A Summer Bracelet

A big thank you to all who participated in June's Note Card Party either by entering, visiting or both. Now I know what it feels like in a tourist town when visitors swell the population to twice the community's usual size. How sad it'll be to go back to the old numbers. ☺ Yup. I get spoilt. But then, we don't blog for the numbers, do we?

I hinted day before yesterday about the third gift from Mrs. Rabe. It was so totally unexpected and I was completely charmed by it. Though I do not usually wear jewelry,  I've been wearing this sweet bracelet.

Forgive the photo...it's early this morning. The colors are just so pretty and I love the clasp.

So I'd love to give one away. No! Not this one! This is mine. ☺ I'd love to have you visit FabFashion Bracelet section and select a bracelet that you would enjoy. Deanna has graciously agreed to work with me on this. If you are interested, all you need to do is comment on this post. Please do not share the information anywhere else. This is only for those readers who wander in and find the information here. I'll be drawing a name next Thursday. The only requirement is that you have a public blog because I'd really like you to share about the bracelet when you win. The beat goes on don't you know...

I'll be off for much of the day and in all this heat, but I'll be looking good wearing my bracelet!

Of Bread and Bread Making Machines

I've come to my blog today looking for information about when I might have purchased my bread machine. Have you heard? It croaked. Made that last loaf of brown bread and then kaput. I found out on Valentine's Day when I was trying to make some more brown bread. Perhaps God has spoken: There'll be no more brown bread for you, Vee. You obviously can't handle it.


I remember that I purchased the bread machine at B*d, B*ath, and B*yond, that I said, "no, thank you" to the extended warranty, that it was about a year ago, and that it is/was an 0st*r. I have made fewer than ten loaves of bread and so we have had some very expensive loaves indeed. And so many of them were duds, too. Wah!

Wouldn't you know that last night while perusing Pinterest...yes, I'm as addicted as anyone else...I found a recipe that I want very much to try. It's one of those mix it up and don't have to knead it ones. Trouble is, I don't have a giant mixer. On the outside chance that you're interested in looking at these wonderful loaves—
English Muffin Bread

Do you believe, like I do, that products have a planned obsolescence?

Edited to Add: Thank you for your suggestions to contact 0st*er. I am going to do it! I'll let you know how it goes.

Edited to Add Again: Thank you so much! They are going to replace it in 6 to 8 days! Yippee!! I do love my commenters.

***

I am still in the magnet business. Have now cut up my brand new Country Living magazine. There really is no higher purpose for it. My favorite magnets are Abraham Lincoln, a little home in the glen, and some script.

Oops, upside down script...

Right side up

Next time I shop for floral glass, I may look for clearer pieces, though the flaws do lend to the charm. I really enjoyed anything "state" related or historical. It was also fun to find enough similar patterns to create a set as I did with these.

Have you figured out where all this is going? ;> Yes, I'd love to create a set of three for you based on what I find at your blog (yes, you must have a blog). Just comment. No following needed. I'll send them anywhere. Shhhh, don't tell anybody. This is an offer just for those who wander in. A winner will be selected Saturday evening. 

A wonderful Thursday to you...

💛

Thank you! Comments are now closed. Winner to be announced Monday.

Cultivating Wonder~Sharon Lovejoy

A few weeks ago, I won not one, but three books written by Sharon Lovejoy! She had this marvelous giveaway at her blog. Blessed me!

Now Sharon has been cultivating plants and flowers since childhood so it did not surprise me that she also cultivates wonder.

the sweetest bookmark

The books arrived yesterday...

Sunflower Houses, Hollyhock Days, Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars

Sharon had asked, "Shall I inscribe them?"

I assured her that that would be wonderful and so she has...a unique message in each one!

Thank you, Sharon!♥

And so I enjoyed the most blissful of afternoons on the sofa surrounded by everything from the dog to the laundry reading Hollyhock Days from cover to cover. Such a delightful book!

As it happens, I have been gifted with Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars twice. I am keeping them both. One I shall allow the grands to read with their mom and dad. But wouldn't it be lovely to have a giveaway right here of Sharon's latest, Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars? Yes! I thought so, too. If you have children or grandchildren, a grandbaby or four on the way, you will so enjoy this wonderful book of ideas and activities. No hoops to jump through, no following, no need to share (unless you'd like), just leave a comment. One will suffice. This giveaway will be over by Saturday at 7 pm. Yes, I do work fast. 

A wonderful Thursday to you!

Thank you for participating. Comments are now closed. Winner to be announced later this evening.


The winner: Diane at Lavender Dreams! 

Another Ramsign Giveaway

☺ how perfect ☺

So there's my mailbox sporting a Ramsign house number. (Bad, bad photoshopping.) I'm excited that I have a chance to win, too. How? By visiting A Delightsome Life where Kathy is also having a Ramsign Giveaway. She has done a great job telling more about the company and the product. Feel free to sign up here or there or here and there. I'm definitely signing up. As you can see, I would select Highlander as my favorite. Oh, here's a tip for you...not all of the thirty-three folks who have signed up are going to be included. Why? Not everyone let me know which style she would choose. That means that, currently, chances of winning are very good around here. (Oh, yes, I do believe in second chances so if you thought you had signed up, but kept your style a secret, feel free to slip back in there and reveal it.) You can find my post with all the details by clicking on the link at the top of my sidebar.

***

"Nonni, the best place to find kids' games is at PBS kids dot org." This as I fumbled about on my computer looking for something appropriate for Sam to play. I knew the day was coming when he'd know more than I; I just hadn't realized it would be so soon.

Sam even created an avatar and had great fun doing so. The resemblance between his avatar and himself is uncanny.

The blue hair and the blue eyes...oh yeah.

Our day with the grands ended at the top of the hill visiting our favorite ice cream stop. We munched our cones in silence watching the bulldozers destroy the woodlands and fields across the street. A casino is being built. Ugh.  And they call this progress?

It's another beautiful day here. Hope the same can be said in your corner. Enjoy a marvelous weekend!

Edited to Add: If you can handle being sent in yet another direction, I have to share Sheila's story of receiving her Mennonite Girls Can Cook cookbook win from me. It is told on *this post* of  her wonderful blog Starshine Through My Windows.

'Twas Four Years Ago

Four years ago? Really?  Yes, it is true; I began blogging four years ago on this very date. Time does sail on by doesn't it? You'll howl to see what I thought was blog-worthy on *that first post.*

I had no intention of paying homage to my blogiversary until I was contacted by the good people at *RamSign* who would love to give one of my readers a beautiful house number set. How could I say no? How timely! How wonderful!

This is what RamSign is offering: One house number sign (not name signs or address plaques). There are signs available from 1 digit and up to 5 digits and with five different styles: Metropolitan, Highlander, Arrowhead, Lighthouse or Engelhardt. Just check out a style that you would enjoy. (Don't mention a number as that will be settled when you win.)

What do you have to do to qualify? Nothing more than leave a comment here about which sign you would enjoy having. That's it. Feel free to comment about it on your blog just because you want to help me out, but it's not required. Feel free to follow me yadda...yadda...yadda, but it's not required. Let's keep it easy-peasy. Blogging as it should be.

feel free to snag (if you'd like) and link back to this post

This delightful giveaway is open to all readers wherever you may be. Shipping is free, courtesy of  RamSign.

A drawing will be held a week and one day from now—August 4, 2011. Comments will close at 7 p.m. on that date. A winner will be announced August 5, 2011.

Thank you for visiting. Create a fabulous day!


Comments are now closed. Thank you for your participation!

**Winner announced**

Sunshine Comes in Many Forms

A little Mennonite Girls Can Cook picture story...

pretty green ribbon

beautiful signatures

cookbook corner

hmmm...two copies

pretty green ribbon repurposed once

a recipe book holder comes in handy

the next recipe I'm planning to bake or pretty green ribbon repurposed twice

(Please forgive the quality of light in these pictures. Day 12 of rain, but looking brighter for tomorrow.)

On Day 11 of rain, the postman stuffed a package in the new mailbox. It was from Judy a continent away across the continent (Laura's keeping me straight) in British Columbia...an autographed Mennonite Girls Can Cook cookbook. Tears smarted now let me tell you. In case you don't know, my connection with the book is pretty sweet. Apparently, one day in passing, I told Lovella that "Mennonite Girls sure can cook." The rest is history! ☺☺☺ How's that for taking any credit at all for what the Lord has done and all the work these girls have done and their husbands, too? Shameless, I am.

I want to thank each and every one of the Mennonite Girls who have some of the finest penmanship I've ever seen. What kind of pen were they using do you suppose?

And now it appears that I have one gently used cookbook to offer to one of my readers. These are the rules:  

1. Feel free to mention this giveaway on your blog

2. You MUST have a blog to participate

3. If you win, my hope is that you'll share the good news with your readers

4. One comment on this post is all it takes

Comments will close whenever I go to bed on May 31 and the winner will be announced June 1.

That's it. Nothing to it...

P.S. Just to be clear, I am keeping the signed copy. Ain't no way I'm letting go of that one. ;> 

Edited to Add @ 11:26 pm

Have heard from a number of you that you are unable to comment on this post. Just wanted to say that Blogger is aware of the problem and is working on it. It's a featured problem in "Known Issues" and is happening with a number of blogs. Don't worry, we'll let them get it straightened around so everyone who wants to comment can.

Edited to Add 5/31/2011 @ 9:23 p.m.

Early to bed, early to rise, and all that jazz. Comments are now closed. Thank you so much for participating. Results tomorrow!

A Giveaway for Bloggers!

This week I was contacted by a very nice gentleman who'd love to give one of my blogging buddies a gift from one of the on-line stores that he and his wife own. A gift! How cool is that?! He is offering the Stylish Beach Bag, a red and cream-striped, perfect-for-summertime tote bag you see below.




You will note that it can be personalized (up to 12 letters). The bag, the personalization, and the shipping are all a part of this giveway. So much fun!

And, the best part is that this is a giveaway that you can talk about so please let your blogging buddies know. All one has to do to enter is comment on this post and be a blogger. Feel free to use this tag for your sidebar if you'd be willing to help me get the word out. Just click on the title of this post to snag the url so you can link back. (If you do, I'll enter your name twice.) Thanks so much!

Time is short as comments will close Monday evening, April 26 at 7. "The Hand" will make a selection and the winner will be announced Tuesday morning.

You can find more wonderful products by checking Throws and Beach Bags. I have spent a pleasant time browsing there myself.

Enjoy your Friday...
Comments are now closed. A big thank you to all who participated! Check back tomorrow morning to learn who the winner will be. (This is so exciting...I don't even know yet myself.)

Packrat's Package

The most beautiful spring-like day has arrived. We'll even suffer the breezes to enjoy such a day. The past few days have been spent in the sewing room where I've been able to enjoy the scene you see in my header. Must say that I was surprised to find so many buckets this morning when I took the picture. For now my sewing is done so I'm going to go for a walk.

Packrat, it's on its way!



Comments are off today so that you may scoot along and enjoy your day, too! Oops! Got caught with my comments on. Happyone just wants to give me a little encouragement to get out for a walk.

Edited to Add: Just in case anyone wanted to see what was in the package, visit *this post* at Swatting at Flies.

Tea Cozy Winner

The names are gathered in...

Honey, I need you! (He's not nearly as excited about playing the role of "the hand" as he used to be.)

But he's still a pretty good sport...

Just announcing the winner of the tea cozy. It may be that I buried that giveaway too deep as few there were who found it. So it's as it should be and as I like it. One who reads here regularly and comments often has won — Packrat @ Swatting at Flies!

Packrat, please email me your information and tell me a little more about yellow, white, and blue. The Tetley black tea I understand completely.

Thanks to everyone who participated. Wish that I could make you all a tea cozy!