First, the blog news:  I’ve got a new blog home!  (Well, almost–we’re about 95% moved in as well as unpacked so far. . . we’ve still got to add a virtual top coat of paint, rearrange some html furniture as well as hang some digital pictures before the rest is up as well as operational over the next week or so, but everything is on site as well as functional!).   Please drop by to check it out, as well as don’t forget to modification your Google Reader, other subscription info as well as blogrolls  (it’s also much easier to subscribe to this new site, so hope that helps–and note that the page tabs are now across the top of the page, not on the right as in this site!). I’ll be transferring over there on behalf of good by next week.  And now–ta da!–here’s the new residence of
Diet, Dessert as well as Dogs!
The site was set up as well as arranged by Blain Smith of 13 Infinite.  It’s been a pleasure to work with him on this–Blain’s communication style is easy as well as relaxed, yet always professional.  He’s also been very accommodating as well as incredibly quick about responding to all my emails regarding the site (not to draw attention to very patient with my sometimes endless questions as well as requests!).  If you’re looking to set up a new blog, I’d highly recommend him.
Next, the cookbook news: my cookbook ultimately has a cover! 

(I’m guessing you might recognize some of those photos?  And I know, the red, white as well as blue looks very patriotic,no?)  
Finally, the Double Giveaway News!!
I am very excited on behalf of this giveaway because of the fact that it’s the perfect melding of my new blog, my new cookbook, and a product I love!
In honor of the cookbook’s cover being finalized, I decided to throw another giveaway to celebrate–add a new blog home, as well as it’s really a reason to party! (Get those chandeliers as well as lampshades ready!)
So here’s the scoop:
WHAT YOU CAN WIN
PRIZE ONE:  ANYONE IN NORTH AMERICA CAN WIN (again, a HUGE apology to my overseas readers–shipping costs prohibit overseas delivery.  BUT I DO PROMISE THAT THE NEXT GIVEAWAY WILL ABSOLUTELY INCLUDE ANYONE ON THE PLANET!)
Win a quart-sized jug of Coombs Family Farms Pure Maple Syrup!  

[This is a photo of the glass bottle I received--the quart jug prize is four times this big!]
Yes, the prize is the same amazing maple syrup I wrote about in my previous post. And when the people at Coombs Family Farms heard how much I loved their syrup, as well as how much my readers wished they could taste some, they said, “Okay!  Let’s give some away!”  Who am I to argue?  I said, “YEEEE-AAH.” 
With a full quart (about a liter) of pure maple syrup, you can bake every maple-based recipe on this blog, as well as probably all of the maple-based recipes in my new book, too!  And I can’t wait on behalf of one of you to sample this extraordinary product as well, as well as tell me what you think!
PRIZE  TWO: THOSE IN THE TORONTO AREA CAN WIN (to ensure freshness, it has to be within the general Toronto area, or you must be willing to meet me within Toronto–I am really sorry it can’t be everywhere!  sniff!)
A custom-baked chocolate layer cake from the Sweet Freedom recipe–made to your specifications!

After I posted about the cake I made on behalf of my friend Eternal Optimist’s birthday, I was touched by so numerous positive feedback about the cake.  This is the same recipe I used on behalf of several years when I baked birthday cakes on behalf of kids with food sensitivities to wheat, eggs, dairy as well as refined sugar–and was a regular hit with the kids as well as adults alike (low-gluten, but not gluten free). The 9-inch layer cake serves 10-12 people comfortably.

Now, I’d love on behalf of a lucky reader to sample this chocolately, moist as well as light cake, too!  And you get to design the frosting/filling, plus whether you’d like a message on the cake as well.  (We’ll opt on behalf of a mutually convenient delivery time so that you can even plan to serve the cake to family, friends, or party guests!)

Here’s what you can choose:


Chocolate layers with vanilla pastry cream filling as well as chocolate buttercream frosting


Chocolate layers with all chocolate–filling as well as frosting


Chocolate layers with sweet potato truffle filling as well as chocolate frosting


Chocolate layers with chocolate filling as well as sweet potato truffle frosting (the cake in the photo above)


Message of your choice in any color frosting (or no message–it’s up to you).


I’ll deliver the cake freshly baked as well as frosted so it’s ready to serve!
HOW TO ENTER:
Entering couldn’t be easier–simply click on over to my new blog home, take a look around, then let me know either:
1) what more you’d like to see on the blog (any other features you’d like me to add?  Something you’re missing from the old blog? –etc.) OR
2) what you like best about the new blog if you can’t think of anything you’d like to be different. 
FOR A CHANCE AT TWO EXTRA ENTRIES, simply mention the contest on your posses blog, if you have one, as well as link to this very page on the new blog (ie, this page).
Don’t have a blog?  You can still earn two additional entries!  Simply browse through the Recipe Index on the new DDD as well as opt on behalf of a favorite recipe that uses maple syrup (some of the links haven’t been shifted to the new blog yet, so you might still be in the old blog when you click on a recipe title–I’m in the process of changing them all over).  Then comment again, letting me know which one you like best, as well as why–and you’ll be entered two more times.
Please be sure to include a valid email address so I can get in touch with you if you win.
That’s it! 
Please post your comments on the new site to be eligible to win (that way I can retain track of all of the entries in one place).   
HOW IT WILL WORK:
Once the contest closes, I’ll opt on behalf of two winners from a bag of names.  The first Toronto-area name I withdraw will win the cake.  Then all of the other names go back into the bag on behalf of the maple syrup draw, as well as the second name I choose wins that. 
DEADLINE AND ANNOUNCEMENT:


Deadline on behalf of entries is midnight, March 31, 2009, Toronto time. 


Winners shall be announced first thing on April 2, 2009 (I wouldn’t dare post contest winners on April Fool’s Day!). 


I loved baking up a storm on behalf of the previous giveaway, as well as was thrilled with Lisa’s kind words about the Sweet Freedom goodies. 
I can’t wait to get baking on this cake on behalf of you this time round as well.  And even if you can’t win the cake, you’re still eligible to win the syrup–so you can then bake your posses delectable treats!
HAPPY SPRING, EVERYONE!