If you’ve been here a while, you know I’m all about slow food, taking the time to enjoy the cooking or baking process.. often I’ll have music playing in the background to enhance the experience. But I’ll let you in on a secret, I, too, have those nights when it’s just crazy busy and I’d…
Smidge’s won! Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote! Thanks to my family who patiently waited for their cold suppers while I cooked, wrote and photographed their food… and for being willing advisers and taste testers in the kitchen { like that’s a tough job! } I haven’t won “one” , but won…
Congrats!! 
Smashing creations.
Congratulations Barb! Well deserved too, your blog is spectacular!! Love the Chrissie candles! xx
Congrats!! Your blog is beautiful! I love all the candle decorations. I, too, love doing crafts and sewing. It’s my other huge passion!! Lovely recipe and presentation on everything!
This post is absolutely brimming with awesome tidings!
Congrats on your much deserved wins my friend, honestly you are brilliant! Also congrats on creating such stunning candles
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Congratulations
I saw this post’s title in my inbox and rushed over to see if you’d won. Congratulations on both counts! Yours is a wonderful blog, Barb, and now you’ve got the votes to prove it!
Could I possibly be happier? I could not!!! Could I possibly be more surprised? Anything, absolutely anything, would surprise me more than Smidge’s successes!!! (now, try imaging YOUR face on that book’s cover – WE all have! And it was easy as pie!)
Joy joy joy Smidge!! Beaming from ear to ear!
So happy for you! xxoo
Congratulations Smidge – twice! Unbelievable you took out the prize in both categories. I’m so happy for you as it’s so well deserved. I bet your family is very proud of you. You sound like you’ve been very busy and your book will be such a great family record – what a keepsake! And I love your candles – yes, irregular shaped ones all slightly different do look best in a group. And these would make beautiful Christmas gifts xx
Congratulations! Cool candles too!
Congratulations! You deserve it.
Congratulations! You totally deserve it. Every time I pop in here for a visit I feel like I’m getting the feeling of afternoon tea–pretty, yummy and relaxing. The candle craft is eye candy too!
I’m so happy for you. you are an inspiration to us all. may this award open many doors for you and lead to even greater successes!
Fantastic…congratulations!
That’s amazing Smidge, and well deserved. Congrats!
Congratulations on winning!!!!! That’s fabulous!
The candles look gorgeous. And I think your idea for giving A Year Of Smidge to your family is an absolutely wonderful memento filled with love, which I’m sure they’ll treasure forever. xx
Yippie!! Congrats, lady! So well deserved. Thanks for always inspiring me with your photographs, recipes, and prose.
xox
¡Enhorabuena! (that´s congrats!) So well deserved. And yto still have time to put together a book, show us some crafts and a recipe You are a seriously inspiring lady!
Hip hip hooray! Smidgey Poo won twice!!!!
I think I’m going to come and spend Christmas in your house. It will be so beautiful. Don’t worry about the family. You can introduce me as a mad aunt and then shut me in a cupboard somewhere. I only want a look!
Many congratulations and thanks for the inspiration.
You definitely have a loyal following that enjoys, appreciates and utilizes what you provide. Hard work though!
I love this candle project. It’s like a simple weeknight recipe that is totally doable but so lovely and sweet.
ps – try a wee pinch of salt in your hot chocolate… you’d be surprised
Congratulations!!
Congratulations! I’m do happy that you won this prestigious award. And then you go and win that really cool cookbook from my friend Barb! Those candles look great; we decided to switch our candles to only beeswax, the paraffin was giving me headaches! We get our beeswax candles from a local business and the guarantee 100% beeswax, the rules in Canada are you need only 10% to declare beeswax on your label!(http://www.canadacandle.com/). If you shop there, tell Brian I sent you!
Hooray! How deserving….
What a beautiful candles dear Barbara, Thank you and congratulations, you deserve. I love you and your amazing blog. Blessing and Happiness, love, nia
Congratulations! I am so happy for your awards – well deserved, I must say.
Congratulations Barbara and very well deserved. It is so obvious from reading your blog that you put in a lot of time, a great deal of effort and a lot of hard work to make Just a Smidgen such a lovely place to visit – it always looks so beautiful. Well done. xxx 
Congratulations! Well-deserved award.
Whoo Hoo! Can you hear me hollering with excitement from Washington State? Congratulations, I am so happy for you Smidge and you absolutely deserve the awards. You truly have a gift and it shows in this beautiful blog of yours!!! The candles are lovely. What a beautiful gift for friends and family.
I just have to say however, if you do decided to print extra copies of your 2012 year in review… I’d love to purchase one.
Congratulations Smidge!! I’m so glad you won Beautiful post as usual.
G
Congrats – so excited for you:) Love the candles – thanks for sharing! Have a Great One!
Hooray for you! And candles are a favorite Christmas memory–my mom made them every year. maybe I will revisit the tradition.
What a happy post I love your “A Year of Smidge” idea, very cute. Congrats on your winnings!
Congratulations Barbara that’s wonderful! That’s a really great idea to print out a copy of your recipes for the year. I might do the same. Beautiful candles and what rich looking hot chocolate. I’ll have to save that one for later because it’s way too hot here at the moment!
How fantastic! Congratulations again, and the book is such an exciting idea.
Congratulations, Smidge! x2!! I couldn’t be happier for you…way to go! (Darling candles, too!)
Double congrats Barbara – well deserved! I was Hoping to see a photo of you with that beaver hat as a prize – maybe next year! And the candles are lovely!
Congratulations and very well deserved! Your blog is fantastic!
daisy
I knew you’d win!! I am so jazzed for you congratulations!! Your craft is adorable!
Hot chocolate and crafts! Sounds like an awesome night in!
Terrific: I knew all those votes from Down Under would count double as well 
! And thank you for all the wonderful ideas!!
Congratulations, it is well deserved Barbara
Congratulations on your well deserved awards. The candles are gorgeous. The one with the little sparkling bell is divine
Wonderful news, Barb! I’m so happy for you! I’m not at all surprised, to be honest. Your blog posts are both creative and beautiful and always inspiring. What a wonderful gift “A Year of Smidge” is going to be for your family. The cocoa and candles are just another nice touch. Again, Congratulations!! oxo
Yippee, yay! Congratulations Smidge, I never doubted for one second that you would win and no less in both categories – you are a continual inspiration to us all! Your candles are exquisite and make for the most beautiful gifts for any time of the year and for any occasion. Kudos on putting your book together – your family are very lucky!
Mandy xo
Congratulations that’s wonderful !!! Wooo hooo all round ! We all know how wonderful you and your blog are, now maybe some new friend swill too !
And yes please to your winter warmer of hot choccy
Congratulations! Truly well deserved. Your blog is beautiful inside and out. Love the candles; especially beads; classic. And I definitely need to prepare the Mexican hot chocolate; yummy!
Congratulations! You’re so worth it – don’t drink hot chocolate … but if I did – this would be on mine tonight.
Haven’t you got my envelop yer ????!!! Bit worried that it has gone lost.
I’m so happy for you… You truly do deserve both. You have such a gift ! Diane
Hi Smidge, congrats on your award (which is phenomenal recognition) of your hard work indeed. I love a bit of Christmas craft (but as I’m heading overseas) for my Christmas, I’ll have to content myself with your lovely pics.
I’m also a fan of spiced chocolates too, mmm-mm…
Congratulations, winning both awards and Barb’s cookbook prize, yep, buying a lottery may not be a bad idea. Love your candles, you make them look so to make.
No, I didn’t get an envelope? I hope it hasn’t.. I will let you know as soon as I do. What color is it?? xx
Congratulations on both awards!!! That is super awesome!!! Love your candle decorations!
You know you are overly busy when… ….. …… you cannot remember if you already left a comment on your favorite blog! Maybe I did it on Facebook? Oh, well – I say it again: CONGRATULATIONS!
I am always in complete awe of your posts, the beauty, the care, the attention to detail… when I grow up, I want to be just a little bit like you… wait, I am grownup already! OH, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Awwww, congratulations Barb, I’m so happy for you! Well-deserved, to be sure. Ina would be proud of you I am!
Thank you, too, for the wonderful candle decorations, I’m crazy about these, and they fit perfectly into our house’s decor. Just lovely dear.
I just made a cup of Ina’s Mexican hot chocolate myself, so cheers! And congratulations!
Congratulations! And what a great project to share Your creativity is mind-blowing!
You’ve been a busy gal, haven’t you? Congratulations on the much-deserved recognition, young lady! And the book sounds like another victory – no matter where it appears…
Well done – knew you’d win!
Bravo! Bravo!
The world needs more of you!!! Thank you for your joyful presence on the blogosphere.
It is white padded! I’m a bit worried, because some has got theirs and some none.
Huge congrats on the double win!
Congratulations!!!! Good tidings, indeed. You totally deserve it, Barbara.
CONGRATULATIONS! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!
You won bragging rights and it is something you can put on your resume if you venture out to make more than one copy of your book! I would love a copy BTW!
Congratulations, how exciting! Of course you won: your blog is amazing, has fantastic user friendly recipes and crafts, and your writing is beautiful!
Congratulations on not one but two wonderful awards. I can think of no one more deserving than yourself. I love your beautiful idea with the candles!
Well all I can say is that these two awards are just so well deserved…your blog always inspires, uplifts and adds so much beauty to one’s day. I’m enjoying listening to the music while reading and writing here, and am thinking of how you manage to create such a whole experience for us as readers. You are magical, Smidge! Kudos and congrats to you. Happy Holidays! And I love your candles, too.
Oh my Goodness Smidge, seriously, the next time I’m feeling stressed (give me 10 minutes – ;0) – I’m coming right over and clicking on that peaceful music and scanning your calming, lovely craft images that seem a perfect match for the serene feeling of this post… Inhale…. Exhale… ;0). (Congrats again on your well-deserved award!)
Congrats Smidge! I’ve been meaning to comment on this all week!!! You truly deserve it, you must be so happy. Your candles are fabulous by the way. Hope you are enjoying your holiday season
Congratulations Smidge! You really deserve it
Love the candles and you are a star! Well done! Felicitations ! xx
Congratulations Smidge! The awards are so well-deserved!!!!! I can only imagine how busy you have been. And these crafts are too cute and simple. I love them. Congrats!!!
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations Smidge! You are quite the little busy bee. I think your idea to bind a book for your family is a fantastic idea. Your candles are very comforting and will be a nice addition to the holiday flare this year. Take care, BAM
Your photos are always stunning Barb, but I really love this picture of the hot chocolate. I was thinking that I had already written you a note, but I see here that I haven’t. It has been quite a week, so I apologize for the delay — as I really appreciated the second shout-out about the book. So delighted to hear about this well deserved recognition. You make the rest of us Canuck’s proud!
Congratulations Barbara, you totally deserve it!
Love the rustic stars!
Thanks so much to those who took the time to vote in the Final Round of the Top Canadian Blogging 2012 Awards. Voting ends tomorrow, November 30th, so if you haven’t had the chance to vote and have a moment, I’d really appreciate it. Forward to friends and family as well if you wouldn’t mind:)…
Good luck! My fingers and toes are crossed for you!
Voted! Good luck, Smidge. You really deserve this!
Go go, Smidgey Poo!!!! Rah rah rah!
Wishing you tons of luck.
Good luck! Xx
DOne but they have spelled your url wrong for the food one (midge instead of smidge) probably doesnt matter!
I’m so excited for you my friend GOOD LUCK!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Done! Good luck!
I’ve got all my fingers and toes crossed for you, Smidge. Looking forward to the announcement of the winner. Good luck xx
You’ve got my votes, Barb. Good luck!
All done, m’dear, but when did you become a midgen? The very nerve!
Just got my vote in, Barbara! Good luck on the result, you deserve to win:)
I voted yay! Good luck!
Barb the family and I have voted once…can we vote again? Wishing you such luck! (though luck seems somewhat unnecessary in light of all the beauty you’ve infused into this blog!) xxx
If you voted the very first time.. and then voted in the Finals this month.. then that’s all the voting that can be done.. Thanks to everyone, it’s fun all the same, I’ve already won having blogging friends like you:) xx Smidge
My votes are in! Have you got your acceptance speeches ready?
Good luck!
Fingers, toes and all else crossed: if some of your votes come all the way from Down Under and Kiwiland, should they not count as ‘extra for effort’? !
Voted! Knocking on wood, crossing my fingers and sayin’ a little prayer!
I tried to vote again, but they already knew that I had been there before! You have already won in my heart…
Crossing finger and toes for you Smidge. I know you will do well.
Mandy xo
Done & done. You don’t mind if I call you Midgen for short from now on, do you?
Good luck Smidge!
Done! Good luck!
Whew! Just in time! I voted for you and it was a pleasure to do so, have enjoyed getting to know you through your writing, photos, and recipes. Keep up the good work.
Not allowed to vote twice, not fair. Good luck anyhow.
Good luck, Barb! I cast my vote already because I think you deserve to win!
I just voted Barbara! Just in the nick of time!
Best wishes! I thought I voted before. Just to be sure I voted!!
This is corny to say. but you’ll always be a winner in my books!
I have entered the Canadian Top Blog 2012 Awards Please, please, please click this link: http://cdnba.wordpress.com/ Then click on the top left hand tab for “Best Blog about Arts, Crafts, Cooking and Other Creative Activities”. Scroll down to “Just a Smidgen” Select it then scroll down to click Vote! Egad!! Just saw I was Nominated…
Done deal….
Do I get an I voted sticker? I did it. And it was easy. Good luck to you!
I am cheering you on! Done.
Done – good luck!
Fixed. Sorry. Thought you were a midgen.
Wishing that was a word.
Jk
Of course. Just voted for you. Good luck and I would think you certainly deserve to win xx
Ok, Midge, I’ve voted! Who deserves this more? Simply None! xx
Voted –good luck!
Hahaha I always wanted to be called Midge or was it Madge? Thanks Spree!!
Sent from my iPhone
I wish I could vote for u a million times – deserves it much?
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
They’ve added the S. Do I get a cookie for voting? LOL
Voted…good luck!
Good Luck dear, Love, nia
Done!!
All the best!
And Happy Thanksgiving!
Good luck–will keep an eye out for your results.
I voted for you!! I hope you win =)
Done! And congratulations!
Done! Good luck!
Done
I’ve got a few ideas in mind, lol!
Thanks
Hahaha.. you can call me “Midge”
Now that’s an idea!
Voted !!!
Done and done! And always! All the best to you Barbara… And this is exciting! Keep us posted!
Done! Best of luck to you Barbara! And please let us know : )
You have my vote. Good luck Smidge! BAM
You have my votes ! GOOD LUCK !
Done. Love it when you don’t have to log in, register or “like” something to vote. Easy is good.
Done, all the way from Australia and with great pleasure! Keeping my fingers crossed for you !
Got you covered!
You’ve got my votes, Barb. We’ll talk about my fees later, once you’ve won.
Good luck!
Hahaha.. I’m thinking about that one actually
Done!
You definitely deserved to be recognised/rewarded for your lovely blog, I’ve voted for you Good luck
I have voted for you midge xox
Done! best of luck
Right, voted for both Smidge and Midge – seems they had it right in the first category. Best of luck Smidge, you are most deserving of a win!
Mandy xo
Done and done.
I’ve voted.. Good luck Barbara!
Done Smidge/Midge
I hope you win!!!
Done dear Barbara! =)
Voted at both sites. Good luck!!!!!
I have just voted. Here’s wishing you and your lovely blog lots of luck. xx
Gave you the arts, crafts, etc. vote, Smidge. Had to go with Shira on the food and drink list though — good luck to you!
Am off to click for you “Midge”!
Thanks so much, Sharyn.. it’s a tough competition for sure! xx
CONGRATULATIONS! I am so excited for you!!! Just voted! Boy, they made it EASY to vote! I like that they didn’t ask me for a Facebook page, twitter account or credit card! Lately, these voting things require so much nonsense. Good luck!!!
How great! Good luck. I’d love to see you progress right up to the top! Debra
That was exciting!!! Voted for you with my very best wishes! I love visiting your amazing blog!!!
When I went over to vote for you I saw that our blog had been nominated for best travel and expat blog! Just voted for you in both categories, I’m at http://www.thelocaltravelerns.com if you would like to consider voting for us. Good luck!
PS – they fixed your name now!
Absolutely! I wonder who else is there and doesn’t realize!? Off to vote !!
Sent from my iPhone
Have voted. Good luck!! xx
Done and good luck! Hope you win them
Done, good luck!!
Have voted for you !!! Good luck hun
Done and here’s hoping the best person wins…YOU….Diane
ooooh, how exciting. I was just there and voted. It looks like they fixed the typo! Good luck!
Yay!! I didn’t mind being Midge (Barbie’s best friend) for a while, though:D
Hey Midge
Done!
My vote has been cast!
I still don’t get why I’ve never heard of these awards; did you have to nominate yourself, or did someione else? I hope you win; you deserve it!
Good luck to you with the awards. I have a Canadian coworker and she is a RAGE. She makes me smile every day – so happy because of her, at work
Your pages are really professional – they look marvellous. How could I not click & vote. Good luck.
Thank you so much!! Your friend sounds awesome!! It is sweet of you to vote! xx
How cool is that!? Congrats..good luck!
by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
well, harumph! my mother was born in Canada, but I don’t ‘spose that makes a hill of beans bit of difference. Rules are rules and I know you guys up north are sticklers for doing things rightly, rule-fully!
I’ll look for sure, but in case I never do find Blue Dragon, let me just say that your photos are Scrumptious and Mouth-watering and the Blue Dragon folks were exceedingly smart to contact you and I love this whole idea of a healthy way to put a meal on the table in 15 minutes and a sauce with the power to transport us to another continent altogether (where perhaps they aren’t such sticklers for RULES!)
Loved the post, friend! xx
Blue Dragon, is a massive brand over here too … use their products all the time .. when I do Asian food. Fantastic products. They have been around in Sweden for nearly 15 years now and just get more and more products on the shelves. Expanding their range.
Happy Winner, I wouldn’t mind to win … but outside Canada.
I usually resort to salads because I can make it and eat it out of the same bowl! This, I supposed I could dirty a bowl & a wok! Yum.
a veggie pizza with low fat cheese
Vegetable stir-fry with teriyaki tofu and noodles
Bless you, Barbara. We all need quick(er) foods on occasion. I will be on the lookout for Blue Dragon in the U.S. — perhaps it will drift down from Western Canada eventually. Your stir-fry looks beautiful: I would eat it for lunch if I could eat from the screen.
Sharyn Dimmick recently posted…February Transformation: Life to Death and Sweet Potato Pancakes
I make a rice stir fry with veggies and shrimp
General tao chicken with vegetable rice
My favourite easy dish has to be stir-fry, so versatile and quick
My go-to quick dinner is cooked hamburger with a cup of minute rice and some diced onions & tomatoes. A quick meal for us!
Thank you.
I would love to try some of these products they look delicious!
I love stir-fry! It’s a well balanced meal and usually has leftovers for the next day
I adore Green Thai Curry Shrimp! I would be in Heaven if I won this Basket! All of my Favorites. Thanks for the opportunity!
baked chicken ,white rice and brussels sprouts
We love making chicken stir-fry’s! They r the best! Lot’s of veggies!
We make naan pizzas they are indivdual sizes and you can personalize them.We love useing fresh ingrediants from the farmers market We add a size salad or cut up fresh veggies with them.
Beef and vegetable stew in a slow cooker
I like to stir fry some onions and meat. That’s quick and easy! With orient tastes, it just can be much better
My favorite fast and healthy dish is turkey stirfry.
This stir fry looks absolutely incredible my friend, I wish I could take part in the giveaway but good luck to all who do
Cheers
CCU
CCU recently posted…Guest Post #3: Homemade Lemon Curd
We usually have a pasta dish .
We all have those crazy busy occasions. Your stir-fries look yummy. Sorry I cannot participate in your give away.
Chicken, peppers and tomato sauce
Given that these have real ingredients in them I would buy them
Well, I may not be able to enter but the Blue Dragon people sure picked the right blog to feature their products. Your photos look like they’ve been professionally shot, Barb, and that final picture of the stir fry looks delicious. Well done all way ’round, I’d say.
ChgoJohn recently posted…Spaghetti with White Anchovies & Capers
[...] You’re not too late for the Blue Dragon Canadian Giveaway.. if you [...]
Hi Smidge, There are many days we all need a break and a dinner on the table in 15 minutes or less is just the perfect ticket. Please ignore my entry. I just tried to better understand the link functionality on the box. Take Care, BAM
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Sakura Grenadine Granita with Coconut Cream
I love the no MSG and low sodium in these ! Living in Singapore I have the convenience of easy-to-get Asian food, but it’s hawker style, so lots of salt, sugar, oil – I call it Asian junk food (although I still do love it it’s a treat for me) but the healthy and quick option would be a terrific thing from Blue Dragon. Hope you get more range in Canada !
Carolyn Chan recently posted…Bar Alfalfa, Seville, Spain
Yes, they’re really popular and easily availabkle here. Very tasy too! Hope the lucky winner enjoys their prize
Chica Andaluza recently posted…Pan Fried Sea Bream with Asian Style Noodles
I absolutely love making stir fry! Yum yum. This looks fantastic!
Blue Dragon has an a-1 line of products,which is used alot in my house.From entertaining friends, or a Saturday night sit down dinner with family. Blue Dragon is served on these occasions, thanks for great tasting products!!
chicken rice
I do love stir fry, it’s great because you can use whatever is available! Brown rice makes it that much healthier too!
I love stirfry! Its easy and fun, and something that my daughter just loves. It would be a great prize to win for those nights that just don’t seem to have enough time in them.
You’re a great mom, teaching your daughter one of the best quick dinners.. stirfry is a standby in our kitchen too, Marion!
I love just putting a veggie/fruit/meat tray together and nibbling
First of all Barb, your new site looks great. It wasn’t turning up in my WP reader so I’ve gone looking for you!
I try to avoid processed foods, but sometimes we all need a little help in the kitchen. If you say these Blue Dragon products are great, then I know they are! And, how refreshing to find a contest for Canadians! Mar
Marlene (aka Musing Mar) recently posted…From My Mother’s Kitchen ❤ Butter Horns
And by the way, lately my go-to quick and healthy dinner has been Red Lentil Dahl, but I must say, you’ve got me hankering for a stir fry!
We just picked up some Blue Dragon stir fry mix at the grocery store – like, minutes ago! Can’t wait to try it…
I love cooking stir fry meals with lots of veggies and Chinese cooking is great fun!
We’ll have chicken and rice-fast and simple.
Barb, This looks delicious. I wish it were available in the US, but who knows, it might be down the line. Your philosophy runs similar to mine in that I often would love to make something quick and delicious, that makes me feel like I’ve been able to “dine out” without the hassle of getting out! Plus, I can control the cooking methods, which makes a healthier choice.
Bear with me as I try to figure out why I am not getting your posts or alerts. I think I’m going to need to get help from the WP wizards, but something isn’t coming together just right. We’ll get there eventually!
Debra recently posted…Pasadena’s Arlington Garden…an excellent weekend’s exhale
Besides stir fry which is the obvious answer, I love a nice chicken caesar salad!
You got some nice stir fry over there.
Raymund recently posted…Vegetable Manchurian
Blue Dragon needs to get with the program and start selling down here in the states.
Jed Gray (sportsglutton) recently posted…Monday Morning Humor
Stir fry and chicken rice is a favorite in my house!