Sea Glass Jewelry - Giveaway!!!

Because it's been awhile and because I love all two of my loyal readers, and because Mother's Day is approaching and I'm anticipating breakfast in bed, (which makes me feel extremely magnanimous) it's time to do a giveaway!!!

Two of my very good friends here in Japan, Kendra and Misti, have a passion.  A passion for BEACH COMBING and SEA GLASS!

They've turned that passion into an awesome business making beautiful jewelry.
Please give a warm welcome to...
K and M Creations!!!

AND...
(wait for iiiiiiiitttttt.....)
Misti gave me a necklace to give to one of YOU lucky readers!!!

(It looks similar to this one below:)

Here's a little info about their jewelry:

Featuring 100% Beach combed sea glass, surf tumbled to perfection - not artificially enhanced! Design your own piece or check out our gallery for one of our original designs! Custom designs using your own sea glass also available!

So!  Here's how to enter for your chance to win:
Leave a comment and get one entry.  (I'm going to need your name if you want your entry to count.)
Become a "Follower" of this blog (right side bar) and get four extra entries for a total of FIVE!!!
(I KNOW, I'm AWESOME, right?!?!?!  And maybe I want more than two followers.  It's a pride thing.)

The contest will end in four days.  Monday night/Early Tuesday your time.
(Tuesday night at 10ish my time.)

Got it?  Good.

Make sure you're Following or Subscribed to this blog to find out if you're the lucky winner!

Not a winner?  Don't worry.  I still like you.  Oh, and you can always go to:
www.japanseaglass.com
and buy something for yourself.  And your sister and your mom.
That way we all win.
But mostly you and your sister and your mom.

Good luck!  And may the best entrant be selected from a random number generator!!!

---
FYI: I am not being compensated in any way for this review.   I'm just a big fan of sea glass!!!

Hard Times and Holy Places - Book Review and Giveaway

"Trials and difficulties can, if we let them, become holy places — places where we can feel the power of the Atonement in our lives. Our struggles can be consecrated to our good and growth, and you and I can become more like Christ." — Kris Belcher

A few months ago, I received an autographed copy of "Hard Times and Holy Places" written by none other than Kristen Belcher.  MY sister-in-law.  I was extremely excited to read it and devoured it in an afternoon. 

 
My immediate next thought was "I need to do a blog review of this book!"  But then I thought "...but Doug hasn't read it yet.  I should let him read it first.  Cause I want to be able to talk to him about it n' stuff."  So I gave it to Doug and commanded him to read it.  And he did.  Over a period of about two months.   And again I thought "I need to do a review of this book."

THEN I thought, "...but hey, I'm going to Utah in another two months.  I'll wait until I'm there, get a few copies autographed by Kris and do a giveaway!"

Then I went to Utah.  

And saw Kris.  

But I didn't have any copies for her to sign.  

Then I DID go to the bookstore and bought three copies of her book...

but didn't see her again!  

SO, I have a book to give away, but it is NOT signed by the author.  
(sigh)

Now, about the book.  This book...is incredible!!!  It is life changing and thought provoking and funny and spiritual.  I like it even though she left out the chapter all about me.  (I'm sure her editor made her leave it out.)

In case you think I'm biased because I'm related to Kris and I'm just hoping to get another free copy of her next book, here are a few unbiased reviews:

Fabulous Photographer Jen:  "i meant to tell u that i just read ur sis in laws book... kris belcher's hard times and holy places. i LOVED it. since my mom got diagnosed with ALS i have been reading a lot of church books and this was my favorite. i went and bought 2 more and gave one to my mom and one to my friend who just had to give her adopted baby back to total loser parents after having her for almost a year, and then her house burned down a couple weeks ago. she said the title even made her cry. ur sis in law is amazing and i would luv to meet her one day." 

Sister Dahl:  "Kris's book was such an inspiration to me that I read it twice in one weekend!  And it really put into perspective the health issues I've been worrying about.  Kris is my hero!  She must be one of Heavenly Father's very elect to have weathered all her storms with such grace and dignity.  I highly recommend her wonderful book of faith and acceptance and love."

Kim:  (I found this one on the Deseret Book website.)  "This book was so amazing! It gave me the strength to look back at my life and find my own personal Holy places that I didn't realize existed. The author beautifully weaved adversity and testimony into an inspiring and entertaining book. She shows you the way to see your life for what it truly is. A difficult and trying test, yet a rewarding journey. I laughed, I cried and I will certainly read it again."

For more info about the book or Kris, here's her website: 

hardtimesandholyplaces.blogspot.com

WANT A FREE COPY???

LEAVE A COMMENT!!!!!

I'll pick a winner on Sunday August 9th.

The rest of you, BUY A COPY!  

You can thank me later!!!

Frame-Name Give-Away!!!!!!!!

You may recall that for his New Year's Resolution this year, Max has forsaken candy in favor of earning $10/month. 

He's actually doing a great job and staying quite strong in the face of temptation. The only problem I see is in the future when he's faced with more Candy-centric holidays. Valentine's Day was bad enough and now we're swiftly approaching Easter when Reeses Peanut Butter Eggs and Cadbury Mini Eggs can un-do even the most steely health resolve. (I'm thinking of myself here.)

Therefore, I'm trying to come up with non-candy solutions for the boy's Easter Baskets.  Maybe you're facing the same dilemma?

Enter, this month's GIVE-AWAY;

My dad is generously offering to give "Frame-Names" to FIVE yes FIVE lucky winners!!!  

Frame-Names are wall hangings perfect for kid's rooms, nurseries, play rooms, offices, and hobby rooms. 

Any kid (big or small) would be thrilled to find one in their Easter Basket.  You get to customize them with any name and your choice and a myriad of different patterns and designs.

The frames are 6" x 12" made of solid wood with a safe, non-breakable plexiglas front.

Here's what you do:

Select a background  (plentiful choices on www.Frame-Name.com and www.zoobeedoos.com)
Select a frame color (white, black, oak, pink, blue and lavender)
Enter your name or word(s)

Enjoy your Framed Name valued at $25.00!

Those of you (let's avoid using the term "losers") who don't win the give-away can still be winners!  Order from www.Frame-Name.com and get 20% off if you mention "Emily" or "Acte Gratuit" or "Favorite Daughter"!

Contest Rules:

Just leave a comment on this post in the next 48 hours!  

(That's Friday morning at 10 a.m. my time.  We have to wrap this up soon so you can get them in time for Easter!)

I'll select 5 winners at random!

Good luck!

Vote For Your FAVORITE Custom Cover!

Leave a comment telling me which one is your favorite.  (Tell me the number directly ABOVE your favorite...a description wouldn't hurt either.)  Anonymous entries wont be counted.  If you want to win, get your friends and family over here to vote for you.  There will be two "Reader's Choice" awards and one "Random Choice" award.  If you haven't entered, you're too late to qualify for Reader's Choice but you still have a shot at the Random Choice award!  

The contest will end Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. my time.  Which I'm hoping will make it Monday evening/night for most of you.  (Don't ask me to do math.  It's not my strong suit.)  

Um...I'm 14 hours ahead of Rhode Island and 17 hours ahead of California if that helps...

Now go forth and VOTE!!!

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.

And The Winner is...

MARNI! Congratulations to my former Rhode Island neighbor! I hope you enjoy your book! (Stay on the line and I'll get your information.)

How did I pick Marni? I didn't. Doug did.

After extensive pondering on the merits of random selection versus selection based on photographic merit/artistic unity/biased preference, etc., my brain started swelling so I said "Doug pick a number between 1 and 12!" He said 8. And Marni left the 8th comment. (Once I deleted Melissa's second comment to make it fair. Sorry Melissa.) So if you didn't win, you can blame him. ;)

Now I know why people use that obnoxious Random-number-picker-generator! Anyway, like I said...there will be four winners total, so don't give up hope! And please enter if you haven't already!!! I'll use a different selection technique next time. Just to keep things interesting.

It's Like Christmas In My In-Box

Some of the first excellent entries...This is actually really fun for me!!!  I love seeing what you choose for your custom cover!!!!    

(The following is a picture of the dress I never even knew I wanted!  Isn't she gorgeous?)More tomorrow...PLUS THE FIRST WINNER!!!

(There will be THREE MORE after that!!!  HECK YEAH!!!)
:)