I have a confession to make. I occasionally dream about cookies. Kind of scary for a gal who picked up her first piping bag just shy of a year ago. And what started as a hobby quickly turned into an obsession, and then to a possible new career path. Last month I decided to kick it up a notch and launch a website and blog. The website was kind of a no-brainer: start business = have website. But I have writing in my blood, so I thought I’d try my hand at blogging about my new cookie world.
But first I had to think of a way to get readers to notice my new blog. Hmm… think, think, think. I know!!! I’ll give them free stuff to read my blog!! No, wait. That’s kind of like bribing people. Right? But it works!! So… I’m giving you free stuff in exchange for reading my blog. But you’ll come back again, even if I don’t give you free stuff – right?!? So what are you getting for all this reading you have promised to do?
Drumroll please!!!! First to get ready for Christmas, I’m sending you 2 sets of super cute holiday themed cookie cutters. Are you excited yet? 
Next – and this is kind of a big next… You’re getting a copy of Julia Usher‘s new book Ultimate Cookies! A few months ago I received an email from Julia herself, asking me if I’d like an advanced copy of her book. Yeah, I’m kind of a big deal. 
I mean have you seen the resume on this woman? Director of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards finalist, and wicked cool cookie artist. 
This book totally rocks. I have NEVER seen cookies like the ones in this book. Even if all you do is look at the pictures, while filling up with massive amounts of cookie envy, and never even make the cookies yourself, you will still love this book. She gives you major amounts of how-to’s from decorating basics, to more complex projects like 3D cookies and working with things like wafer paper, and stencils. If you really want to impress your family and friends at Christmas this year you could make some of the cookies in her book, like this….
Or these…
There’s also lots of cookie and icing recipes, and templates. One of my favorite sections of the book though is the resources chapter. Here she has done all the homework on which websites carry which tools and decorations for all your cookie needs. Love it!!! If you don’t win this book here, you should still buy yourself a copy. Or tell Santa you need it so you can make him something other than chocolate chip cookies next year.
And last, but not least, you’ll receive some cookies from ME! Because, really, it’s all about me. You will be able to stuff yourself silly with 6 lovely fall themed cookies from The Cookie Countess herself.
So what do you think? Have I significantly bribed you enough to come back another day and check out my blog? Here’s how you can win all these great items… Like my page on Facebook, and then since it is Thanksgiving weekend, leave me a comment here on what the best thing you ate on Thanksgiving was. Comments need to be left here on the blog, not on Facebook. One entry per person. Contest will remain open until Friday, December 2 and 9pm EST. If you want to tell others about this contest, just share it using the Facebook, Twitter, or email buttons below. It won’t get you an extra entry into the contest, but I will be your BFF. 
Thanks for reading my first blog post! Phew!!! That wasn’t too bad…
