"Splendid Table" giveaway: We have a winner

Julie Ruble, who challenges bakers with her own blog, Willow Bird Baking, has won my challenge to post a convenience food shortcut for an entry into our drawing for a copy of "The Splendid Table's How to Eat Weekends," the new book by Lynne Rossetto Kasper and Sally Swift.

To pick a winner, I count the entries in the order they come in and then enter the final tally into the Random Generator at www.random.org.

Take a look at Monday's post for the new ideas people sent in. And Julie, email me at kpurvis@charlotteobserver.com with your mailing address and I'll get the book on its way. Thanks, all, for playing.

Willow Bird blogger needs your help

Julie Ruble of Charlotte has a secret identity: She's a fanatical baker who blogs and posts very nice pictures of her decadent creations at willowbirdbaking.wordpress.com.

Now Julie has reached the upper level in a national food-blogger contest on www.foodbuzz.com. Bloggers have to participate in 10 challenges, with bloggers eliminated every week. It's sort of a "Survivor: Kitchen Island." Willow Bird is one of only 100 blogs who have made it to Round 4, and she really needs your votes.

To vote for Julie, you need to sign up (it's free) at www.foodbuzz.com, then visit Julie's entry at http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/4/view/1283 and click "vote for this entry." This one is on how to make croissants, and the pictures are cute. Deadline to vote in this round is Oct. 14.

I don't think Julie can bake a croissant for everyone who votes, but I'm sure she'd still be very grateful.