And the winner is...

Buttercream Queen!

Congrats Queen!!  I'll fb message you some details in a bit!

Thank you all for entering. 

December GiveAway!

Giveaway is over and comments are now closed. 

Winner will be announced Monday morning.

After sifting through all the fa.cebook legalities of a giveaway, I just decided to host it here at my ol' blog and advertise it on fac.ebook!

December GiveAway at Forget me Knot!! 

This little fleece sleeping bag will delight any doll enthusiast, from 2-92. There are no zippers to snag or buttons to worry about - this adorable bag has an opening just below the pillow for your little one to slide their dolls (fits 15” and 18”) in for a good night’s sleep. The pillows are stuffed with a very soft filling to provide only the best possible sleep. (Bag featured in giveaway is made from same fabric, but pattern placement may vary). 

May earn up to 3 entries by doing the following:
1- Leave a comment on this 12/6 blog post letting me know who you'd give the doll sleeping bag to.

The following have two parts:
2 -  First, find me on fac.ebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/forgetmeknot.la and like my "Forget me Knot" page - and second, come back here leaving a comment letting me know that you did...(If you already "Like" the page, just leave me a comment letting me know).
3 - First, share this giveaway on facebook including a link to the FMK page and second, come back here to leave a comment letting me know you shared it on facebo.ok.

NOTE: For all comments, be sure to include your email if it is not already connected to your blogger profile.  This giveaway will accept anonymous comments, but please let me know who you are! :D

The giveaway will end this Sunday, 12/11 at midnight est. 

Good luck!

And the winner is...

18 people left comments on my last post and each person was assigned a number in the order they left their comments.

My husband asked our oldest to pick a number and in a very hoarse voice (he and I have been sick this weekend), Q whispered, "ten."  Q looked at us wondering what he had just done.  My husband said, "You just gave somebody $80!  Now run upstairs and get your piggy bank!"  LOL!!!

So, who was #10?

It's you!

Send me an email (or facebook message) and I'll get CSN Stores to send your gift certificate to you in an email. 

Thanks to everyone who entered - you're making me very ready for fall!!  But it has to wait to come until we get back from the beach! ;-D

Fall is *almost* here!

From lights (to cozy up inside with a book as the evenings grow shorter) to outdoor furniture (to enjoy the cooler weather), CSN online store is your one-stop shop!

The fine folks at CSN Stores want to help me celebrate that fall is (almost) here! 

Personally, I'm not ready to say fall is here, because we have one last vacation to the beach - and I want it to be warm!

However, I can't deny that fall is just around the corner.  So this week you have a chance to win an $80 gift certificate to the CSN online stores! 

And to be entered to win the $80 gift certificate, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post, answering this question,

"What is your favorite thing about Fall?"

That's it - as easy as that!  Leave a comment and then share about it with friends to get an extra entry for each friend that comments telling me you sent them here! 

Contest will end Sunday, Sept 12 at 7pm (est) and the winner will be posted later that evening. 

Let's celebrate the coming of Fall with $80 to CSN Stores! 

Weekend Recap and a Winner!

After a long day of having intermittent internet service (GRRRR!!!) I can finally post!

We had a really wet great weekend.

Thursday evening, with both vehicles packed, we headed about 35 minutes north to our favorite campground.  T helped me get the tent set up and all other necessities set as he was heading back home to work on Friday.  It would just be me and the kids until he returned 19 hours later.

Thankfully, the bee sting I got while setting up the tent didn't set the tone for the weekend. ;-D

It was H-O-T Thursday evening but the kiddos were tired from excitement and we drifted off to sleep rather quickly calmed by the sound of the fan in our tent.

On Friday, the kids and I spent the day playing at the playground, visiting with a few other families that had arrived early, went swimming, fishing, boating and painting.

Early Friday - before the other campers arrive. 

We were excited when Daddy arrived later in the day and we spent the rest of the evening visiting.  We went to bed, noticing 2 small stars in the sky - now, we wonder if it was our imagination.

We awoke after midnight (the kids slept through EVERYTHING) to rain.  The Lord was watching over us because through the rain, there was no wind with the storm and very little thunder and lightning.  We remained dry - others did not fare so well. :(

I pressed the light on my birthday present to see the time and was happily surprised when I found a cute little graphic on it for me!

It was still raining as we crawled out of the tent, so we decided to go out for breakfast, since we didn't have a tent over our food and making pancakes on the griddle in the rain didn't sound fun to anyone!  T's parents are on the site right next to ours, so they joined us for breakfast at the nearby truck stop!  My hubby treated, telling me it was my birthday treat... sigh!!! ;-D 



It rained on and off for a good bit of the day.  We decided to try fishing in the afternoon, and as we walked there, T said, "Watch it start pouring again as soon as we get to the pond."  And guess what??





The skies cleared and the sun came out in the afternoon, just before supper.  Some good friends invited us down to their campsite to have my second birthday meal of the day - Thanks Anne - I was so glad the truck stop breakfast wasn't my only "treat" of the day! ;-)

Sunday morning was cooler and things began to dry out.  And we could make pancakes!!

Flipping the tent to help the bottom dry!

I didn't grow up camping, but it has been something I now look forward to every summer.  And heading up the extra night was totally worth it - we hope to do that again next year!  Lots of fun memories made with some great friends!!!

And now, for our winner!!!

I numbered the "valid" comments in order and then went to random.org.  The number it selected was:

#8 - GINGER!!! 

She posted on her blog and on facebook and brought 8 more people here - putting her name in a total of 9 times!  LOL!!!  I'll be sure to get your info to CSN and have that $60 prize on its way to you!!! 

Thanks to each and everyone of you that celebrated with me!  It was a wonderful birthday!  And thanks to CSN Stores!

Celebrate with me!

Someone's having a birthday!!

I'll turn 35 on Saturday and the fine people at CSN Stores want to help me celebrate.  I get to choose one lucky commenter (on this post) to receive a $60 *SIXTY DOLLAR* gift certificate to use at any of their over 200 online stores - where you can find everything from cookware to cribs or even your most specific needs such as a bathroom vanity or a bird cage!


I'll be choosing a winner Monday, July 12.  So no entries after 11:59pm, on Sunday, July 11.  Only one comment per person will be entered into the drawing (sorry JM and G!) 


BUT, if you blog about it, tweet it, or facebook it and someone comments telling me that you sent them here, you'll receive an additional entry for each person!!!


So, what am I doing for my birthday?  Well, we have some plans to spend a lot of time outdoors this weekend.  While we desperately need rain  -  I'm hoping the predicted storms don't make too much of a dent in our plans.


So, I'm off to enjoy some wonderful time with my church friends and family!  All you need to do is enjoy the A/C for me and leave a comment below - and then go blog, tweet or facebook it! :-D

Such an awesome idea!

The Nester is doing a giveaway for a customized sign from DaySpring.  I'm one of those people, that as a kid, never had any personalized name plates - this is so cool!!!!  I went to the Danielson-DaySpring design studio and had lots of fun creating my own!

Check out this post and enter for yourself.

Good luck if you decide to enter, but I really hope I win! ;-D

Christmas in July...

...at the Bit of Whimsy blog.  I have made one of her adorable patterns and there are so many more I'd love to make.  Her patterns are very clear and perfect for a sewing beginner!!

Click on the link above to see more!  Her contest runs through this Friday, July 24 and winners will be announced on Saturday!  Good luck to all who enter!

Congratulations!

I wrote down the names of all who commented and numbered them 1-18 - so for those who left numerous comments, you were still only in the drawing once. But know that you amused me immensely with your multiple comments here and on facebook! I live for that stuff, because as Just Mom pointed out, I'm needy like that!

Using Random.org, #10 was selected. And #10 is - LYNN!! Lynn, let me know if you'd like the CD mailed, or gifted from iTunes. Congrats!! I know you'll love it!!!!

Thanks for all your kinds words and birthday wishes! I even got cards through email and snail mail - Thank You!!

For those curious as to my birthday plans - my hubby scored complimentary tickets to Les Mis and we'll enjoy that after eating at one of my favorite restaurants in the city!!

Oh, and we have a gift card from Christmas to use for dinner! So, you know what this means ... all the more money that can be put into my present - bah hahahahahaha!!!

As a side, my hubby was up at 1am this morning to drive tractor trailer and I had a bad night's sleep - we may be "Les Miserables" tonight!

It's my birthday tomorrow...

So, it's time for a giveaway!!

This past spring I was driving and listening to some new tunes on our local Christian radio station. "Since the World Began" started playing and I fell in love. I couldn't get enough of the song and couldn't find it online since the new cd hadn't been released yet. The cd, Glory Revealed II, will be released this Tuesday, July 14. I've had my copy pre-ordered for quite some time now.

In honor my 34th birthday tomorrow, I'd like to pass along a copy of this cd to someone. I can either gift it from iTunes or send the cd in the mail - winner's choice. Here's a little preview...

To enter, just leave a comment on this post telling me what you've put in the mail as my birthday present - ha! Ok, I'll be nice, just leave me a comment!

I'll pick a winner, tomorrow, on my birthday and post around lunchtime!!!

I'm off to celebrate.

Not really. ;-P

And the winner is...

The Phillies ... okay, they are only in the 3rd inning as I type this, so you know I'm announcing the winner of this:

Tina is the winner of this "lady.bug" bag!!! YAY TINA!!

Tina, please email me your address and I will get this in the mail as soon as I can!!

Thank you all for entering and Ginger, well done - you had several extra entries just for blogging about it - but alas, no win :( 

And, I must admit, while I tried to keep comments "contained" Mary was right - the banter of mulitple comments is the best - and then I feel like a winner!! LOL!!!

Silly Me!

Remember this bag? I completed it as a test pattern and posted it about 4 weeks ago. I teased about doing a giveaway with it - and then forgot, LOL!! Please forgive me!

This "lady.bug" style bag is made of cotton and features the perfect colors for fall. It is a nice, large bag with a magnetic closure inside. It is very deep and will hold LOTS!

Leave a comment on this post (one per person please) up until this Monday night, 8ish. I will draw one winner and announce it the same evening, 9ish, perhaps. :-)

Feel free to blog about it and send your friends my way - if you do, and they tell me you sent them, you can earn 2 entries!

Drum Roll Please....

This was fun - and I hope you all had fun too!

I assigned a number to each person who left a comment - it looks like this.

1. Just Mom said...
2. Mary@notbefore7 said...
3. annie said...
4. Penless Thoughts said...
5. Meg said...
6. HJWeaver said...
7. Amber Kay said...
8. Short Stop said...
9. Lori said...
10. Tracy said...
11. Frazzled Farm Wife said...
12. John (well actually, Shirley - LOL) said...
13. MorningSong said...
14. Nanette said...
15. Just a thought Ginger said...
16. mom24 said...
17. Jillian, Inc. said...
18. Heather K said...
19. Susan said...
20. Musicaljean said...
21. Peggy said...
22. CONNIE'S THOUGHTS FROM THE HEART said...
23. Tammy said...
24. AMY said...
25. MDiffenbach said...
26. Lynn said...
27. ET @ Titus2:3-5 said...
28. Jezz said...
29. weavermom said...
30. diana said...
31. 4funboys said...
32. Andrea said...

Next, I went to random.org and had selected it to choose 2 numbers between 1 and 32. Here is what it gave me:

#25 = MDiffenbach said...



I'm new at this commenting thing, but I thought this was definitely worth a try for a great giveaway, Leigh Ann! Alot of your favorites are similar to mine. I would love to try the fitflops - cause ya know I could lose some of that "baby" fat from oh, over 2 years ago now! They look really comfy! Course I love books too - CBD, Amazon or paperback swap! And I could always listen to music on an iPod while I practiced my sewing after shopping at JoAnn's. Hmmm... going to Macaroni Grill for a date night (we never tried it) would be fun, but I'd have to shop at Anne Taylor Loft, Lands' End, or Zappos first... of course after I lost a few pounds using the Fitflops! So I guess it's back to them- I'd pick the fitflops! :)!

and

#14 = Nanette said...



Happy Birthday and Congratulations on your 400th post. If I win, I would love the Amazon gift card. I love to read and haven't read The Shack.


Congratulations girls!!!! Nanette is the creator of several of the patterns I've been using to make clothes for the kids and Michelle and I went to high school together (I was a year ahead) and her older brother was in T's class. We were on the track team together too. We attend the same church as well.

I had the chance to catch up with Michelle briefly last week. Michelle's youngest daughter, Aliyah, has been very sick - I posted last year about her on her 1st birthday, here. Michelle has spent a lot of time in Boston with Aliyah, away from her husband and older daughter. I know she would covet your prayers for her daughter's health and healing. I am just so excited her number came up this morning!!

Congratulations again Michelle and Nanette - and thanks to everyone for helping me to celebrate my birthday. And thank you for blessing me with your kind words and visits!!

I'm still waiting for the red FitFlops to arrive in the mail...anyday, right?

Also, I've been feeling like I really need to pull myself away from the computer for some time - I'll stop in sporadically, but summer feels like it is just slipping by, and I've got a new school year - 1st grade - to get ready for!

Have a blessed weekend!!

It's a full post, folks!

Last Monday was my 400th post ... but no giveaway.

Last Thursday was my 33rd birthday ... but no giveaway.Well, here it is folks - here is what you have been waiting for (Oh gosh, I hope I just didn't set myself up there).

This past Saturday, I did some early Christmas shopping (at Hallmark's Ornament Premiere), so, this is my 400th post / Birthday / Christmas in July Giveaway Spectacular! LOL!!

But first, here is my top 10 list of *my favorite things* - in no particular order. These are all things I've fallen in love with and tell almost everyone about (even within the first 5 minutes of talking....in the first 10 minutes if I've just met them)! And, I'm listing this for my fun and yours...I am not getting anything for listing/linking these sites here.

Yes, I do realize there are more worthwhile things in life than to list the "stuff" I like...but amuse please, I mean it was my birthday afterall!!!!

1 - FitFlops - WalkStar style - I know they market them as a shoe to give you a 'workout' but come on! I bought them because they are really comfortable. My feet ache after standing for long periods of time (and the first person who makes a wise crack about my age is gonna get a pie flung at ya) and these have made standing while cooking, doing dishes, ironing so much more comfortable. The white/red pair is one of my favorites - but I don't have that color yet...HINT HINT - for those still wanting to get me something for my birthday!!

2 - iPod Shuffle - iHave blogged about this before (here), but it is totally worth mentioning again! iAm in love with this little gadget. It makes walking a pleasure (as if the weightloss weren't enough). iEnjoy wearing it while iAm on my own in the kitchen or while sewing! A fun little gadget to have! (Its even better if you get it for free from your credit card points)!

3 - Macaroni Grill - if there is one of these nearby, please go eat there in honor of me. And you must order the Pasta Milano with a strawberry lemonade! YUM!!!!

Pasta Milano: Imported bowtie pasta with tender, grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh mushrooms in a roasted garlic cream sauce.

4 - Amazon - This place has gotta know me by name or credit card number by now! Their free shipping with a $25 order is just a great way to save as well. And you can find this book there: The Shack by William P. Young. I am not quite finished with it yet, but it has just been an amazing read. It came highly recommended through Diana, Ginger and Susan. They were right - its excellent. I cannot wait to finish reading it - I have many on a request list waiting for it! If you get a chance to pick up a book yet this summer, please pick up this one!

5 - Lands' End - This is one of my favorite places to shop (especially the 'overstocks' department where you can find some really good deals)! My favorite thing about Lands' End are their modest swimsuits - I was growing tired of the skirts and found these shorts. It feels more like athletic wear and it makes playing with the kids much nicer. They also have a lot of cute things for children.

6 - Zappos - Zappos sells lots of things, but I started going there because of ... ahem ... shoes. They also offer free shipping (to and from, meaning free return shipping) and you get it the NEXT day. Perfect when you need something last minute but can't make that trip to the mall. I haven't bought many shoes from them, but I do love to browse. I actually got to visit the store when T and I were in Kentucky this past March.

7 - Paper Back Swap - This site has been a huge help to me! Not only am I able to clear out some of the books in my house, but by doing so, it gives me credits to get new (to me) books for FREE! Yes FREE! You pay to ship your books (at a reduced cost through media mail) to those who request them and you earn credits. Use your credits to order books that are then shipped with the sender paying the costs. We've added some really nice books to our children's collection and I've found some for personal reading as well as for homeschooling!

8 - Joann's - This has become a favorite place to shop for new fabrics and gadgets for sewing as well as yarn for my knitting projects. They have a wonderful selection of children's crafts too. I believe most of the baskets in my house have come from this store as well!! If you sign up for the flier, you get a 40% off 1 item coupon in each one and several times a year they do a 10% or 20% off total purchase coupon! Its perfect when buying lots of fabric for curtains!!!

9 - Ann Taylor Loft - I love the back of this store. YES! I said the back. Why? Because that is where the clearance section is and you can find some really good deals. I've just started wearing more clothing from this store and I am finding it not only comfortable, but a great value!

10 - I cannot leave out my MOST favorite thing - Jesus Christ - I may not always talk about Him as much as I talk about shoes - but I want you to know that He is the #1 in my life! He has walked beside me through many tough times and He has rejoiced with me in many great times. He will do the same for you if you welcome Him into your heart. If you are looking to get to know Jesus on a closer level, I recommend Christian Book Distrubtor's website. You can purchase Bibles here as well as many wonderful devotionals.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my love for Vera Bradley...but sadly, I cannot figure out where on the site to buy a gift card! :-(


******

So, if you've made it through all that, here comes the fun part. I'm going to pick 2 winners and give them each a gift card(s) of their choice of $30. The winners get to choose the stores, chosing from my favorites above! And they can choose to get 1 for the whole shabang, or break up the amount into 2 or 3 different gift cards. It it totally up to the winners.

What you need to do is leave me a comment letting me know (and I'm not holding you to this as your 'final answer') what your choices would be if you won.
BHere's the breakdown:

1 - A gift card to Sole Provisions for a pair of FitFlops - this store has free (and fast) shipping!!

2 - An apple gift card to put towards the purchase of an iPod, or an iTunes gift card to purchase music.

3 - A gift card to Macaroni Grill (only available in $10 or $25 increments)

NOTE: This would not be emailed, it would be sent through the mail

4 - A gift card to amazon - you don't have to purchase The Shack, but it would make me really happy if you did!

5 - A gift card to Lands' End.

6 - A gift card to Zappos.

7 - Credits at PaperBackSwap (you can see how the credits break down, here)

8 - A gift card to Joann's.

9 - A gift card to Ann Taylor Loft.

10 - A gift card to Christian Book Distrubtors, to purchase materials to help you grow and learn about who Jesus wants you to be.


Leave me a comment on THIS post - AND ONLY ONE! (You know who you are!)

This giveaway will remain open until Thursday evening - My 33rd and 1 week birthday! HA! I will post the winners on Friday morning.

All gift cards will be sent via email, with the exception noted above. If you do not have your email attached to your blog profile (meaning I cannot email you from your comments in my inbox) please leave your email in your comment. Also, I will contact the winners and get their final gift card selections - you will not be held to your choices picked in the comment section of this post. For the selection sent through snail mail, I will need your address once you have been notified.

Thanks for stopping by to help me celebrate my birthday - and remember, I like the white/red FitFlops in the WalkStar style...size 7! ;-)Blessings,

And the giveaways go to...

T and I decied to stay in tonight - its still raining - lots of puddles. We gonna have our date tomorrow night (Thank you Mom & Dad for switching nights!!)

Here's the time you've all been waiting for - but first, we need some statistics.

83 comments (prior to 12 noon). (Some needed to get the "last word" in)

I think it is important to mention that there were only comments from 27 different people. LOL

One blogger, who shall remain nameless, left 34 comments - totally cracking me up with each one - what a riot!

Some banter began, I was beginning to think my blog was being hijacked - and two more bloggers finished up with 12 and 9 comments. Ahhh, too funny. I can totally feel the love.

I will have to do a post of some of the comments - b/c if you haven't read them, you're missing out on some great laughs. Poetry, people nominating others, we even had a comment from a 1 week old baby who wanted his nursing momma to win the chocolate so he could have chocolate milk! BAH hahahahahaha

And this, folks, is what makes blogging so fun. And tells me, that a few of us, need more to do with our time!!

I must rest now - for my head has gotten too large from all the sweet comments!! I was, however, considering some awards for some of those great comments - but I'm too tired. Take it upon yourself to let me know what awards you think should be awarded - LOL!!

On a more serious note, thank you for commenting and stopping by to see what is happening in our little corner of the world (wide web).

To make it more fun, I thought I'd have to volunteers help me vlog the official pulling the names out of the FAMOUS Ka*sey Kah*ne hat.

Here are my helpers - enjoy the video!!! The winners can email me: mommaroar at gmail dot com

Happy Blogoversary!

One year ago today, I started this blog...why? 'Cause Weavermom started one!! (I'm such a follower!)

I thought blogging would be a nice way to stay in touch with family...a year later, I wonder if my family even reads it! ha - I know you're reading mom and dad...thanks! :)

I hope each of you know how much I appreciate you stopping by and making me part of your day. I have a few prizes I'd love to give away this week as a thanks for stopping by kinda-thing.

Leave me a comment as to why you'd read this crazy momma's ramblings for another year and you'll have the chance to win one of these 3 prizes.


First, the cookbook, "The Best of Cooking Light" featuring "over 500 of our all-time greatest recipes."







Second, some chocolate from our local chocolate factory (and I'm not talking H*e*r*s*h*e*y's - I'm talking waaaaay better than that) and a knit dishcloth made by yours truly - it is the one in the picture and yes, it is finished and off the needles! :-P)



And third, I have a copy of Southern Living's "Christmas with Southern Living 2007."








Leave as many comments as you like, be creative - make me laugh!! Points for originality, fun and creativity may be taken into account for scoring purposes ;-) wink-wink!

And, if you feel like telling me which prize you'd like to win the most, please do!


This contest will remain open until noon on Friday, Feb 1 (est).
Winners will be posted Friday evening.