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OK....are any of you still out there? I hope so, absent blogger that I am!
But at long last, my give-away is here!
But first...
This month of July has just flown by and I can't believe we're at the end already. Here's just a few tidbits about our month:
As some of you know, we here in the great northwest U.S. are in the middle of a heat wave. Over 100 degrees all week long, with today supposedly the highest, reaching 106 in some areas here! I was going to try frying an egg on the sidewalk with the girls...it could pass for a home schooling moment...but I find myself pretty much gravitating to inside all day where we are blessed with AC.
The girls are on their last week of swimming lessons this week, too...it's been pretty much the only times I've ventured out. I feel precariously cool watching all the kids swim below in the pool while I sit with the other parents in the hot bleachers, vying for the closest place to the fans.
But seriously, it's been a lot of fun, even for me, seeing how far they've come this year- especially my youngest who use to be afraid of the water. She is loving it this year!
In other catch up news, I gave my oldest an American Girl slumber party for her 10th birthday, complete with crafts, cupcakes (see picture at top) swimming in the backyard pool, watching an American girl movie and all the general craziness and giggling that accompanies all slumber parties.
A good time was had by all!
And now, back to our heat wave....I was remembering another heat wave that happened when I was growing up and I posted about it on Facebook today. I'll copy it here as well...don't worry, it's very short!
As Tony Curtis smiled, his white teeth gleaming at me through the little black and white television set, I smiled back and took another sip of ice tea. I was only about nine years old, but I knew a handsome movie star when I saw one!
We were in the middle of a week long heat wave in my little corner of the world- Kent, Washington. And though we didn't have air conditioning, we did have a nice, big basement- half of which doubled as my own personal play room. But this week, my parents and I were using it as our campsite...and it seemed like such a cozy adventure!
It wasn't a "finished" basement, but the cement all around only added to the cool comfort and cave-like feeling.
My parents had one mattress and I had another...and because we'd be there all week, they even strung up a rope with a blanket over it- just like in that classic movie, "It Happened One Night". I'm not sure why we needed this private wall of Jericho though...after all, they were just...you know- parents.
But somehow it just added to the adventure having my own private area for sleeping.
Yet before sleep would come, we'd all get our snacks and drinks and settle in to share the little TV, which was showing "The Great Race" ...part one the first night, followed by part two the second. It's has if they had planned this just to entertain my parents and I for our heat wave retreat down below.
This week as we go though our current heat wave, I am so thankful for our air conditioning....especially now that I'm a "mature adult".
But it will be forever ingrained in my memory the summer that my parents and I hunkered down in our cool basement with our ice cold drinks, he fan blowing breezes on us as we told stories and watching Jack Lemon chase Tony Curtis around on a little black and white screen.
OK...drum roll please...
Since I'm celebrating my three year blogaversary (a little late now!) I wanted to host a little giveaway.
I am giving the winner a choice of one of the following gently used (like new!) Christian fiction books-and tucked inside will be a $5 gift card for Starbucks!
The book choices are:
"With this ring, I'm confused" by Kristin Billerbeck
"She's finally found that nice, good-looking Christian guy who-gasp-actually wants to commit, but will she make it to the altar with her sanity intact?"
"Sweet Treats"- Four Fun Romances, written by four different authors- including Wanda E. Brunstetter.
"The Negotiator" by Dee Henderson
Book One in the O'Malley suspense series.
So, what do you need to do to enter? If you have already clicked on the sidebar to become a "follower" you are already entered! What if you don't actually want to be...let's say, you have all of these books and can't stand frappicinos? Well, if you neglect to tell me you don't want to be included but you win, I will just draw another name...simple as that! :)
If you want to be entered but haven't done that little sidbar thing yet, you have until this Friday -midnight. I'll be drawing one of your names on Saturday.
Blessings!
I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
For the first time in years, we didn't host it at our house, and it was nice little respite. And the food was scrumptious...
There's always too many of us to ever sit around a table (and unless one of the relatives buys a house with a dining room big enough to host a Henry the VIII type,12 foot long table- it's just not going to happen.)
We always just sit around wherever we can and chat while we eat way too much of everything.
Here is just a small fraction of our crowd, on my sister in law's (not shown) back deck:
(Um, also not shown is a brother in law, who's baby son seems to be hiding him!)
And it's always followed by a rousing game of this...
It's kind of a tradition that at least a handful of us play every year.
However, the following day- on my second trip out of the house on that mad, crazy shopping day... it was easy to guess what my mood quickly turned to...
My family and I were at the mall, taking turns separating and then meeting up again while we shopped for one another. I was waiting on one of the chairs in the mall, shopping bag in hand along with my purse and youngest girl's coat, and getting very warm. So, I took off my jacket and made a mental note to be sure to not forget it.
And you can see where this is going...
A little while later I got up to meet my family a few feet away and then separate one more time...and it was then that I realized I didn't have my jacket.
My little black leather jacket that my husband had gotten me a couple years ago.
I ran frantically, my little girl who was now with me nearly flying behind me in the wind...but it wasn't there.
My husband and I searched, I checked Lost in Found and left my name with them...and even prayed we'd find it...but evidently someone was thrilled that they could so easily steal a leather jacket and get away with it.
It was Black Friday, alright...
So, needless to say, I felt sad that one of my favorite jackets was gone...and even sadder that I had been so careless.
But I keep telling myself that it was an incredibly long day fighting the crowds and I was exhausted... And that losing a jacket is not the end of the world. It is just a thing, after all.
But that night I was emotionally and physically done in, and it was good to just go to bed and snuggle under the covers watching one of my favorite "modern movies" - Family Man, that happened to be on TV...all I needed to make it complete was a few pounds of chocolate.
But hey, I didn't completely forget to have the drawing for participants in my Home School Open House giveaway!
I must first clarify something...in the picture where my six year old is showing her Mayflower craft, I need to tell you that on hers, she insisted I cut a different way so that the ship would not just simply go back and forth a couple inches...no, it had to zig zag around or it just wouldn't do.
So her Mayflower really had quite the voyage! ;)
Anyway, as you'll remember, those who put the button in their sidebar were entered...and participants in the Open House got their name thrown in twice!
So, only moments ago, my oldest daughter picked a name...and she giggled because the name written said....
Miss Piggy! Yes, from her blog, The Funny Farm. I've known her for almost as long as I've been blogging, so I was thrilled that she won!
She'll be getting a fabulous ornament which I'll be mailing out this coming week. Congratulations "Miss Piggy"!
And again, a huge thank you to all who participated!
Tomorrow I hope to read up on how all of your Thanksgiving weekends went...but in the meantime, it's off to bed!
Blessings!
I have been such a bad blogger lately...but I do hope to catch up with some of you this week!
Today was a gorgeous fall day (although just a bit nippy!)
Our oldest was attending a cooking lesson\ tea party at the home of her Missionette leader...and so to keep youngest girl's nose firmly in joint, she had some Mommy and Daddy time all to herself at a playground, followed by some window shopping at the mall.
And wow...if it was this crowded pre-Thanksgiving, it will be interesting to see it on Friday!
And guess who was there...before Thanksgiving yet? Yep, Santa himself!!! I can't believe he made it from the north pole so early!
Now, down to business...
Just to remind you, Tuesday is the second Home School Show and Tell, and I'm really hoping to get more of you involved!
Participating in the show and tell is open to any blogger who home schools! Just take the button from my sidebar and link back to me on Tuesday!
And in hopes of having more participants, I'm having a little giveaway! Although I can't show you what it is quite yet, I will say that it is a Christmas ornament - and I think that most of you will really like it!
So how do you enter?
Even if you are not a home school parent, I will enter your name if you put the button into your sidebar or on a post. It's that simple!
Just let me know that you have done so and your name is in!
If you're a home school parent (or even teen home school student) and do decide to participate, your name will be entered in twice!
All you have to do is share a recent project or something you enjoyed learning about together...or even a special place where your child does most of their school work.
Then post the button and link back here!
(And I hope to have a better "Mr. Linky" by Tuesday...we'll see!)
In the meantime, I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is this week...followed by the biggest shopping day of the year!
My husband and I actually usually are among the crazies who brave the frantic crowds...(which is amazing since neither one of us are really big shoppers most of the year!)
But in our case- my husband, morning person that he is, usually heads off for Round 1 by himself at the crack of dawn. That I just cannot do...not when all those turkey chemicals are still lazily lounging in my system.
But... come 9 or so...look out, here I come!
In truth, I've gotten most of my store bought items already, and making the rest...but I hope to pick up just a few incredible deals.
What about you? Do you like to brave the crowds on Black Friday or stay home sipping tea in the comfort of your home and laugh at the rest of us? ;)
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving week (here in the states, that is!) and hope to see some of you Tuesday!
Edited: First of all, I made a few typing mistakes earlier...hey, I did have a cold and a headache and all!...but as I was correcting those just now, I thought I'd tack on an addendum for the giveaway:If you mention my giveaway somewhere in a post, and let me know, I will enter your name in twice! Woo! I know, it's not like you'll be winning something huge...say, a gallon of gas or something...;) but if you're like me, I get excited winning almost anything for free! Thank you so much for your wonderful comments on my last post.
(Wow...from 5 to 35 comments...that's quite a jump! But shame on me for even counting...got to stop that!)
And a special thank you to those of you who did show support and interest for an upcoming home school show and tell- or "open house"- and those who even offered to help with a button!
By the way, I would have posted yesterday, but I was down with a cold and one of those really bad headaches that just hung on mercilessly. I'm feeling a bit better today...but let's say that tissues and advils are still my good friends! I guess it's that time of year...sigh.
I was going to take one of the generous offers for help with a button, but I ended up playing around with photoshop- even though I am completely ignorant of all that you can do with this program. (Hmmm, maybe that preceded the headache...) ;)
But I did come up with something...it needs some tweaking, but let me know what you think of it so far...
I was thinking maybe the last Tuesday of each month?
Basically, if you're a home schooler, you could participate by just showing samples of what you've been doing. A special craft or project your child has been working on, or holiday or theme-related work.
If you've just been focusing on school books lately, that's OK, too...just show us your child's favorite workbook!
Or if you have a special place designated for school time, you can show that, as well.
I'm hoping some of you who don't home school will peek in on us, too.
In fact, our dear blogging friend, Mary, from Mary's Writing Nook has even offered to contribute craft and science (and maybe history?) ideas for us. Thank you, Mary!
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And as promised, since next post marks my 350th, I wanted to share a little giveaway!
(Yep, "little" may be the operative word here, but please know that there is much love, even though the prize may not be spectacular.)
I use to be a consultant for Pampered Chef, and still have a few extras items. For my giveaway, I'm offering this little gem...
It's the Medium Scoop, great for measuring out dough, batter, fillings and salads.
It's new and still in the box. gals!
(And if you think you don't need this- even though you really do- just think what a great little Christmas gift it would make for someone!)
Here's all you do to enter:
Tell me in the comments either...
a) your favorite baked item of the fall season...or...
b) your favorite subject when you were in school
Totally unrelated topics, but each related to this post! ;)
By the way, I also will be throwing in a little surprise, too!
Be sure to leave a link where I can reach you, or an e-mail address if you don't have a blog.
You have until this Friday at noon, and then I will be having one of my children pick a name- and I'll annouce it on my next (350th) post!
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On a more serious subject, most of you know our dear blogging friend, Susie. She posted that her daughter became suddenly and mysteriously ill while teaching last week and is undergoing tests, so please say a prayer for her, if you would.
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Have a good rest of the week as you enjoy the splendor of the fall season.
Blessings!
Thank you to all of you who stopped by at my last Show and Tell...it truly blessed me to read your sweet comments, since Smiley still has a special place in my heart. (And I was surprised that several of you mentioned having or knowing a similar doll...wow, I had no idea she...or uh, he...had so many siblings out there!)
Well, as promised, to help me celebrate my birthday this week, I will be talking more about the giveaway.
But first...welcome...you are about to pass through...
The 45th Parallel! (da, da DA!)
To celebrate, ease the pain , I wanted to have a little fun and host a small giveaway in the process!
But a little background, first...
Up until 18 months ago, and for about three years, I sold Pampered Ch*f.
Yep, shy me would drive to unknown places, and give presentations in front of gatherings of folk I did not know, and attempt to make actual food...while talking.
This was especially challenging since prior to starting in that venture, I only knew how to make about five meals from scratch. (OK, four.)
But, as we said in the business, "The right tools are everything!"
And here is one of the best tools in the line...
The classic scraper!
Now, the photo doesn't do it justice...(I was having trouble with the lighting) but trust me, it's so cute!
This is a Pampered Ch*f silicone scraper (brand new in the unopened wrapper) which works amazingly well as it clings to your mixing bowls, getting every last drop.
Plus, it's also great for stirring hot foods because it's extremely heat resistant!
This one was a limited edition, which came in a "Spring" color of lime green just a couple years ago. It's no longer available, but the classic white scrapers sell for $10.50.
I have several of these in various sizes that have been going strong for five years now...love them!
OK, have I sold you? Actually, I'm not selling it, I'm giving it away to the lucky winner!
But in order to be entered, there is a tiny bit of work to be had. But just a tiny bit! Don't run off, now!
Here's how: Simply take a quick peek at my archives, and name one of my previous posts and why you liked it. Easy as pie! (Which you can make, using your new, handy-dandy scraper...) ;)
(But please, please don't tell me why you didn't like a post...or I might cry or something...since I am almost in the 45th parallel...and post-post-partum and pre-menopausel...and all...) ;)
It can be just one sentence.
Not that I'm fishing for compliments, truly, but it would be too easy to grab a title and just type it... (not that any of you would really do that...right?)
And besides, like most of you, I am curious as to what readers especially liked...
was it something that made you think...or cry...or maybe laugh?
OK...ready? GO! ... and then tell me in the comment section of this post and I'll enter you in!
(Oh, and if you don't have a blog, be sure to have a way for me to contact you in case you win!)
On the morning of my birthday, I'll have one of my little girls draw a name out of a hat and then we'll be puttin' that lime scraper in the mail!
It is now safe to temporarily leave the 45th parallel at your own risk...;) Drive safely.
So, what do you need to do to enter? If you have already clicked on the sidebar to become a "follower" you are already entered! What if you don't actually want to be...let's say, you have all of these books and can't stand frappicinos? Well, if you neglect to tell me you don't want to be included but you win, I will just draw another name...simple as that! :)
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