WINNERS ANNOUNCED...

A BIG thanks to all who entered the giveaway and helped spread the word.

And a BIG welcome to all you newbies. I'm hoping you'll stay around for a while and share your festive ideas with us. There are lots of great things coming up on So Festive.

Now, for what you are all anxious for. The winners are:

(selected using Random.org via Rafflecopter)

#1- Marilyn's Fudge = SCOTT CALDER
No. 76-"Post a photo to Facebook or Instagram"

#2- Paparazzi Accessory= EMILY POLL

No. 104- "Share the giveaway image on Facebook"

#3- $15 Amazon Gift Card= JANA WEAVER
No. 97-"Post a photo to Facebook or Instagram"

Congrats!! 

Please contact me at sofestive@gmail.com within 24 hours to claim your prize
or if will be given to someone else. 

Happy December everyone. And thanks again for 3 festive years.

Here is to many more....

Tips for the Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

I learned a few things from the Chocolate Chip Cookie contest.

1. Bake on the top rack of the oven
2. Dough that has been refrigerated usually bakes better
3. When it says "cream butter and sugar", really cream them until they are light and fluffy. It will take patience, but it makes a difference.
4. Don't over bake. Over baking cookies will change the flavor. When in doubt, take them out earlier than later.
5. Picking the best recipe is hard, especially when each recipe is good for different reasons.

PS. Do you want all the recipes that were submitted? 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest Winner

So a year ago, I started a search for the best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe. If you don't remember it, this post will refresh your memory.

I am sorry it has taken so long to complete. But with all the other holidays and festive things going on, it took me this long to make all of them. THANK YOU to everyone who sent in a recipe. We have enjoyed making and eating all of them.

I am sure you are all anxious to find out who the winner is, but before I announce it, I have to give you a few disclaimers. First, remember that my husband was the judge of ALL the recipes. He did not know whose recipe it was, to ensure there was no bias. Second, he had a hard time judging them because they were all so different and good in different ways. There was not one of them that was awful. So...his scores, and the overall winner comes from his preference and OVERALL taste, texture, flavor, etc. But, keep in mind, he had likes and dislikes about each recipe.

Even though there is on overall winner, we will be using many recipes in the future according to what we need them for. Seriously, take a look at all of these cookies. Don't they all look amazing?

And now what you have waited for. In order of lowest score to highest...(if there are 2 or more people on the same place, that is because they received the same score.)

8. Cheri Peacock

7. Courtney Astle

6. Annette Bailey and Lynette Sunday and Jenny Flom

5. Amanda Garlock

4. Annette Bailey and Caroline O'Brien

3. Emily Pearson

2. Emily Poll

and the 1st place winnner is...

 Andrea Nelson!!

CONGRATULATIONS! I'll be contacting the winner to send her prize. Come back on Friday to get the inside scoop on what I've learned from all this chocolate chip cookie making. And just in case you don't want to wait that long until you make some of your own, here is the winning recipe.

Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
1 Tbsp vanilla
3 cubes butter (at room temperature)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp.salt
2 tsp. baking soda
4 cups flour
12 oz chocolate chips

Directions:
Blend butter, sugars, vanilla, and eggs. Then add salt, soda, and flour. Then add chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 9-12 minutes, or until desired doneness.

I'll be posting the other recipes too!

Cookie Contest Recipe #11

Hope you had a great Labor Day! We did played hard and worked hard. 

 

This was the final cookie recipe. About time, huh? They were rated a 6.5.

Come back Wednesday for the unveil of the Chocolate Chip Cookie winner!

Cookie Contest Recipe #10

These got a 6. Just a few more to go.

Thanks for being patient!

Cookie Contest Recipe #9

These got a 9. Very delicious!

Cookie Contest Recipe #7 & 8

These cookies got a 7. 

Believe it or not 2 of you sent in the same recipe which means this contest is 2 recipes closer 

to being finished.  Stay tuned...

Cookie Contest Recipe #6

This recipe scored barely belowr recipe #5. But still delicious!

My husband loved the dough and how soft they turned out.

And the winners are...

Thanks to everyone who entered! How I wish everyone could have won something. But I promise more festive giveaways so keep following!

If you won, send an email to sofestive@gmail.com by Monday at 10 pm for instructions on how to claim your prize. 

Now, for what you've been waiting for. The winner of the St. Patrick's Day and Easter collection from Andersruff:

 Dirk n'Juli!

The winner of the Clover bow from Looney Daisy Creations goes to...

Craig and MJ Parker!

Last, the winner of the St. Patrick's Day table runner from Regocreations is...

Annette!

Congrats! There will be a post every day (except the weekends) before St. Patrick's Day for fun and festive ideas...so  be sure to visit again. Thanks for being festive with me! Doesn't it make life fun? 

St. Patrick's Day Giveaway!! --Updated...Additional Prize Added!

Because of the huge response to this giveaway, there will be an additional prize added. So 3 people will win instead of 2! Make sure you enter before Saturday at 10 pm to be eligible. Scroll down to see the additional prize.

Ready for another giveaway? I hope so!

There will be 2 winners this time. You could win one of the following festive prizes...and keep in mind that the sponsors for this giveaway have lots of other festive things in their shop. So take a peek.

Lucky St. Patrick's Day & Easter Printables from Andersruff. If you want some festive ideas, check out their blog too here. I spent hours looking through all the fun parties they've thrown.  

And I have to say, Maureen has been so great to work with. She offered to throw in the Easter Collection as well. That means the prize value is $20!! I'm thinking you could throw a very festive party with these.  

Polka Dot Clover St. Patrick's Day hair clip from Looney Daisy Creations 

And one more prize! You could win this festive table runner from regocreations. It would add so much character to your table for the big green day. Check out the others one here.

To enter: (you get one entry for each thing you do)
1. Post this contest on your blog or facebook or twitter
2. If you are new to So Festive, become a follower
3. For every person that you tell that becomes a follower, you'll get an extra entry
4. To win the first prize, you must also become a Facebook fan of Andersruff here

Then, leave a comment saying what you did.

The giveaway will close this Saturday, March 5 at 10 pm.
The winners will be announced on Monday, March 7th.

Good LUCK!!

(pun intended!)

Cookie Contest Update

I know you are anxiously awaiting to hear who won the cookie contest. As an update for you, there are still 5 recipes to try. My plan all along has been to make each recipe and then announce the winning recipe at the very end, along with whose recipe was whose. My husband has been trying and judging each one, not knowing who sent in the recipe (as to prevent any biases).

I suppose I could tell you whose we've made, but will that take out the fun? Let me know what you think...

Cookie Contest Recipe #5

This recipe got a 9. My husband says they are the best he's had. And they made great pazuki.

Cookie Contest Recipe #4

The Cookie Contest resumes...

This recipe earned a 6. We loved the oatmeal in them!

more coming.

Cookie Contest Recipe 2 & 3

The Cookie Contest continues...

It's taken me a while to get through all of the recipes because I've also been trying out other festive recipes. But don't worry, my husband loves chocolate chip cookies and can't go THAT long without some.

Recipe 2... 6 1/2 out of 10



Recipe 3... 7 1/2-8--Best so far!

Cookie Contest Recipe #1

I made one of the cookie recipes over the weekend. The dough was amazing! And the cookies were really good too. I just wish I knew why my cookies turn out flat. Maybe its the oven?

My husband rated them a 7 1/2-8.