Pink countertops, aprons, a giveaway elsewhere and ramblings

Reading your comments from the other day after I mentioned that I was in my kitchen making dinner and wearing my apron, well you had me cracking up, people! Yes, I sometimes wear an apron. It's mostly due to the fact that I'm a bit of a slob when I cook and am always wiping my hands on the apron. I also don't want to ruin my beautiful designer clothes and cashmere sweaters while I cook.

I'm also sorry I'm such a fibber because I don't own a single cashmere sweater.

I do like wearing aprons, though. An apron not only helps me to stay clean, but it makes me look as if I know what I'm doing as I concoct dinners nightly on my fun and quirky stove in my pink-countertopped kitchen.

Tonight I'm making linguini with clam sauce and those who know me know that my husband is the real cook around here. However, since his surgery back in October, I took over in the kitchen. It was just a bit much for him to have everything ready all at the same time and to try to find things in a kitchen he wasn't familiar with in the first place. You see, we moved here in October after he lost his job and after he had brain surgery.

Frankly, I think maybe he's just milking it for what it's worth, having me cook all the meals. Or perhaps he just likes seeing me in the apron. I've noticed that sometimes when he walks by as I'm chopping or stirring, I'll see him raise his eyebrows and wink. I think he likes this arrangement and so, if this makes him happy, I'll don the apron and do the cooking! Speaking of aprons, this is the one I really want. I just think it's fun, don't you?

The giveaway I mentioned in the post title is over at Le Jarden girl's site. She's giving away two sepia toned floral prints and they are absolutely gorgeous. So head on over and check it out.

Those of you who have asked to be interviewed (from yesterday's post) will soon receive your questions, if you haven't already.

Also, some of you have asked me if I mind my husband using my camera, and the answer is a resounding NO! I don't mind at all. And if photography makes him happy, he can use it all he wants. Except for when I'm using it. And maybe someday we'll get one of the lenses that I'm lusting after. So, for now, we'll share.

I love having all of you visit and it's so good to see so many new faces that are fast becoming regular and welcome sights.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Win a necklace over at Two Dog Pond

Rachel at Two Dog Pond creates the most interesting jewelry. She also hosts a weekly contest for readers to put a caption to the unique images she uses. The reader who wins with the most clever caption will receive the necklace as a prize.

 

This week, Rachel is featuring this image. If you'd like to play, think of a clever quote, word, saying or caption and head on over to her contest this week. And please, do tell her that I said hello.

Welcome to all the new faces who have been visiting. I hope your Monday's a good one.

 

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Random musings, a Giveaway elsewhere, and I won something!

I recently entered in a Giveaway over at Drivin' 55 and was surprised to find that I had actually won. The prize was to be a Christmas Memory Book that was being handcrafted by Deb, the blog host. And guess what just came in the mail?

It's a beautiful little book, ready for me to paste in my own photos. In years to come, I'll open this treasure and think back not only to my holiday this year, but to the new friend who made this for me.

Look how intricate the box lid is. The inside is completely lined in a rich holiday red and the little accordion-style book sits inside.

Deb personalized the front of the book as well as some of the inside pages.

Look at all the detail that goes into this little gem. I'm thinking of maybe getting a couple of these for gifts next year. And Deb, if you're reading this . . . why don't you have an Etsy shop?

My favorite page! I can put a picture of George right here! She even personalized my dog's name in this book. Can you tell how excited I am?

And while we're talking about Giveaways, I've found one on a new blog called Cottage Farm Villa that's going on until the end of next week. You can enter to win on this post. Tell Cheryl that I sent you.

Readers, please remember that A Giveaway A Day has just that. Every day a different giveaway. I've got a direct link on the sidebar on the right, but you can click the link right here as well. I go there when I remember to do so.

And while we're talking about new blogs, I was wasting away in Bloggeritaville one day recently and came across the most interesting story. It's a blog that reads like a good book and every day there's a new little chapter. I haven't left a comment yet because the new google comment thing confuses me (and I'm easily confused). The blog is brand new and looks like it may have started over the holidays. I am just finding the story SO VERY intriguing. Head on over to Leif and see what you think. It's just so well-written! And mind you, begin at the first post. It won't make sense if you don't.

And, as always, thanks for your support.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Attic treasures

It was raining on Sunday and for lack of anything better to do, I went into the attic to move things around, and tidy up a bit. We have one whole room up there where our things are stored and as I moved boxes around and swept the floor, I came across an old trunk.

And when I opened it, I found some old photographs on the very top. Imagine my surprise when I came upon these old and faded pictures of the house.

I have no idea when they were taken, probably in the early part of the century, and probably using old wet-plate photographic methods. Wow!

In fact, I'm surprised that the trees look the same size as they do today. And if I look even closer, I can almost see the wires leading out to the DirecTV satellite dish in the yard. So before I go any further, I have to admit that I wasn't in the attic tidying up.

I tend to stay out of the attic. And I didn't find an old trunk filled with treasures. And this old photograph isn't really old.

Please don't be mad at me for having some fun.

I'm just having a good time with the Action set I bought at Totally Rad the other day. I had taken this photograph last month and used an Action called Old Skool on it. There are 4 different versions of this particular action in this set and the one I used for these photos is called Super Old Skool. It simulates the look of a vintage photograph, even adding the lens blur at the edges, common to photographs of that era. Then I used an action called Dirt Rag to give it some added texture.

Anyway, it's just fun. It's good, healthy old-fashioned kind of fun! And you all know what an old-fashioned, and extremely refined country woman I am. (Okay, now I AM really pulling your leg!!)

And now on to the matter of the Giveaway:

I had signed up on A Giveaway A Day for the first open spot which was scheduled for Sunday, November 30. There have been a lot of entries for this contest and from what I can see, it's still going on. The winner will be announced on the site, probably by Tuesday morning.

Until tomorrow then, my friends . . .

Another Giveaway!

My prints are being featured today on A Giveaway A Day. To win your choice of either an 8x10 or an 8x12 print, all you have to do is click on the site and follow the instructions. Easy!

Here are a couple of samples that are available on my Etsy site:

What could be easier than entering a free giveaway? And while you're there, tell Liz that I sent you! Winners should be announced by Monday.

Right now on my Etsy site, and in the Spirit of the Season, a secret sale for readers of this blog and my A Picture A Day blog: All my prints are Buy One, Get One Free. To redeem your free print, e-mail me at katydid56@gmail.com after making your initial purchase.

Have a great Sunday.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Warning: This could be habit-forming

I found a blog today that I'd like to share with you, with a word of caution.

It's going to be addicting.

This morning, I went on Pioneer Woman's site and it seems like a lot of people are now doing what I started doing ages ago when I left a comment. I leave my blog address. It was a way to get my name out there, and I didn't do it all the time, but when I first began doing it, I apologized for it. You see, I'd written Ree about three separate times asking if I could advertise my blog on her site. I was willing to pay and I had seen other blogs advertised there.

But she never got back to me.

It was ok because I know how terribly busy she is with all those kids, all those cows, all that e-mail and those comments to read, not to mention all those PHOTOS she takes. And so I'd slip my address in there, right under my comment, real sneaky-like. And people started coming to my blog. And I was glad.

I always check out the commenters at Ree's site who do the same thing as I did, and today I found a blog. It's not just any blog, but one that posts a giveaway. Every. Single. Day. What an excellent idea for a blog! It's called A Giveaway A Day.

From cosmetic bags to household cleaning products, and everything in between, every single day a different giveaway is announced. All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment and you'll be notified if you've won.

And on November 30th, I'm being highlighted for the daily giveaway. I'll be giving away an 8x10 or 8x12 print of your choice from my etsy site.

So check it out. Visit Liz and when you're there, tell her I sent you.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Surprise package

When I got to work this morning, there was a package sitting on my desk waiting for me with the words "congrats on winning!" on it.

I couldn't think what I had won, but the writing looked friendly enough, so I figured it wasn't a bomb. The teacher whose duty it is to be at my desk manning the phones stayed to see what it was.

I'd forgotten that I'd entered a contest over on a fellow blogger's site, Making Room for Serendipity, by Tiffany. And lo and behold, I won. If you haven't been there yet, check out her site. She's always giving good tips about contests out there in blogging land.

My good friend, Adrienne, will be very happy to learn that I won some more tea! I've got a nice big mug, some Celestial Seasonings tea, some stuff for my tootsies and a book to read. Thanks, Tiff!!

Since I wrote the tea post, and read your wonderful comments, I've been having a cup every day when I get home. Lately I've been enjoying a white leaf tea flavored with peach. Ding dang diddly, it sure is good. And at the end of the day, driving home, I find myself thinking about that nice warm cup of tea. I'm trying not to think of a nice cold glass of charonnay, can you tell?

I wanted to give you a heads up about a sale I'm having on my etsy site. It will begin this weekend and run through most of December. I'm offering a buy two, get one free sale. Buy any two photos and get one (of equal or lesser value) totally free. And if you buy one framed print, you get a free 8x12 print.

Instructions for claiming your free print will be on the site. They're simple. After you place your order, you send me an e-mail letting me know which free print to send you.

I've had such great feedback from people who have purchased my prints. I'd like to share something with you that my blogging friend, Maria (Gardening with Turtles) wrote me regarding her purchase. She had initially been concerned about the the intricacies of shipping framed prints that contained glass, as she had ordered one of the preying mantis. And when it arrived, she sent me this e-mail that I've reprinted with her permission.

"Dear Kate,

You know how I went on and on about how you should minimize selling your framed prints? I changed my mind on that.

I got your print last night and I am all for framing now. I cannot believe how excellent that packaging was, there was no way it could get damaged, scratched, whatever. Impressive. And the walnut frame looks fabulous with your print.

So, so pretty . . . it makes your photo look so good. I love it. I hope this etsy thing becomes a big success. I love, love, love my praying mantis print. When I finally got all the packaging removed and saw the photo for the first time, (this is true), out loud I said, "OOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!!!" The birds can back me up on that. :-)"

I'm so glad you liked it, Maria! The pro lab I use is fantastic and they do an excellent job framing, packing and shipping. And Russell, your prize is on its way. The lab e-mailed me yesterday to say it had shipped. As many of you know, Russell was the winner in the most recent giveaway.

Well, until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Vintage textile book giveaway and vintage George

Blogging friend Erin, over at The Good Life in Virginia, is hosting her very first Giveaway and you're all welcome to join in the fun. All that's needed is a valid e-mail address and a comment about one of your funniest holiday memories.

The winner will be awarded a copy of her vintage textile book and a little something extra. And I love vintage textiles!

So head on over. I'll be here when you get back.

Vintage George

Photo taken October, 2007

Tomorrow (Friday) I have the day off from school. Maybe I'll take my husband for a drive somewhere. It's been a couple of weeks since we last did that, and George would love to take a nice little walk somewhere. My husband is getting stronger and is doing allright.

Some have asked me to post more photographs of the inside of the house and I'd like you to know that I'm pretty wary of doing so and I'll tell you why. It's because this house isn't 'ours'. We're living in it and caretaking for it. There are still many things in the home that belong to the owners and it would be wrong to photograph it for public display. Besides, they've asked that I refrain from doing so on my blog. And until they asked, I hadn't even thought of it. I don't mind taking pictures of my own things, and every now and then showing another corner of one of the rooms that we're using, but just so you know where I stand, ok?

Survivor was on tonight and it's always a surprise to me when my husband tells me during dinner that "Survivor is on tonight." It's like a treat. I don't think about TV all day long and to find out that our favorite show is on is like a surprise. I'm an airhead sometimes.

So anyone watch tonight?

July Photo of the Month contest

Head over to Kacey's Wine on the Keyboard to vote in her Photo of the Month contest! I've got an entry there, as I always do, but I'm not sending you to vote for mine. There's 3 sections and they're divided into Red, White and Blue. The entries this month are beautiful! So head on over. It's fun to vote! I'll wait until you get back.

Giveaway over at CurlyWurlyGurly's site

I was surfing some blogs this afternoon and realized I hadn't visited one of my favorites, TJ's Humble Origins, lately. Lo and behold, she's posted about a contest on a site I'd never before visited. Thanks, TJ. And it's a cool blog, as well! Visit CurlyWurlyGurly before Tuesday, July 29 to enter.

You can win a nifty gift, so head on over and give it a whirl. I mean wurl. You know what I mean! Just spreadin' the love here.

Have fun!