Sunday, January 16, 2011

Comfort Foods and a Giveaway!

Dark ChocolateTortilla Chips with Melted Cheese and SalsaMeatloafSweet and Salty PopcornIce CreamPizzaRye Bread and Butter Cheesy PastaChocolate Brownies Cherry PieChocolate CakeChaiPot RoastRed Wine

This Giveaway is now closed. The winner has been announced here. Thanks to all who played along!

These are some of my favourite comfort foods - so soothing on a cold winter day. Another comfort is settling in for the day and reading your wonderful comments so generously bestowed upon me with each blog post. How can I thank you all for always being so supportive? I know - I'll host another giveaway!

The good folks at CSN have once again come through with a generous offer. CSN stores has a huge variety of housewares at a wide range of prices. You could purchase linens, vases, towels, mirrors, kitchen gadgets and cookware. They have large items like furniture or you could arrange unique seating at your bar with their adjustable bar stools. For this giveaway, they will provide one lucky reader with a $75 gift certificate toward any merchandise you fancy (shipping would be extra) at any one of their 200+ online stores.

Unfortunately this giveaway is only open to folks who reside in Canada or the United States but if you live elsewhere, you might want to consider a friend or relative who qualifies. The same goes for those of you who don't necessarily want something for yourself but might want to help a bloggie buddy double their chances.

So how do you qualify to have an opportunity to win? Simple. All you need to do for a chance at a $75 gift certificate for yourself or someone in Canada or the U.S., is to tell me your favourite comfort food(s). This will get your name into a random draw. It's as simple as that.

The contest closes at midnight, Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, January 18. I'll randomly draw one name from all of those who qualify and announce the winner along with the Posts of the Week on Wednesday, January 19. Please make sure that I know your email address. If I don't receive an email and/or comment reply from the winner within 5 days after that announcement, I'll redraw and award it to someone else.

So good luck to everyone. Now, tell me, what's your favourite comfort food?

Below are a few photos taken over the last few days.



coneheads
Remember the Coneheads from Saturday Night Live? Anyone for ring toss?




fav spot2
A couple of months back, when autumn colours were so splendid, I posted a photo of this tree and promised to bring you back to that spot once the snow settled in. Consider that promise kept.




tree
Another favourite tree of mine. With the sun so bright and the sky so blue, it cheers me to see it.




cutie2
This fluffy little darling sat on a slender branch high above me. A curious eye kept watch on me and my camera.




sparrow lattice3
A few moments later, I watched as this cutie fed on seeds which someone had left on the fence. If you look closely, you'll see a sunflower seed in its mouth.




late afternoon sun2
Late in the afternoon, the last of the sun's rays bathed this tree and fence with warm, golden comfort.

84 comments:

Anonymous said...

That golden sunlight is delicious! Lovely shots of a real winter!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Hi Hilary, Your photos make winter look so inviting.

Thanks for the giveaway but since I won my favorite blue and yellow casserole from you, I'll count myself out.

My favorite comfort food (other than that impossible to open jar of bean salad) would be anything with biscuits and gravy :-)

Hope you're having a great weekend, jj

Renee G said...

My favorite comfort food is whipped potatoes and gravy. And such lovely pictures.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(D0t)com

Zuzana said...

Beautiful images, the last is my favorite as it illustrates the low lying sun during winter.
I agree with you on the comfort food and lovely comments.;)
Have a wonderful, cosy and comforting Sunday - here it is early morning, barely dawn and I relish in the stillness of a new born day... with comforting cup of fresh coffee.;))
xoxo

Sarah Knight said...

That poor little sparrow looks so cold! Snow is so pretty, but it's SO cold, burr! Lovely photos :)

In the winter my "comfort food" is any of the following: hot chocolate, pizza rolls, rice pudding, reeses pieces, & milky way 'simply caramel' bars.

Unknown said...

My favorites are definitely some homemade, baked mac and cheese, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, and a bag of mini marshmallows. :) :)

Thank you!

crystal@averyjamesphotography.com

Dave said...

I was pleased to see a sparrow in two of your photos Hilary. We have lots of them here and they are my favourite. I feed them every day with bread and bird seed. Some can be quite cheeky! - Dave

June said...

Your Sparrow In Lattice has so much happening in it. I really love that one. Little sparrow looks so plushy and soft.

Comfort food. I have so many...
The old reliable is goulash with three ingredients: ground beef. elbow macaroni, and canned tomatoes.
I think I could eat it every day. Truly.

Sueann said...

Oh your photographs are amazing!!!!!
My fav comfort food is steak and noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy and biscuits! With lots of yummy butter (or better yet...apple butter)!
Oh! And I have to throw in Lemon Meringue pie!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Gary's third pottery blog said...

count me in! I just blog posted this recipe a minute ago, American Chop suey (veg style) with noodles, sauce, veggies, tis most yummy :)
garyrith@yahoo.com
Thanks!

CiCi said...

The last photo is comfort food to me. Lovely calming and warm light at the fence and tree.

I like your list. Several of the items on your list are on mine as well.

French fries are at the top of my list of comfort food. Potatoes prepared any way are comfort food to me. Potatoes with fresh spinach and onion and sweet potato is a favorite dish. Nachos are wonderful too. Sometimes we have nachos for dinner. Nothing else, just the nachos.

Dawning Inspiration said...

My comfort today was homemade tomato soup and toasted cheese sandwich!!! Yum! And so cool to have a giveaway!!

Anonymous said...

You had me at the glow on the fence.

Di

Pauline said...

that last photo of the warm golden sun and the blue shadowed snow was wonderful!

Comfort food? Ah, mashed potato cakes, my French Mama's macaroni and cheese, warm biscuits dripping with honey, apple pancake with warmed blueberry syrup, ice cream!

my email is pclarke122 at hotmail dot com :)

Hilary said...

Mac and cheese, or spagetti.
Lovely photos.

Anonymous said...

You would never know there was a lake under all that snow! Thanks for the link to take us back to warmer days.

When I don't feel well....

~Macaroni or backed potato with salt and butter
~Grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup

sage said...

It is neat to see birds in winter, their feathers puffed like like a down jacket, which it is... I like your comfort foods. My favorite--ice cream!

Gayle said...

My son calls this the beige meal, but it is the fave:
chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes/gravy, home made applesauce and cauliflower.
;)~

Brian Miller said...

gorgeous pics...love the snow cone lace...and the warmth of that last pic....mmm...

comfort foods...meatloaf....

Lori said...

These photo's are wonderful Hilary! My comfort foods are fresh warm homemade bread with just butter on it...homemade tomato soup with grilled cheese..sweet potato french fries...now I'm hungry after reading and thinking about all this food...lol...many hugs and smiles and much love to you Hilary...hope your Sunday is a wonderful one!

Pat - Arkansas said...

What lovely, golden light you've captured. And I love the little bird! Your snow is lovely; thank goodness most of ours is gone.

Comfort foods: meatloaf; macaroni and cheese; grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup; fiery chili con carne with ketchup and saltines; hot cocoa; buttered popcorn.

solarity said...

Comfort foods: cookies right out of the oven, homemade split pea soup, sharp cheese in any form, peanut butter in a spoon (a breakfast favorite), and coffee (if we can count coffee as a comfort food.)

Comfort views: trees against sky at any time of year.

Mary Anne in Kentucky

Shammickite said...

Winter comfort food.... well... how about home made macaroni and cheese. We're not talking Kraft Dinner here, we're talking about freshly boiled macaroni elbows covered in cheese sauce made with butter and old tasty cheese and some chopped sweet onion thrown in, and slices of tomato on top with grated cheese and then popped unter the grill to brown, making all those cruchy half-burned crsipy bits round the edage....mmmmm! And served with a crisp green salad, or perhaps a large dollop of ketchup for those who love Canada's favourite vegetable...
Oh, I am making myself hungry, I think I know what I'll be having for dinner tonight!

Shammickite said...

I was just looking through the previous comments and it seems that cheese in one form or another features widely in everyone's winter comfort food. YUM!

Anvilcloud said...

As much as I loves me some bird pics, that tree/fence picture in the golden light really stopped me.

Everybody's comfort food is so exotic compared to mine. Just give me a bag of chips, and I'll be happy. Apple pie is right up there as is chocolate cake, but they're a lot harder to come by than the ubiquitous bag of chips.

Rebecca said...

alwayss love your photos as for comfort food i'm all about chocolate

ellen abbott said...

Oh Hilary, how do you do it! Stunning photographs. I love the first one and am always delighted by your bird pics.

now, my comfort foods. simple stuff like chicken pot pie or a good beef stew. peach pie.

Kristina P. said...

My favorite comfort food is ice cream. I could eat a gallon of it every day!

L. D. said...

The little bird just continues his daily task of seeking food. Weather is not notice but the beauty is in your photos and the coldness shines through.

Domestic Diva said...

My favorite comfort food? Peanut butter. Yum!

lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jonnie (JB) said...

My favorite comfort food is lasagna or really any dish that involves pasta and lots of cheese.

dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

MaggieGem said...

Absolutely love the golden light! What a great find!

Comfort food... pasta and sauce!

lauren said...

Hello Hilary,

We just became friends, so I am checking out different pages to figure this whole blogging thing out. I LOVE your pictures, they're so comforting. In my spare time I enjoy taking outdoor photos, or just photos in general. Looking forward to getting to know you.

Oh, and my favorite comfort food would have to be.. Chocolate Brownies made with love from my Dad :)

~JarieLyn~ said...

My favortie comfort food is biscuits and gravy. My grandma always made the best.


Lovely pictures as always. I hope you are staying warm and toasty.

Unspoken said...

coffee--is that a food?

homemade bread--warm with raspberry jam

bacon--thick not fatty

biscuits flaky and home made, not canned

Pecan pie (though I am mildly allergic)

homemade oatmeal cookies with lots of butter, cranberries and white chocolate chips. Mmmmmmm

Anonymous said...

Hi, my favorite comfort food is usually ice cream! If I'm feeling more healthy, it's chicken corn soup.
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

susitravl said...

Ice Cream. My parents always brought out the ice cream when times were tough and I still go to that today. Any flavor!

Kelly H-Y said...

Gorgeous pics!
How to choose the foods ... does a mocha count?! I simply cannot do without it each day ... my decaf grande single ristretto 5 pump chocolate nonfat no whip extra hot mocha - - yum! :-)

Out on the prairie said...

I like good Mexican and Italian dishes smothered with cheese. It is 4 degrees F and I am getting ready to start some coals , so a good steak is fine. When the goings get tough a good dessert always rings my bell.This time of year something made with fruit like pie, tarts or crepes.

Judith said...

Corn chowder any day!

Temps here going down to minus 7 F. tonight; we were at minus 10 last night ---
For Canadians, maybe not such a big deal,
but in Western MA ---AAAAAAGH! Comfort food's very much in order.
Your photos are heart-warming, though, so that helps.

Debbie said...

As always, lovely photos.
My favorite comfort food is a big steaming pot of creamy potato soup. Yum!

Rosaria Williams said...

Pizza! A breakfast, lunch, supper food, easily packable, eaten cold or hot, with or without meat, anytime, anyseason food! Thanks for asking.
Now, congratulations on these gorgeous pictures of yours.

Teri said...

Chicken and dumplings. And egg rolls. But not at the same time! LOL

Frank Baron said...

Those sparrow shots are very good and the last one, with the gold light, has a sense of magic.

Please include me out of any draw, but along with a few you mentioned, some of my comfort foods are: mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, perogies, chicken soup, borscht, sourdough bread and butter and my pot ribs.

Mmmm...pot ribs...which I haven't made in ages. Will remedy that this week.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Connie Arnold said...

Great photos, Hilary! My favorite comfort foods are chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, peach cobbler.

Kate said...

Mac and cheese. Yum!!

I also am comforted by lovely photos like yours!!

SandyCarlson said...

Stunning photos. I love the way the Queen Anne's lace is holding the snow!

ethelmaepotter! said...

Hilary, only you can take a frigid winter day and pull the comfort from it.
My favorite comfort food? Okay, I'm showing my li'l ole Southern roots, y'all - collard greens with pork neckbones and cornbread.
And don't let me catching any of y'all saying "Yuck!"

Hilary said...

Thanks everyone for dropping by and sharing your yummy comfort foods. I'm enjoying reading about them all. Please keep them coming! And thanks also for your always kind comments about my photos. They're all so appreciated.

VM Sehy Photography said...

That little bird is too cute! Right now my favorite comfort food is Wheat Montana Potato Bread with butter and honey. Yum!

Rusthawk said...

Love your pictures, they're wonderful! My comfort food is gumbo. :)

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful photos, the Sparrow looks so glum, but, at least he is eating some seeds.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Your pictures are simply marvelous sweetie. I especially enjoy the pics of the fluffy little bird!

Woohoo!!!! Ya'll know how I just adore a great giveaway and baby my blender just bit the dust!!!

Comfort food??? Hummmmm, I love anything 'pasta' and ya just can't beat a spicy hot steamin' bowl of chili!

God bless ya sweetie and have a blast with your giveaway!!!

Unknown said...

My favorite comfort food is also ice cream, double double chocolate fudge... but looking at your beautiful winter photos makes it hard for me to think of this cold treat just now!

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

As I scrolled down through your final photograph, I thought I was seeing firelight reflected on the wooden building. That is truly a warm and golden glow from the sun!

My comfort food favorites are homemade bread with butter, taco soup (just had it last night!), tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches, homemade apple crisp, mashed potatoes made with butter and sour cream, and a cup of chamomile tea. And I think I have to add tater tots, because they just popped into my mind and now my mouth is watering!

Mental P Mama said...

Pork roast and cornbread dressing! Love these shots;)

Unknown said...

Hilary,
I love the fence all on fire .

My comfort food ice cream I guess. I love penne with fresh from the garden tomatoes and basil , olive oil and garlic with hot peppers , but my stomach doesn't feel terribly comfy afterward. And rice pasta is not the same at all.

Bubblewench said...

Your shots are always so amazing!!

My favorite comfort food is grilled cheese and Lipton noodle soup.

Cricket said...

Does whiskey count as food? How about beer? And, as Homer (the other one) once said, does whiskey count as beer?

Well, I like just about anything, but for winter comfort... fried chicken, roast pork loin, pot roast... 50s style, with cream of mushroom/onion soup gravy? You could do a lot worse.

Someone else mentioned biscuits and gravy. That's the right idea. If biscuits and gravy go with, it's probably comforting.

I just made french toast today for the first time in about 30 years. Son's request. I think the last time I made that I was no older than 12 and made it for my sister who, to this day, has not really learned how to cook.

How about Pete Townshend: Cookin' ?

Kerri Farley said...

Excellent images my friend!! All food is comfort food to me :) But if I'm sick or have a cold I LOVE chicken noodle soup!

Anonymous said...

I came to see your latest photos and find a great giveaway! Yay! My favorite comfort food - warm brownies... or warm chocolate chip cookies.... I guess anything warm with chocolate in it.
Love the first photo and the golden sunlight.
barbarashallue(at)yahoo(dot)com

the Bag Lady said...

I absolutely love that last picture! My favourite comfort food? Anything with melted cheese.

ewhatley said...

I love all comfort foods but my fave(s) would be a toss up between mashed potatoes and baked macaroni/cheese. But then there are also brownies. Oh, and ice cream. And biscuits.

ewhatley at embarqmail dot com

beth said...

does a comfort drink count ?

i can't go a day without my almond vanilla tea with a bit of vanilla creamer.....

yummy.....

but if it has to be food.....it's got to be the true and tried chocolate....it's my go-to food for any reason....

is chocolate a food ?

Unknown said...

I love all of your photographs, Hilary. But in this batch, the tree with all of the footprints around it speaks to me of life! :)

My eating habits have changed so much. I actually love a Meditteranean Salad with fresh baked bread and olive oil!

Indrani said...

I love the capture of the bird in the fence. Cute!

Country Girl said...

Once again, beautiful photos, Hilary!

I know this sounds odd, but my favorite comfort food is a peanut butter & strawberry jam sandwich, a handful of chips and a glass of skim milk.

I don't keep peanut butter & chips in the house, though - because I'd be eating it all the time.

xo

Sandra said...

Love the photos as always. I share many of your comfort foods. But my favorite combo is meat loaf, green beans and mashed potatoes followed by my favorite chocolate fudge cake -- it doesn't get any better than that. (Although a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a cold glass of milk comes in a close second.)

Dianne said...

that first shot is amazing
snow tulips :)

and I love the sweet little birds

Anonymous said...

I will take your list plus sloppy joes with potato chips...yummy!

Merisi said...

Winter captured at its best!

Hilary, is it too late to nominate a blog for your POW?
I love Sue of Photowannabe, for years now, and her present post about the letter "A" is another winner, and so funny too: http://allredmop.blogspot.com/

Claudya Martinez said...

Just one comfort food? I love soups on cold days and pot pies. On warm days I like watermellon.

Cloudia said...

The last shot stole my heart!

EVERY visit here is a giveaway :)




Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>

RoseRed said...

Beautiful pictures!

And my favorite comfort food is actually pizza. Always sounds good. For my stepdaughter it's grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup. Also an excellent choice. :)

atropos557@yahoo.com

Redbush said...

Lovely shots, Hilary! I love the cute little bird!

Liz said...

Thanks for the giveaway! My favorite comfort foods all involve beef and cheese: cheeseburgers, cheese steak hoagies, and reubens!

eemoody77 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Favorite comfort food? Anything with gravy on it. Mashed potatoes, bread, fried chicken, meatloaf... doesn't matter, as long as it has gravy smothering it.

Di

photowannabe said...

# 1 on my comfort food list is ice cream. If its in the freezer it calls to me...psst...I'm here...I know you want some!!
A big bowl of chicken enchilada soup could make me pretty happy too. In fact any kind of soup is good. Pizza ain't too bad either. Ok, I'm writting this at dinner time...that's not fair. It makes me hungry just writing this.

tattytiara said...

Aw, chubby lil bird! And of course now that you've said it I can't look at that photo and not think of the coneheads, but regardless, really interesting shapes!

Comfort food? Definitely pasta. With lotsa lotsa lotsa cheese. Carbs and dairy - always good for what ails ya.

SandyCarlson said...

Favorite comfort food: hard boiled eggs.

Mom used to make them for us on snow days.

Doris said...

I love your photographs Hilary. You capture the beauty of winter while leaving out the cold, bleakness of it! I especially liked the sparrow pictures. There is a faithful flock of them near my home and I enjoy their cheerful chirping on winter mornings.

Hilary said...

Thanks to everyone who played along. The winner has been drawn. Head on over to the next post to offer your congrats!

sleepinl8 said...

bar stools! exactly what my mom wants right now seriously