One of my favorite things to do as a blogger is turn others on to great blogs, articles and items of interest. I’ve been remiss in offering up the food blogging link love and that ends today. Here’s some of what’s going on in the world of food and cooking:

• 13 Foods Children Can Make and Learn About Cookbooks at One Book Two Book
• Watermelon Sandwich Cookies at The Kids Birthday Fun Review
• A Red, White and Blue Chocolate Treat at Chocolate Bytes
• A Healthy 4th of July Cocktail at Robust Cooking
• A vintage 4th of July Menu at Baking Delights
• Wine pairings for your July 4th menu fare at Behind the Vines.
• A tasty looking beer battered fish recipe at Brew Ha Ha.
• Chris’ Original Shrimp or Chicken with Roasted Red Peppers at Ageless Beauty
• Mediterranean Potato Salad recipe at Busy Family Meals.
• Bloody Mary Ribeye Recipe at the Big Green Egg Blog
• Strawberry Salsa and Burgers with Simple Guacamole at Everybody Likes Sandwiches
• How to Turn Your Kettle Grill into a Smoker at Simply Recipes
• A Vegan Fourth of July Feast at the Vegan Cooking Blog
• Picnic Pasta Salad at Thyme for Cooking

Have a great fourth! And remember, life is too short for bad food!

Image: AllPosters.com

Here are some interesting sweepstakes and contests:

• Bonefish Grill Brings Home a Taste of Iceland - Win a trip for two to Iceland from Bonefish Grill.  Enter through their website Bonefish Grill Sweeps.  Hurry though, it’s only good through June 30, 2008.  They’re also featuring Icelandic Arctic Charr through June 30, 2008 in the restaurant.  Bonefish Grill

• Let’s Eat In - sponsored by the Food Network, Whirlpool and Newman’s Own.  Enter you own 30 minute dinner recipe using Newman’s own ingredients.  Win a suite of Whirlpool Appliances and a years supply of Newman’s own products. The contest is open through July 31, 2008.  Let’s Eat In

•  Spreading Smucker’s Traditions contest - Submit a recipe that has been handed down for two generations and a two hundred word essay to win trip to Disney. Spreading Smuckers Traditions Recipe and Essay Contest.  The contest is open until August 11th, 2008.  In fact, Smuckers has a bunch of promotions on it’s website including some recipes.  Smuckers’ Promotions

• Steak-umm ‘Victory Circle BBQ’ Recipe Contest! - Submit creative barbeque dishes using Steak Umm Sliced Steaks or Steak Umm Burgers.  The Grand prize is a Weber Q 100 Liquid Propane Gas Grill.  Steak-Umm Victory Circle BBQ Recipe Contest  The contest runs through August 14th, 2008. 

• Sutter Home Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest and Cook-Off. - Enter your best recipe for a chance at $50,000 or the Alternative burger for a chance at $10,000. Build a Better Burger contest  Entries are taken until August 18, 2008. This is its 18th year and the contest judges select 10 finalists to come to Napa Valley for a cook-off on September 27.  Last year’s recipe winner.

Good Luck!   We hope one of our readers win!

Under the Tuscan Gun is a web based food program starring actress Debi Mazar & her italian-born husband Gabriele Corcos.  I find the show to be endearing.  The interaction between Gabriele and Debi, the low key setting, the pace, the interesting recipes, it’s all perfect and easy to follow.

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I have an awesome giveaway at my blog She Knows Parties and I thought it might be of interest to many of the visitors here. I’m giving away a copy of Cake Art - a book from the Culinary Institute of America featuring cake baking and design tips. And trust me, there are some beautiful ideas here.

If this interests you, stop by She Knows parties and tell me about a party mishap. A winner will be chosen at random.

A couple of days ago my five year old asked for some M&M’s. After I told him there weren’t any in the house he replied with, “that’s ok. You can look on the Internet. They’ll tell you how to make it.”

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