Wednesday, September 1, 2010

** Contests & Give-Aways **

No, I'm not talking about my upcoming September Contest. (Fooled ya for a minute, though, didn't I?!)

I wanted to share the darling items I won last month from Linda at A La Carte. It was one of those randome drawings and I just happened to be the lucky winner! Linda is a sweetheart and has a beautiful blog! She drove to and participated in The World's Longest Yard Sale, and spent some of her own money to buy me some darling goodies while she was there! I didn't know what I was going to receive until I opened the box. It was like Christmas!! What fun! I hope I took photos of everything....and if I missed something, Linda, please forgive me!

Two of the items are the adorable milk-glass hen, and the pink & green doilie. They look so cute on my mantel!


This angle shows the hen and doilie again, plus another lovely milk-glass bowl at the other end.

I know it's time to change my decor from spring/summer to fall, but I just had to put these out right away and they looked so cute there.


Ahh, and how about this beautiful tea cup?! The picture doesn't really do it justice, either. My camera is just about ready for the recycle bin, I think! But, isn't this pretty?? It'll definitely be highlighted on a Tea Cup Tuesday, if I ever get back to those again!


This picture shows the tea cup, a darling white tea bag holder, with a new package of tea, a burgundy placemat and a green/white/lavendor placemat. (All from Linda!)


This is an adorable "Mini Kirbee". He's about 2 inches tall! He's hanging on my bulletin board over my desk, to help give me inspiration! (To learn more about "Larger Kirbee", go to Linda's blog!)


And last but not least.....here's little Bunny Wabbit, who sits on a decorated box of pens and paper, and watches over me. She also gives me inspiration to write!! (She's a little blurry, because she was so excited about getting her picture taken, she could barely sit still!)

Thank you, Linda A La Carte, once more, for taking the time to shop, and wrap and mail all these lovely things. They are all so special to me!!

** One more NOTE about give-aways. Please take a moment to visit Nancy's Notes. Nancy was my "100th Follower" and so I sent her a little gift. In one of her previous posts, she wrote about loving and collecting cookbooks; how she enjoys going through them and reading them, etc. I AM THE SAME WAY! SO, I thought a unique cookbook would be a nice "prize" for her.

"Plant a seed of friendship, reap a bouquet of happiness." -- Lois L. Kaufman

** CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL **

Chicken Soup for the Soul; New Call Outs 

O Canada ;101 Stories Celebrating The Country and the People

If you are Canadian,*SEE BELOW* we are looking for stories from you! This book, scheduled for publication in the fall of 2011, will be written by and for Canadians. Chicken Soup for the Soul is very popular in Canada and it is once again time for a Chicken Soup for the Soul book by Canadians for Canadians.

Send us your inspirational, humorous, or heartwarming stories. They don't have to specifically be about Canada -- they just have to be Chicken Soup for the Soul stories that take place in Canada or are written by Canadians. If you are not Canadian but you have a great story that took place in Canada (examples would be American college student at McGill, stranded travelers in Newfoundland on 9/11, great vacation stories) that is fine too.

Your stories or poems need to be true and about your personal experiences or those of someone close to you. We prefer stories written in the first person and no more than 1,200 words. This book will be published in English so please submit stories in English. Stories should not have been previously published by Chicken Soup for the Soul or other major publications.

Here are some suggested topics, but we know you can think of many more:

Hockey

Growing up in Canada

Living and working in Canada

Moving back and forth between Canada and other countries

Food and culture of Canada

Holidays unique to Canada

Hockey

Parenting in Canada

Being a teenager in Canada

Vacations: Traveling in and around Canada

Olympic Adventures

Curling

Hockey

Any inspirational Chicken Soup story on any topic as long as it is *WRITTEN BY A CANADIAN OR TAKES PLACE IN CANADA*

If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for US $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it.

SUBMISSIONS GO TO Chicken Soup for the Soul
Select the Submit Your Story link on the left tool bar and follow the directions.

DEADLINE IS JANUARY 30, 2011.
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The website also shows other books accepting submissions:

Brides and Weddings

You are engaged! How lucky you are to have found that one person you want to share the rest of your life with. We are looking for stories about this very special experience in your life. From the proposal, to the planning, to actual wedding day events – both touching and hilarious - these stories will capture your heart and your emotions. Stories from the groom or the proud parents would be great too! Please share the memories that were created during this special time in your life. The deadline date for story submissions is April 30, 2011.


Devotional Stories for Times of Trouble
Life has always been filled with trials, including illness, job loss, grief, addictions, and much more. God never promised that our earthly lives would be without difficulties, but he assured us that he will always be with us to share our burdens. If you have a brief true story (up to 500 words) that shows God’s presence during a time of trouble, please share it along with an applicable Bible verse and a 2-3 sentence prayer. You will receive $100 for each published devotion. ($100 due to the shorter word count than our regular books.) The deadline date for submissions is February 28, 2011.


Marriage and Married Life
Whether you are newly married or have been married for years and years, the stories in this book will capture your imagination, inspire you, make you laugh and touch your heart. We are looking for stories that will celebrate the commitment two people make when they say their vows. Tell us about your relationship. What makes it work? How did the comfort of your mate guide you through challenging times? What is the most important thing in your relationship? How did you try to change your mate? Did it work?! The deadline date for story submissions is May 30, 2011.



Mothers and Daughters
Mothers and daughters… they are, at the same time, very similar and also completely unique. Mothers show daughters who they will become. Daughters live out mothers’ dreams. Through birth, childhood, teen years, adulthood, grandchildren, aging, and every step in between, this relationship can be the best, the hardest, and the sweetest. The deadline date for story submissions is December 31, 2010. This title will not publish until 2012.

Preteens
The preteen years – those years from nine to twelve can be rough from both a physical and emotional perspective. You are not a kid anymore but you are not yet a teen. There are so many issues to deal with and sometimes it feels like you are all alone. You are not! The stories in this book – almost all of them written by preteens just like you – will prove that to you. We are looking for stories that will inspire you, make you laugh, make you think and let you know that life is not as bad as it might seem. The deadline date for story submissions is October 31, 2010.

Teens
A completely new book on one of our most requested topics – TEENS. The stories in this book, written almost entirely by teens, will be stories that you will want to read again and again. They will serve as your guide on topics such as the daily pressures of life, love, school, friendships, parents and much more. We are looking for stories that will encourage you, inspire you, make you laugh, make you cry and show you that, as tough as things can get, you are not alone. The deadline date for story submissions is December 31, 2010.


Young at Heart
So, you’ve crossed that magic age and you are ready to retire or start a second career. But you’re not ready to stop living! You feel energetic and young and there is still so much to see and do and enjoy. We are looking for stories that will share with our readers humorous and fun adventures from those who are actively enjoying their "senior years!" Tell us about your new careers, your volunteer work, your sports and sports cars, your new love interest, your travels, your families and all of those things you always wanted to do that you are finally doing now that you have the time. The deadline date for story submissions is December 31, 2010.

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Okay, all you writers out there!! Here is your biggest and best chance to be published in books that are known world-wide! You get a nice check, plus free books, and you're a published author! Sharpen up those pencils, recharge those batteries....(both in your computers AND yourself!)....and get writing! No Excuses!
Let's keep track and see how many of us will get at least one story submitted! E-mail me or leave a comment on this post, after you've sent one in!

"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection."  - Anais Nin