Wild Berry Salad and Giveaway

by Melanie on April 4, 2011

I have happy news to share…remember the beautiful ‘Gathering Of Friends’ Cookbooks that I absolutely LOVE and have told you about before? Volume 1 here, and Volume 2 here. Well, I am excited to tell you about the brand new Volume 3 that is available now!

I love that The Gathering of Friends cookbooks were “created to introduce food as a love language, enhancing traditions, fortifying relationships and celebrating life.”

Once again, this newest volume was obviously made with lots of love. It is full of gorgeous pictures, enticing recipes and lots of inspiring ideas to create beautiful gatherings for those you love. I would highly recommend this book for yourself and anyone else who enjoys creating beautiful meals for their family. This cookbook would make a perfect wedding gift, birthday gift, or Mother’s Day present.

Right now on the Gathering of Friends website there is a special running– Buy 3, get 1 free–it is the perfect opportunity to partner up with a friend or sister, you can both get one for yourself, one for a gift and save a little money while you are at it:) This is a cookbook that you will treasure!

Would you like to win a copy?

We are going to offer a month of ‘Gathering of Friends’ Cookbook GIVEAWAYS! I am going to share a recipe and offer a giveaway every Monday and announce the winners every Saturday! To enter go the website here check out volume 3 and tell me what gathering you would like to create. For a second entry become a follower of The Sisters Cafe. Good luck!
**This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thank you for all your comments! The winner will be announced on Saturday, April 9th.**

I made this salad last weekend and it was FANTASTIC! I did not have any *pomegranate vinegar, so I used 1/4 cup pomegranate juice and 1/2 cup white wine vinegar instead with great results! This salad was unique and very pretty. We loved it!

Wild Berry Salad
Submitted by Melanie ~ The Sisters Cafe
Recipe from The Gathering Of Friends Volume 3

•3 heads, hearts of romaine lettuce
•12 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
•1 c. pomegranates
•1-1/2 c. black berries, rinsed
•3/4 c. pistachios

Clean and tear hearts of romaine lettuce into bite size pieces and place in serving bowl. Add berries, pomegranates, pistachios and feta cheese. Finish with Pomegranate Salad Dressing, toss and serve.

Pomegranate Salad Dressing
•1-1/2 c. oil
•3/4 c. pomegranate vinegar (*see note above)
•1-1/4 c. sugar
•1/2 c. water
•1/2 tsp. coarse black pepper
•1/2 tsp. kosher salt
•2 tbsp. dried chives
•2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix well. Chill. Pour over salad just before serving.

{ 136 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Coordination Queen April 4, 2011 at 8:58 am: Wow that looks like a fabulous cook book! I would love to try out some of those recipes with my friends… guess I should have them over for dinner.

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2 Coordination Queen April 4, 2011 at 8:58 am: I am a follower.

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3 Miller Family April 4, 2011 at 9:06 am: This cook book looks amazing! I have just been getting into cooking the last 3 months and I love it! I have been trying to think of a get together I could host to showcase my new hobby and this post/book inspired me to really want to do it. I think I am going to host an Easter brunch for our friends (we are away at dental school and most of us are nowhere near our families so its good to have get togethers like that). Thanks for the wonderful recipes!

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4 Kristin April 4, 2011 at 9:10 am: these look like fun cookbooks. I would probably use it for Easter dinner.

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5 Kristin April 4, 2011 at 9:11 am: I'm a follower.

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6 Anonymous April 4, 2011 at 9:13 am: I am hoping to have a large gathering of family and friends for Easter dinner and could use this for some inspiration!
[email protected]

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7 Misty April 4, 2011 at 9:29 am: The Ginger Glazed Salmon Stir-Fry looks delish! This would be fun for a dinner party with some friends..

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8 Sarah Blue April 4, 2011 at 9:29 am: I'd like to try the Ginger Glazed Salmon Stir Fry recipe. It looks delicious! I never thought to make stir fry with salmon. Should be tasty.

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9 Misty April 4, 2011 at 9:31 am: I am a follower..

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10 Lynn April 4, 2011 at 9:46 am: Oooo!!!! This book looks awesome. I can see it being a great inspiration for Easter Dinner.

crapo(at)shaw(dot)ca

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11 Lynn April 4, 2011 at 9:46 am: I'm a follower!

crapo(at)shaw(dot)ca

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12 Mary April 4, 2011 at 9:57 am: Love cookbooks….would love to try some with a ladies tea.

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13 Ashley April 4, 2011 at 9:58 am: I love the cookbook, and the recipe for Fried Tomato Sandwiches would be great to gather friends for a summer feast!

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14 Mary April 4, 2011 at 9:58 am: I am a follower

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15 Heidi April 4, 2011 at 10:04 am: I want to try the roasted pepper chicken on ciabatta

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16 Julie April 4, 2011 at 10:14 am: I want to plan a big birthday get together. This cookbook looks amazing.

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17 Felicia April 4, 2011 at 10:14 am: I would love to have a family gathering with some extended family that live close. Hopefully that will happen sometime.
feliciawilson(at)gmail(dot)com

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18 Felicia April 4, 2011 at 10:14 am: i follow you
feliciawilson(at)gmail(dot)com

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19 Brittany April 4, 2011 at 10:14 am: this salad sounds so light and refreshing…and looks beautiful!

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20 Julie April 4, 2011 at 10:14 am: I am now a follower.

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21 Lark (SparkyLarky) April 4, 2011 at 10:15 am: I am a follower! :)

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22 Lark (SparkyLarky) April 4, 2011 at 10:17 am: I would like to make the Roasted
Pepper Chicken Ciabatta in Book 3

YUMMY! :)

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23 Connie Babe April 4, 2011 at 10:27 am: I would like to create awesome food for my daughter's bridal shower.

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24 Connie Babe April 4, 2011 at 10:27 am: I am a follower…

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25 All Things Yummy April 4, 2011 at 10:35 am: oh yum, I'd love to try the tuxedo brownies.

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26 All Things Yummy April 4, 2011 at 10:35 am: I'm a follower

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27 Stephanie April 4, 2011 at 10:43 am: I would love this for a gathering with my family…after all, isn't every meal a gathering?

Thanks for this delicious recipe. It looks great!

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28 Christy {The Girl Who Ate Everything} April 4, 2011 at 10:46 am: I am in love with the Tuxedo Brownies. I have a cookbook addiction so this would just feed my problem in a good way!

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29 Jessica K April 4, 2011 at 10:48 am: I would like to create an Easter gathering to fortify the relationships within my family, and cement traditions.

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30 Sandy: April 4, 2011 at 11:06 am: I would love to create something new for Easter dinner, rather than having the same old things. This cookbook would give me some new ideas. Looks great

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31 Sandy: April 4, 2011 at 11:06 am: I am a follower.

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32 The Pruitts April 4, 2011 at 11:46 am: I would love to have a summer feast with lots of people…I am SO ready for warm weather and fresh garden food!!

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33 The Pruitts April 4, 2011 at 11:47 am: I am a follower

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34 Matt and Christy Walters April 4, 2011 at 12:52 pm: I'd like to have an Easter celebration and make those Tuxedo brownies for dessert!! Yumm. Her cookbooks look great.

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35 Heidi April 4, 2011 at 12:57 pm: I am a follower!

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36 In Krista's Kitchen April 4, 2011 at 12:58 pm: I follow!

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37 Heidi April 4, 2011 at 1:00 pm: These look AMAZING! I am a mother to 12 children and now a daughter and son in-law woo hoo ~ when we are all together I LOVE to gather around the table and food is wonderful way to get everyone there. I would love to gather with some of these recipes!

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38 In Krista's Kitchen April 4, 2011 at 1:07 pm: I would love to bring the tuxedo brownies to my family's Easter dinner!

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39 Stephanie April 4, 2011 at 1:08 pm: The dessets looked great to me!
Thanks for all the great recipes!

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40 Britni Watkins April 4, 2011 at 1:16 pm: I would love to gather friends together for Easter, since we are so far from family! So many wonderful recipes!

I have been following you for quite sometime now :)

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41 Martha April 4, 2011 at 1:32 pm: Even though I've been a follower of your blog for months, it just became official! Thanks for the incentive. I am excited about the new book! I would love to use these recipes & ideas to use for my family's upcoming "Sisters Weekend". It is a tradition we do once a year around Mother's Day. My mother, 8 sisters, and I gather for a weekend of renewal of fun & spirit together. Food is a big part of that renewal and I plan to make a special breakfast for them during this weekend. This cookbook would help & inspire me! Thanks for all your wonderful recipes & thoughts. You are all truly amazing & I've loved every recipe I've tried from your place. Thank you!

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42 heidi April 4, 2011 at 1:44 pm: I am a follower, love you guys, and I don't know if I can pick just one gathering I want to host in the near future, but the closest ones are Easter and Mother's Day, and Father's Day. What an awesome cook book.

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43 Melissa Hodgen April 4, 2011 at 1:55 pm: I would attempt the graduation gathering…it's almost May!

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44 Sharon C. April 4, 2011 at 1:57 pm: I am already a follower. Thanks for so many lovely recipes. Easter or baby shower gatherings sound very fun right now.

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45 Amy K April 4, 2011 at 2:29 pm: I have family and friends to my house often (12 plus people) and am always looking for new ideas for fun food. These cook books look amazing!! I am a follower and have told many of my friends about your blog now they are followers too. We love you!

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46 Liz April 4, 2011 at 2:37 pm: My husband would love me forever if I made him the flank steak. It would be so much fun to have friends over to bbq as soon as the weather warms up.

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47 Liz April 4, 2011 at 2:38 pm: I am a follower.

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48 Melissa Bond April 4, 2011 at 2:49 pm: It looks like a great cookbook. I love trying new recipes, especially since my boys are so good about eating most anything. Since we have moved close to family, after many years of being away, I would love to use the recipes in our family dinner get togethers each month. It's so fun to be with family after not having them around for so long.

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49 Heather April 4, 2011 at 2:51 pm: That looks amazing!! Any meat. I am trying to learn meats.=) [email protected]

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50 Heather April 4, 2011 at 2:54 pm: I follow you!

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51 Julie April 4, 2011 at 3:25 pm: I would love to use this for an Easter dinner or a summer barbecue.

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52 Kelli April 4, 2011 at 3:46 pm: I would love to have a big gathering for Easter or a spring celebration!

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53 Always Wright April 4, 2011 at 4:53 pm: I would love to use Volume 3, Celebrations, for a family celebration, whether Easter, birthday or just getting together for a comforting meal. Our family loves to get together with a special meal!

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54 Always Wright April 4, 2011 at 4:55 pm: I am a follower of Sisters Cafe. I love your recipes. Thanks!

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55 Danielle April 4, 2011 at 5:02 pm: Your blog love at first bite:) I really love this set of cookbooks as it inspires my foodie soul. My favorit time of the year is autumn and I always have a dinner for friends and love to decorate and serve a beautifully done meal that will be remembered. This book is the perfect this and I guess I would pick the blessings which they are suggesting births,graduations etc.. I beleive it is important to celebrate friendship with food and laughter. Those are the moments we all really cherish and I love to cook from my heart it is like giving a bit of my soul everytime I cook and decorate for others. I feel bleesed to have such wonderful people in my life. Thanks for a wonderful opportunity to share that.

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56 Danielle April 4, 2011 at 5:08 pm: Something I meant to say. I have been following your blog for sometime now. I did a caterin event not too long ago and used your texas caviar and they just were in love with it. I have to say I did add black beans as well,but it was awesome and vegetarian which is always a request. So thanks for putting out not only lovely looking dishes ,but fantastic for the tastebuds too:)Just became a official follower thanks for the prompt did not need much arm twisting on that one LOL

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57 Pat and Kathy April 4, 2011 at 5:40 pm: Love your blog and I am a follower. I would love to try this new cookbook out for a Mother's Day tea for family and friends.

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58 Heather April 4, 2011 at 5:59 pm: I would love to give my Mom an extra special Mother's Day. The recipes in the new cookbook sound perfect for the occasion. Thank you for the giveaway.
heatherspooner1981 at gmail dot com

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59 n82 April 4, 2011 at 6:18 pm: We would love to use the cookbook for inviting friends over for dinner FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER…since we are getting a bigger dining table so we can host :)

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60 Topher April 4, 2011 at 6:37 pm: Definitely for my first dinner party. thanks.

Chris M.

zekks at yahoo dot com

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61 michelle April 4, 2011 at 8:08 pm: I would LOVE this book to create a sisters lunch (I am the oldest of girls as well!)

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62 Karie Coats April 4, 2011 at 8:29 pm: I would LOVE this cook book! So many good ones to chose one!

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63 Karie Coats April 4, 2011 at 8:29 pm: I'm a follower :)

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64 The Arizona Pickeral Family April 4, 2011 at 8:35 pm: I am a new follower!

[email protected]

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65 The Arizona Pickeral Family April 4, 2011 at 8:36 pm: I love to try new dessert recipes for guests or groups of people and I have never made anything like the tuxedo brownies! I am excited to try them.

[email protected]

(I posted this again, not sure if my first posted)

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66 Keersten April 4, 2011 at 9:03 pm: I would love to throw a dinner for my darling book group. (We've been together for almost 7 years.) I'd serve that beautiful salmon with this salad and whatever those delicious looking parfaits are on the site. Oh, that would be wonderful!

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67 Keersten April 4, 2011 at 9:04 pm: I am following!

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68 Heather of Kitchen Concoctions April 4, 2011 at 10:24 pm: I’m a HUGE brownie fan so I would have to try the Tuxedo Brownies!

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69 Heather of Kitchen Concoctions April 4, 2011 at 10:26 pm: I am a follower!

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70 Bert and Benton April 4, 2011 at 11:52 pm: Fun! I'd love to incorporate it into a fancier Easter dinner than normal.

yobert7 at gmail dot com

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71 Jody April 5, 2011 at 3:51 am: I am a follower

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72 Jody April 5, 2011 at 3:52 am: I loved the dessert cups, that could be fun for a birthday party!

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73 Lynn BB April 5, 2011 at 4:58 am: My husband's 50th is in May so I'd love to use the recipes for that party!

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74 Nadine April 5, 2011 at 8:08 am: Our twins will be 40 in June. Our daughter and her family live 1100 miles away to the North and our son and his family live 450 miles south of us. I'd love to "gather" everyone here to help all of us face this grand event!

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75 Ashlee April 5, 2011 at 8:09 am: I would like to host a brunch for some women from church.

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76 Ashlee April 5, 2011 at 8:10 am: I'm a follower.

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77 Karin April 5, 2011 at 8:43 am: I love how the cookbook has a picture by each recipe. It looks beautiful!

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78 Karin April 5, 2011 at 8:44 am: I am a follower already!

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79 Desi April 5, 2011 at 8:53 am: Tuxedo brownies for me, please!

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80 Desi April 5, 2011 at 8:53 am: I am a follower :)

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81 Shanna April 5, 2011 at 9:07 am: I just became an official follower but have been following for a while now! My sister and I teach classes to women to help inspire them to be "more concerned at home" and to gather their families around the table more…this cookbook would add to our recipes to chose from!

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82 CoralieandCasey April 5, 2011 at 10:29 am: My favorite time to gather friends is in the summer when we can all enjoy the outdoors together. My next gathering, though, will be with family for my daughters baptism. So excited and so special!

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83 CoralieandCasey April 5, 2011 at 10:31 am: I'm a follower. I've been faithfully checking your blog for years! Thanks for sharing such great recipes.

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84 jeanette April 5, 2011 at 12:27 pm: I would love to have a girls night out dinner party. Oh… the new recipes we could try :)

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85 jeanette April 5, 2011 at 12:29 pm: I'm a follower

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86 dara April 5, 2011 at 1:38 pm: I love to try new things- count me in.
Dara from Canada

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87 Lanes April 5, 2011 at 2:24 pm: I think it would be so fun to have a "first day of Fall" party! I love cooking fall foods and this looks like it would have just the right variety to do a great Fall Feast!

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88 Nicole April 5, 2011 at 2:36 pm: I think it would be fun to have a get together with our friends!

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89 Nicole April 5, 2011 at 2:37 pm: I am a follower!

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90 Bang-Fabrication April 5, 2011 at 5:11 pm: Yummy I would love to try something for Easter Dinner

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91 Pam April 5, 2011 at 7:00 pm: I would like to host a gathering of friends for several widowed ladies who are older and alone as a spring celebration of friends. I'd love the book – they all look wonderful. themoonmom(at)hotmail(dot)com

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92 Pam April 5, 2011 at 7:01 pm: I am a follower. Love all your recipes and ideas. themoonmom(at)hotmail(dot)com

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93 Brooke April 5, 2011 at 7:21 pm: We have a baby blessing coming up that I would love to make a nice spread for.

[email protected]

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94 Brooke April 5, 2011 at 7:22 pm: I am a happy follower!

[email protected]

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95 colleen April 5, 2011 at 7:34 pm: All the recipes looked great. I would love the book for my family gathering

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96 Marina April 6, 2011 at 8:16 am: I have always enjoyed cooking for others and am always glad to find a place with great recipes. Thanks for sharing. I am a big fan of The Gathering of Friends books. They inspire me to have more gatherings for family and friends. I would love to create a gathering for my girlfriends to let them know how much I cherish their true friendship.
I am now a follower:)

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97 Cherry Blossoms April 6, 2011 at 9:00 am: Definitely the Sisters Lunch….I have two sisters!

CherryBlossomsDesign AT hotmail

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98 Cherry Blossoms April 6, 2011 at 9:00 am: I have been a follower for a long time now!

CherryBlossomsDesign AT hotmail

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99 Lacey, Bradey April 6, 2011 at 9:02 am: I would love that cookbook ;) wink wink I just moved to Oregon and have meet alot of people, I would gather everyone around for a gathering of friends ;)

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100 Lacey, Bradey April 6, 2011 at 9:02 am: I also am a happy follower :)

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101 Leon and Becky April 6, 2011 at 10:16 am: I would love it for an Easter gathering. Love these cookbooks! I love sisters cafe, it is my go to place for recipes!

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102 Jenn April 6, 2011 at 11:25 am: OH MY.. I LOVE SEAFOOD AND THINK THIS WOULD BE OUT OF THIS WORLD

Ginger Glazed Salmon Stir Fry

HOPE I WIN THE COOK BOOK.. LOVE YOUR BLOG

JENNIFER

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103 Liz & Jeff Dennis April 6, 2011 at 1:08 pm: I am now a follower. I would like to create an Easter gathering. I love having dinners and inviting people over but I also like to try new things and am always looking for new recipes to try.

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104 Ashley April 6, 2011 at 1:51 pm: I love cookbooks!! I only have 2 and they are almost worn out. Cooking has become my release lately, and my family has benefited from it so much. My mood is better and my family gets to eat the benefits!! I am thinking that the Sweet and Sour Chicken looks so yummy, and my kids love asian food. Thanks for sharing the cookbooks with us!!

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105 Kassie April 6, 2011 at 2:16 pm: I want to try the roasted pepper chicken.

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106 Maggie and Nathan April 6, 2011 at 4:21 pm: I know the perfect occasion for a "Gathering of Friends":

In a few weeks, we will be having our 20-week ultrasound (& could not be any more excited to see our sweet blessing again)! Because I wanted to wait until birth day to find out if we're having a boy or girl, and my husband wants to know now, we've decided to have a dinner party with our parents & closest friends. We will not find out at the ultrasound, so we can share in the big surprise all together! We can't wait to share such an exciting moment with such special people in our lives, and these delicious recipes would be the perfect way to top off the night!! : )

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107 Megan April 6, 2011 at 5:14 pm: Yummy! Tuxedo brownies, all the way!

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108 Amy April 6, 2011 at 5:16 pm: This cookbook looks wonderful! It would give me some great ideas for an Easter dinner party!

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109 Amy April 6, 2011 at 5:17 pm: I am a follower!

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110 Michele April 6, 2011 at 5:20 pm: I would love to create a gathering of my 3 sisters and myself. We all live away from each other. It would be fun to eat and laugh the evening away.

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111 Michele April 6, 2011 at 5:20 pm: I am a follower.

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112 Crystal April 6, 2011 at 5:49 pm: A simple gathering with my husband and daughter (plus the one on the way) would be good enough for me! P.S. The salmon with mushroom pic looked delish!

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113 Crystal April 6, 2011 at 5:49 pm: I'm a follower too.

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114 Anonymous April 6, 2011 at 6:57 pm: I would love to share the cookbook at my Easter Dinner!

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115 Judy K April 6, 2011 at 6:59 pm: Beautiful cookbook to be used for a big Easter Feast.

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116 Cade April 6, 2011 at 8:33 pm: Would love to have this cookbook for a Mothers Day brunch!

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117 Melissa April 6, 2011 at 10:21 pm: Looking for new ideas for my growing family and this looks like a great cook book. Fun ideas to have and even have company over sometimes.

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118 The Richmans April 7, 2011 at 8:02 am: My husband would die for those tuxedo brownies!

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119 The Richmans April 7, 2011 at 8:03 am: I'm also a follower!

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120 Heather April 7, 2011 at 8:04 am: This looks like a delightful book! I love the pictures. I'd love to plan a birthday dinner for my hubbie's 40th.

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121 rachel April 7, 2011 at 9:04 am: We are moving for my husband's residency in a few months, so I would LOVE to have a big family gathering to celebrate love, family, and life before we move!

[email protected]

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122 Mindi April 7, 2011 at 10:49 am: The Tuxedo Brownies sound amazing!

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123 Mindi April 7, 2011 at 10:51 am: I am a follower- I love your blog!

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124 Anonymous April 7, 2011 at 12:10 pm: I read cookbooks and home decor books whenever I get a chance. This book is so beautiful, and looks like a perfect combo of both. Would love to have this book.
[email protected]

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125 Melanie April 7, 2011 at 12:23 pm: I've borrowed the second volume and absolutely adore the marinara sauce. I'd really like to try the Fried Tomato Sandwiches… I'm such a sucker for tomatoes and anything fried. Yum.

I'm also a follower.

Thanks for the giveaway!

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126 Vinylgiftsandmore.com April 7, 2011 at 1:29 pm: I love cookbooks. This one looks great! I like anything to do with food. :)

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127 Kara Miller April 7, 2011 at 1:49 pm: I'm a follower!

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128 carynrob April 7, 2011 at 2:46 pm: I'm a follower

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129 carynrob April 7, 2011 at 2:47 pm: Birthdays are what I like to celebrate… with good food and especially dessert!

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130 Jaxson April 7, 2011 at 6:08 pm: I would LOVE to win volume 1 so I can start my collection!

I am also a follower on FB! :)

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131 Ashley's "Random Ruminations" April 7, 2011 at 9:08 pm: I love cookbooks! I also love the idea of creating traditions with food as an accompanying sideline- I love the idea of looking forward to holidays based on special dishes.I think food creates great memories. I would love to have this book.

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132 Ashley's "Random Ruminations" April 7, 2011 at 9:09 pm: I am a follower!

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133 Becky April 7, 2011 at 10:23 pm: I am a follower!

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134 Becky April 7, 2011 at 10:34 pm: I would love to try the Roasted Pepper Chicken on Ciabatta. I would also really like to have some friends over to try some delicious food with us!

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135 Abigail April 7, 2011 at 11:13 pm: I love Christmas time and have wonderful memories of the family, food and fun so I would like to create a holiday party.

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136 Desiree April 9, 2011 at 1:47 pm: I love to cook and a good party so this book is for me!

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