Finally–The Winner Is….

Forgive my lateness.. but I have finally picked the winner of my giveaway.  I truly meant to have more pictures and hints to go along as the time progressed… but once again life happened.  Before I send the goodies out I will get a picture and post out so that everyone can see all the goodies I gathered. 

 

Now for the winner…..

Skye from Between the Branches was the lucky name drawn. She is from the fair state of Nebraska and with the cold and snow she has had as of late I am sure she could enjoy a little surprise.   If you could send me your post info Skye,  I will do my best to get this out to you as quickly as possible.

Drumroll Please....................

Yesterday I wrote about the over commercialization of Valentine’s Day. Something I feel very strong about. It is not just the holiday of Valentine’s that attempts to trap us into the guilty obligated feeling of needing to celebrate in a specific manner. Christmas, Easter, and so on can also be tossed into this cauldron of “capitalism”. But this is not what I wish to talk about, at least not right now. I did want to wish everyone a very special day. Although my feelings are strong in this area, I am by no means against the act of exhibiting affection and love for those close or dear to you. I am probably one of the biggest romantics there is. And if any of you were worried that Vincent would not receive a proper Valentine’s Day, I can assure you he will. This morning I prepared him an early morning breakfast of all his favorites and have plans for our evening as well.

Today is also the day that I announce the winner of my February giveaway. A combination of Imbolc and Valentines together… I have to say that wish that I could give something away to everyone who enters… and someday I may do just that unexpectedly. But for today I only choose one winner. First let me say that when I choose this person’s name this morning I found it quite fitting that she won. I do not know this person well, yet have enjoyed her blog on several occasions and love her wit. She is not afraid to speak what she feels and thinks and that has always been a quality I adore in people. So without further suspense… the winner is Judith at Merlin's Magical Mistress . She has been buried in snow this last week, living on the eastern seaboard, and just recently got shoveled out to the point where she could leave her home… I hope that this prize will help to brighten her day.

Lastly, I leave you all with warm wishes for a very blessed day, filled with love and warmth from those you love. It is a day where love is celebrated in all forms. Share a little… Happy Valentine’s Day

Love is.......

As I browse over the posts this morning, it appears that many have spoken of love. I imagine this is because Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. This holiday has always confused me somewhat. When I was a child I have to admit that I adored taking an empty shoe box and decorating it for school. Mainly because I just like to do such things... It was inevitable that mine would be covered in shiny silver foil paper with red construction paper hearts covering it. I was not as fortunate as others to have the dainty paper doilies that I loved so much. As I think back on this time I remember how much the size and quantity of valentines one received meant. Silly really yet in grade school such emphasis is placed on such ridiculous things. This can especially be seen after you grow older and look back.

 

Is it really any different now that I am an adult? I have always told the men in my life to not worry about Valentine’s Day. I would much rather be surprised on a random day of the year. And the surprise does not have to be an expensive card, a box of chocolates or flowers… Although let me say I love chocolates and flowers … And don’t even get me started on attempting to go out and have a nice dinner on Valentine’s Day. The day when 5o million other people are trying to do the same thing… It is a hopeless cause. Vincent and I started a tradition the year we got together where we stayed at home and had all our favorite food. We spread a blanket out on the floor with a bottle of wine and enjoy ourselves.

My other complaint about the day is that I feel it is unfair to men. All the trinkets or at least most of them are geared towards women. The emphasis of commercials, advertisements etc is always directed to the female in the relationship. What about the other half? Don’t they deserve a nice Valentine? Of course there is always sex and I guess with statistics saying that the average male thinks about sex ever 4 seconds that is a good bet on a good gift. Yet isn’t a true relationship a bit more than sex? Isn’t sex a result of love? Let me rephrase that… isn’t it suppose to be… Think I am getting a bit off the subject now.

I think I have to agree with a friend of mine that told me once that Valentine’s Day is a conspiracy created by a woman to force men to spend lots of money and give them things they want… I say take any and every moment you can to let the one who is special in your life know just that… Listen to them and learn the things that really make them feel good and make them smile. Don’t feel as if you need to spend a butt load of funds to do it either. Many times it is the small things that makes us the most happy.

Am I Blue.... And The Winner Is.......

I have always loved to give... Not really sure why it thrills me so... Sometimes I even think I can become annoying with the manner in which I give.... My daughter tells me I spoil my grandkids way too much yet I feel like I have scaled way back since they have moved away from me... I grew up in a home where there was very little.  Maybe that is what it is... whatever the case.... it is time to announce the winner of our January True Blue Giveaway... Something I have really enjoyed doing this time.... Being color specific on a giveaway can be very challenging yet it can also be loads of fun.. As I am always up for a good challenge.  I will probably more than likely do a similiar themed giveaway again....

Yet you are not hear to listen to me go on about my ideas and such.  You want to know who the lucky winner is.  I started to do this via a random number generator and thought no... that is just way to impersonal.  I had so many sign up that I somewhat dreaded writing all the entries out.  I was not as prepared as last time when I wrote the names out as they entered.  Yet I gave in and did just that..... I  used one of my extra additions to the box to help out with the selection of the winner. And now for the moment you have all been waiting for..... drumroll please......

I made this little sachet bag to add to the bounty and thought it would be perfect to use for the drawing.  As you can see the winner is Anastasia from Deep Inside My Broom Closet.  Just shoot me an email Anastasia at 11raelin11@gmail.com so I can get your shipping info.  I have the package all together so if I get the info from you quickly I can have this baby in the mail today.  Congrats on the win and I truly hope you enjoy all the goodies.

I will be posting the info on my next giveaway tomorrow.  I can assure you all that you will want to at least take a peek at this as well as enter to win... It will center around Imbolc and Valentines... A treat for all and of course I can promise there will be chocolate... as I have found some that I simply have to put in the box already... Until then have a wonderful Thursday.