Blogiversary Prize Drawing #9

-THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED!!-

The winner of this drawing will win a batch of yummy treats from Whimsy & Spice. Items to choose from include:

1. Chocolate Butterscotch Bars

2. Hazelnut Chocolate Whiskey Sandwich Cookies

3. Massaman Curry Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

4. Chocolate Chili Cashew Biscotti

5. Espresso Brownie with Dulce de Leche

6. Coconut Five Spice White Chocolate Cookies

7. Cinnamon Chocolate Malt Biscotti

8. Orange Cardamom Shortbread Cookies

9. Honey Lavendar Shortbread Cookies

10. Brown Sugar Gingerspice Shortbread Cookies

To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post. If you'd like to add your name into the drawing A SECOND TIME (increasing the odds of winning), just hit "Like" on my business profile page HERE and come back here to post a second comment saying that you did it. A winner will be chosen on Saturday!!!

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #1

-THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED!!!-

I started this blog on July 7, 2007 (can you believe it's been that long?) and celebrate my blogiversary each year with a bunch of prize drawings. The key is to check back OFTEN during the week as there will be a minimum of one prize drawing each day. To enter, simply add your name as a drawing by posting a comment to that particular entry on my blog. You can even do this anonymously (though if you win, you will need to send me your full name and address by email). The first prize is a BRAND NEW PRODUCT from CM, a pen case that holds 15 pens.

To enter, just add a comment to this post. (Knowing that many of you are traveling this holiday weekend, I'll leave this drawing open until tomorrow evening.)

Hope you're having a super weekend!

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #13

I hope you're up for another great book! To enter this prize drawing, just add a comment to this post. (Oh, and as I mentioned in my Tweets... I forgot to post the "multiple prize drawings" today so we'll keep the blogiversary drawings going through tomorrow!) Have a super evening.

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #7

This prize includes the Expressions of Travel pack, 12x12 Designer Prints Disney Vacation Paper Pack, and the Disney PicFolio Minutes Album. You could use these items to create a vacation album, showcase a Disney-themed birthday party, share your daughter's collection of princess dresses, or even create an album of your Disney movie collection. To enter this prize drawing, just add a comment to this post sharing your favorite Disney movie or character. (I'll post the winner later this evening.)

and the winner of Drawing #1 is...

Mom said...
WOW! Nice prize.... I love all your posts, photos, and words of encouragement. Happy Blogiversary!

Congratulations, Mom!!

just checkin' in

I thought I'd pop in real quick to say hello before heading off to bed. It's been a week filled with the things of summer - library, picnic, pool, tennis, and your standard Webkinz chess tournament (you might remember the quest for world domination back in January). Summer is definitely here and we're enjoying every second of it!

I've also been busy editing photos, planning a baby shower, and taking care of blogiversary business. Multitasking at its not-so-finest. I miss my blogging time and will hopefully have a chance to connect with you tomorrow. (There is much to share!)

Have a great evening, my bloggy friends...

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #3

Create your own tags for cards, scrapbooks, and even gifts using this fun, new shape maker. To take part in this prize drawing, we're going to have ourselves a little game of tag. Simply "tag" a friend new to this blog and invite them to stop by - have them mention your first name (as well as their own) in the comment section and I will enter BOTH NAMES into the drawing. The winner will be posted later this evening. Ready... set... GO!

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #2

I found a great song to go along with this entry but couldn't find a video by the artist. I'll direct you instead to Matt Maher's MySpace page; the song is called Your Grace is Enough and you can listen to it by clicking HERE.

The book pictured above will be the next item up for grabs! I have a couple of other books in this series and have found them to be very helpful. Praying God's Promises in Tough Times is broken down into several different categories (Concerns, Purpose, Insecurity, Stress, Strength, etc.) each written around a specific verse. I'll share an excerpt from the category "Strength in Weakness" below:

THE PROMISE

God Works Best in Our Troubles

Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

The apostle Paul had a significant problem, something he labeled a "thorn in my flesh." Was it a physical ailment? an emotional condition? external persecution? No one really knows, although Bible scholars have lots of theories. All we can say for sure is that this "thorn" was the source of much anguish.

Paul begged God repeatedly for relief from his desperate situation. God repeatedly said no. And so Paul found himself in an uncomfortable corner where he had no choice but to rely humbly on God. When he quit fighting, this weak, wounded man became a powerful servant for the Lord.

The same strength - God's strength - is available to you right now. But you experience such life-changing grace only when you accept your situation as from God and depend fully on God's infinite resources.

In proclaiming this truth, minister and U.S. Senate chaplain Peter Marshall prayed this way: "When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."

PRAYING GOD'S PROMISE

God, your power is displayed most clearly in my inability. Be glorified in me as I humbly lean on you and wait for you to work. Help me to remember that when I can't, you can. This is the paradox of faith - the magnificent power of God at work in the life of a helpless creature like me!

GOD'S PROMISE TO YOU

- God's grace is all you need.

- His power works best in your weakness.

- Tough times are prime opportunities for you to trust God and see him work.

To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post making your best pirate noise in writing. (I thought it would go well with the whole "thorn in your side" business.) The winner will be posted in the morning.

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #9

The next prize is this cute 8x8 dragonfly coverset. It would make *the perfect* summer album - a pool album, camping album, "the cabin" album, or general summer vacation shots. To enter this prize drawing, just add a comment to this post. Again, if you have other album ideas feel free to share them! (The winner will be posted this evening.)

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #8

**THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED!!**

Anyone else looking to stretch their grocery budget? If so, I've recently discovered a great new resource to share! Fare For All is a grocery co-op (with no income restrictions). They offer packages of fresh produce and frozen meat at a 40-50 percent savings! I stopped by the Rosemount Fare For All Express location today and picked up a Regular Pack for only $17. Here's what it included: 5 lb. bag of potatoes, a bag of onions, a small bag of carrots, six large apples, two peaches, two plums, a head of cabbage, three oranges, a package of chicken thighs, two packages of deli ham, one large ham steak, and a Jennie-O turkey dish. It was all boxed up and ready to go, all I had to do was pay the cashier (someone even loaded the items into my van). Pretty slick.

Even better, I found this DELICIOUS coleslaw recipe on the Fare For All blog. Made it for dinner tonight and even the children ate it. (First time EVER for coleslaw.)

Blue Cheese Slaw

½ cup Ranch Dressing (lite or regular)
1/3 cup pre-crumbled blue cheese (I substituted gorgonzola)
½ to ¾ of a head of FFA cabbage, shredded or chopped
2 small FFA apples, diced or shredded with or without the peel
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted (optional)
¼ cup dried cranberries or cherries, chopped (optional)
Ground black pepper

To toast nuts: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place nuts on baking sheet with a lip. Bake for 5-10 minutes. Watch for them to turn slightly brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature.

Mash the blue cheese into the ranch dressing a bit and mix the two together in a large mixing bowl. Shred apples using the large side of a grater, or dice up. Add cabbage and apples. Toss to coat cabbage. Add pepper to your taste. Chill for up to 4 hours before serving.

Add the dried fruit and nuts just before serving. Toss.

You can find other Twin Cities express locations and distribution dates by clicking HERE. And guess what? The next prize drawing winner will receive a $17 gift certificate to check it out for themselves! (Fare for All offers meat-only and vegetarian packages as well.) To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post sharing a money-saving tip or resource.

a slam dunk of sorts

In less than a month will be my very 1st blogiversary. Can you believe it? To celebrate this monumental occasion, we're going to have a party. A week-long blog party (July 6-12)... without the gifts, games, or balloons - but there will be prizes. Lots of them.

the weeds & bees deal

Spent some time at Grandma's pool yesterday and snapped this shot as she was floating around with her noodles, scooping debris out of the pool. The kids were being a pain so I sent them on a mission on Grandma's behalf, to pluck every weed and bee out of the water.

That lasted about five minutes.

Really, it was more like an hour but it felt like only five minutes. (The hubby has been away on mancation since Saturday - his word, not mine - and I am sorely in need of a break.) I paid them five cents per weed/bug and was out $4.30 when all was said and done. Not bad for a little quiet time.

The hubby returns today and I couldn't be more excited to share the job of cutting the grass see him. Ren also has his pre-op appointment.

Yes, exciting times in the Vega household.

I just realized that my 2nd blogiversary is right around the corner (July 5-11) which means I'd better start wrangling up some prizes. (Likely to include a thing or two from THIS LIST.) Be sure to mark your calendars and pop in throughout the week for a ton of prize drawings.

BTW, my garden is still alive - in fact, I even have two hot peppers already! Speaking of gardens, while snapping some shots around my parents' place I stumbled into their vegetable garden. Check out this sweet plant cage:

My dad made it! Isn't that the coolest thing? I hope we see one in the BINGO pile next Christmas. (Along with the beef jerky.) Contrary to popular belief, he's more than just a computer wiz. Check out some of his mad gardening skills:

Now I've managed to somehow mess up my Blogger screen. Guess that means it's time to end this post. Enjoy the day and stay cool!

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #5

**THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED!!**

This one is for the digital scrapbooker:

One lucky winner will receive the Preppy Patterns Digital Kit featured above. To enter the drawing, just add your name in a comment to this post! A winner will be chosen within the next 24 hours :)

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #4

**THIS DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED!!**

With all of the prize drawings taking place this week, it's a little like Christmas in July! Speaking of which, I picked up this item with that in mind:

This little coffee cozy may not come in handy now, but come fall this would pair well with a Pumpkin Spice latte. I suppose it could also protect your hand from a super COLD iced coffee as well :) To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post sharing your favorite drink - hot or cold. (A winner will be chosen sometime within the next 24 hours.)

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #5

Three new Power Palette Additions packs will be given to one special bloggy lady (the left pack is an outdoors theme, the middle features zoo animals, and the right... you guessed it, 4th of July). To enter the drawing, just add a comment to this post sharing your favorite summer activity. (A winner will be chosen later this evening.)

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #10

This sure makes blogging easier. I think. The next prize drawing pertains to my new photography site. If you like what you heard there, you'll like this:

Note there is a parental advisory but for the life of me (other than hearing a h*ll and a picture of the band creatively waving a certain finger) why it's there. The first few tunes on my site of from this album and I'll be featuring a few more down the road.

You might recognize Popcycle from THIS POST. And Red Room is one of Chris' bands (coffee w/Sharon's hubby), whom you might recognize from THIS POST. And Pongo... only a select few will remember Pongo from back in the day. (Sigh.)

I digress.

To take part in this drawing, just add your name to this post along with a favorite band/artist (or two) of yours. (It's not required so don't fret about it, Mom.)

And the winner is...

The winner of Blogiversary Prize Drawing #5 [Frill Kill book] is:

Cathy J said...
I love to read when I have time. If it is a good book, I have a hard time putting it down.

July 6, 2011 1:05 PM

Congratulations, Cathy!! I'll send it out to you early next week!!!

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #11

The next prize drawing will be for this 12x12 Cheerful Summer Additions pack (perfect for those summer memories, don't you think?). To enter the drawing, just add your name as a comment to this post and I'll choose a winner tomorrow :)

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #10

How would you feel if I told you that life was meant to be an ADVENTURE? Did you know that God is actively pursuing a deep, meaningful relationship with you? He is the author of our lives and wants us to take part in His plan. In order to do that, we need to recognize Him at work around us. But in order to recognize Him, we must first know Him.

This book is a wonderful resource, no matter where you are in your faith. Experiencing God shows you how to deepen your relationship with God and to discover your special place in His kingdom. It will challenge you to experience the *fullness* of a life lived in fellowship with the loving, personal God.

In other words, the book rocks. To enter this prize drawing, just add a comment to this post and a winner will be chosen in the morning.

Blogiversary Prize Drawing #8

Another great movie. You might remember me raving about it HERE. And HERE. It's another flick that sends me into the ugly cry... I think mostly because it reminds me of a desperate time in my own life. It's extremely uplifting and a reminder that no matter how bad things look, God has it covered. To enter the drawing, just leave a comment to this post. And if you can think of one, share the title of a really good chick flick.