We're preparing to leave for vacation and I'm so filled with anticipation I think I'm going to burst. The past few months have been busy - on several fronts - and I'm really looking forward to unplugging and taking a week or so to rest, relax, play and READ! We're very fond of family road trips and this year's vacation is no exception. To prepare for our mountainous adventure, I bought a few books to take along with me for all of the relaxing I hope to do. Carefully stacked on my bedside table, so I won't forget to pack them, one book has continuously called out my name from it's resting spot in the pile - and it seemed that the only way to silence the sound was to pick up said book and read it - before the vacation - and I'm so glad I did.
For me, summer beach reads are not paperback romances, historical fiction or so-called chick-lit, but rather memoirs and foodie fun. Imagine my delight to find a memoir of a cooking mama and her adventures in the kitchen with her family. I think this book was written for or about me...I'm not sure which.
Too Many Cooks, is a delightful, easy and engaging read. Emily Franklin, mother to four young children and cook extraordinaire, shares the ups and downs of her family's fare through amusing and very relatable stories. Each chapter of the book is a lovely vignette - an episode - of the family's experience testing out new foods, all while set within real-life situations (family vacations, school, death of a loved one, holidays, summer vacation). Although Emily shares plenty of thoughts on cooking and parenting, both are done in such a passing and non-authoritative way, that you leave the booking feeling as though you've just had a great conversation with a friend, peppered with some useful advice. For those of you who love adding to their cookbook collection, there are 102 recipes within the book, punctuating the ends of each chapter.
Upon devouring
Too Many Cooks, I got in touch with Emily to let her know how much I enjoyed her story. To my delight, she replied quickly and offered to give away one or two copies of her book, here on this blog (how great is that!). Later this week I will also post a recipe from the book, as well as a small interview with Emily. In order to enter the giveaway please do one or both of the following:
~ Leave a comment on THIS post before midnight July 17th for a chance to win a copy of Too Many Cooks. All comments will be included, even those that just offer a quick hello.
~ Additional entries can be earned by posting a link to this post on your facebook page, or by tweeting about this giveaway (for all those twitter users out there). Simply include @mixingbowlkids in your tweet, and link to this post to be entered. Leave a comment with a link to your twitter post for your additional entry.
Thanks to Emily Franklin for the generous giveaway!
Wishing you a very relaxing summer vacation! Thank you (& Emily) for the lovely give away! Cook books Rock!!
Posted by: Ginger&Pickle | July 14, 2009 at 08:55 AM
Hi!
I'm thoroughly enjoying your website each and every day! I'm an avid reader too...I'm currently reading Julie&Julia and am really enjoying it...thanks for your recommendation on this book!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful vactation!
Posted by: Toni | July 14, 2009 at 09:19 AM
Hi! Thanks for news of this book. Hope to win it. Cant wait to read it!
Posted by: Maria Blackburn | July 14, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Sounds like a fun book to read. Thanks,
Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
Posted by: Maureen | July 14, 2009 at 11:34 AM
I just stumbled across your blog the other day, and am still exploring all the posts! I figured this would be a good post to leave my first comment on ;D
This book sounds amazing - I have a serious cookbook addiction, and my favorites are the ones that are also readable books! I'll definitely be adding this one to my summer list!
Posted by: Crystal | July 14, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Wow this book sounds terrific!!! Would love to read thought am not reader but a browser, magazines, lots of cookbooks etc... Plus never seem to have or make the time. At night can not keep the eyes open long enough to get past a page or two!
Love the story concept as I seem to be in the kitchen all the time with my kiddos. Hopefully will rub of on them.
Hope you have a great vacation. I need to book with with my family as well. I have thought about maybe a RV trip across the countryside!
Were are you heading?
Enjoy!
L
Posted by: Lori | July 14, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Sounds like a fabulous read...I am crossing fingers,toes,arms,legs,hair...and eys!
Thanks for sharing,
Char.
Posted by: Charlotta | July 14, 2009 at 02:03 PM
thanks for the give away! I would love to have a good read when we go camping in a few weeks.
Posted by: tricia | July 14, 2009 at 02:14 PM
I also left a link on my facebook page:)
Posted by: tricia | July 14, 2009 at 02:17 PM
I would love a new summer read. Thanks
Posted by: Trisha N | July 14, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Ooh, I want to read that! Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Trina | July 14, 2009 at 06:27 PM
I stumbled upon your blog last night and am loving it! Off to do some baking right now! Thanks for the lovely giveaway - sounds like a great read!
Posted by: meg | July 14, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Sounds like a perfect summer read. Just discovered your blog, loving it...Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Kathabelle | July 15, 2009 at 10:21 AM
found you through soulemama's blog. i have been wanting to check this book out for a while so please enter me!!! :-)
Posted by: exhale. return to center. | July 15, 2009 at 02:07 PM
I recently found this blog and I'm very excited about the recipes! I love that you focus on healthy foods and children! This cookbook sounds great too!
Posted by: clara | July 15, 2009 at 05:43 PM
another new reader. really enjoying your posts and recipes. thanks for the chance to win this book - sounds like the perfect summer read.
Posted by: sandy | July 15, 2009 at 07:44 PM
enjoy your vacation. thanks for a great giveaway. the book sounds like it'd be a great read!
Posted by: janet | July 15, 2009 at 09:10 PM
I love your blog! And the book sounds good too... I'll be back often.
Posted by: mirjam | July 16, 2009 at 09:54 AM
I randomly clicked on your comment over at SouleMama. . . your blog title pulled me in. I can't wait to explore your site. I love cooking with my 4 year old daughter and always relish finding new kid friendly recipes. Yay!
Posted by: Carrie @ Rhubarb Sky | July 16, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I'm a new reader and loving your blog. Thanks for keeping many of the recipes simple and realistic.
Rachel
Posted by: rachel | July 16, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Just found your blog through a comment on SouleMama also! Love the title and really enjoy the blog. I am going to try the naan. I am going to pass it on to another mama cooking with her little one.
Posted by: MamaRuck | July 16, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Wow, I just found this site from MamaRuck and I must say...I like it a lot! Every Wednesday my little guy (2 years old) and I have "Baking Day". He loves helping Mama in the kitchen as much as our 7 month old loves to watch us! I definitely look so forward to trying out some of your recipes. Thank you!
Posted by: MamaRose | July 16, 2009 at 06:14 PM
I enjoy reading your blog so much--I have two boys who both love to cook. We have all enjoyed trying your recipes. I love that you make healthy foods so delicious looking in your pictures.
I would love to have a copy of this book--thanks so much for offering it as a giveaway.
Posted by: Ann | July 16, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Ann - Im glad youre enjoying the blog!
Posted by: Jan Scott | July 17, 2009 at 08:46 AM
I just found your website but have to sayI really am liking it.
Posted by: jamie | July 17, 2009 at 01:42 PM