2011 was quite the eventful year around the ol’ Flamingo Pond. Particularly the last six months! I’ve taken my particular brand of crazy, Freakin’ Flamingo, to the web, the South Miami Farmers Market, and even teaching the occasional culinary/canning class at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, here in Miami. (Click on that last link to see what I’m teaching and find out how to sign up.) 2012 promises to be just as eventful, if not more so!
In keeping with the theme of a New Year – A New Day, I took the plunge, abandoned Blogger, and (very reluctantly) moved it all over to a self-hosted WordPress platform. Ooo. Scary. It was time for a change and part of that change was to coordinate this blog more effectively with my retail site. Kudos to one of my best friends and original retail site designer, Lynne Cohen of Tante Leah’s Handmades. Heather Jurczyk (better known to you as @bodaciousgirl) of He Cooks She Cooks did all the updates, cleanup, and took away the night terrors. Heather then rocked out the New & Improved Flamingo Musings, and did the move over here. Just in time for the New Year!
Never fear – Flamingo Musings will continue to be primarily a blog about food, not just jam. And whatever else I feel like talking about at any given moment. For instance, in the coming days you’ll see several cookbook reviews (both here and at Cooks & Books & Recipes); more original recipes (some involving jam, some not), even some restaurant reviews – both local and from my travels – (from the perspective of an average person who just wants a good meal, not a persnickety reviewer). I hope to also get back to joining in some of the blog challenges, such as Secret Recipe Club. I miss you guys!
And to celebrate, let’s kick things off with a giveaway! No, it’s not a mixer. Geez.
No, I’m giving away Jam! Of your choice! And a cool, heavy duty, last-for-the-rest-of-your-natural-life Freakin’ Flamingo market bag! And a $15 StarSux (er, Starbucks) gift card! That one’s actually a re-gift. What’s the matter with people that they keep giving you gift cards for places they know full well that you can’t stand? But you like Starbucks, don’t you? I know you do. So you want this.
What do you have to do? Well, for starters, you have to leave a comment here. Tell me how much you missed me. For additional entries, “like” Flamingo Musings on Facebook, “like” Freakin’ Flamingo on Facebook, and/or sign up for the Freakin’ Flamingo Newsletter (see the form? right over there in the sidebar?). Then leave separate comments telling me that you did.
Wanna tweet? Tweet this (maximum once per day – don’t annoy your friends!): Check out the NEW Flamingo Musings and win Freakin’ Flamingo Jam, a Starbucks gift card & more from @RJFlamingo! http://bit.ly/xaxk17
Deadline to enter is midnight, Monday night, January 8th! The winner will be chosen by random number generator at Random.org.
So? What do you think? Does this wallpaper make me look fat?
Update: We have a winner! Dena, come on down and claim your prize! Thanks for playing, everyone!
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40 Comments
I missed you more than the sky would have missed the moon and stars.
LOVE the new look!!!! It’s so . . . YOU!
P.S. The wallpaper makes you look FAB!
How have I missed thee? Let me count the ways! Wait … there are too many to mention.
Glad you’re back.
Very nice redesign. Best wishes in 2012.
Looks fantastic!
Congrats Renee, I agree with Suzanne, it’s very YOU! O.K. did my duty cause I LOVE your jam and on last jar! Just LIKED Flamingo Musings.
Liked Freakin’ Flamingo and left comment there! The random thingy better pick me!
Oh, and Happy New Year to you and M and kitties.
I’m already subscribed to your newsletter. Me, me, me!
Love the new look Renee! Congrats on taking the leap over to wordpress. I’m considering the same change. I’ve missed you and am glad you’re back. Perfect timing for the new year.
I love the new look, Renee! Heather always does such a great job. I *always* miss you. I think you love your jammy jam better than us. Haha!
I already follow you wherever you go, sweetie.
Love the new look!! And your jams! And boy oh boy have I missed you!!!
Missed you lovely lady!
I almost feel like I shouldn’t be eligible to win your jams but I JUST GOTTTTAAAA TRY!!
OOOH, really nice blog. Congrats on your big move to WordPress. I hope to win. Will you ship to TN? I’ll comment on Facebook, too. Happy New Year.
Congrats and what a great start of 2012 on Flamingo Musings!
I miss you more than my luggage. And the new wallpaper is quite slimming.
I “liked” Flamingo Musings on fb.
I liked Freakin’ Flamingo on fb.
I have missed you terribly…I love the new look!! Congrats and happy new year!!
Love the new look!!
I was sure I already “liked” you on Facebook but Ive done it again just in case!
You are hysterical!!! I love the new look (so slimming) and you know I love the jam! That piña colada must be my favorite jam in the whole world. And I would shout it from the rooftops!
I’m so glad you have been so successful with the jam business but it doesn’t surprise me one bit. They are terrific!!! You have been missed around here and I’m excited to see what you have in store for 2012.
I “like” Flamingo Musings on fb.
I subscribe to the news letter!!!
The new layout looks awesome and would love to try your jam!
I like Flaming Musings on FB
I like Freakin’ Flamingo on FB!
I tweeted about the giveaway!
https://twitter.com/#!/picatasi/status/156157891752108032
That bag would be fine swag
Congrats on the new look, Renee. Hard to believe it’s possible, but you’re even more beautiful than before! Can’t wait to see more of your reviews on Cooks&Books&Recipes, thanks! You’re the best!
Welcome back! Been thinking about how delicious that jam was that I got at Eat Write Retreat!
Happy New Year!
Love the flamingo update. I just HAVE to have a shopping bag. Can they be purchased????
Thanks, Sam! Yes, the market bags can be purchased, along with t-shirts, hats, and other stuff. Just go to the Freakin’ Flamingo website and click on the Freakin’ Style link to get to my Cafe Press shop. Or, here, let me save you the trouble: http://www.cafepress.com/freakinflamingo. Wait till tomorrow, though – you could be a winner!
Well was looking forward to this weekend to see you at South Miami for a new jar of jam. Good luck up in Broward, hope you do well. Will see you the next time at South Miami for a new flavor. Loved the Guyaba yum!
Glad to see you back in bloggersphere! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2012!
have liked Flamingo Musings on facebook for awhile now
Just liked your facebook page for Freakin’ Flamingo too! Can’t wait to win some Jam!
Congrats to the winner!!! Enjoy the jam, I know I sure do
Freakin’ awesome! I emailed my snail mail info. Thank you once again!
You made the transition very well.