Blake Makes

Some of the 32 comments below are duplicates (excited people shouting out further down the comment stream). I guess they’re as excited as I am!

If you see 32 and think you’re too late, you may not be, keep commenting! (I may have a few, just a few, more than 32). bk

UPDATE: CLAIMED OUT! (But keep commenting and signing up for Soopz because you never know when you’ll get something in the mail…)

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Comment on this post to claim your jar. If you can’t see the slideshow above, sorry. Having a few last minute bugs.

Hello Sooper Heroes. This is just a quick message to let you know that the Sooper Secret E-mail just went out explaining everything you need to know about tomorrow’s giveaway (plus some extra secret stuff). Check your inboxes (and spam folders) for my message.

Comment on this post with any questions.

Until tomorrow at 8pm (CST)! 

Hello Blake Makers and Sooper Heroes. I wanted to do a quick post and let you know who I’ve got down as a Sooper Hero. The free bottles of dulce de leche are going to be posted next Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 8pm CST.

If you haven’t signed up with Soopz, you might want to before next Tuesday. If the last giveaway is any indication, these jars will go fast.

Why sign-up for Soopz?

1. I’ll have your e-mail and can alert (remind) you of the giveaway.
2. Sooper Heroes get first dibs.
3. Sooper Heroes get secret messages. (????)
4. Sign up for Soopz now.

Here’s who I have already:

Shannon, Brilynn, Cricket, Adam, Laurie, Staci, Erica, Chicken Fried, Sheron, Rachel, Peabody, Carly, Danielle, Liz, Jennifer, Nikki, Dolores, Janis, blair, Erin, Caitlin, Heather, lisa valentine, Karyn, Shawnda, cindy, Miss Bekah, Amanda, Kelly, Jerry, Jason, Natalie, Eric, Ashley, Kim.E, Amy, Becca

How it’s going to go down next Tuesday:

1. Alert (e-mail and Blake Makes post) on Monday announcing Tuesday’s post
2. Post free jars Tuesday night (2/19/2008) at 8 pm CST
   1. I’ll post the number of jars available
   2. You will comment on the post to claim your free jar
      1. Max 2 jars per person (for now)
      2. Jars are first come, first served
3. Round 2 jars will be mailed out either Wednesday or Thursday.

Comment on this post with any questions. Have a great weekend!

This is a very public display of my love and affection for Bridget (my Beez). I whispered my sentiments in her ear this morning when we woke up, but I’m happy to share with all of you that this is our 10th V-Day together.

That’s right, we’ve been together for a decade, and we’re only 26. Bridget is my love and my life. She’s my salvation. I am the person I am today because of her.

My mind is a whirlwind of creativity and chaos, but Bridget always calms me and tells me everything is going to be all right.

It is going to be all right. In fact, it’s going to be better than that. It’s been heaven. It’s been bliss.

To my Beez: The last ten years have been spectacular. Here’s to another 80 or so! (We’re going to Cochon for dinner)

I love sending Bridget flowers, but the flower shop never gets it right. So, for the last few years I’ve been making her flowers myself. I’m not sure why more people don’t do it themselves. Go to Whole Foods, trim the stems, and put them in a vase. Easy! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Hello Blake Makers (and Sooper Heroes). A lot’s been happening on Blake Makes lately, and it all started with the Peanut Butter Dulce de Leche - it’s amazing what a little jar of caramel can ignite. We’re preparing for Round 2 (which is going to take place next week), but there are some things I wanted to mention and clarify before I post the sweet stuff and you all go crazy over it. (Make sure to read all the way to the end.)

1. How Round 2 Is Going To Work

Last time, I posted 6 jars of dulce with little warning, and it was all claimed in about 60 seconds. This left a lot my readers without dulce. Sad.

This time, I am going to write a post (and send out an e-mail) announcing when I am going to post about the the dulce. It will be something like this:

“Hello all. If you want a jar of peanut butter dulce de leche, I am going to make them available on BlakeMakes.com at 8pm CST on Tuesday, February 19. The jars are free, but are first come, first served. If you want a jar of the good stuff, make sure to be on BlakeMakes.com…”

I would also recommend using Twitter to be notified of when the good stuff goes live. Twitter will enable you to get an e-mail, text message to your phone or instant message when I “tweet.” Find & Follow: blakemakes

2. The Jars Are Different (Smaller)

Last time, I used square jars that were 4.5 ounces. They were great, and I may end up going back to them, but they are expensive to ship (about $5). Since I am still tweaking the recipe; and I just want to give people a taste (so they can write about it on their blogs); and smaller jars cost less to ship, I’m using 1.25 ounce jars (think baby food jars) this time.

I’m willing to send multiple jars (I can fit 2 in each box) for those of you that want to cook something with it, and need (want) more than an ounce. The new, smaller jars cost me about $2.50 to ship (half the price).

3. “Blake, why don’t you just charge for it?”

I’ve gotten this question a lot. I started this little project to have some fun, and I’m happy to report that I’m still having a blast! My wife, Bridget, is an attorney, and she’s advised me to be careful about moving forward without much protection against liability.

Right now, I’m considering everyone who receives a jar of dulce my friend - after all, I would think nothing of giving you a jar for your birthday. However, I want everyone to have an understanding (which I know you all do) that this stuff is made in my (impeccably clean) kitchen (with my own impeccably clean hands).

As we move forward (if we reach a tipping point), I’ll have the jars mass produced in a commercial facility. For now, we’re going to keep things casual. I think it’s actually really exciting that we’re at the point where we’re thinking of mass producing dulce de leche. Is this where big ideas start? Maybe.

This is why I’m not charging (and I can’t charge) for the jars, but that leads me to #4.

4. ChipIn Widget

If you look just to the right, you’ll see a small rectangle that says “PBDDL Support“. If you click the little button that says “ChipIn!” you’ll be directed to a PayPal page where you can donate money to BlakeMakes.com.

It isn’t required (in fact, I feel a little weird about it), but it’s just a way for readers to support the site (and help recoup expenses like ingredients, jars, labels, boxes and [most of all] shipping). A lot of you (I’d say 60-70%) have offered to help me with shipping costs, this is a way to do that if you wish. Again, it’s not required or expected.

The more love and support I get from all of you, the more dulce I get to make. The more dulce I make, the more dulce you get, and the happier we all are!

Up Next (just before the Round 2 posts): Sooper Hero Roll Call

They’re almost ready….

What’s in that food processor? from Blake Killian on Vimeo.

My good friend Michael has made something amazing with my PBDDL. Wait, amazing isn’t the word. Amazing, the word, isn’t good enough for what Mike made.

Don’t get me wrong, I love all the sweets that the Sooper Heroes made, but Michael took it in a different direction and made pork belly.

Ok, so drool over the pork belly on Michael’s blog, but then scroll down the page. Give yourself a couple of hours to do so, because he truly lives up to his name as Chicken Fried Gourmet.

I’m just a cook tinkering around in my kitchen, but Michael, well, he’s on a path that I think will lead him to owning his own restaurant one day. I mean, when you’re cooking (creating) like this, that’s just destiny (passion) exploding to get out!

I’m so happy to know Michael (glad to know you, Michael!). I feel a camaraderie with him, because not only are we both Southern, but we’re both from Louisiana.

Enjoy the pork belly. I’m working on the next batch of DDL as I write this post. Stay tuned! bk

Update 2/10/2008: MAKE SURE TO READ THE COMMENT ON THIS POST WHERE I EXPLAIN A LITTLE MORE ABOUT SOOPZ, BLAKEVILLE AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.

I’ll keep this short and sweet (because I’m working on this at 8pm on a Saturday night). We’re taking steps to make Soopz more official, and to organize the community (family) that’s forming around the brand.

If you’re interested in becoming a Sooper Hero, please click here.

Even if you’ve already sent me your information, please go ahead and fill out the form so that I can keep you all together.

Thanks! bk

Hello Blake Makers and Sooper Heroes. Man, I’m making new friends all over the place (just read some of the comments on the last 3 posts). One of my newest friends is a little lady named Erin. Why? You ask. Because she made something amazing (drool worthy) with Blake Makes Peanut Butter Dulce de Leche.

Now, she didn’t just make peanut butter fudge. No, she made peanut butter dulce de leche peanut butter fudge.

That takes a bit to type out, but I made a commitment to do so because this stuff looks so (I’m so sorry for this, granny)…but, so effing good!

I can’t wait to get Blakeville (the retail side of all this food blog food) up and running. Her fudge, Shawnda’s brownies and my DDL would be right at home there.

We’ve got more great posts coming from the people that got the good stuff. Plus, there’s another round of DDL going out soon (as soon as I get my shipping boxes). Bottom line, pretty soon, everywhere you turn (online) you’re going to find DDL and Blake Makers and Sooper Heroes.

It’s a good day. It’s going to be a good year (maybe even lifetime).

A special thanks to Erin. Go read her blog, and try to refrain from licking your computer screen.

Like always, stay tuned! bk