This morning I found this subject line in my inbox:
You won the Shabby Apple giveaway on The Blog Guidebook!
Followed by:
Congrats, Susan! You won the Shabby Apple Giveaway on The Blog Guidebook. We will be sending your info along to Shabby Apple, and they should be contacting you directly. Please let us know if you have any problems at all. And thanks for being a loyal follower of the Guidebook! Enjoy your dress. :)
So, I went to the Blog Guidebook blog and saw this:
And, which dress did I win? I'm so glad you asked. I won this dress:
Isn't it gorgeous? And so flattering. Perfect!
If you are not familiar with Shabby Apple, hop on over to their site and take a look around. They carry beautiful dresses, swim wear, active wear.....you will not be disappointed. One of my favorite lines is Tinseltown. Be sure to have a look.
Back in October, I entered to win a book from my awesome blog peep Pam at Sidewalk Shoes. Pam and I have a history. Sort of. She reviews cookbooks, recipes, and wine. I try, buy, and taste many of her recommendations. For instance, last year she posted a review on The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg. Shortly after that, I went to the local bookstore to take a look at it. Let me just say, I was not disappointed. I purchased it and refer to it frequently.
Another book that Pam recommended provided me with several new canning recipes, infused oils, and herb vinegars. I'll be writing about those in another post.
All that to say.....I WON! I WON! I was so excited when Pam announced that I was the winner of What to Drink with What You Eat by Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page. When it came to my door, oh my. It's a beautiful book, chocked full of pairings. Pairings of food and beverage. Whether your beverage of choice is wine or beer, tea or water, coffee or spirits. Whatever you have on hand. The first half of the book is by food. The second half of the book is by beverage. So if you had a bottle of Sangiovese that you wanted to drink or even a root beer, you could look up what would go good with it.
Here's what the cover looks like:
Thank you, Pam, for the book, your generosity, your reviews, and your recommendations. I have not once been disappointed with anything I have tried. Looking for the perfect pairing of beverage and food for your holiday gathering? Try this book.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
Ecclesiastes 5:18 (NIV) This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.
I had every intention of posting this first thing this morning. But you know....life happens. My SIL needed someone to watch her daughter for the day, so.....me and hubby answered the call. It was tough. Swimming. Reading. Snacking. Napping. Tough I tell you! lol. The one drawback.....no internet. Hence the delay. And now.....
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for entering. Thank you CSN Stores for sponsoring.
....and the winner is:
Congratulations Candace!!! Please send me an email so I can send you the $40 gift code from CSN Stores.
Candace is a new follower who left this comment: "Hi! I'm a new follower of your blog. If I won, I think I would use it to purchase some sort of yoga/pilates equipment or maybe a kettlebell. I seriously need to get in shape. I look forward to getting to know you! Candace"
I'm looking forward to learning more about Candace too. One thing we already have in common is the desire to get in shape. Let me see a show of hands of everyone who wants to be more active. Yep. Just as I suspected. Pretty much all of us. If you don't know Candace, please hope over to her blog: Mi Chiamo Candace and say "hello" and "congratulations."
Thank you again for joining in the fun.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
James 1:22 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
or a better title might be: What does God have in Store for Me?
In the last week, I have been selected to win some very nice gifts in giveaways. The first win was from Kat at Heart 2 Heart. She shared coupons for free Minute Rice. You know the new microwave, single serve, ready to eat in a cup stuff. I'm a huge fan of rice. And, I generally take my lunch rather than eat out. So this is perfect for me. Plus, I'm going to share with my hubby. He takes his lunch too. Thanks for sharing, Kat.
Then, a couple days later, I won this fantastic new DVD from the creator of Veggie Tales called "What's in the Bible?" from Linda at Mocha with Linda. I can't wait to share this with the grand-boy. Honestly, I can't wait to see it myself. Here's a trailer:
You can go HERE to the official website to learn more. Thank you so much, Linda.
Then, this morning as I'm visiting my regular reads my first stop is to Kat's spot at Heart 2 Heart. Her opening line announces the winner of the Mother-Daughter Duet/Dancing with the Father giveaway.
And....it's me! I had forgotten all about her giveaways. Thanks again, Kat.
God has been dealing with me in several different areas of my life. Each of these wins is a reflection of some of those areas. Eating healthier and being more active is one. Teaching His lessons and word to the grand-boy is another. The grand-boy is being drawn to the Father and has a curiosity about His word. These DVDs are going to make a huge impact on both of us. My relationship with my daughter is another. And, as you know from reading my Throne Trip Tuesday posts, He is drawing me to an ever closer walk with Him.
I'm really stretched thin right now and won't have time for leisure reading until after graduation in May. It seems God is getting resources lined up for me once that commitment is over. I'm excited to see what He has in store for me.
Peace and Joy,
Susan
2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
Why am I so happy, you ask? Why is there so much joy in my heart? Well, let me just tell you: I WON! I WON! I WON! That's right peeps. I am a big winner. Let's do a little happy dance. But what did I win, you wonder? The best prize I could ever receive. I won a free consultation for decorating my house for Christmas!!! Plus a box of Christmas ornaments to help me decorate. Thank you so very much, Teresa. Remember when I blogged about this great new website Teresa started to share her expertise for decorating for Christmas? She calls it "A Baby Changes Everything." Teresa decorates homes for Christmas for a living. That's right! She's an expert.
This is such a blessing for me because I have absolutely no decorating talent whatsoever. Sorry Teresa. But the good news is that I'm a good student and willing to learn. I'm thinkin that with Teresa's guidance, my new house will be a home brimming with the beauty of everything the season represents.
Teresa is also sharing tips with you on her new blog for FREE!! If you're interested in benefiting from her expertise, just click on the icon on my sidebar.
I love Christmas for so many reasons. One of them is that most people are very receptive to hearing about Jesus. If you could tell someone one thing about Christmas today, This Day, what would you tell them?
Peace and Joy, Susan
John 1:29 (NKJV) 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Last week after the Storm of the Century, I celebrated my birthday, alone. Sadly, this was me....sitting in the dark that night.
Was I feeling sorry for myself? Yep, pretty much. No cards, no letters, no phone calls, no birthday dinner......*BIG SIGH*....just me trying to lift my spirits with a thankful heart that our family and friends were safe. Yet, it was a miserable six full days with no power! No internet, no TV, no news, no music......minimal contact with the outside world. Oh how I missed my blogging friends.
But my God worked through others to bless me and show me just how important I am to Him. It started with receiving this wonderful award from Laurie at Supernatural Living.
Then, the same day, Kym at bee creative honored me with this One Lovely Blog award.
Thank you, ladies for thinking my blog is interesting, uplifting, and a blessing. Thank you, also for your kind and encouraging words.
Two days later, I win a signed copy of Her Captain's Heart by Lyn Cote from Mocha with Linda in her Mother's Day Giveaway. It arrived yesterday and I can't wait to crack the cover. Thank you, Linda!
And then (nope....not finished yet!) my dear blogging friend, Robin at All Things Heart and Home, had a tutorial and give away of these lovely anklets.
She announced the winners of this fab gift which I won...on my birthday! How great is that??!!?!?! Thank you Robin! I can't wait to start wearing it. If you are crafty like Robin, these would make great gifts or stocking stuffers. That's right, it's never to early to start thinking about Christmas.
It would not be until two days after my birthday that I actually found out about all these wonderful gifts and awards. I was happy to have power restored, but I was ecstatic to have been selected, remembered, and thought fondly of by my blog peeps.
That's how God works. Behind the scenes. When we are in need, our heavenly Father is there supplying that need. Do you have a need? Take it to the throne of grace today, This Day and see what amazing and wonderful things God has for you.
Peace and Joy, Susan
James 3:17-18 (NIV) 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
How cool is that???!!!?!?! Krystyn at Someday I'll Get There had her first ever giveaway and I W.O.N. So what did I win? Why am I so excited? Just take a look. She made these fabulous cards. That's right.....made them. I am facinated by that fact because I have absolutely no creative talent whatsoever! And Krystyn made seven different cards for birthday, well wishes, encouragement, and of course....lovey cards. PLUS a journal (ok, she didn't make this journal but it's still awesome); which I plan to put to good use tracking my prayers. Aren't the beautiful???
Krystyn has an etsy shop where she sells her original creations. Click on the link HERE to see what's available. I'm sure she'd be happy to create something just for you!
It's wonderful how God has given each of us talents and gifts. Krystyn, Robin, Laurie, and Sara are each so blessed with artistic talent. Yet, their talents are uniquely different, just like each of them. Praise and thank God today, This Day for the unique person He made you, the talents and gifts He has blessed you with, and use them for His glory.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Romans 12:5-9 (NIV) 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
