I wasn’t planning on doing anything special for supper tonight – just serving my people some leftovers that we could all pretend were tasty and delicious – but at the last minute my husband suggested that we go out to dinner. It took me all of two seconds to say, “YES, PLEASE,” and within a couple of minutes we were in the car and on our way.
We ate supper at one of our favorite non-Chuy’s Mexican places (Chuy’s, of course, is the pinnacle), strolled through a nearby bookstore, and grabbed some frozen yogurt before we headed home. I’m going to be out of town this weekend, so as we pulled in the garage, I was thinking about how fun it had been to have an unexpected night on the town with my fellas before I leave for a couple of days. I was still in my little reverie as I got out of the car, but then I stopped, and I looked around, and I smelled it.
I didn’t know what “it” was, exactly. But I knew that it was a cross between Italian food, smoke, and a white-hot BBQ grill.
Then it dawned on me.
I must not have. Turned off. The leftovers. On the stove.
I mean, I thought I did. I announced that I was going to turn them off. But apparently there was a significant user error, because when we walked through the kitchen door, I realized that I might need to practice getting that control knob to the COMPLETELY OFF position.
Oh, y’all. The smoke. It was so very smoke-y. Granted, I’m so grateful that nothing actually, you know, caught on fire, and I think we’ve gotten most of the smoke out of the house, but oh, it is some charred-smelling awfulness in this place tonight.
And for the record, I am never cooking meatballs again.
Anyway. Let’s talk about something fun now. Like prizes!
Here’s the winner of the cornstick pan and two copies of A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet.
Yay, Jennifer! I just sent you an email.
I’m also starting to feel like a game show host. And I don’t mind it.
So I’ll make this next giveaway pretty quick because I need to start typing “how to get smell of burned Italian food out of my house” into the Google, but I think y’all will enjoy this next little Southern treat. Especially if you’re planning to take some road trips this summer because, well, hash brown casserole, anyone?
Yep. It’s a $50 gift card to Cracker Barrel, plus, you know, a copy of this book.
And who knows? If I can’t get this smell out of my house, I may be at the Cracker Barrel first thing in the morning. Coffee and homemade biscuits can cure a world of hurts, you know.
Have a great weekend, y’all!
This giveaway is now closed.
We literally eat at Cracker Barrel every Sunday after church! Wouldn’t be much of a better way to continue enjoying my Sunday than lunch at Cracker Barrel followed by an afternoon on the back porch swing with your book!
Cracker Barrel! Perfection! Southern Perfection!
I love Cracker Barrel and would love to read your book too!
Yum..I love Cracker Barrel. My daughter used to call it Bear Cracker.
I love their chicken ‘n dumplings a little too much…My family used to wait until 11 to stop there on roadtrips, just so I could get those while they all got a late breakfast. :) So good. Thanks BooMama!
Are you giving away the gift certificate instead of inviting us to your house for dinner?? Charred meat balls….yummm?
Oh, my family could put that gift card to good use this summer on nights when it’s so hot I refuse to cook. And I can’t wait for the book!
I would love this one!!! Can’t wait to read the book!
Cracker Barrel and your book would be a win-win! My hubby LOVES Cracker Barrel and I love reading all things by you! So fun!
Big Mama got me here. Have a great weekend together!
I’m imagining all the “not cooking” I could do with that card…
Oh, goodness. I don’t know who would be more excited about the Cracker Barrel gift card.. me or my 3 year old son! Train a child in the way he should go…
Cannot wait for your book!!!
And, lucky you, that you will be leaving this lovely scented home as you jet away for a wonderful weekend! Can’t wait to read this!
Hit CB this morning and got my mother-in-laws birthday present 40% off. Yay!
Great giveaway! Simply joy!!
So sorry about what happened! Enjoy your weekend away.
Cracker Barrel and your book—-a good combination
Now my stove-turning-off OCD is going to kick into overdrive! Can’t WAIT to read your book!
This would be PERFECT for our road trip to the Caribe resort next week!!
I would love to win, and I promise not to take my husband (the cracker barrel hater) to eat ;) I’ll take my mama!
i cannot wait to read your book!!! my day is always brightened after reading your posts.
Another giveaway!! Yea!!! You’re amazing and I can’t wait to read your book! Thanks for a fun week!!!
I once came home to find that i had left my pump parts boiling on the stove. Not only did i boil away $200 worth of pump parts, but almost ruined a very expensive pot! That was a very costly user error!
I can relate – I have plenty of kitchen disasters under my belt! Cooking is highly overrated. :)
I have kind of quit cooking for awhile, so maybe I can continue the roll I’m on…
Could have been worse…thank goodness.
Looking forward to reading your book! And don’t feel bad…my husband has revoked my broiling license over and over…I put something under the broiler and get on the computer and….oooo, it’s never pretty!
I love their pancakes! What a great giveaway!
I love hash brown casserole from Cracker Barrel and can’t wait to read your book.
Love Cracker Barrel!!
Such a great giveaway. I really can’t wait to read your book. I am new to your blog and just love your humor and writing style!
THe first year we lived inthis house there was a note taped to the stove to MAKE SURE THE BURNERS ARE OFF! Yer, that would be me who left one partly on all night….
Yummmm…..we love Cracker Barrel (or Crackle Berry as my middle daughter calls it). Can’t wait to read your book!
Can’t wait to read the book!
I would love to win…go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast and spend the rest of the day reading your book!
Awesome giveaway! I love Cracker Barrel and can’t wait for your book.
What’s a Cracker Barrel?
(kidding!)
Would love some of their cornbread and mac&cheese
Ooohhh me me, pick me because I A) always forget to turn off my stove – my husband has to remind me (and often I think he just does it without telling me) and B) I am so looking forward to your book coming out…I’d love a copy from you! Oh, and C) we just got a Cracker Barrel in our neck of the woods last year and I heart it. I heart it so much! Have a fabulous weekend with Big – one of these days, I’d love to have lunch with the two of you!
Yep, ate some HB casserole this week…would love to read the book too!
Yum yum! Congrats on your book!
I’d rather read than cook any day. Great prizes!
We don’t have a Cracker Barrel here in the Northwest, but I’m visiting home for the month of June and I’m sure we’ll be there at least a few times!
Thanks for the chance to win! Can’t wait to read your book!
Hope your house is smelling better! Thanks for the giveaway.
I love Cracker Barrel! And it won’t even be possible for me not to love your book…. Seeing as how much I love your blog and articles in Home Life and such!
Consequently I’m pretty sure I walked right past you the other day and you said “hey y’all” and I have to admit I was all like “there’s Sophie…oh y’all know….BooMama…” like we were real life friends….but deep down I was all like “she’s like a celebrity…and I think she just looks darlin and oh my word she said hey y’all and I’m so excited to meet her”…..and then I couldn’t even say hey back. I just smiled at you like a big ole goober. Fail! But next time I’m sayin hey back! :):)
I would love to go to Cracker Barrel AND read your book so I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
I can’t wait to read your book!
Ok still would love to have your book and the Cracker Barrel gift card would be an exceptional bonus.
We’re leaving for a road trip in 1 week! And cracker barrel is my fave. :)
I pretty much forgot to add water when I was steaming vegetables. I call it “Smoked Vegetables in Blackened Pot.” My family was not impressed. Would love to win the book and gift card!
So glad your home and family are all safe!
I love grits!
I would love a gift card. I love eating there and would love a copy of the book.
Cracker Barrel is my favorite breakfast place when traveling! I’d love to wine the gift card and the book!
Cracker Barrel is a favorite of all my girls!
Ooooooo!! I would love to read your book while AT a Cracker Barrell…eating Hash Brown Casserole!!!!
Cracker Barrel and giggles from your book…a perfect combo!
Great giveaway!
I enjoy long lunches at my local Cracker Barrel with a good book – can’t wait to read yours!
I’d love to eat some hash brown casserole WHILE reading your book!
I would love to make use of both the gift card and the book at the same time! Of course I couldn’t eat $50 worth of food by myself and reading a book while someone was with me would be rude, but you catch my drift. ;)
So sorry about your burnt up house. We have a family story involving stinky, smoky burnt meat…affectionately called “Stink Stew.” I’d love to win the gift card, but even more so, a copy of your book to read this summer!
Biscuits!!!
Sophie! I hail from the days of blog yore and a tiny blog called Days to Come. Just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on your book! (It’s ok if you don’t remember me. Just nod and smile.) Hope you have a great weekend!
Hash brown casserole followed by Coca-Cola cake…a little salty to cut the sweet!
Would love to win this one! Can’t wait to read the book, and we love Cracker Barrel. :)
I could sit in a rocking chair at Cracker Barrel & read your book !
I LOVE CB! That’s where I chose to eat after my 1st 5k race!
Please!!! Cracker Barrel AND your book? I die!!
so glad your kitchen didn’t start on fire, and you are all ok!! I have your book on order, and I would love to give one away as a gift – but I might use that gift card myself!
I can’t wait to enjoy your book! It’s gonna be a great summer read. Have a wonderful weekend.
Mmm…Cracker Barrel’s sourdough grilled cheese with bacon. And apple cider in a frosted glass. I could go for that sometime. Also, your book’s cover is really cute.
Yum, love Cracker Barrel! Excited to read the book, too!
I can’t wait to read your book, and I love Cracker Barrel — good combination!
I’d love to win…my kids keep asking every time we go past the Cracker Barrel, what is that place again? I can’t wait to read your book too. If it’s half as fun as your blog it will be fantastic!
Cracker Barrel giveaway?! Brilliant. Awesome. Fingers crossed that I win!
That is an altogether tasty giveaway! I am partial to Cracker Barrel’s pinto beans.
Yay for Cracker Barrel and your book! Cannot wait to read it!
Oh how this military family misses Cracker Barrel! It’s a must on our long drives from CA (no Cracker Barrels here) to see family in TX. And a new book is always necessary for long drives!
Would LOVE to read your book! And you’re certainly not the only one who occasionally has trouble getting that knob to the fully “off” position…ahem… ;)
I could eat MEATBALLS at Cracker Barrel :-)
Pick me! :)
Glad no serious damage was done! Hopefully it will be a distant memory by the time you get back.
You’re not alone on the “stove incident”…once it was hard boiled eggs for me…..!!!….need I say more???????
Love Cracker Barrel….thx!
Awesome, sweet deal. Have a great weekend. In God’ Love, sheila
I can’t wait to read your book!
My husband loves Cracker Barrel and I can’t wait to love the book!
My first time to your blog and I love it! I would love to win a copy of your book! The title sounds like what my life is like and mmm…Cracker Barrel’s breakfast of buttermilk biscuits, gravy, eggs, sausage or bacon, sliced tomatoes…my mouth is plum watering!!
Love Cracker Barrel and cant wait to get your book!
Um, yum. And also, I preordered your book off of CBD and have not been able to put it down! I’m thankful for a newborn who likes to eat bc I have a wonderful excuse to read! I’ve giggled, wiped tears and seriously cracked up! You’ve truly captured life as a southerner!
Thanks for a great read!
I want to win!!!
Well Sophie, You are not the first! I burned 6 baked potatoes earlier this week and tried to hide it from my husband because I am NOT a good cook. So I thought I would throw the potatoes into the field and pour the salt on the weeds in the driveway. But He found out my youngest son said he had to tell daddy the truth and I was not a real good cook. Thanks for sharing. My son would agree I need the gift card and the book!
Love to go to Cracker Barrell!
Is it too late to enter for the gift card and the book?? I hope not, but if it is….I enjoy your blog anyway and will be faster next time. :)
I would love a copy!!! And of course some dumplins from Cracker Barrel!
My husband loves chicken fried steak at Cracker Barrel! And who doesn’t live the games too?
I LOVE your blog! You are so real, country, and down to earth.
Oh, oh, oh pick me, pick me!! (Waiving stretched arm frantically to the sky) I’d just love to be sittin at Cracker Barrell eating some good home style cooking and reading your book without the sound of teenagers arguing and fighting about this and that and the love of my life saying honey, can you… Oh, that’d be pure bliss!!
I love Cracker Barrel! And I can’t wait to read your book!
Hope you get that burnt smell out of your house soon. That can’t be pleasant.
Love Cracker Barrel and can’t wait to read your book!