I’m super excited to welcome Courtney of Pizzazzerie and Push Up Pops to my blog today! I’m a longtime Pizzazzerie reader and had the opportunity to meet Courtney when she was in Phoenix on her last book tour. She’s just as sweet and adorable in person as she is on her blog! If you haven’t read Courtney’s first book, Push Up Pops, you should! It’s eye candy for anyone who loves to bake or party plan. Courtney’s new book, Candy Making for Kids, releases TODAY and it looks like so much fun! Can’t wait to read it!
I recently got to do a little virtual Q&A session with Courtney in her free time. You know, when she wasn’t getting married or auditioning for Taste of Home or writing for Michaels (yes, the craft store) or working on a THIRD book.
Vanessa: First of all, your wedding was amazing. How are you enjoying married life so far?
Courtney: I have been loving it! My husband works odd hours (he’s a golf pro) so Mondays are our “Saturdays”, etc but we’re finding our groove and really enjoying decorating our new house. He enjoys taste-testing for my books 🙂 We’re also spending time this summer teaching our puppy how to swim!
Zac Williams + Courtney Dial Whitmore
Vanessa: For those of us who haven’t had the chance to read it, tell us about Candy Making for Kids.
Courtney: This book is truly a little gem for kids! I created the recipes with young ones in mind (none of the recipes use a candy thermometer) and it’s full of exciting recipes for holidays, everyday celebrations, and those rainy Saturday afternoons. There are elements perfect for kids of all ages from helping measure to decorating their little hearts out to create cute little treats!
Vanessa: What’s your favorite recipe from Candy Making for Kids? My favorite recipe is the one on the cover – toffee! I like that it can be adapted (use white chocolate) and decorated (hello sprinkles!) so kids can really make it their own. We had to hide the toffee when we were shooting the book because all of us on set wanted to eat.it.ALL!
Vanessa: Let’s talk about your blog. How did you come up with the name Pizzazzerie?
Courtney: I get asked this question a lot because, yes, it looks like Pizzaria 🙂 I was working as a career counselor at my alma mater – Vanderbilt – and wasn’t creatively fulfilled so I started a little blog and it grew.grew.grew so I left my job and here I am! I had no idea it would ever be my “job” so I just made up a fun word because so many other domains are taken. I love the word Pizzazz and the word Patisserie so I combined them 🙂
Zac Williams + Courtney Dial Whitmore
Vanessa: Do you have a favorite party that you’ve featured on Pizzazzerie?
Courtney: Oh, this is a tough one! Here are a few of my favorites: Aqua + Orange Baby Shower, a certain adorable Goldfish Party!, and this Sprinkles Party!
Vanessa: Can you tell us about book #3?
Courtney: YES! I’m in the middle of writing it now and let me say – it might just be my favorite yet! It is on FROSTINGS! Yes, a whole book devoted to frosting. It will release March 2013!
Vanessa: Do you sleep? 😉
Courtney: Yes, I do! Haha, I am very motivated with my job as I just absolutely love it and have to force myself to stop working. I do, however, love my sleep. I’m usually in bed between 11 and midnight and get up around 8:30 am. Pretty good if I do say so myself! I’m a night owl.
Zac Williams + Courtney Dial Whitmore
Buy It: You can purchase Candy Making for Kids at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. A purchase is not necessary to enter the giveaway. If you want your book signed, email courtney@pizzazzerie.com with the subject line BOOK SIGNATURE and proof of purchase (screen shot of Amazon order, picture of receipt, etc) along with a shipping address, who to make the greeting out to, and she’ll send you a book plate.
Win It: Courtney’s giving away a signed copy of Candy Making for Kids to 1 winner. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents. This is a Rafflecopter giveaway, you must open up the post for the widget to appear. The first entry is mandatory, the rest are extra ways to enter. Remember to leave an email address and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
30 Responses
Pretzel M&M’s are my all time favorite.
either peanut m&ms or twix. mmm…. or maybe kit kat…. too hard of a question!
My Mom’s homemade “Snickers” candy
Favorite candy?? Oh my gosh. I love any and all candy, but my favorite it chocolate with caramel in some capacity. *drool* (it doesn’t help that I’m currently eating low-carb – no candy – right now!)
My favorite candy is caramel. I have not ever made them, but my mom and grandma make some tasty caramels at christmas time! Great giveaway!
Mmm. Favorite candy! Ahh that’s hard. I love chocolate… But I think my all time fave is butterfingers!
This looks like a fun book!!
I’m definitely a dark chocolate and coconut fan so MOUNDS are my fave!!! This book looks amazing. We are in the planning stages of a Sweet Shoppe Party for my soon to be 8 year old and we want to maek everything you’ve just featured here from the book. WOW!!!
Thanks so much for the chance at such a fabulous giveaway!!
How fun would this be to do with my daughter!
I love me some sour patch kids!
My favorite are M&M’s and sour patch kids!
I love sour ju-jubes and licorice!
I love peanut butter cups.
My favorite is probably salted chocolate caramels!
I luv Jelly Bellys
I love the limited edition Samoa’s girl scout crunch bars! They’re unbelievably hard too find!
Chocolate!! 😀
Marzipan is my favorite candy, with licorice a close second.
I have two favorite candies- Dots and Cow Tails.
m&ms or sour gummy worms 😉
caramel is my fav
Favorite has to be Milky Ways!
I like Airheads!
i like snickers and caramel!
My favorite candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups…MMM!
jen dot wedding at hotmail dot com
Almond roca
Jordan Almonds
Kims2312@verizon.net
swedish fish
nannypanpan@gmail.com
I like Twin Bings.
I cant stop eating Gobstoppers though they’re probably terrible for my teeth since I bite them
I like Kit Kats. So good! :9