Hey Everyone! It's been a fun and busy weekend. I actually had some laptop withdrawals this afternoon because I'd been so busy with other things!
I got some awesome house cleaning accomplished yesterday; due to having friends over for the evening! I don't normally "clean" anymore for friends....hey, we accept each other for who we are, right?!... but a new couple also joined us, so that was cause to get out the old dust rags, put away the clutter, and vacuum! It looks lovely and I hope we can keep it that way!!
Once again, congratulations to Kathy of the Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy blog for winning the Bread Alone book! I'll be sure and get it mailed tomorrow, for you, Kathy!
In case anyone wonders how I handle the random drawing, I am happy to explain! I asked a blogger-friend how she handles her contests and she told me about http://www.random.org/. It's a fascinating site, but I've never spent a lot of time browsing through it. I just type in the number of contestants in the True Random Number Generator, click on Generate, and voile'......The Winner is chosen! (Also, I read through all the comments about bread making, starting with the first one, which was Linda O., and so she was Number 1, etc.etc. And the person with the number that came up was Kathy.) Just so everyone knows it is Fair & Square! I do not "choose" who wins....the computer does!!
How many of you are watching the Winter Olympics? My husband and I have really enjoyed so much of it. We are big fans of Apolo Ohno and watched last night as he earned a Bronze Medal, to break the tie he had with Bonnie Blair. What makes him such a fan favorite, too, is his inspiring story. Here's the link to his official website, but it takes forever to load, probably due to millions of people trying to read it! I finally gave up! http://www.apoloantonohno.com/.
"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination." -- Tommy Lasorda
ALL WHO WANDER ARE NOT LOST.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
** AND THE WINNER OF "BREAD ALONE" IS......**
Good morning everyone! It feels a teeny bit like spring here today......birds chirping, rain in the forecast, and predicted high temperature of a balmy 45 degrees! (I could do without the rain, though.)
And, now to announce the winner of the contest.......drum roll please.....tah da......It's Kathy at Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy!! Congratulations, Kathy!! You have won a fabulous book, to add to your roomful of books!! The first edition, autographed copy of "Bread Alone" by Judith Ryan Hendricks!! Please send me an e-mail with your address and I'll get it mailed on Monday.
Thanks again to everyone that took the time to enter. I really enjoyed reading all the comments.
"I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done." -- Stephen Wright
(I've used this quote before, but after reading Cathy C.'s blog this morning, I just had to use it today!)
And, now to announce the winner of the contest.......drum roll please.....tah da......It's Kathy at Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy!! Congratulations, Kathy!! You have won a fabulous book, to add to your roomful of books!! The first edition, autographed copy of "Bread Alone" by Judith Ryan Hendricks!! Please send me an e-mail with your address and I'll get it mailed on Monday.
Thanks again to everyone that took the time to enter. I really enjoyed reading all the comments.
"I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done." -- Stephen Wright
(I've used this quote before, but after reading Cathy C.'s blog this morning, I just had to use it today!)
Friday, February 19, 2010
Bread Alone Contest & A Runaway Zebra
(photo: Harper Collins)
Bread Alone: There's still some time left to be in my contest that ends tonight at midnight CST. Just leave a comment about making bread in the post of February 13th. It's that easy! One lucky person, to be randomly chosen, will be the winner of the autographed book, "Bread Alone"! Tell all your friends, neighbors and fellow bloggers!
Bread Alone: There's still some time left to be in my contest that ends tonight at midnight CST. Just leave a comment about making bread in the post of February 13th. It's that easy! One lucky person, to be randomly chosen, will be the winner of the autographed book, "Bread Alone"! Tell all your friends, neighbors and fellow bloggers!“If thou tastest a crust of bread, thou tastest all the stars and all the heavens.” -- Robert Browning
Runaway Zebra: **This is part of an e-mail from my niece in Atlanta. I hadn't even heard about the poor zebra that was trying to run away from the circus.**John and I were on the interstate with the runaway zebra yesterday!!.... at 5:00 and we were headed to Bremen.....We got on the entrance ramp to the south bound connector and all of a sudden a zebra ran past the car...right next to me! I could have touched him. Bless his heart, he just does not want to be in the circus! Luckily, it was during rush hour and people were inching along so I felt like he wouldn't get hit. He was safely caught and treated for bloody hooves. He's now having some R&R time before he does another show. He was singing his heart out as he ran past my car...♪♫♪..Born free, as free as the wind blows ♪♫...as free as the grass grows...♪♫...I know he was thinking about the Kapiti Plain! *Aww..that poor zebra. I feel so sorry for him *
"Look there daddy, do you see? There's a horse in striped pajamas.
No, thats not what it is at all. That's an animal people call a zebra.
I see, but it still looks like a horse in striped pajamas to me."
(courtesy http://www.allthelyrics.com/)
Runaway Zebra: **This is part of an e-mail from my niece in Atlanta. I hadn't even heard about the poor zebra that was trying to run away from the circus.**John and I were on the interstate with the runaway zebra yesterday!!.... at 5:00 and we were headed to Bremen.....We got on the entrance ramp to the south bound connector and all of a sudden a zebra ran past the car...right next to me! I could have touched him. Bless his heart, he just does not want to be in the circus! Luckily, it was during rush hour and people were inching along so I felt like he wouldn't get hit. He was safely caught and treated for bloody hooves. He's now having some R&R time before he does another show. He was singing his heart out as he ran past my car...♪♫♪..Born free, as free as the wind blows ♪♫...as free as the grass grows...♪♫...I know he was thinking about the Kapiti Plain! *Aww..that poor zebra. I feel so sorry for him *
"Look there daddy, do you see? There's a horse in striped pajamas.
No, thats not what it is at all. That's an animal people call a zebra.
I see, but it still looks like a horse in striped pajamas to me."
(courtesy http://www.allthelyrics.com/)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
JUDITH RYAN HENDRICKS, ERMA BOMBECK & MORE
Contest Update: There's still plenty of time to post your comment(s) on whether you've ever made homemade bread or not. If you haven't read about the contest, go to my post of Saturday, February 13th, see how easy it is to enter and you could possibly be the winner of a wonderful, autographed book, by Judith Ryan Hendricks! And remember, you may post 2 separate comments, which gives you twice the chance to win! (Contest ends at midnight this Friday, February 19th.)
More Judith Ryan Hendricks News: If you've read the first 2 books in the Bread Alone Series, you'll be thrilled to hear that she is currently writing the 3rd book in that series. The tentative title is: Baker's Blues. (No publication date yet.) AND, in the next few days or weeks, I will post an interview with Judi right here on my blog! More about that later.
Erma Bombeck Contest: I checked on the status of the entries at Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop and it said to expect results in mid-March. Gosh. I don't think I can hold my breath that long. Especially when I keep hearing to b-r-e-a-t-h-e, in order to get into my Writing Zone so I can write, write, write my book!
Tiny-Lights Essay Contest: Don't forget to get your entries in the mail and post marked by this Friday, February 19th. (Snail mail only.) Some great winning dollars there and Susan Bono is a fabulous person And, I'm not just saying that because I work for her! Tiny-Lights Contest
"Inside every fat book is a thin book trying to get out." -- Unknown
More Judith Ryan Hendricks News: If you've read the first 2 books in the Bread Alone Series, you'll be thrilled to hear that she is currently writing the 3rd book in that series. The tentative title is: Baker's Blues. (No publication date yet.) AND, in the next few days or weeks, I will post an interview with Judi right here on my blog! More about that later.
Erma Bombeck Contest: I checked on the status of the entries at Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop and it said to expect results in mid-March. Gosh. I don't think I can hold my breath that long. Especially when I keep hearing to b-r-e-a-t-h-e, in order to get into my Writing Zone so I can write, write, write my book!
Tiny-Lights Essay Contest: Don't forget to get your entries in the mail and post marked by this Friday, February 19th. (Snail mail only.) Some great winning dollars there and Susan Bono is a fabulous person And, I'm not just saying that because I work for her! Tiny-Lights Contest
"Inside every fat book is a thin book trying to get out." -- Unknown
Saturday, February 13, 2010
** RULES FOR MY NEWEST CONTEST **
Yesterday's "schedule" didn't work the way it was written. Imagine that! So, although I said I'd post the rules for my new contest on the 12th, here they are on the 13th!
In order to be eligible to win the autographed, First Edition copy of Judith Ryan Hendrick's book, "Bread Alone", all you have to do is post a comment, stating 1) Whether or not you have ever made "homemade bread". 2) Was it in a bread making machine, or the old-fashioned way? And, it doesn't have to be white bread. Any type qualifies. So, that's it! You may post up to 2 separate comments. Tell all your book-loving and bread-baking friends to stop by and post a comment, too! I loved this book! It's been a couple of years since I read it, but the characters have stayed with me.
Example of your comment: "Yes I've made bread in a bread machine." (It doesn't have to be long and drawn out. But, if you'd like to share what kind of bread, recipes and anecdotes, etc. please do so!)
"It's so exciting not knowing what is going to happen next. One day I might be baking bread, the next I could be jumping out of an aeroplane!" -- Liz Barker
(photos courtesy of Bp)
In order to be eligible to win the autographed, First Edition copy of Judith Ryan Hendrick's book, "Bread Alone", all you have to do is post a comment, stating 1) Whether or not you have ever made "homemade bread". 2) Was it in a bread making machine, or the old-fashioned way? And, it doesn't have to be white bread. Any type qualifies. So, that's it! You may post up to 2 separate comments. Tell all your book-loving and bread-baking friends to stop by and post a comment, too! I loved this book! It's been a couple of years since I read it, but the characters have stayed with me.
Example of your comment: "Yes I've made bread in a bread machine." (It doesn't have to be long and drawn out. But, if you'd like to share what kind of bread, recipes and anecdotes, etc. please do so!)Oh, by the way, chances of winning has nothing to do with whether you made bread by hand, or by machine!The winner will be chosen randomly!
These 2 photos are from my ancient, Betty Crocker, paper back cook book. As you can see in the photo below, the book has been lovingly used many times. Above is the page with the white bread recipe I always followed....the old-fashioned way. I haven't made any bread in a long time, though, except in my bread making machine. I'm hoping this contest will revive that old spirit in me!
"Bread Alone" is not only a fabulous novel, but Judi includes a few mouth watering bread recipes as well. Thus....my reasoning for this contest!!
** Contest will be open from midnight tonight until midnight this coming Friday, Feb.19th. **
"It's so exciting not knowing what is going to happen next. One day I might be baking bread, the next I could be jumping out of an aeroplane!" -- Liz Barker(photos courtesy of Bp)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
* Thoughts Straight From My Head To Your Eyes *
* Today, February 11, 2010 is my 27th wedding anniversary! Thank you, thank you very much! My wonderful husband surprised me by taking me to one of my favorite restaurant, Erio's. Youngest son, Mark and his girlfriend, Jenni also met us there, which was also part of the surprise! It's a nearby family-owned italian restaurant that I really like, but we never seem to think of it when we DO go out to eat, which isn't very often. My wisdomly astuteness for a happy marriage: Laughter and Love. Similar beliefs. Patience and Kindness. All pretty much in that order! By the way, I don't do math very well, so can someone please tell me how I can be married 27 years when I'm only 35 years old? (in my head, that is!)
Chicken Soup for the Soul; Love Stories: I have a story in this about us.
* I have a new contest lined up and this time the prize will be an autographed copy, first edition: Bread Alone, by Judith Ryan Hendricks!! When I e-mailed Judi and asked if she would like to be part of my next contest, she replied immediately that she was "honored and delighted", then offered the first edition, to "make it an even nicer prize." Besides being a fabulous writer, she is such a lovely person! Bread Alone was published in 2002. I've read all four of Judi's books and I'm looking forward to the one she's working on now! If you haven't read any, you've really missed out on some wonderful novels. You can learn all about Judi and her books when you click on the link above. Oh, by the way: Contest rules to be listed tomorrow!
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." -- Victor Hugo
* Huh? Are You Kidding Me? *
A funny thing happened while I was typing an e-mail recently....
I'm only familiar with AOL's way of doing things, so I don't know if the rest of the world has something like this in their e-mail spell-check program or not.....
As I was referring to a mutual friend, named Rita, I spelled it: Reeeeters, because that's what we call her sometimes. AOL, in its infinite spelling wisdom, decided to suggest other words to replace the "misspelled" one. The following list of words, in order, were provided as possible replacements: Beefeaters, Beekeepers, Respecters, Regenerates, Freebooters, Recreates, Regenerators, Repeaters, Requesters, Roomettes, Beefeater, Executers, Rebutters, Remitters, Reregisters, and Receptors.
The first two were actually my favorites and I immediately began to laugh out loud when I read them. By the time I got to "Freebooters", I was really howling and then totally lost it with "Roomettes" and "Beefeater" as if maybe the singular of "Beefeaters" was a better choice!
"Why are our days numbered and not, say, lettered?" -- Woody Allen
I'm only familiar with AOL's way of doing things, so I don't know if the rest of the world has something like this in their e-mail spell-check program or not.....
As I was referring to a mutual friend, named Rita, I spelled it: Reeeeters, because that's what we call her sometimes. AOL, in its infinite spelling wisdom, decided to suggest other words to replace the "misspelled" one. The following list of words, in order, were provided as possible replacements: Beefeaters, Beekeepers, Respecters, Regenerates, Freebooters, Recreates, Regenerators, Repeaters, Requesters, Roomettes, Beefeater, Executers, Rebutters, Remitters, Reregisters, and Receptors.
The first two were actually my favorites and I immediately began to laugh out loud when I read them. By the time I got to "Freebooters", I was really howling and then totally lost it with "Roomettes" and "Beefeater" as if maybe the singular of "Beefeaters" was a better choice!
"Why are our days numbered and not, say, lettered?" -- Woody Allen
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
** Various Thoughts on a Tuesday Evening **
Hello Everyone! It's a brisk 19° this evening, with a wind chill of 4°. We received about 4 inches of snow between last night and early today. It's beautiful and it's windy and it's cold! BUT, am I complaining? No way! You know why? Because I don't live in the part of the country that is trying to dig out of 2 to 3 FEET of snow!! Yowza!
Okay, now on to some information you may actually care to read about:
1) Tiny Lights Essay Contest is still open! Submissions have to be snail-mailed and must be postmarked by February 19th. That's ten days from now, so get your pencils or keyboards going and enter! There's some really good prize money to be won....5 prizes in the standard category and 3 prizes in flashpoint. Click on the link provided and read all the rules.
2) Speaking of Tiny Lights, my wonderful friend, Tammy Goodsell, is included in this month's "Searchlights & Signal Flares". << click on that, then down to Latest Question; "What is a writer's Golden Rule?" Click on that and you'll see Tammy's essay, along with others. She's listed as T'Mara Goodsell. (Or, you can also get there by clicking on the Tiny Lights Logo, almost directly across from this) Congratulations, Tammy, for being published!
3) I've mentioned various books before that have inspired me and helped me along my writing journey. I came across the name of one recently (don't remember where I read about it) that I had buried in my book shelves and somehow had never read! Imagine that?! I dug it out about 3 days ago, when I was going through my major panic attack about my writing ability. It is a scathingly brilliant book!! (that's for you, Cathy C...I think!) The name of it is: "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing & Life", by Ann Lamott. Many of you may have already read it, because it's not a new book (1995), plus the fact that every writer should buy this book, and read this book, and re-read, and re-read, etc.! It is full of great advice, hilarious anecdotes, and appears as if it was written just for YOU! It has been a huge part of helping me work through my fears and motivate me to WRITE! I can't recommend it enough.
4) And, speaking of Books and Contests... I'll be having another contest to win a book, either the end of this month, or in March. More details to follow!
5) Last, but not least.....Here's another one of my "Twilight Zone" moments that I'd like to share. Yesterday, I was looking for something in my china cabinet and came across a couple of photos I keep in one of the drawers. One is a picture, taken in 1970 of my (now deceased) maternal grandma on her 82nd birthday. (I know all this because it was written on the back of the photo, thank goodness!) She is standing between her dining room table, and her china cabinet. The table is all decked out with a fancy white table cloth, silverware, a crystal punch bowl, coffee pot, etc. I'm so glad that somehow I'm the one who ended up with this particular picture! I brought it upstairs with me to, to pin to my cork board along with a few other old pictures, for additional writing inspiration. I glanced at the back of it one more time before I actually got around to pinning it up today, and read again with a little more awareness, and saw that yesterday, February 8th, was her birthday!!! Do do do doooooo ♪♫♪♪
"Happiness...it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort." --Franklin D. Roosevelt
Okay, now on to some information you may actually care to read about:
1) Tiny Lights Essay Contest is still open! Submissions have to be snail-mailed and must be postmarked by February 19th. That's ten days from now, so get your pencils or keyboards going and enter! There's some really good prize money to be won....5 prizes in the standard category and 3 prizes in flashpoint. Click on the link provided and read all the rules.
2) Speaking of Tiny Lights, my wonderful friend, Tammy Goodsell, is included in this month's "Searchlights & Signal Flares". << click on that, then down to Latest Question; "What is a writer's Golden Rule?" Click on that and you'll see Tammy's essay, along with others. She's listed as T'Mara Goodsell. (Or, you can also get there by clicking on the Tiny Lights Logo, almost directly across from this) Congratulations, Tammy, for being published!
3) I've mentioned various books before that have inspired me and helped me along my writing journey. I came across the name of one recently (don't remember where I read about it) that I had buried in my book shelves and somehow had never read! Imagine that?! I dug it out about 3 days ago, when I was going through my major panic attack about my writing ability. It is a scathingly brilliant book!! (that's for you, Cathy C...I think!) The name of it is: "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing & Life", by Ann Lamott. Many of you may have already read it, because it's not a new book (1995), plus the fact that every writer should buy this book, and read this book, and re-read, and re-read, etc.! It is full of great advice, hilarious anecdotes, and appears as if it was written just for YOU! It has been a huge part of helping me work through my fears and motivate me to WRITE! I can't recommend it enough.
4) And, speaking of Books and Contests... I'll be having another contest to win a book, either the end of this month, or in March. More details to follow!
5) Last, but not least.....Here's another one of my "Twilight Zone" moments that I'd like to share. Yesterday, I was looking for something in my china cabinet and came across a couple of photos I keep in one of the drawers. One is a picture, taken in 1970 of my (now deceased) maternal grandma on her 82nd birthday. (I know all this because it was written on the back of the photo, thank goodness!) She is standing between her dining room table, and her china cabinet. The table is all decked out with a fancy white table cloth, silverware, a crystal punch bowl, coffee pot, etc. I'm so glad that somehow I'm the one who ended up with this particular picture! I brought it upstairs with me to, to pin to my cork board along with a few other old pictures, for additional writing inspiration. I glanced at the back of it one more time before I actually got around to pinning it up today, and read again with a little more awareness, and saw that yesterday, February 8th, was her birthday!!! Do do do doooooo ♪♫♪♪
"Happiness...it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort." --Franklin D. Roosevelt
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)