---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Giveaway!!! Children's Bible Story Book --- International

I am so happy to offer my readers to win a sweet little book just in time for Christmas!  

Baker Publishing Group is offering to send one of my readers a copy of My Favorite Bible Children's Bible Story Book.  

All you have to do is leave me a note in the comments below and you will be entered in to the drawing!  The giveaway is open to international readers as well!  

Also, if you are reading this via my Facebook page, a comment within that feed will earn you an entry.

Here's what the publisher has to say about My Favorite Bible:


"With the vibrant illustrations and engaging text in this Bible storybook, you can enjoy sharing the best-loved stories of the Bible with the children in your life and encourage a life-long love for the Word of God. My Favorite Bible is a book of exciting Bible stories and activity pages that guide children through the foundational truths of Scripture.



Each story is fully illustrated and includes a simple narrative full of things kids love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, and discussion questions to help adults introduce children to the Bible.



The colorful illustrations will capture the imaginations of children ages 4–8, and the stories will help adults to pass along the most important truth in life—the Gospel. Families will cherish this time as they read, listen, learn, and love, growing closer to one another even as they grow closer to God."

Giveaway ends December 12th.  

Disclosure: (because the law will come after me if I don't disclose...)  I didn't receive anything from Baker Publishing Group in exchange for posting this giveaway notice---well, nothing except a bunch of happy readers!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Homemaking Weekend Link-Up! Pretend Tea Party!

My husband works nights and tonight I was feeling a little lonely.  So, I fixed myself up a pretty table setting and enjoyed a big pot of soup, a whole pot of tea, and a plate heaped with rich, creamy fudge !
Ok, true confession:  My husband DOES work nights...but I fixed the setting so I could show off my new soup tureen!  (Everything's actually empty and the fudge is wrapped up to send with my mom to work tomorrow!)  I found this neat Lefton soup tureen at Salvation Army recently for $2.00!!!  Our local store has a little room with extremely overpriced "antiques" (some of which are actually Dollar Store items that were made to look antique...but whatever...)  I saw this tureen in the window and knew it would be priced pretty high.  When I got in there, I saw that there was no price on it!  I asked the girl and she said $2.00!!  OKAY!!!  Oh, I should add that our family will not actually use this for soup---it's waaay too small for the 10 of us!  Instead, it will be our gravy "boat" this Thanksgiving...just the right size for that!

This pretty china set and (some of the) tea service was in a shop that my mom bought a few years ago. She gave it to me and I love using it!  I bought the pot and a few extra items on eBay.
Since I don't take milk with my tea, I thought Sam the Lamb would be a cute addition to the table!  I should also add that this "table cloth" is actually a flannel nightgown I made myself a couple years ago!  Ha!! That cracks me up! 
Here's a pretty sampler my oldest daughter made me last year for Mother's Day.  She's got such talent---especially for an 11-year-old girl!
Here's a couple new flavors of fudge I just put in my Etsy store tonight.  Here is Pumpkin Pie fudge and Mocha Almond fudge!  Are you interested in winning some?  Check out my giveaway here.  

It's time for another Homemaking Weekend Link-Up!  I'd love for anyone interested to link-up her homemaking posts today!  You can do more than one a week, if you'd like, and please make sure to take a button and link back to this page so others can visit as well!  The button is at the top of my sidebar!



Linking to:


Encourage One Another Link-Up @ Deep Roots at Home
Homemaking linkup @ Raising Homemakers
White Wednesdays @ Faded Charm
Vintage Thingie Thursday @ Coloradolady
Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace & Crafts
Beverly's Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Fall Decorating, Fruit Cake and Homemaking Weekend Link-Up

The other day, I let our almost 10-year-old son, Michael, take some photos around the house.  As I was going through my pictures from the week, I found all the ones he'd taken.  There's shots of all the family, a few random things, and then a picture of each of our fall decorations!  I thought that was pretty sweet!  Here is a picture he took of all the kids' pictures. Michael is the second from the left on the top.
 So, since he took the time to take them, I'll feature them today for my Holiday Weekend Link-Up!  Here is an adorable Thanksgiving feast set that I bought for a really good price from a local artisan at our city's annual holiday bazaar.  Mom and I are getting excited about going to it this Saturday---I wonder what treasures we'll find this year?
 These scarecrow and fall picks replace the pink cherry blossoms I did have filling this pretty blue jar.
 I bought this cute turkey the first year that Jamie and I were married.  His plea of desperation, "Send Out for Pizza" has always cracked me up!
 This cute little scarecrow is resting on a shelf between my vintage cookbook collection and my vintage collection of O. Henry books.  That little brown recipe box belonged to my great-Grammy Annabelle.
 After looking through the pictures, I thought it would be fun to sit and go through some of Grammy's recipes.  Here are a few that I thought were neat:
 The one at the top left is a letter from her friend, "Your Loving Friend until the end, Doris"  It's a recipe for Mrs. Peabody's Prize Sponge Cake.  Doris asks Grammy, "So Dearest, who are you going to cook it for, the future?"  Ha!!  The second on the left is a recipe for Hood River Unbaked Cookies.  I'm sure my mom can tell me more about this one so I'll update if she's got anything to add.  The newspaper clipping is from November 10, 1982 and gives instructions and tips on making fruitcakes for the holidays.  The small index card on the left is a recipe for Date Marshmallow Log that is pretty much the same thing in a different form as the Top Secret Ancient Family Thanksgiving Recipe that I posted a couple weeks ago! 

Speaking of fruitcakes, here's a recipe for Mrs. Bradley's Dark Fruit Cake.  Mrs. Bradley was Grammy's mother-in-law---my great, great grandmother.  What a GREAT recipe to have! ;)  Is anyone interested in having the recipe?  If so, let me know in the comments and maybe I'll post it in a day or two!
Well, it's time for another Homemaking Weekend Link-Up!  I'm so excited by all the interest in the link-up and I'd love for anyone interested to link-up her homemaking posts today!  You can do more than one a week, if you'd like, and please make sure to take a button and link back to this page so others can visit as well!  The button is at the top of my sidebar!

One more thing, have you entered my GIVEAWAY?  Please do!  Have a great weekend!!

Also linking with:         








Learning to Live a Surrendered Life and:

Monday, November 14, 2011

Holly Hobbie Pumpkins and a Giveaway!

I've got two more of these cute blue Holly Hobbie pumpkins left in my Etsy shop if anyone wants one for the holidays!  Do you like giveaways?  Well then visit this page to see how you can enter my newest giveaway for a box of fudge or carmels!

Happy Blue Monday!  Linking here today:
Smiling Sally

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Modest Dressing: Modern Regency Look

It's that time of year for me---the in-between pregnancies time when I'm so so SO tired of the maternity clothes but the regular clothes aren't quite fitting yet!  (Yes, this really is a yearly thing for me!)  One of my favorite things to do during this time is to experiment with what I have in my closet and see if I can come up with some new outfits!

Here is an idea that readers of all generations might like to try out:
I often find so many cute dresses that I'd love to wear but they're too short!  Here is a gorgeous burgundy, high-waisted dress that I found last year at Motherhood.  It hits just above my knees, which is shorter than I'm comfortable wearing. 
I found this black, flower-print skirt at a yard sale a few years ago and fell in love with it (even though I don't normally wear a lot of black).  The only thing I didn't like about it was that it was semi-sheer and I didn't like how the outline of my legs could be seen when light shined through the fabric.  So, I stuck it in my mending pile and planned to *someday* make a lining for it.  
I sprayed the two pieces inside and out with Scotch Guard to keep them from forming static and layered the dress over the skirt.
Because the top of this dress is a little big on me, especially post-maternity, I layered a lace-topped camisole from Maurices underneath.
My jewelry included this vintage-style necklace that I found at Maurices last year.  I've gotten so many compliments on this necklace---I love it!
I finished the look with a light-weight sweater (also from Maurices).
 I like to call this my "Modern Regency Look".  Whenever I wear this dress over another skirt, it reminds me of this pattern that Mrs. Jennie Chancey created for Simplicity:
 
This dress is a popular style today and is reminiscent of the lovely empire-waists and puffed sleeves of Jane Austen's England.  

Here's an image from Ackerman's Repository of a Regency lady wearing a Spencer jacket.  I suppose my little black sweater could serve as a Spencer jacket for my modern-day walking dress!

Hmmm, now to find me a bonnet...


Have you entered my Giveaway?  Check it out here!

This article was published in The Christian Home Magazine, Issue 37.  Check out this great online magazine here!

Linked with:

Friday, November 11, 2011

Homemade Candy Giveaway!!

I've been busy busy making candy for my new Etsy shop!  I used to make fudge, carmels and other sweets for my mom's local candy store and have decided now to try and sell some online.  I've done really well so far with several orders coming in both on the site and from local friends.  I've got a couple yummy varieties in there now and plan on adding several more throughout the weekend.

To celebrate my new shop, and the fact that I've won several giveaways myself lately, I want to offer the opportunity for one of my readers to win an order of my fresh, homemade candy!  Don't think you can hold out long enough to win a batch?  Use this special discount code and place your order at 10% off today!  This code will be valid through the end of November:  NOV2011
Here's how to win...please leave a separate comment for each step completed. You can do one, some or all of the steps to enter and you don't have to be a follower to win!  Winner will be chosen on November 27th---please make sure I have a way to contact you!!

1.  Leave a comment on this post telling me what flavor of carmels and/or fudge you would like to see in my shop.

2.  Become a follower of this blog.

3.  Subscribe by email (this one gets you 3 entries!)

4.  Put my giveaway button on your blog.  (See below)

5.  Put either my blog button or my Homemaking Link-Up Weekend button on your blog (up to two entries for this one)

6.  Blog about this giveaway with a link back.  (this one gets you 3 entries too!)

7.  Like my shop's Facebook page here 

8.  Visit my shop here


Don't have a blog?  Feel free to email me and let me know what steps you completed and I will enter you in the appropriate number of times!  Here's that button and Good Luck!


Remembering a Special Veteran for Pink Saturday

Today I want to remember a very special veteran: my grandpa Henry Andrew Bourrie.  I have such sweet memories of my favorite grandpa and miss him so much!  He passed away eight years ago, Thursday---the day before Veterans Day.

My grandpa Henry grew up on the fishing docks of Maine and New Hampshire and always had a story to tell about his days on the docks, in the military, or later, when he worked maintenance at the local hospital here in Pendleton, Oregon.

He always called me Punkin and looked at me as if I were the most special thing in the world to him.  Several of my kids have that same mischeivious twinkle in their eye like Grandpa did!

Here he is with a group of guys in Portland, Maine in the late 1940s.  They were enlisting in the Navy:
(If you think you might know someone here, let me know and I'll put up a list of the names and hometowns)
This is him, seated in the middle, just as he's signing his enlistment card.  How crazy is it that I've got a picture of one of the most proud moments of his life?

Grandpa served as a Fireman in the US Navy in Korea.  Here's a little information about the responsibilities of the Fireman:

The training received as a Fireman or in the related engineering skill specialties is equivalent to that received as an electrician, electrical or power plant/co-generation plant operator or supervisor, diesel mechanic, or electronics repair technician. Equipment associated with Fireman training includes propulsion and electrical generation gas turbines, and diesel engines; electronic machinery plant control systems and networks; and intricate electrical wiring and distribution systems.
The name Fireman enjoys a proud and storied history. The name originated in the days when the Fireman was responsible for keeping the fires burning in the ship’s boilers which were used to make steam. The steam powered large turbines then produced the ship’s electricity and turned the ship’s propellers.
After completion of recruit training, enlistees in the Fireman Apprenticeship Training program attend a three-week course on naval engineering fundamental skills in shipboard operations and evolutions.
After successful completion of this training, Firemen are usually assigned to shipboard duties where the Navy needs them the most.


I found that info here.  Thank you, Grandpa, for your service and your love!

Now, for some PINK!

I was the proud winner of Connie's Apron Giveaway a couple weeks ago...isn't it beautiful?  Thank you, Connie, for your generosity!

On top of that, I was the winner in a second giveaway too!  I just happened to hop to a blog that I'd not seen before and ended up winning this Digital Scrapbooking Software Suite from My Memories!  I'm really looking forward to playing with that this weekend after my husband helps me figure it out!

Check out MY Giveaway here!!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and HaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!  Please take a little time today and visit some of the other pinkies at Beverly's place!


Thursday, November 10, 2011

Vintage Pilgrim Print & Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

Hello Friends!  It's time for my Homemaking Link-Up Weekend again!  Last week we had many inspiring posts linked up---I'm excited to see what we'll get this week!  I want to introduce you to two fabulous bloggers here in a minute, but first, I'd like to show off this neat print I found at an antique store last year!
This is Christmas Morn at Plymouth, painted by J.L.G. Ferris.  Between 1900 and 1930, Ferris painted a series of 78 historical scenes from America's past.  He painted everything from Christopher Columbus' discovery to the beginning of WWI.  Ferris' series, The Pageant of a Nation, is the largest, intact, series of paintings portraying America's history by one artist!  You can read more about him here.
My print was copyrighted in 1905 and was distributed with the "compliments of" Lindeke, Warner & Sons of St. Paul, Minnesota, one of the nation's largest wholesale dry goods and manufacturing companies of the time.
It was framed by Erickson and Holden Paints and Wall Paper in Walla Walla, WA.
While I think it's beautiful on my piano, I need something a little more near the top of that window pane.  Maybe I'll make a cute fall banner this weekend to add to it all!

As promised, here are my two top pics from the link up last weekend:
First of all, I was SO impressed by this beautiful and very informative post by Ivy & Elephants called Off the Chain!  They offered a lot of great information about the history, function, and beauty of the chatelaine.  They introduced us to this bit of history with these words: "Chatelaines are one of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry to have evolved out of the Edwardian and Victorian eras."  Did I hear "Edwardian"???  "Victorian"???  I'm in!!  Please, take some time to visit this gorgeous blog and enjoy this well-researched article.  I've read several posts by these girls and it really is quality blogging at it's best!

Secondly, I just had to share with you sweet Christine's sleepover post!!  Christine from Christine's Home and Travel Adventures planned the most fun and relaxing pajama party for her and two friends recently.  
Look at this gorgeous table she set for her friends for a SLEEPOVER!!! Hello!!!  Awesome!  I've read Christine's blog for awhile now and am always impressed by her neat adventures, her beautiful home and yard, and her eye for putting together a gorgeous vignette or table setting.  Christine, I think we need to be closer friends so I can come to your next sleepover! Ha!

I hope everyone will link up with our Homemaking Weekend Link-Up and take a button to display on your blog to help remind you of the weekly party!  Just look at the top of my sidebar for the cute little button with the squirrel!  Happy Weekend! 

Check out my giveaway here!

Also linking with: 

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Date Nut Dessert Squares: {Top Secret Ancient Family Recipe}

After much reflection, I've decided to share with you a tidbit from my vault of family secrets! Here is a recipe for Date Nut Pudding, a family favorite for four generations now. Let me clarify that this is not pudding as in runny, eat-with-a-spoon pudding. Instead, it's more of a dessert square that maintains it's shape when cut.  Back in the 50s when my grandma came across this recipe, it was called pudding so we've all just called it that. However, risking the wrath of my entire family, I've renamed it here---just for your own clarification.

This is to be eaten with your Christmas or Thanksgiving meal and placed on your plate right next to your turkey. But don't be confused. You are not to place this next to the turkey that is in between the mashed potatoes and stuffing---the turkey that you cover with the same gravy that you cover the afore mentioned items with. You are, instead, to place it next to the other turkey that you've placed right next to the cranberry sauce that you place on your fork first before stabbing a hunk of the non-gravied turkey and eating it all with one bite.

Now that we have that straight, lets continue...

Date Nut Dessert Squares {AKA: Date Nut Pudding}

2 c. chopped dates
1 c. chopped walnuts
2 c. miniature marshmallows
1 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 12 oz. container Cool Whip

Stir them all together well and press down into a 9" square pan. Sprinkle more graham crumbs on top and chill overnight.

Yum!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Why I Need Another Baby! Pink Saturday

Let me show you why I need another baby:
Ok, so I'm partially joking...!!  Of course, I would be blessed, honored, and delighted if God saw fit to send more babies our way.  Our children are such joys---they are definitely God's greatest blessings and rewards! 

But, in addition to that, I REALLY WANT ONE OF THESE SHIRTS!!! I love the idea of putting Hannah's prayer for Samuel on a t-shirt---what a wonderful way to share the truth that children are a blessing!

I was just randomly searching Etsy listings the other day, looking for God to point out people he wanted me to feature on my blog, and I discovered Regan and Melody's shop, His Child Clothing.  I asked Regan to write up a little "About Me" dealie so I could introduce her and her daughter to my readers and encourage you to visit their shop.  

They've got the CUTEST little tops for toddlers, as well as several inspiring maternity shirts for the expectant mom who wants to share the truth of God's word regarding children with others around her. 
Surely, there are some of my readers who either know someone who is expecting or know someone with a sweet little toddler who would be blessed by this unique and God-honoring business!  Maybe you'd like to take a minute and visit their shop, give them a couple hearts, bookmark the shop for future or right now purchases...maybe even send the link on to someone you know who would also be interested!

Here's what Regan and Melody have to say about His Child Clothing:

"Our names are Melody and Regan and are a mother-daughter team. We started His Child in April of 2010 when we realized the need for maternity apparel that was devoted to God and His value of life. I (Regan) have more christian shirts than I can count, but when I got pregnant I couldn't find a Christian maternity shirt. At least I couldn't find one that wasn't sold beside a disgusting "knocked up" type of maternity shirt. Refusing to give money to someone who sold what they didn't believe in, we started making our own shirts.

Our belief is that the carrying and birth of a child is one of the most wonderful mysteries any woman is blessed to experience. A lack of stylish and modest clothing should not dampen the joy of this event. HIS Child’s purpose is to make pregnancy fun and fuss free as moms get ready for work, church, or just out to have fun. Our mission is to encourage parents and to honor the sacredness of life in a positive image and in a fun and stylish way.

The name HIS Child is based on John 1:12. “Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His (Jesus’) name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

Thank you for the opportunity to spread the word about His Child. It means a lot to us.

In Him,
Regan & Melody of His Child"

Let me just note that no goods or services were provided to me prior to publishing this post on my blog.  It is solely for the purposes of spreading the word about a business I respect!  Oh, and it's also a big SHOUT OUT HINT to my mom and husband...  :)

Happy Pink Saturday!  Be sure and stop by to see Beverly and the Pinkies at How Sweet the Sound!

Also linking with: 



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...