Calling Goober #100

Okay, my blogging friends -- Gumbo Writer's Goobers (Followers), visitors, regular readers, and drive-bys/dropper-inners alike -- first let me say how much I really heart y'all.

Secondly, I don't condone bloggers trolling and begging for or otherwise applying used car salesman-like pressures to amass followers who probably don't wanna be followers. Gah-awww-lyyy (said in Goober Pyle of Mayberry RFD voice), I figure you're like me...if I dig a blog a lot, I'm gonna follow it without anyone asking. Right?

So, with that said, I've noticed my bloggy home is approaching the golden number of 100 Goobers! (Yeah, I know, I'm slow on the uptake sometimes...deal with it.) And since Mars and Jupiter have apparently aligned in my cranium, I thought it might be nice to have a little contest in conjunction with the 100th Follower appearing out of the ether. How's that sound? Besides, I adore round figures (sorta like my own physique), and wish the same look for my full-bodied blog. LOL

Goober #100 will be awarded some jazzy snazzy blog bling to display in perpetuity. Said Goober will also receive some trashy little trinket (um, I mean highly valuable fantabulous prize) in the mail if he/she resides in the continental U.S. That's right...I'm cheap and quick like my favorite recipes!

Sidebar: Seriously, please don't feel pressured to jump on the Goober bandwagon...although I DO hasten to add that we have a good time amongst our nutty selves. And, of course, if you're a mercenary man or material girl and just want the goods, that's fine too. *wink*

Meatless Lasagna & Mardi Gras Contest

Before we get to the vittles, I'd like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM! I wish she was well enough to be online like she used to love to be, but let's send up good thoughts and prayers for her special day.

Now here's a recipe for my vegetarian friends in the form of something yummiciously Italian (per Colby's request). It comes from my lady neighbor friend Vera, who wrote her own family tradition cookbook, one of which sits proudly on my cookbook shelf. I've had several cooking lessons at Vera's, and I can promise you this is the real deal. (Some of the best food I've ever had.) So, let's git to it!

Vera's Meatless Lasagna

1 lb. lasagna noodles

1 lb. Fat Free Ricotta cheese

8 oz. Mozzarella cheese

1 qt. of your favorite spaghetti sauce (in a jar is fine)

Grated Romano cheese to taste

1 beaten egg

parsley, garlic powder, salt & pepper to taste

dash of nutmeg

To Ricotta, add egg, salt, garlic, pepper, parsley and nutmeg. Mix well and set aside. Boil noodles until tender, but do not overcook.

In a large pan, layer as follows: tomato sauce, noodles, Ricotta mix, Mozzarella, Romano and more sauce. Layer until you have the pan full, then top with more Mozzarella and sauce.

Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lasagna is heated through and cheese is melted and blended together.

NOTE: You may add cooked hamburger or sausage if desired. If you want to keep it meatless, you can also add cooked chopped spinach as well.

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Now, for the First Annual Gumbo Writer's Mardi Gras Contest~~

The rules are simple. The contest will run for one week, from now until midnight, February 17.

If you want this ---> -- then leave a comment with your guess on how many individual beads (not strands) are in this picture --->

Winner will need a street address for delivery, and will choose from these flavors for their very own King Cake: Cinnamon - Strawberry - Cream Cheese - Blueberry Lemon - Pecan Praline - Apple - Raspberry.

Laissez les bon temps roulez!!!!! (Let the good times roll!)

Good Writin' Stuff

Hope your writing projects are progressing, and your week is going well. Today, blog buds, there's a cool contest announcement from a local Louisiana gal who writes "Edgy Christian" books.

But first, a new poetry venture you just gotta check out for yourselves. Even if you don't think you can write or even enjoy traditional poetry, you might just love giving this new form a shot.

The Found Poetry Project is the brainchild of husband and wife team Tim and Megan Green. The blog features new poems on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. And guess who's got one being featured soon?

Found poems are exactly that...poetry hidden inside text originally meant to be anything but poetic or lyrical. (Think news articles, educational reports, etc.) Warning: Finding/crafting these poems can be seriously addictive!

Tim Green is the editor of the fabulous RATTLE, so check it out too. I've truly enjoyed my subscription, and highly recommend it.

Now...the contest: Author Pamela Thibodeaux announces the details here~~

A Sweetheart of a Contest

As we all know, the flagging economy is forcing businesses to make tough decisions and the book industry is no exception. Book stores are closing. Publishers are laying off people, cutting back on production, and pulling titles from distribution. What’s an author to do?

Get those sales up. So, fellow author and friend, Pamela S Thibodeaux, is having a Valentine’s Day contest Where Everyone Gets a Gift! Between Jan. 31st & Feb. 13th everyone who enters will receive Thib’s Teaser (a pdf with blurbs/excerpts/discount coupons/short story) AND their name will be entered into a drawing for the GRAND PRIZE – simply email Pertinent Promotions at ppromocntst@aol.com with Sweetheart Contest in the subject line. No Purchase Necessary to Participate...
~HOWEVER ~
Purchase any (1) Tempered novel and, along with Thib’s Teaser you will receive a Special Surprise Gift and your name will go into the drawing twice for the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (include your mailing address for the surprise gift).

Purchase 2 Tempered novels and in addition to Thib’s Teaser you will Receive a Special Surprise Gift, Your pick of a FREE download of either Choices or Cathy’s Angel and three chances to win the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (pick your short story and include your mailing address for your surprise gift).

Purchase the first three Tempered novels (Tempered Hearts, Tempered Dreams & Tempered Fire) and in addition to Thib’s Teaser you will Receive: A Special Surprise Gift, Your pick of a FREE download of either Cathy’s Angel or choices a FREE autographed copy of Tempered Joy and four chances to win the Grand Prize! Simply forward a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase to ppromocntst@aol.com (pick your short story and include your mailing address for your autographed copy of Tempered Joy & your surprise gift).

If you purchase any of the Tempered series according to the rules above from your local book store, MAIL a copy of your receipt to Pertinent Promotions c/o Pamela S Thibodeaux, PO Box 324, Iowa, LA 70647 and your prizes will be the same as those listed.

Same rules apply if you purchase DIGITAL copies of The Tempered Books *Note* If you purchase digital copies of Tempered Hearts, Tempered Dreams, and Tempered Fire according to the rules above, you will receive a digital copy of Tempered Joy. *Digital copies also available @ All Romance Ebooks!

Winner announced Feb 14th.

*All entrants will be added to Pertinent Promotions and the author’s personal mailing lists.*Grand Prize: CD of my TWRP titles which includes 3 short stores (Cathy’s Angel, Choices, & A Hero for Jessica), 1 full-length novel The Inheritance and an advanced copy of my Upcoming Release Winter Madness (short story) and a Valentine Gift Basket!

A Buncha Blogland Contests

If you're in the mood for a blog contest, there are plenty going on right now:

The Unbreakable Child author Kimmi is hosting a contest to win a very cool friendship ball.

Dear friend Kat Magendie of Tender Graces is having a photo caption contest. Go check it out in her original post.

Brian, The New Author, is sponsoring a writing contest to celebrate his 100th blog post.

Barbara over at The Serenity Gate has lovely Valentine's goodies to give to a lucky winner over at her place.

Hope I'm not forgetting anyone. If you know of a current contest, please feel free to list it in comments. And are you "fer" or "again" holding bloggy contests, and why? Happy Saturday, all.

Brain-Pickin', Trivia & Contest Reminder

Riddle Me This, Batman:

• What cheese is made backward?
• Why did the girl tear the calendar?
• What walks all day on its head?
• It stands on one leg with its heart in its head.

Trivial Matters:

• Leonardo da Vinci could write with one hand and draw with the other at the same time.
• The little lump of flesh just forward of your ear canal, right next to your temple, is called a tragus.
• The first CD pressed in the US was Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.
• The Guinness Book of Records holds the record for being the book most often stolen from public libraries.
• The average human produces 25,000 quarts of spit in a lifetime, enough to fill two swimming pools.

Looking for Customer #10,000:

Read the original post here to find out how you can win a gift card.

**Riddle Answers: Edam. She wanted a month off. A nail in a horseshoe. A cabbage.

Now, get out there and do something nice for somebody. :)

{Image from Photobucket.com}

The Floor is Open...for a Contest!

The rules are simple. Look at the photo below. Stare at it if you must. Whatever you have to do to get in the prize zone, do it. After you've gone cross-eyed or come up with a brilliant idea, submit it in a comment. You can either write a caption or the opening line of a story. If the creative juices are really flowing, feel free to submit a short poem of no more than 10 lines.

The top 3 entries, judged by moi, will be entered in a poll beginning Saturday, and running for a few days to give everyone a chance to vote.

The winner will receive via the US Postal Services, a prize of my choosing and of indeterminable value, probably not wrapped in the above manner. Doesn't that sound fun? No? Do it anyway. Your creative nature is screaming to get out!

Okay, here's the contest photo:

[I can already hear it "speaking" to you...so go ahead, post your thoughts!]