What a whirlwind month this has been. I had to drop by and let you know what’s happening here. For starters, I’ve updated the look of the blog. It’s not a huge change…just a few tweaks to keep things, well… fresh. The big change is with the Fresh New England website. I redesigned the entire website and you are going to love it.
In addition to this dessert blog, you’ll now be able to keep on top of seasonal food recipes, food tips, videos and all sorts of New England merriment. You’ll also be able to search for local food businesses, farms, farm-to-table restaurants, specialty foods, classes, etc. in and around the region. And, if you’re looking for summer fun, the new events calendar is just what you need. If I do say so myself, it’s fresh, fun and fabulous!
You can see the new website here.
I decided to bake something simple and easy this week – meringue. I love meringue in the summer because it’s simple, pretty, light and packable for picnics. It’s a great summer dessert. You can find the recipe here.
I also wanted to share with you some photos I took at last year’s Secret Garden Tour in Newport, RI. Every year different homeowners open up their personal gardens to the public. The homes you will visit are kept secret so you don’t know which gardens you’ll be touring until you arrive. It’s great fun and incredibly beautiful … truly a gardeners delight.
Okay, onto the giveaway. What kind of website launch would we have without a giveaway right? Get ready because this one is good!
The Fresh New England 2013 Fun Summer Giveaway includes amazing goodies from local New England shops and producers:
– A $100 gift certificate to the amazing Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge to be used in-person or in their on-line store
– A delicious gift box of Homemade Chocolate Brownies from Sweet and Simple
– A bag of the sensational Costa Rica: Las Lajas, Oscar Chacon, Micro-lot 1 Coffee from Chilmark Coffee Company
– A sampler case of the addictive Late July Organic Chips
– A gorgeous set of personalized paper placemats from Easton Place. Yes, the designer is going to personalize them for you!
-I’m also including an 1.76 lb (800 g) bag of dark chocolate Callebaut Crispearls as seen here. Not local but definitely festive.
There’s more. Follow @freshnewengland on Twitter between Tuesday and Friday, 7/23-7/26 to see what new prizes will be added. A new goodie will be added daily.
Tuesday’s addition: Lavender and Hibsicus Lemonade mix and Lavender kitchen hand creme from the Cape Cod Lavender Farm.’
Wednesday’s addition: A container of honey from The Boston Honey Company.
Thursday’s addition: A bag of Chapaqua Crunch Granola.
Friday’s addition: A Triple Nut Milk Chocolate bar from Lake Champlain Chocolates.
Here’s how you can win:
1. Leave a comment on this post before midnight on Friday August 2, 2013.
Make sure your comment links directly to a site where you can be contacted. Otherwise include a Twitter or email address. Only comments that include this information are eligible to win.
and
2. Sign up for an email subscription to the new Fresh New England.
Also, say what you love about the new @freshnewengland in your tweets for additional chances to win!
The winner will be selected at random and contacted on Saturday August 3, 2013 before noon (EST).
Be sure to check your inbox, messages or comments. If no response is received by August 5 at noon (EST), another winner will be selected.
If you’ve won before, it’s okay to enter again.
This giveaway will ship anywhere in the world.
As always, thanks for your for your friendship and support!
Bon appetit!
Pam
22 July
These photos are absolutely stunning!
Delish Dish
22 July
Cool El! I’m totally loving the new site, the recipe, the photos, everything! I’m looking forward to having more time to peruse with a cuppa tonight. I hope I win!!!
Rosa's Yummy Yums
22 July
A lovely new site. Really welcoming and interesting.
Those meringues look delightful and your pictures are wonderful.
Cheers,
Rosa
Merisi
22 July
Congratulations on your fabulous new website, well done!
I will now go to sleep with visions of you beautiful images. See you in my dreams,
Merisi
Patrice
22 July
I loved the Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes!
vividpurple
22 July
This is so exciting. Also, that meringue is unbelievable gorgeous.
Janet
22 July
Both of the sites look amazing. Bravo! Did you hire someone to design them? I love the layout, colors, etc…
Excited about the giveaway too!
Anna
22 July
Oh my goodness, what a fabulous giveaway! Thanks for doing it!
El
22 July
Thanks Janet. I designed everything.
Anna
22 July
Congratulations on your new site! Looks great.
Kelley
22 July
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kelley
22 July
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kelley
22 July
Your pictures are gorgeous!!!!! Thank you for the opportunity to win these fabulous prizes! 🙂
Kelley
22 July
Your pictures are gorgeous!!!!! Thank you for the opportunity to win these fabulous prizes! 🙂
kittykat001@comcast.net
Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things
23 July
Beautiful images as always… and a new site, how exciting!
Deeba PAB
23 July
Love the light summery new look, and the vintage appeal El. Just beautiful! Love the white meringues too. PURTY!!
Deeba PAB
23 July
Love the light summery new look, and the vintage appeal El. Just beautiful! Love the white meringues too. PURTY!!
Asha @ FSK
23 July
El, absolutely love the new site!!!!!
Congratulations!! and such amazing giveaway items to celebrate with!! :)))
Sarah
23 July
I love everything about this site and the new site. I have to ask. Where did you get your purse?
georgiecakes.com
23 July
Congratulations on the new site, it is absolutely lovely!
Lynne
23 July
I just want to sit in those lovely gardens with a nice cup of tea. Thank you for your giveaway.
lynne at fairpoint dot net
El
23 July
Sarah, That’s my Lady Mary purse. It’s from an antique store in MA. Glad you like it!
Erica
23 July
The site is beautiful. Love all the pictures.
Anonymous
23 July
Great new site! Thank you for the chance to win!
ericainpa1@yahoo.com
A Canadian Foodie
23 July
El – the blue door!!! Frame it! the hydrangeas by the sea… I want to be there… and the meringue… YUMMERS
What a gorgeous reprieve.
XO
V
A Canadian Foodie
23 July
there is no sign up I can find at the new site (gorgeous) el? Can I get your posts by mail there, too – cannot see how.
V
Anonymous
23 July
heidi- mickdefaut@gmail.com
So exciting to have a new and beautiful site!
Rosie
23 July
beautiful site!
Carolyn Gonzalez
23 July
What a fantastic giveaway. And the site looks amazing
autumn
23 July
Love your site. Crossing my fingers!
autumn
23 July
I don’t think my comment worked, so I’m trying again.
Love your site!
Rambling Tart
23 July
I’m feeling so warm and happy after looking at your wonderful summer photos, El. 🙂 It is so cold and windy here today, definitely still winter. Shiver. 🙂 I’m delighted by your new site and am subscribing asap. 🙂
Dani H
24 July
Meringues are on my “new things to try” list. Love your new site.
Thanks for a chance at the giveaway!
Meg
24 July
These beautiful photos are making me long for a vacation from my own AZ July. Looking forward to trying out the meringue recipe!
Mdugan6297@gmail.com
deana sidney
24 July
Your photos are as light and delicious as the meringues… wonderful giveaways. Love the look of the new site…
rachel
24 July
Wow, what an awesome collection of goodies. I love local products!
Sean C
24 July
Congrats with the new site. It’s fabulous. I subscribed. The meringues look delicious.
Alina Conn
24 July
What a lovely new site. I’m dying to continue reading your blog and recipes. Great images. I did subscribe to the new site.
Sarah
24 July
I am going to hop right on over to the new site. For a wonderful gift like this, I would have to fly out and accept in person. How lovely.
Mystica
24 July
I’d love to win on behalf of a friend who is visiting the UK. Thanks for opening it to all. Much appreciated.
Nadine Moran
25 July
Your posts are always amazing and inviting! Can’t wait to continue seeing more of your great photos and recipes!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen
26 July
What a wonderful giveaway, El! I was so happy to read that even if you’ve won before you should enter 🙂
Love the new site! Everything about New England and so beautifully photographed by you. Lovely!
The secret garden tour must have been so beautiful. I love the toadstool table and tuffets 🙂
Your beaded handbag is gorgeous!
I’m happily already an email subscriber and follow on Twitter.
Sarah
26 July
Wonderful new site. I have signed up! Lovely giveaway.
Jess
27 July
Sensational site and giveaway. Love the local products. Thanks for the opportunity!
squirrelbread
30 July
Thanks for the giveaway. I hope I win!
Savannah
30 July
I love the giveaway prizes, especially the customized placemats. Really cool. Stunning pics and the meringue looks dreamy!! svnh92@gmail.com
2 boys
30 July
Both of your sites are heavenly. Incredible giveaway. I subscribed too. Thanks.
Anne
30 July
Such pretty photos!! I want to be there! Thanks for the giveaway…very exciting!
Anne
30 July
Whoops…my email is atimchula715 (@)gmail (dot) com. Thanks!
Tom
1 August
I look forward to visiting some of the places on your new site. Nice work. tmnedricks@yahoo.com
Topher
2 August
The photos are stunning. The new site is fab. I hope I win!
Viviane Bauquet Farre
12 August
El, your meringues look too beautiful to eat! Good luck with the new site… It looks wonderful, as everything you touch does! Cheers!