* SIMPLE JOYS - HAPPINESS - LAUGHTER *

Today really felt like Saturday to me and I have no idea why. Maybe because I haven't been keeping my "usual routine!" (and if you believe that, you don't know me very well!)

And now....Sharing some simple joys......

 

 

 

Some of you will remember my small collection of statues with books.

I got this adorable little girl at Dollar Tree!

 

Ahh, yes life is good. (most of the time!)

 I love to take pictures of all kinds of things,
especially when sunlight is part of it.

Isn't it more fun to have homemade iced tea in a pretty,
 hand painted, glass pitcher?
This was a birthday gift many years ago,
 from my friend Kathy Y who shares my birth date!



One of my favorite walking trails from 2009

 

 

 This is a small (approx. 8" square) canvas print from (I think) Hobby Lobby

(the colors are actually more vibrant than this shows)

Mmm, making homemade bread the Old-Fashioned way,

 not in a bread machine, but in the oven!
(I must confess, I haven't done this in YEARS,
but just the thought of it brings wonderful memories
and the aroma of freshly baked bread.)

My beautiful, ceramic, much treasured chicken cookie jar -

I'm so glad I have this photo because a couple of years ago

 it stood proudly on the top shelf of my baker's shelf....until one day

when I was dusting everything....and her head fell off!

Can you envision it?? A chicken who lost her head?

I still have all the pieces because The Ronald said he can put

it back together....but I'm not sure....SO, at least I have this photo!

 

 

 This picture always cracks me up!

That's my son, Mark, and me "driving" some kind of
game at Chuckie Cheese's. I could fill a small photo book with
all the wacky faces I've made that have been captured on film!

 

 

 

(Guess which one of the 3 I am!)



Don't you wish you could do this

 with two of your girlfriends?!



I bought this little lady at Dollar Tree in 2010.

I wrote about her on my blog saying,

"Doesn't it look like she's scratching her butt??"

 

Ahh, I love candles but definitely not

 all of the fifty million scents that are available!



Coffee mugs that are unique, pretty, cute, and/or with sayings on them.

(Oh my gosh! Look at the spots on my table/desk! Or should I say, DON'T look!)

Last but not least, I can't possibly write about joy, happiness,

 and laughter without including a picture of our sweet, beloved Vern!

 

~~~

Welcome to my two newest followers Medeia Sharif and Sia Mckye. I hope you'll both stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

~~~

Okay....So, these are just a few of the simple things in life that give me joy and/or make me laugh. What about you? What brings you joy?

** "BOOKS & MORE" WINNER **

The winner of my newest Give Away....from July 13th
(http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2013/07/give-away-books-more.html)  is.....

Susan from writing straight from the heart!
Congratulations, Susan! I will get your goodies mailed as soon as I can. It may take a while, though....as one of my Bestest-Blog-Friends can testify to :(

And yes, I will be adding a few more little items, as I wrote on July 18th, although I never got around to posting photos of them. 

I hope you enjoy all the books and more!

~~~

"Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul." -- Joyce Carol Oates

* A GIVE-AWAY - BOOKS & MORE *

Welcome to my newest Give-Away! It's been way too long since I had one, so I decided now is the time!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stay at Home Moms

(I did not submit to this one, but I won it somewhere.)

A Slob in the Kitchen

by Karen Duffy

is a really fun cookbook! It's full of easy recipes, anecdotes, and quotes. I even bought two of these: one for myself and one for a give-away! 

A favorite quote from my childhood listed on page 125:

"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." -- Wimpy (from Popeye)

Not Your Mother's Book...On Dogs

(Some of my writer friends have stories included, and I have one, too.)

Two great booklets for your home:

Taste of Home Freezer Meals

&

101 Ways to Decorate with Candles

Two tiny plaques approx. 3" x 2"

with wire hangers. 

(Would be adorable as gift tag add-ons, or hanging in a small area.)

The "rules" are simple. Just leave a comment here and be one of my followers. I'll allow comments until midnight Sunday, July 21st. Thanks in advance to everyone who will join in the fun!

Oh, one more thing! I will also add a couple of surprise items to the winner. Ooooh, what could they be? 

AND, finally....this Give-Away is open to my followers in ANY country!


"A disaster or unexpected event is an open invitation to let your imagination shine through." -- Karen Duffy

* This and That on a Wednesday *

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I've been feeling a bit "autumnly" for a few days, but our weather is wacky, and today was warmer and more humid again. Yet, October is right around the corner, and the beginning of my favorite time of the year....October, November and December. The aromas of traditional meals and desserts, seeing family and friends, drinking those yummy flavored coffees, and burning lovely scented candles. Ahhh, heavenly!

I thought I'd share some photos from around my house. Even though they are from past years, many of you may not have seen them before.

From November 2010

From October 2011

My fireplace in September 2010

Are you reading anything really great right now? Do you have any favorite books for particular seasons....like favorite movies?

I'm rereading "Crazy Ladies: A Novel" by Michael Lee West. (The chapters progress though quite a few years and aren't about any certain seasons or holidays, although they certainly are mentioned.) I first purchased and read it in 2006. (I know this because I wrote my name and the date inside! And that reminded me of my excitement when receiving brand new books at the beginning of each school year!) If you click on the title, it will take you to its page on Amazon where it averaged 4 out of 5 stars in 118 reviews! I loved it in 2006 and I'm loving it again in 2012!

 ~~~~ 

Besides being an author of about a zillion books...well, maybe not quite that many, Ms. West also cooks and bakes and decorates. I have no idea where she gets the energy! Click Here to visit Rattlebridge Farm. AND please click Here to visit her website. She's awe-inspiring!

~~~~

One More Thing about Michael Lee West: She also wrote a book blurb for my memoir, of which I will be forever grateful, but that is not the reason I rave about her or her writing. That all comes straight from my heart and I know she knows that, too. 

Lastly, the fabulous Jennifer Daiker over at Unedited is hosting Guest Bloggers and I will be the featured guest next Monday, October 1st. Please stop by and browse all through Jen's blog. She is amazing!


*Welcome to my newest followers, Riet and Lady Cat. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! *   


"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

One week from today is Christmas Day! Unbelievable!

Time, once again, for Christmases Past.

This little snowman is about 3 inches tall. He's made of wax, and yes there's a wick on top of his hat., but I will never light it. This isn't from my actual childhood, but it is old. I don't remember where it came from, but I'm so glad to have it because we did have one just like him when I was little. We also had a candle angel with yellow hair, and altar boy with some red in his robe. I remember seeing them melt down after they'd been lit with matches and it made me sad. Don't worry little snowman. That won't happen to you!

I decorated our tree in vintage style this year, using tinsel/icicles and ornaments that were truly old, or made to look old. The blue ornament in the bottom middle of this picture is one of my old ones. It has the indentation in the front, where there's silver and red. It says West Germany on it. I'm not sure where this came from. I either brought it back from Germany when I lived there in the 70s, or purchased it somewhere in the states. Either way, I have five of them and they're some of my favorites.

I love this picture of my brother and me. He has his arm around my shoulder and we both look so sweet. Look at those Steve Urkel corduroy overalls he's wearing! And look at me! I was really knock-kneed then! Don't you love the kittens on my felt skirt, though?!

This is a much-loved Christmas picture and I'm so glad it somehow managed to wind up in my possession. This was in December 1959, so I was just about 2 weeks from being 7 years old. It was in the parlor at Webster College in St. Louis. (At that time, Webster was an all girl college, run by The Sisters of Loretto. Both of my older sisters went there at that time and lived in the dorms.) The doll was part of the display of gifts under the tree. Someone, either my mother or one of my older sisters, thought it would be cute for me to sit there, holding the doll, and have my picture taken. I'm glad they did!

I hope you've enjoyed another look into Christmases Past. I'll also post one next Sunday, the 25th.

Welcome to my newest followers, DL Hammons, Carol Kilgore (#2), ournest, Heather Gilbert, The Golden Eagle, and Sarah. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home."  ~Carol Nelson



* Autumn Bliss *

I posted this picture of my fireplace and mantel last October. Since I decorated it pretty much the same way this year, I thought it would be okay to share it again!

About a year ago, I began to find a different picture/painting to put over the mantel, for the four different seasons. Until then, I kept the same one for years, until I got tired of it, or decided to switch back and forth with a large mirror. Because I found very inexpensive framed pictures, it's been really affordable to do. And since the size does vary a bit, we don't hang them on the wall, but stand them on the mantel, leaning against the wall (with a hook thingy so it won't fall off!)

Right now, I have candles and autumn decor inside the fireplace, until it's time for wooden logs and fires! I just love having a fireplace. It was always one of the top things in my Home Wish List. The Ronald and I take turns stacking the logs and lighting the fire, and I do all the clean-up. THAT'S how much I love being near a crackling, glowing fire.

We never had a fireplace when I was a child and I always longed for one. They just represented "Home" to me. Most likely I got that idea from living in the world of TV and movies......Ah, but that's another post for another day.

"Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, we have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!" - Humbert Wolfe

* Contest Prizes! *

Hey Everyone. Don't forget to enter my contest! Do so before midnight tomorrow (Jan 25)

I realized I didn't make it clear when I announced the prizes. There will not be 4 winners. There will be just ONE WINNER. Winner takes all!!

Tomorrow at midnight CST, I'll do the random drawing for the winner of my Name My Book Contest. If you don't know about it and want to enter, or already entered and want to do so again, hop on over to this post and leave a comment. There are NO RULES! You DO NOT have to be a follower. Enter as many times as you want, but each time must have a title suggestion for my memoir. *As I mentioned on the originial post, the winner will be chosen by random drawing. The book title suggested is not guaranteed to be used, it is just a suggestion for the contest.*

Now, here's what everyone's been waiting for. The announcement of the PRIZE(S) to be awarded!

1) Three votive candles from Yankee Candle: Lilac Blossoms, Home Sweet Home, and Ocean Water.

2) Cheery pink & green note card set, complete with envelopes & matching pen.

3) A 7 x 7 hardcover book: Great Kisses...and Famous Lines Right Out of the Movies, compiled by Timothy Knight

4) A 8 x 10 hardcover book: Home Rules, Transform the Place You Live Into a Place You'll Love, by Nate Berkus

~~ Some fabulous prizes to help you get through another winter month! Plus, candles...and a romantic book of onscreen kisses, with comments and quotes....What could be better for next month's Valentine's Day? And I say...give them as gifts to yourself!! You don't need no steenking Valentine....Be your own valentine!! ~~

Hugs and happiness to you all today....wherever you are....Find and Follow your Bliss!!

"Always serve too much hot fudge sauce on hot fudge sundaes. It makes people overjoyed, and puts them in your debt." -- Judith Olney

* Writer Information & Candle Wax Art *

Hello and Happy Tuesday, January 11, 2011, otherwise known as 1/11/11, AND my sister's birthday!

I've got some writing information to share, so no time to waste. (Sorry guys...I didn't intend for this to be entirely for and about women writers, and memoir type essays at that, but it just kind of fell into place!)

1) If you're not familiar with Terri Spahr Nelson, you're missing out on knowing a generous and unique woman! She writes, edits, answers questions, mails out "loaner" books to writers contemplating submitting stories to her anthologies, etc. Click on any or all of the three links below and see what Terri needs for upcoming books.

Writer/Editor Terri Spahr Nelson,  

Reflections From Women website,

Reflections From Women Blogspace  


2) If you're a woman and writing your memoir, or interested in writing snippets of your memoir, then Womens Memoirs is a blog you'll want to follow. There's always great info posted and they're also hosting a monthly contest  (for eleven months. They're giving everyone a one-month break.) I don't remember if there's any payment involved, but check it out, because if a story is chosen, it at least gets published on their blog..


3) The National Association of Memoir Writers is having a Call for Submissions for a "How to write about family" anthology. The first thing you need to do is submit 2-3 possible topics you would like to contribute, each described in a few sentences and a 65-75 word bio. They want that information by January 31st. Check out the website for more info. A complimentary book is payment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~          ~~~~~~~~~~~~        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~         ~~~~~~~~~~~

Now for my Candle Wax Art! During the Christmas holidays, instead of having a fire in our fireplace, I had it decorated with greenery and white candles. Today, I took everything out so we can burn some logs during our very Brrrrr....cold spell! Here's the wax that had melted and I gently pulled up......

 The shape at the top right looks like a flying duck to me....like Daffy Duck! See his bill and head and body? I guess his legs are tucked out of sight!

Isn't that funny? I think the shape at the very left of this one looks like a kangaroo! See her feet(foot) at the bottom, her tummy with pouch, her face and her ear(s)??

Hope you enjoyed the pictures and I wish you much success with your writing! I am definitely making 2011 MY YEAR for publications....especially my memoir!

** Sunday Night Ponderings **

It's been a very restful weekend so far, and that's my favorite kind. The Ronald and I are not big on going out and partying. Our idea of a great time is staying home, watching TV, and/or reading, while we lounge in the family room! Today, we actually did go to Margaret Norton's book signing that I mentioned previously. It was nice to meet her in person and talk for awhile. I bought her book, of course, and can't wait to get into it. (I began to read the PDF file I received last month and it was really good, but I just can't sit and read A BOOK on a computer screen! I want to hold the book in my hands, turn the pages, smell the paper, lie in bed, etc.!)

Which brings me to my philosophical question of the day: How will book signings be handled in the future, when everything is an e-book?????

Speaking of books, have I mentioned that I've really been in THE ZONE lately, in regard to my writing?? I'd been told about THE ZONE by a few writer friends, but never quite "got it" until I "had it"! Wow! All I can say is, it's like having magical fingers, typing fabulous stories and dialogue, while the hours fly by!

Speaking of THE ZONE, I think I've discovered something else that "works" for me. When I'm here in my office, writing in my book, I light a new jar candle I recently bought at Hobby Lobby. It's Harvest Home, Autumn Collection, Cinnamon. I can't even see it, either, because it's behind me, but somehow I believe that candle is helping me. Hey, whatever works, right? 

And, finally....one more note about candles: Yankee Candle is having their Labor Day Sale, which I assume lasts through tomorrow. I stopped by the store at my local mall today, because I had a coupon I'd received in the mail a long time ago. It was save $10.00 on a purchase of $25.00 or more. Now, that's a good coupon! They had various jar candles and other items on sale, plus all the votives and tarts were on sale for $1.00 each. So, I kind of stocked up on those, too. I normally like tea-lights much better....not as much clean-up, but for the price, I decided it was worth it.

I love scented candles. I seem to write well while burning candles. Two wonderful reasons to buy them, especially when they're on sale, and/or I have a coupon!

"My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - it gives a lovely light!"  -- Edna St. Vincent Millay