Back on February 13th, I posted about Inspirational People in my life. I wanted to elaborate more in this post 
When you think about Cinnabon, what do you think of? I can remember back in 1994, when I was first introduced to Cinnabon. I drove 80 miles to visit a Cinnabon Bakery in the Amarillo Mall. Yes. I drove 80 miles just to go to the mall .. just for Cinnabon. Most people go to the mall for shopping; not me. These were the biggest and best cinnamon rolls I have ever had, in my life.
When I think Cinnabon, I think about Cinnamon rolls. I think we all do. Well, I am so excited to share with you a new product that is branching out, as we speak, in Cinnabon bakeries everywhere!
I had the blessed opportunity to go to Seattle to meet with some bloggers:
Mommy Perks, Soul Parents, Mommy Mandy, and the food bloggers from Cupcakes Take the Cake, Gigachef, Serious Eats and Savory Sweet Life .
Before I go on to anything else, I have to say that the car service that was there to pick us up and take us back to the airport rocked it. So nice, drove at my speed (nice and fast, but not illegal 
) and were always on time.
While I in Seattle, I fell madly in love with the Firm that invited me, as well as the meeting of Jerilyn, She is the main brain behind Cinnabon. Oh, what a memorable event this was!
The first day, I arrived to the hotel got all checked in to the gorgeous Edgewater Hotel.
Gorgeous! Oh. My. Gosh.
Once I got checked in and freshened up, I was welcomed by the fab people from FOCUS Brands & Rogers Group in the lounge. What a relaxing and fun way to meet everyone! We had snacks and drinks and we were able to mingle and talk in a very comforting way. This seriously rocked! Even though we had all just met, I felt as if I had known everyone for years. While we were all mingling and getting to know each other, we were presented with some fun gift baskets that included some fab goodies for us to use while we were on our stay: snacks, Cinnabon Coffee drink, t-shirt, cap and some more goodies.
The next morning, I got up, got ready and headed to find the group in the lobby. We then headed out for a nice walk. I have to say that in February, taking a walk almost scared me. In Iowa, it is freezing out, snow everywhere, but not in Seattle. It was beautiful weather and a prfect refresher to wake us all up for the Ferry Ride over to Bainbridge Island to have lunch at Café Nola. Again, another small, intimate setting that was perfect for us all to get to talk some more and get to know each other even more.
After lunch, we were met with a van to take us to the final destination. *dun dun dun *
I have never, in my life, been so excited to meet someone. After knowing my love for Cinnabon, it was truly perfect to meet Jerilyn Brusseau, the main brain behind Cinnabon. Oh my gosh – her presence is truly angelic, heartwarming and so full of love and life! Ya see, I fell in love with Cinnabon in 1994, where Cinnabon was ‘born in 1985’, so I made perfect timing for a product and a person that would truly leave an impression in my heart forever. We were welcomed in to her adorable home with open arms (literally!) and an open mind to have the talk that I will remember for the rest of my life. I did not take pictures of the outside of her home for privacy reasons, but the inside truly speaks so much. You can tell where her heart lies – in her kitchen. She has a home that is small, perfect and as she called it to us ‘Her kitchen with a bed’. Literally, you walked from the kitchen, to the bedroom, turn there’s a walkway, bathroom and Walah – back in the kitchen. I can only dream of a kitchen of this aptitude! Total, her entire home is just shy of 700 square feet. I cannot tell you the expressions (in words) that I felt when I was in her home, in her kitchen and was able to bake with her. Hearing Jerilyn’s story of where she came from, where her journey took her and where she is today gives me chills; still.
I got to bake with Jerilyn. In her kitchen. In her home. With her recipes! How amazing is that?
While we were letting our cupcakes cool, before frosting them, we were taken on a memorable tour of her barn, that is just to the side of her adorable home.
Barn Video
[flashvideo filename="videos/barn.flv" width="420" height="320" /]
Does this not look like a postcard? Gorgeous, isn’t it?
In this barn, Jerilyn uses it to host parties and has even been known to have weddings in this gorgeous place. What a beautiful location!
If all this wasn’t just the best, I have more to add. Jerilyn is more than a beautiful person, inside and out, she is also so heartwarming, more than I could have ever imagined. While we were in her barn, she was telling us about some things that she is an active part in.
She is also a humanitarian whose organization Peace Trees Vietnam works to remove land mines in Vietnam and replace them with new trees. Why? She had a brother that was killed in Vietnam, and what is a happy world if there is no peace, so she decided to start this organization to help bring the peace to us all. When she was telling us her story, I had to wipe away my tears and warm away my chills.
PeaceTrees Vietnam was founded in 1995 to renew relationships with the people of Vietnam and promote a safe, healthy future for its families & children. We sponsor demining and mine risk education, survivor assistance, citizen diplomacy trips and community building projects in partnership with the people of Quang Tri Province.
While we were walking around and getting to know Jerilyn even more, she was telling us about the DAISY Foundation that she has been a part of, as well. This foundation was created in January, 2000 from the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 of complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). This illness made Patrick not hungry, and one day his family brought a Cinnabon for Pat to eat when he was in the hospital. Patrick had not eaten in a while and when he requested one for the next day, he then asked that they bring enough for all the nurses in the unit. This was as a ‘thank you’ on his part, and because of that, now during the presentations of the DAISY Award they serve Cinnabons to all of the presenting nurses. As of July, 2009, over 4,500 nurses have received The DAISY Award.
Before ‘Cinnabon’, Jerilyn owned her own bakery & café, which was a lifelong dream of hers. In the 1980’s, she was approached to create the “world’s greatest cinnamon roll recipe.” She created the Cinnabon flavor and look that we know today, in 1985. Well, she thought it was time to come up with something new to add to the famous Cinnabon creation: Cupcakes!
There are four flavors being introduced to bakeries nationwide (see below for bakery schedule)
- Cinnacake Classic
- Chocolate Passion
- Vanilla Bliss
- 24-Carrot Cake
I am a manic nut for chocolate and I have to say that the Chocolate Passion is my ultimate favorite, but then again, they all were drool-worthy and amazing!
We were then split in to groups. This was so much fun! We were able to mingle with other bloggers and we were assigned a baker. Oh, how I loved my Ann Pearl! She has her own catering business and is a fabulous baker! I learned so much from her!
We had so much fun! It was educating and so much fun! While I wasn’t able to create the most perfect cupcake, I did manager to make Silly Seattle Sammy.
Admit it. You would buy this in a Cinnabon Bakery, wouldn’t you?
Seriously, my dream. Check out the Wilton products we got to play with.
Jerilyn also shared her yummy family Coconut Cupcake recipe with us and I wanted to share it with you. If you would like to see it, please feel free to print and enjoy with your family! Click here to download and share with your family!
Brusseau’s Coconut Cream Cake With Coconut Butter Cream Frosting
Also, I wanted to share with you a schedule of Cinnabon Bakeries that are including cupcakes in their bakeries! Click here to see that list.
I loved her thought: Life is great with sweets, but:
Cinnabon cupcakes – Anything else is just a CupFake™
You can see more pictures from this fabulous event below:
| www.flickr.com
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All opinions in this posting are 100% my own. Thank you to Rogers Group and to Cinnabon for welcoming me with open arms & open hearts for this amazing event!
- Two winners will each receive a $20.00 Gift Certificate to any Cinnabon Bakery to try out the new yummy cupcakes and Cinnabon Cinnamon rolls
- Tell me what flavor of cupcake you would love to try!
- Twitter the giveaway (copy & paste text below to Twitter. Leave link on comment entry)
- Blog about this giveaway (leave link on comment entry)
I just entered the Cinnabon Giveaway #MommyGoggles! http://tinyurl.com/ycl8xmd
- Winner will be chosen at Random and backed up by post content.
- Winner will be contacted via Email. If no response in 48 hours, another winner will be drawn
- For more specifics on how winners are drawn, click here
- Winners are posted here for reference
- US entries only
- Contest ends on March 12, 2010 at 11:59 pm Central Time
![[Reuse options]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.png){kind=small}
About Tanya
I sent the tweet
http://twitter.com/Schmoolander/status/10412003550
I would try both the Cinnacake Classic and Chocolate Passion. Oh why not… I’d try all four!
What flavor of cupcake I would love to try is: 24-Carrot Cake!
I want to try the 24-Carrot Cake.
24-Carrot Cake
Chocolate Passion is my first choice, but they all look delicious.
The chocolate passion looks great!
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/ShesAnAngel417/status/10407920158
I’d love to try their 24-Carrot cake, delicious!!!
I would like to try the Chocolate Passion cupcake.
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/ncschools/status/10407497253
I would like to try the 24 Carrot Cake.
24-carrot for me!
tweet http://twitter.com/ThriftyJinxy/status/10404815373
Vanilla Bliss Looks awesome
I would love to try the 24-Carrot Cake!
Well I want to try all FOUR!! But if I have to pick one to start with I’d say the Chocolate!! thanks.
Vanilla Bliss!!
Tweeted!
http://twitter.com/click4heathery/status/10396669894
Thanks for the great giveaway! I’d love to try Chocolate Passion!
The classic cinnacakes would be my pick.
I would love to try the Chocolate Passion. Thanks for the opportunity!
Chocolate Passion looks sooo delicious!
http://twitter.com/susan1215/status/10386025461
I’d like to try the Cinnacake Classic
Looks like you had a great time! =) I’d love to try Vanilla Bliss. Yum! =9
24 Carrot cake looks soooo good!
follow and tweeted
http://twitter.com/amyhd29/status/10376680177
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I would really like the vanilla one!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
I want to try 24 Carrot Cake. Thanks
Would love to try the 24 carrot cake!
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/lunaj1456/status/10373517950
I’d want to try the carrot cake cupcakes
Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/10373144743
I’d like to try CHOCOLATE PASSION!!!!
allmycrazycats @ aol.com
I’d like to try the Cinnacake Classic
HobartsMama {AT} aol.com
Vanilla Bliss sounds delish! Thanks.
Definitely the Chocolate Passion!
I happen to love all four flavors they make – but I can’t resist the utterly decandant Chocolate Passion!
I want to try that ■24-Carrot Cake.
■Cinnacake Classic
Chocolate Passion!
I would love to try the Cinnacake classic, thanks!
Chocolate Passion
tweet
http://twitter.com/electricisland/status/10337547565
Vanilla bliss I’d love!
I want to try the 24-Carrot cake!
Chocolate Passion! Yummm!!
Cinnacake classic Sounds and looks delicious!
I would love to try the Vanilla Bliss.
Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/10327974564
I’d probably try Vanilla Bliss first.
I would like to try the Chocolate Passion cupcake.
Chocolate passion
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/denyse_g/status/10301013739
The Classic would be my first choice.
Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/10300111121
I twittered and here is the link:
http://twitter.com/thriftymaven/status/10300121049
I’d love to try the vanilla bliss cupcakes. I guess I’d better head on down to Cinnabon Bakery today
Gimmee the Carrot cake cupcakes! …..First
tweet!
http://twitter.com/terri142/status/10289992672
I can not wait to try the 24-Carrot Cupcake!
Chocolate passion
Awesome blog and thanks for the giveaway!….I would love love LOVE to win this!…. =]
Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/10235595089
I would definitely have to try the Cinnacake Classic…they look sooo delicious!!
I blogged… http://coryschancetowin.blogspot.com/2010/03/cinnabon-2000-gift-card.html
I want to try the chocolate passion
I blogged about your giveaway!
http://thetravelingcoldwells.blogspot.com/2010/03/switch.html
http://twitter.com/SteCold/status/10206468000
I want to try the Cinnacake Classic! It makes my mouth water every time I see them!!
I’d like to try Cinnabon flavored, of course!
tweeted
http://twitter.com/fairydancer35/status/10179824065
It was so nice to read your story, and I’m glad you had such an amazing time….what a once in a lifetime opportunity! I’m a chocoholic too, so I’d want to try the Chocolate Passion cupcake! Thanks for the giveaway.
Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/10178858433
I can’t wait to try the vanilla bliss cupcake.
bacon cupcakes with scrambled egg frosting. YUM!
http://www.eatyourbestfriends.com/2010/02/breakfast-for-cupcakes.html
Tweet
http://twitter.com/amj1971
Chocolate Passion Cupcake
Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/10129996071
I blogged about the contest here: http://lolmybloglol.blogspot.com/2010/03/some-more-giveaways.html
Also, are we allowed to do daily tweets for an entry a day? I see other commenters doing them, but I thought it was just one tweet allowed. If we are, I will, too!
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com
You are right…they all look heavenly. I’d pick the 24 Carrot Cupcake to try first, yum! Great giveaway, thanks.
Vanilla !
Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!
Janna Johnson
janna@FeedYourPigBlog.com
jannajanna@hotmail.com
http://www.FeedYourPigBlog.com
To me that looks like Heaven on earth! How beautiful! Do we have to pick just ONE? Can we give you the order in which we will eat all of them…………..? I would have to start with the 24 Carrot Cake! LOVE them!
Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/10089570210
tweeted http://twitter.com/kimmi78_sd/status/10079763707
I’d like to try the 24 carrot cake!
http://twitter.com/GabbyLowe/status/10077999108
tweeted
The Cinnacake Classic
I’d love to try the Cinnacake Classic!
I’d try the Cinnacake Classic
Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/10042580446
I would choose Vanilla Bliss…I like everything vanilla. Thanks.
http://twitter.com/itsallnew2me/status/9998220330
tweeted
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com
Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/9994157337
i want to try the 24 carrot cake!
Carrot cake is my fav! Yum!! Just reading this made me so very hungry….Thanks!! LOL
The 24-Carrot Cake sounds delicious!
Daily Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/9950761915
Tweet! http://twitter.com/her5boys480/status/9940645472
I would love to try the Carrot Cake one..mmmmm!
I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/9925596158
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
I would love to try 24-Carrot Cake, my favorite.
Thank you,
Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net
http://twitter.com/itsallnew2me/status/9907261390
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com
The 24-Carrot Cupcakes, I love carrot cake. People always seem to past it by for something chocolate though.
Daily Tweet
http://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/9893707420
tweet
http://twitter.com/sleatham1/status/9874377757
bleatham(at)gmail.com
I’d love to try the Vanilla Bliss cupcakes! Thanks
bleatham(at)gmail.com
I would love to try the “24-Carrot Cake” flavor.
I want to try vanilla bliss
Tweet
https://twitter.com/suebaby05/status/9839891410
I would love to try them all but I’ll sample the Cinnacake Classic first. Thanks!
I would like to try a cinnamon sugar cupcake!
I can’t wait to try the Cinnacake Classic!
As a dedicated chocoholic, it has to be the Chocolate Passion.
tweeted
http://twitter.com/ljatwood/status/9832184407
ljatwood at gmail dot com
I want to try them all but especially the Chocolate Passion.
ljatwood at gmail dot com
24 hour carrot cake
As much as I love chocolate, I’d have to try the Cinnacake Classic (first… then the chocolate!)
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
i’d love to try the 24 carrot cupcakes
nannypanpan@sbcglobal.net
Tweet – http://twitter.com/ktkatherine/status/9801400504
The CinnaCake Classic sounds SO SO good!
http://twitter.com/itsallnew2me/status/9791876517
tweeted
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/jjak2003/statuses/9788906195
I would love to try vanilla bliss
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/Jaimelar/status/9778265962
I would choose the chocolate passion for sure!!
I would love to try the 24 Carrot Cupcake. They all look delicious. Thanks for the chance to try.
I just have to try the Chocolate Passion cupcake!
Since this is from Cinnabon I would have to go with the Cinnacake Classic
I’d love to try Vanilla Bliss. I love vanilla cakes and cupcakes.
I’d love to try Vanilla Bliss. Sounds yummy!
tweeted
http://twitter.com/dtaylor98/statuses/9756185613
chocolate passion
I tweeted this giveaway: http://twitter.com/henniferus/status/9754413015
Thank you again for the great giveaway!
I would like to try carrot cake
I would like to try the Vanilla Bliss cupcake. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I want to try Vanilla Bliss.
Tweeted ~ http://twitter.com/susanlanai/status/9747085684
I’d love to try the Vanilla Bliss (actually, I’d love to try them all)!
24 carrot cake
I’d really love to give the 24-carrot cake a try!!
I want to first try the “Vanilla Bliss” cupcake.
i would love to try the vanilla bliss
I would love to try the cinnacake classic cupcakes.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
THE 24-CARROT WOULD BY MY FIRST CHOICE
I would love to try the Chocolate Passion!
I would love to try the cinnacake classic. looks so yummy!
my tweeted link & I follow you thanks
http://twitter.com/itsallnew2me/status/9732359626
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com
main entry: may I add too that your pictures/writeup on this is just wonderful, such a detailed very pretty visual post shows what a memorable time you had, and I love the way that lodge is decorated with those real tree braches attached to the walls. Onto the answer of my choice, like you i’m a chocoholice so usually I would say that but I love carrot cake & not just any body can make good carrot cake so I would be wanting to try that mouth watering 24-Carrot Cake one as choice. The closet Cinnabon to us in over in asheville NC just across the TN state line and a friend of mine has tried them and said they are to die for so I would gladly drive there too and see for such a yummy looking cupcake, so thanks for the chance.
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com
that vanilla bliss looks really good thanks
sherrya1210 at yahoo dot com
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/genny315/status/9730904469
24-Carrot Cake!
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/kitkat234/status/9729067903
I would love to try the Chocolate Passion!
Chocolate Passion sounds delicious!
I want to try all four flavors of cupackes…but would like to try the 24-Carrot Cake first! Thanks for the review and giveaway! This sounds like an awesome opportunity and like it was a lot of fun.
I’d try vanilla bliss.
I would love to try the Chocolate Passion cupcake!
I blogged:
http://blog-giveaways.blogspot.com/2010/02/mommy-goggles-cinnabon-cupcakes.html
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I would love to try Chocolate Passion.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I want to try the Cinnacake Classic first.
24-Carrot Cake
tweet! http://twitter.com/my_twitraccount/status/9716227571
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com
I’d love to try the 24 carrot cake.
tweet! http://twitter.com/my_twitraccount/status/9713086046
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com
That Chocolate Passion is calling my name!
I’d love to try the Cinnacake Classic variety. They look so good!
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com
I would just love to try the Cinnacake Classic!
I love Chocolate so it would be Chocolate Passion for sure.
tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/status/9707175834
I’d love to try the Chocolate Passion!
I want to try the Vanilla Bliss cupcake… Thanks!
I would love to try the Chocolate Passion!
austma7@aol.com
I would love to try the 24 carrot cake. Wow do all of them sound great.
I’d love to try the vanilla bliss cupcakes.
Who could resist a cupcake by the name of choclate Passion??
tweeted http://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/9695275715
The Vanilla Bliss sounds awesome. From Lips to Hips! LOL
the 24 carrot cake thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net
I want to try the carrot cake! MMMMMmmmmm
nik_har at yahoo dot com
(there is an underscore between “nik” & “har”)
http://slrjourney.blogspot.com/2010/02/oh-so-yummy-to.html
we saw these at the mall last weekend. and i did not try them, but they looked so yummy.
i would love to try the 24 carrot cake.