Blue Monday - Blue Note Cards

Hello. It's Blue Monday! I'm so glad you decided to join in the fun.

To participate: just click here for BLUE MONDAY INSTRUCTIONS.

Visit other Blue Monday participants by clicking on their links. That's what makes Blue Monday fun. I ❤ comments, and appreciate everyone who leaves one for me.
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Look what came in my mail! Denise Marie from Denise Marie Bloomin had a "blog-a-versary celebration door prize," and I won! She made note cards in Blue brown, and white just for me! They're made with such care and details: hand stamped, touches of ribbon, and 3-D parts. Denise Marie is a handy lady. She not only crafts, but she finds great buys that she shares on her blog.

Six Blue items were enclosed:

1. With Gratitude card with envelope
   
2. A Very Happy Birthday card with envelope
3. Thank you Very Much card with envelope
4. With Sympathy card with envelope
5. Best Wishes tag
6. A personal note from Denise Marie
   

I'm giving you a close-up of her whimsical address label on the outside of the package. The top of the label is so cute. Just look at that darling Blue mailbox on the address label.



Here's the little note from Denise Marie. Notice in the lower right, she's written, "Keep Smiling."



I turned the card over so that you can read the message, it says,

"Sally,
You've blessed me w/your meme. I had fun making these for you.
If I can find ANY blue I gotta tag in! LOL
Bloggie Love,
Denise Marie"

What a special Blue treat! Thank you, Denise Marie; I'll sure enjoy using these.


Happy Blue Monday!

Blue Monday Participants

1. Jill, CA 2. lani@home 3. mizhelle 4. Vintage linens 5. Sweet Nothings 6. Rajesh, India 7. Dena E Dream Doodlers 8. Candy @ The Little Round Table 9. LaVoice 10. Sarah@Blogging While Waiting 11. Ann@tin and sparkle 12. Fe's Journey of Life 13. Siromade Australia 14. Animor Australia 15. Marie's Maison - Guest Room 16. Pie 17. Coloradolady - blue stained pine 18. Mary@OnePerfectBite 19. Jeanne,backyard neighbor 20. Emily 21. kat 22. Joyful 23. Treasures from the Heart 24. Loui 25. lazyclick, India 26. Fifi Flowers 27. Milla 28. Belle

29. Hagemor Fotosafari 30. Maboe, Norway 31. Shannara 32. Jan, Australia 33. Riet, Holland 34. Eden, Australia 35. Doni @ faithgracecrafts 36. Rinkly Rimes 37. The Recycling Loop 38. Chari@Happy To Design 39. Kvasthilda, Sweden 40. foto CHIP - Birgitta 41. Manang Kim~USA 42. Everyday melbourne 43. Happier Than a Pig in Mud-Freezer Dill Pickles 44. Debbie@thepaintsplash 45. Becky K 46. Fighter ღ 47. Jasmin in Blue! 48. Cabin & Cottage 49. DustyUs, Ok, US 50. Wifey10-My Pet Jamie 51. Reach Beyond Limits 52. Susan@Mizzus G on This and That 53. Christian 54. Idea House Master Suite 55. Auntie E's Garden 56. DeniseMarie

57. linda 58. Christine 59. Katillac Shack 60. Little World of Fun 61. Yoli ~ Apron Senorita 62. Treasured Blue Platter 63. Diann @ The Thrifty Groove 64. Jan K. 65. Talents Differ 66. Joahna Vern, Philippines 67. blue,taiwan 68. Joy- Books and Life 69. Beeutiful by Design-Blue & White 70. Bon Vivant 71. Kayce's Daily Notes 72. Bonnie Blue Flag 73. Ruth 74. peggy gatto 75. hapzydeco 76. Crafty Gardener, Canada 77. annies home 78. Gee 79. Annette 80. Hyacinths For The Soul 81. Komali Chai in the garden 82. Komali -Scented outdoor room

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Blue Monday - Talented Artist!

It's Blue Monday!

To participate: just click here for BLUE MONDAY INSTRUCTIONS or check out the instructions in my sidebar.

Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Have some fun by leaving comments; you'll be surprised how many will return the favor.
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I hope that you were able to celebrate the birth of the Savior and are now ready to show Blogland some blue!

Carol from At My Painting Room held a giveaway recently, and I won a print from an original painting of hers! She was kind enough to wait until after we moved before she mailed me the beautiful print I chose. It came prettily wrapped in white tissue paper with a darling blue polka dot ribbon, tied in a bow. This gorgeous note card was included. Look at that vibrant bluebird! He's sitting on a bush that's loaded with blue flowers. Folks, let me tell you, I plan to frame this note card and proudly display it in my home; it's way too nice to toss away!



Here's the print I chose--Red Hollyhocks. The print image is centered on 8" x 10" archival fine art paper, with a white border, and Carol packaged it with such care. I wish that you could see it up close; it's quite unique. She's one talented artist, and of course, it's signed. I plan to frame it and hang it in a special spot. I'll take a photo of the finished picture once it's hung. I love the red against the blue background.



Quite unexpectedly, Carol also enclosed these additional note cards, each one more delightful than the next. I will use them, but it'll have to be for a special recipient. They're so pretty.

Carol has an etsy shop called Carol's Painting Room. Take a moment and check out her available treasures.




Happy Blue Monday!

Blue Monday Participants

1. LIZELUND Winter-wonderland...but no snow! 2. Charlotte 3. Diann @ The Thrifty Groove 4. Candy @ The Little Round Table 5. peggy gatto 6. Mary@OnePerfectBite 7. LaVoice 8. Claudie@Bubblin'Over 9. Fifi Flowers 10. Rinkly Rimes 11. Anne Fannie 12. Christine 13. carolynUSA 14. katherine 15. sylvia extra from villa extra 16. Hagemor-Norway 17. judith 18. Coffeedoff UK 19. bj @SWEET NOTHINGS 20. hip chick 21. Linderhof

22. gengen 23. ...Molly 24. A Vintage Cottage Home 25. shirl 26. Vivian 27. Beverly 28. mizhelle 29. LUNA 30. Debbie@DiningWithDebbie (rolled blueberry cobbler) 31. Jeanne,backyard neighbor 32. cindy 33. Karen @Elsie Eleanor Designs 34. Rose, WV 35. JohnC 36. Dixie 37. Manang Kim,USA 38. Erica[Kitty Kats] 39. Ivory Spring 40. Myrna @ My Enchanted Home 41. Kristina 42. My Random World

43. Maria, Sweden 44. Kathy 45. JLS Hall (Joysweb) 46. Irene Photography 47. Boogieboard Cottage 48. Annabella 49. Jean Stockdale 50. boliyou 51. DeAnna 52. Baba's Special babies 53. barbara jean 54. Lynn's Lovelies 55. HoodPhoto (OR-USA) 56. Kvasthilda, Sweden 57. Joy-Books and Life 58. Carrie - Carola Nativity Gallery 59. Clara 60. Dhemz 61. Mary 62. Shy 63. Yoli ~ Apron Senorita

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Pink Saturday - Ann's Giveaway!

Precious Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Please Pause at her Place to see Plenty of other Pretty Pink items that Precious Pink Participating People are Presently Presenting for your Perusing Pleasure.

Woo Hoo! Ann at Anne Fannie's Green Acres had a giveaway to celebrate her 200th post, and I won! She awarded a beautiful, handmade, Pink and white bird feeder to me here.

A huge package came in the mail Thursday while we were out. It was so big that the postal carrier left a note that it had to be picked up from the post office the following day. Take a look at the size of this package!


Here's how the bird feeder looked when Ann displayed it amongst her delightful daisies.

Look at the delicate Pink roses on this cup and saucer. Ann is so creative, and her work is precise. Check out her Etsy shop for some great gift ideas or if you're in the mood to pamper yourself.



(sigh) My setting is not so delightful, but the feeder adds a touch of beauty to my view.




Here it is, all set up and waiting for the first hungry bird to enjoy. Although it's a bird feeder, it could also be used as an ornament in a yard with a candle to help set the mood. Thanks, Ann!




See you in two days for Blue Monday!

A Merry, Merry Christmas Giveaway!

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I want you to have something extra to be thankful for, and I need time to have these get mailed out to you.

What could be better than solving a gift problem for one of the most difficult people-to-buy-for on your Christmas list? Wait until you hear about this, and I'm sure you'll agree that it's not too early. The generous folks at Hachette Book Group are allowing me to host another major book giveaway! This time I choose the titles. I asked if I could offer two titles that Johnny (who hates to read) has actually read (!) and enjoyed!

Both of the following books are about awesome Christian men. Read the publisher's description in blue, followed by my review in black. Decide which one you'd like to get for that hard-to-buy-for man in your life, and follow the directions below. I understand that some people reading this will not be interested; that's fine, but please leave me a comment anyway. (I get awfully lonely!)

From the commander of the Delta Force team portrayed in the movie Black Hawk Down comes a gripping testimony of faith refined by the fire of unimaginable trial! Learn how General Boykin's experiences in the Special Forces---and in the crosshairs of the media---shook and ultimately strengthened his trust in God.

My Review:
Johnny and I are very different people. I am an avid reader; he would tell you that he hates to read. Nevertheless, when this book came into our home, he picked it up. (Trust me, that's unusual.) He turned a couple of pages, and when I gently suggested he take a look at it, he began to read! He did not stop that first day until he got to sixty-some pages.

The following day, he picked it up and read some more! As we drove down the street one day, he began to tell me about this man's life. I asked, "If this were made into a movie..."

"I'd go see it!" he exclaimed, interrupting me. He loves action films, and he said that's what kind of film this book would make. On another day, he stated, "This man is a machine! You can't believe the things he's done!" Well, he finished reading the book! Yep, he read all 350 pages, and he loved it.


Josh Hamilton was the first player chosen in the first round of the 1999 baseball draft. He was destined to be one of those rare "high-character " superstars. But in 2001, working his way from the minors to the majors, all of the plans for Josh went off the rails in a moment of weakness. What followed was a 4-year nightmare of drugs and alcohol, estrangement from friends and family, and his eventual suspension from baseball.

BEYOND BELIEF details the events that led up to the derailment. Josh explains how a young man destined for fame and wealth could allow his life to be taken over by drugs and alcohol. But it is also the memoir of a spiritual journey that breaks through pain and heartbreak and leads to the rebirth of his major-league career.

Josh Hamilton makes no excuses and places no blame on anyone other than himself. He takes responsibility for his poor decisions and believes his story can help millions who battle the same demons. "I have been given a platform to tell my story" he says. "I pray every night I am a good messenger."

My Review:
My husband, who by his own definition, is a non-reader, thought that this book was "great!" Addicted to sports, my husband grabbed this book when it came into our home. This is an easy read for any baseball addict, but is also a good read even for a non-lover of the game. In this memoir, Josh Hamilton is so talented a ball player that he receives $3.9 million bonus just for signing with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at age eighteen.

Here is a man devoted to family and God, who comes close to throwing all away. My husband found himself getting angry as he read about the many bad choices Josh made for four long years! The promise of a Golden Life tarnishes because of drugs and alcohol.

Family ties are strong, and one special family member comes through to help him turn around, and advance all the way to the All-Star Home Run Derby in 2008.

Now here's the amazing part. This giveaway is for five (5) copies each of these newly released, brand new, hardbound books! That's a total of ten (10) books!

• Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing addresses, please.
• I must have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in code in your comment: you[at]yourmail[dot]com (Please do not ask me to look it up!)
• I'll close the comments at 6PM EST November 18th and pick the ten winners. I will contact the winners via email to get their mailing information. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner(s).
• If you're interested, just say so in a comment. (If you are not interested, please leave me a comment anyway because you KNOW how I love comments!)
• Last giveaway, I felt badly because so many said they wanted the book, but they neglected to leave the all-important email address in code.
  

Blue Monday - Exciting Book Giveaway!

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue. Leave a link to this blog on your post.

2. Drag the Blue Monday button from here, and place it on your blog. Place another one on your sidebar.

3. Return here after midnight when Mr. Linky will be up, and leave your name and your URL. Do NOT link in until after your post is up. Please remember to leave a comment for me.

4. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment.

5. Check back later to make certain you visit all the Blue participants.
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Is it too early to begin shopping for Christmas--even if you don't have to spend a penny?

My offering for today is to have you read until you're blue in the face! On behalf of the generous Hachette Book Group, I can offer ten (10) books to bloggers! It's simple. You leave a comment. Weren't you going to do that anyway? In the comment, tell me which book you'd like to win. If you would like both books, you must leave one comment for each book. I select the winners, and I pass along your mailing information to Hachette Book Group. They mail you the brand new book! How sweet is that?



International motivational speaker and sought-after businesss consultant Reverend Myles Munroe proves that true leaders empower others to discover their own leadership gifts.















Joyce Meyer is one busy lady. Apart from the normal demands of life, she teaches daily on TV and radio, writes books, holds conferences in dozens of cities every year and ministers around the world...and she runs Joyce Meyer Ministries. So she's had to learn how to make the most of every minute of the day! In 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life, Joyce shares the most effective secrets she's learned over the years for making the most of each minute of the day. In less than two pages per entry, Joyce gives us eminently 'doable' tips that are clearcut and ...well, SIMPLE. But they can change your whole outlook, not to mention your schedule.





* Winners are restricted to the US and Canada. No PO Box mailing addresses, please.

* I must have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in code: you[at]yourmail[dot]com

* I'll close the comments at 7PM EST November 8th and pick the winners. I will contact the winners via email to get their snail mail address. The winners will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from the winner(s) within three days, I will select another winner(s).

* If you're interested, leave a comment with your title choice and that all-important email in code.

If you do NOT want a book, please leave a comment anyway, telling me that you're keeping your current face color. Happy, happy Blue Monday!

Blue Monday Participants

1. Rechelle 2. ellen b 3. Diane@A Picture.... 4. Claudie 5. Elizabeth-EO 6. Linnea 7. Anne Fannie 8. coloradolady 9. Kim 10. kathy b 11. fitty 12. An Enchanted Cottage 13. mom2my9 (Mexican Decor) 14. Eleanor 15. Gemma

16. CC 17. Sherrie 18. Kim 19. Backyard Neighbor 20. Lana G! 21. Baba\'s blog 22. Sweetie 23. Melissa 24. bj 25. PlantBuddy 26. Faith 27. Terie 28. Theresa 29. Kady 30. Barbara H.

31. Rita 32. Sally 33. Robyn 34. Knitty 35. Shelia 36. Carola Nativity Gallery 37. jsprik 38. Mojo 39. Dirkjogt, Belgium 40. Vikki. 41. April 42. Heidi Jo the Artist 43. Maria\'s Space

Learn more about Blue Monday here.
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One Hundred = Good Times!

I just realized that tomorrow is my 100th post! Therefore, according to the custom of Blogland, it's time for a GIVEAWAY! I'm offering something that I hope reflects me and what this blog is all about: a book on inspirational humor! I love to read, I love to laugh, and I love my Lord. I have a "like new" book to give away.

Description:
Featuring cartoons by such gifted cartoonists as Bil Keane, creator of The Family Circus, and Johnny Hart, creator of B.C., these collections by editors Cal and Rose Samra are a virtual treasury of good, clean, inspirational humor. Within the pages of each book, readers will find enough knee-slapping jokes, uplifting anecdotes, zingy one-liners, joyful Scripture references, inspiring stories, top ten lists, clean limericks, church cartoons, real-life "uh-ohs," bulletin bloopers, and "jestimonials" from pastors, health professionals, chaplains, and patients to make them laugh from start to finish!

Everyone may enter--even if you live outside of the US, and even if you do not have a blog. However, I must have a way of contacting you, so be sure to leave your email address in code (ie: you[at]yourmail[dot]com. That way spammers won't stalk you!

I'll close the comments 7 PM EST September 10th, and use random.org to pick the winner. I will contact the winner via email for their snail mail address. The winner will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner.

If you are interested, leave a comment on this post. Even if you are NOT interested, I still would like for you to leave a comment, because I LOVE COMMENTS, but please state that you are NOT interested.

Tropical Storm Fay & Bloggy Giveaways

No school again today. Tropical Storm Fay isn't out of breath yet. We're still standing just fine, though. I had someone who will remain nameless (Justine!) beg me to take pictures. I tried to tell her it's just RAIN. Why does anyone want to see rain? Well, to shut her up make her happy, I took some, but you know what they look like? Yep, RAIN! Dark, gloomy, blurry--rain. So sorry, no pictures. Please don't hate me.

However, to placate those of you who want--really want to see how windy it gets, I have a video. There's a sport called kite surfing. You grab a bar that is attached to a giant kite and hang on. Here's an example of why you should NOT do this during a tropical storm. Notice, please, the other people on the beach who are not blown away.


The fellow is in critical condition. I'm sure the sand in his mouth will remain for awhile.

We should experience gusts up to 60mph soon. It's rained all night long--heavy rain, but Johnny and I slept through it. The good news: it will pass over Lake Okeechobee, our natural lake that provides water for the state. We've had drought conditions lately, so this is a very good thing. God is good. We need the water, and we're getting water. The bad news: some people have their electricity out; that's irritating. I've done that before, and it's no fun. However, it should be restored today. Tornadoes are predicted, and there's the real problem, but they're not BIG tornadoes like Kansas sees. We get category one tornadoes. Enough of this. On to more interesting news.

Remember the week of June 28-August 1, when there was a Bloggy Giveaways Carnival? There's one every three months. The time before that one, I entered a bunch of giveaways, but I did not win a one. However, I had fun trying! Truthfully, it was all about winning then.

However, this time, I have a blog, and I had even more fun. I gave away a $10 Target gift card, and I had fun meeting the winner and her family. That's the real fun of the carnival--meeting all the wonderful people in Blogland.

This carnival, I won three prizes! Take a look:
Daisy sent me a computer game, Brainiveristy that is going to go to some already smart grandchildren. I tell you, if it worked on a Mac, I'd have kept it for myself. (Yes, I am that selfish!)
Cindy sent me this book, Help Me, I'm Married! It is written by Joyce Meyer and is out of print. People stand in line wanting to get a copy of this book of gems.
Killashandra at Full Time in New Mexico created and made this jewelry. I received it in this beautiful lavender bag.
My camera is one of those cheap ones, so I do apologize. The red blobs are delicate red roses, my favorite flower.

The carnival is a great idea. It stirs up excitement in Blogland and allows the opportunity of meeting even more friends. I have only been blogging since June, and I am amazed at just how many new people I have grown to care about--people I talk to every day. There'll be another carnival coming up in October. Have you entered this giveaway? Did you give something away? Have any good results? Start thinking now about what you might plan to giveaway.

Whew! It's Over, and the Winner Is...

The Bloggy Giveaway has ended! What a successful carnival we had this year. There were 1,050 different giveaways going on this past week. I did not enter them all, but I did enter a bunch. There's not too much skin left on my right index finger tip! I sure hope I won something this year. I hope you did too!

Out of 226 comments left on my post, the winner of the $10 Target gift card picked by Random.org is:
Here are your random numbers:

62

Timestamp: 2008-08-01 23:12:19 UTC


Congratulations, Qtpies7! I've emailed you, and I need your mailing address.

If Qtpies7 does not respond within the next 3 days, another winner will be chosen and notified.

To those who entered but did not win, I'm sorry, but I wish you a happy day. I trust that you had a good time. Meanwhile, please come visit again.

It's Bloggy Giveaway Time!

Last time there was the Bloggy Giveaway, I didn't have a blog. I entered a bunch of giveaways, but I did not win a one. However, I had fun trying! This time, I have a blog, I'm giving away something, and I sure hope I win something. I hope you do too!

Please feel free to look around, and vote on my poll--look for the baby--found to your right.

This giveaway is for a $10.00 Target card and is for bloggers and non-bloggers alike.
To enter, leave a comment and an email address in code. For example:
winniethewinner[at]hotmail[dot]com
(The reason for the code is to protect you against scammers.)
Only one comment will count; I eliminate duplicates.

I'll close the comments 7 PM EST August 1st, and use random.org to pick the winner. I will contact the winner via email for their snail mail address. The winner will have three days to respond. If I do not hear from them within three days, I will select another winner.

Be sure to enter the other giveaways found here.