compliment my cooking. Well I made a few recipes from your blog in the past month, and he LOVED them! So keep em' coming! I think your cookbook might save our marriage haha! I already like you on facebook, will follow you on and pinterest and repin asap!
Hi. Love your slow cooker recipes. I already had you in my Likes and I shared on facebook. Thanks again.
Love your meals! Has made planning meals so nice and not such a chore!
I've already "liked" your fb page, months ago. 🙂 And I really enjoy having dinner ready for my when I get home from work. Then I have left overs to freeze for later meals.
Already liked! And shared on Facebook!
Would love to have you recipes to pull up and share!
I also shared the giveaway on Facebook!
Michelle
[email protected]
I follow you on Facebook!
Michelle
[email protected]
Hi there – LOVE your blog! I just liked you on FaceBook as well as shared the contest/recipe. I am going to make the shredded pork salad tonight – thanks so much for your recipes! I love your website.
Melissa
Follwed you on facebook! I love your blog and would love a cookbook 😀
I'm following you on pinterest. Would love to win the book!
Great recipes!
Hi Karen,
Already liked you on Facebook. Just shared you also on Facebook 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway and all you do!!!
Shared via Pinterest. Thanks!
Liked and shared! As a college student currently living in a dorm, my slow cooker is a life saver and I have so many of your recipes book marked! Having a hard copy of all my favorites and then some would make it even easier to cook with my pot and share them with the rest of the ladies here 🙂 Thanks so much!!
Ashley B. from Farmville, VA. Future Art teacher of America!
Um, YEAH! I am a complete crock pot junky and I LOVE your recipes…so, are you kidding me…yeah buddy, I want to win this cook book! Fanned, liked, followed and shared!!! LOL
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
I just pinned this contest on pinterest! Love your recipes!
I shared your post on facebook. I love the recipes that you share!
Would love to see the book!
As a friend from your past…I think what you have done is awesome! Would love the book and also am jealous that you have some time to yourself 3 days a week! Envy! My oldest is starting preschool friday and I am expecting my 4th in 3 months! AHH! Life is crazy! Hope you are well! Congrats on your success! Shilo Compton Michaelsen
I love using my slow cooker and I can always find something new to try on your blog!! It sure is nice for a working mom! I would love a copy of your book.
I would LOVE to win your book! I have heard many good things about it and would love my own copy to rave about!!
I pinned the giveaway!
I am a follower on FB and Pinterest
Pick me! Pick me! I am a working mom of two kids under two and I need to simplify my life!
I'm now following you on Pinterest.
I pinned this giveaway.
I already follow you on twitter.
I'm already a fan of your Facebook page.
I would love to win this cookbook. Thanks for the chance.
Do I get an extra entry for liking you on facebook and sharing the giveaway link? Did that. Hope I win!!!
I followed you on pinterest and pinned your "go-to chicken recipe" but it took me to your home page, not the actual recipe. Which recipe is it? It looks great!
I love finding new recipes for my crock pot! Everyone's busy.. and crockpot cooking is perfect to feed a hungry family after a long day of school and work! Enjoying reading your blog.. thank you for some great recipes.
I liked you on facebook, and shared the give away link. Also, I have followed you on pinterest. Just going back and looking at all the posts will give me some great ideas on what to make for dinner. Thank you so much.
I follow you on fb and pinterest. Thanks for the giveaway!
48With a family of 5; husband, 2 growing boys, 96 year old grandmother, and myself; I am always looking for crock pot meals. Crock pot meals are total time savers. Not only cooking, but the ease of clean up. With the time saved, I can spend more time with my family. I can't decide which chicken dish, of yours to make tonight, but I am making one. 🙂 I have also shared your Facebook page.
Happy Crocking!
Kristin K.
I already follow you on Facebook 🙂 🙂 And I adore your recipes – my husband and I have found a new enjoyment of our slow cooker since discovering your site 🙂
I love your website! The recipes are delicious!
I really would like to have a copy of your great book!!!
I shared at FB 🙂
BR
Shireen
Just liked your FB page and shared you with all my friends via pintrest. Sooo thankful for your blog! Being a pastor's wife and mom to four kids, we couldn't survive the week without our crockpot. Thank you so much for sharing the treasures of your one-year experiment!
Sincerely, Lindsay A.
I like you on FB! And I pinned he giveaway ontomy dinner board!
I am now following you on pinterest.
I follow you on facebook! Thanks for the give-a-way!
Would absolutely LOVE to win your cookbook. Your recipes are fabulous and would love to be able to make them for my family!
I think your recipes are fantastic and I love making them. My grandchildren also help and love making them with me on the weekends when they are here. Thank you so much for sharing.
I already got my ticket for the cooking show. Can't wait to see your demonstration…WOW what an accomplishment!!!
I follow you on all those places. And I just pinned your giveaway!
got you pinned and liked on facebook (sorry i dont do twitter i loose enough of my day with the other two LOL)
I also shared it on facebook!
I pinned it, I want to win! 🙂
Thank you for the contest. I shared this on FB on my Lika Deala page
Ooooook……I have liked you on FB, shared you on FB, followed your tweets and am following you on Pinterest. Hope I'm in the running to win something and thanks for all the wonderful recipes girl!
I love your recipes!!! I shared on FB and want you to know!!! Thanks for letting me enter your contest!!!
I just shared on Facebook.
And I started following you on Pinterest. I would love to have your cookbook. Since I spend about 1 1/2 hours each day driving our children to and from school, I rely on a slow cooker often to give me a jump start on dinner.
I am following you on Pinterest, and like (love!) you on facebook also. I would love to win a copy of your cookbook!!
You have great recipes.
Thanks so much.
I'm a fan on facebook
I follow on pinterest
I would love to win this book. Your recipes have helped my family survive since we are always on the go to lessons everywhere.
Just started liking you on Facebook.
I don't have children but I'm always glad to see school start. I drive the speed limit or less down my street, but during the summer there have been countless times they run out from behind a parked car chasing a ball that's rolled out into the street. I'd rather die myself than run over a child.
I liked you on facebook, shared you on facebook, followed you on pinterest, followed you on twitter, and retweeted you. Love your crockpot recipes.
I love slow cooking and have repinned the contest
Liked and shared, because I NEED this cookbook. 🙂
Hi Karen,
Thanks for sharing your recipes with so many! Crock pots are so handy and my goal is to use more of these recipes this year to save time. There are so many good ones I am looking forward to trying. I really hope to win the cookbook giveaway! I am now following you on pintrest.
Sincerely, Kristin
Great giveaway! I already follow you on FB and now on pininterest.
I enjoy following your facebook page and have shared your giveaway.
Thanks,
Debbie D.
Love this giveaway! I follow you on twitter & tweeted about this 🙂
ExaI think I posted on Facebook. I love recipes that are easy and quick or that I can start in the morning and then forget. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Pam
I always love a healthy meal that saves me time too! Shared on Facebook.
I have copied or made so many of your recipes! Thank you for sharing.
I absolutely love your recipes! I just shared the contest on my Facebook page, and have recommended your site to a few friends of mine who ask all the time where I get my slow cooker recipes.
Thank you SO much for all the great meals!