I'm feeling guilty. I said I was going to start posting more and then I didn't.
But I have a good reason.
Well, I have several good reasons.
I will list them here for posterity's sake:
1. We moved. Finally. After finding a super good deal, realizing there was a good reason it was cheap rent (mold, wet electrical, squishy walls, etc.) and looking and looking and looking we found a place and moved in. Let me tell you something: Moving five years of five people's stuff is really, really hard. I was overwhelmed, sad, stressed and just blorft in general. Yet, we perservered, purged, prayed and um...I can't think of another P word....that is appropriate.... anyway, here we are, photos to come soon, when we've actually unpacked.
I can't move on from the move on without thanking our good friends who came out and helped us pack and unpack the really important things...like the kitchen. Thank you!!
2. I started a new job...actually two new jobs. Navigating them has been interesting as one is retail and the other is working from home. Two MUCH different entities.
3. Our beloved white boxer, Punkers, had to be euthanized last Tuesday. His cancer took over really fast...so fast it even surprised me and his death was so unexpected so soon after moving. We miss him but are really glad he's not in pain anymore.
4. Brad has a bunch of shows coming up, a nearly finished album and regular work. Enough said.
So, to show you all how much I've missed you, I'm giving awa a $50 gift card to TOMS!
To enter the contest, just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:
What wonderful, lovely, beautiful thing do you have to tell me today?
As you can see from my aforementioned last few weeks, I could really use some positive, happy stories, quotes, photos, etc. in my life!
One entry per person, please.
No entries after noon Friday.
A winner will be chosen randomly and announced Friday night.
Good luck!
Special thanks to Rhea Shelden for making my BLORFT image idea a reality! And also for combining my fifteen almost empty bottles of olive oil into one during the move.
I try to only assign the world love to the living, breathing people and pets in my life.
So here is a list of eight items that I really, really like and wanted to share with you.
These are the best darn dish scrubbers around. They do a great job have been safe on all my dishes/counters and wash right up with all my other kitchen laundry. Since they're wool you're supposed to hang them dry but I've forgotten before and it hasn't really been a big deal. The biggest reason why I love like these is that they are hand made with yarn gathered through thrift stores and other recycling means which keeps the environmental profile low. Plus, they are reusable and cost less in the long run than sponges (that leave blue or green bits behind and fall apart after a couple of weeks!)
This is another win/win. We've been using this soap for a few months now and, YES, you only use a tablespoon per regular size load. Seriously. ONE TABLESPOON. If you have an He machine it's half that. YES. HALF a tablespoon. YES. We double it for wet-the-bed type messes that have not gotten right into the washer but that's the only time we've done so. A jar of it seems to last forever and there are five of us in the family!
I just can't get over how adorable these toys are. Also eco friendly, they are hand crafted and really well made. Our youngest is getting this unique set for Christmas. Buy now on Amazon!: Imagiplay Arctic Expedition Playset (40136)
Avalon Organics Lavender Facial Skincare Line
I use the facial cleansing gel, the hydrating toner and the spf18 moisturizer. These products have a very light scent and really make my skin feel great. I tend to have less redness and blotchiness when I use them morning and night...sometimes I forget in the morning and I can always tell the difference. I purchase mine at Fred Meyer but you can purchase online as well: Avalon Organics Moisture Plus Lotion with SPF 18, Lavender, For Sensitive Skin, Renewal Vitality, 7-Ounces (Pack of 2)
Desert Essence Facial Cleansing Pads
My skin tends to be oily and also can feel rough and...icky. I hate that. I don't really like facial scrubs, though, partly because they are a little too harsh for my skin but also because I have a nose ring and those little crumblies tend to get caught up around my piercing and cause problems. SO, I found these at Fred Meyer and they are great. They do a great job exfoliating and the circle shape allows me to get all around my schnoz without any problems. My face feels refreshed after and seems to take the toner and lotion in better as well. I use these every other day in the shower before I wash with my usual cleanser. Good stuff! You can also get these online: Facial Cleansing Pads
My purse, made by Textiles by Heather (Go check her Flickr page to see more amazing designs!)
This isn't my exact purse but this looks just like it. I think my flowers have chubbier petals and that's the biggest difference. So here's the story with this bag. I LOVE IT. I really do. I am attached to this thing like one of the family. I bought this at the Urban Craft Uprising in Seattle in 2008. I've been using it ever since. It is washable, sturdy and gets so many compliments on a regular basis. The problem is that I gave away all the business cards that I was given and then completely forgot the name of the company. I finally had the big idea to search online for the vendor list at the 2008 UCU and eureka! I found it! Her designs are beautiful but if I woke up tomorrow and the flowers had magically walked off the flap I would still love this bag. The flap has a magnetic button snap and when you flip the flap open, the inside of the bag has a main compartment with to large pockets sewn into one side and three smaller pockets sewn into the other. No zippers, nothing to get in the way and the compartments are roomy and there are enough of them to keep all my stuff organized. The main pocket is big enough to hold a magazine or even my Eee PC netbook. There is an outside pocket along the whole length of the bag and that is where I keep my keys and cell phone and other things I want easy access to. The strap is very sturdy seat belt like material attached with thick plastic D rings and easily adjustable. I have spilled coffee on it, water in it and washed it several times over the last two years and it has always washed up nicely. I have used it exclusively for two years and there isn't a rip, tear, crack or stain on it anywhere. I may just have the love in my heart to add another one of these to my life. Or two.
My Necklace from 2nd Nature Jewelry @ CO.
This necklace is awesome. It looks like it would be heavy and bulky, but it's not. It's gorgeous and I love that I can wear it with my wedding rings that are gold. So many pieces like this are made in silver, so it was so great to find something like this that went with the jewelry I already have. Plus it is so fun and unique!
What's that you say?
You like my necklace, too?
Well...you can't have it! But...I may or may not have happened to order another equally beautiful necklace that may or may not have come with earrings as well. And I may or may not be giving said necklace and said possibly existing earrings away on Monday.
I guess you'll have to tune in then to see if I may or may not be telling the truth!
Muah ha ha!
(That's my evil laugh if you didn't get it...)
Sarah Loomis!
Sarah wins a $25 gift card to Starbucks!
Hoorah!
This should be a lesson to y'all.
Comments are like gold, man.
Like gold.
#4 from the top, Katia Weatherford!!
Email themusicianswifeblog@gmail.com to claim your prizes!
Congrats!
Next week's giveaway is something totally cookin'! Stay tuned!
This week's giveaway is unique and fun. Even if you're a guy, you should enter to win...because you like good music and coffee and know a female who'd like the girly stuff. So there.
My friend Melody makes lots of stuff...she's a crafty lady.
But she gave me this awesome bag that she crocheted made of plarn.
Have you ever heard of plarn? It's plastic yarn...get it?
Pl arn. Pl arn. Plarn.
See? It's like on The Electric Company! That show's still on, you know. Anyway...
The coolio-est thing about plarn is that Melody makes her own using plastic grocery bags. She cuts them up and loops the pieces together and then crochets them into neat little bags and purses.
And my friend has generously given me one of her creations to give away!
BUT WAIT....THERE'S MORE!!!
Sorry, I had a Billy Mayes Moment...a BMM if you will. RIP, BM.
Now that's just weird.
Moving on...
INSIDE this little gem are more little gems. In the form of some beautiful earrings hand crafted by...you guessed it...Melody! These are faceted garnets and sterling silver. I bought them for me but I have decided to give them away instead...I am a chronic loser of earrings and these are so beautiful they really need to go to a more...responsible...home.
ALSO inside will be a copy of Tony Kevin Jr.'s new CD, I Should Love You But I Hate You. If have any question in your wonderful little head about who Tony Kevin Jr. is you can read a little blurb I wrote about him here , and check out his blog here.
ALSO inside will be a $5 Starbucks gift card. Yum.
All you have to do to win is leave a comment below on THIS post.
That's it! The only rule is that it has to be nice. Nothing icky, rude or anything like that.
The contest will be over at 9pm Sunday night and a winner posted by 11am Monday morning. The winner will be chosen by some random website that randomly chooses things for you. I don't remember the name...
Good Luck!
Chosen at the website random.org:
Melody Plumb, who's Halloween memory was:
"ok- I think I was about 5 or 6...my sister Angie took me trick or treating with my friend Tanya and we made a huge haul! We proceeded to have a sleep over. I don't know why, but we ended up sleeping in my parents room (they weren't home). They had a queen size short four poster bed. We stretched a bed sheet over the posts to make a canopy/fort, then we added another one that just draped over the sides and dumped all our candy into the "pockets" it made... we ate candy all night and finally fell asleep at 3am... those were the days..."
CONGRATULATIONS, MELODY!!!
Let me once again allow you to feast your eyes on the wonderfulness that you will soon be holding in your hands!!
Garlic is amazing. Not only because it can make food taste divine (if used correctly) but also for it's uncanny ability to make me smelly for weeks after eating even small quantities.
(Like my festive product presentation?)
I found this product at Winco and it's a great staple to have in the fridge. I cut these little gems up and use them in eggs, soups and all manner of delicious recipes. They're simple and free of preservatives and other icky whatnot. Just roasted garlic, salt and pepper. The bestest thing of all? NO PEELING!! Hooray!
Unfortunately, having been in the veterinary biz for so long, these little buggers remind me of
Never mind...you don't need to know. They're natural, tasty and make my life and my cooking easier and yummier! (Is that a word? It should be.)
p.s. The Christopher Ranch Company does not know me and all I know about them is that their product is wonderful.
*********************************************************************
Now, ladies and gentlemen, I have something special for you!!
(applause)
I am giving a way a copy of Ree Drummond's soon to be released cookbook, Pioneer Woman Cooks!!
This cookbook is filled to the brim with amazing recipes and beautiful, full color photographs. Ree's personal writing style (witty accompanied by dry hilarity) is present throughout.
It is being released in SIX days and I have already pre-ordered a copy...and I want to give it to YOU! Even if this isn't a cookbook you'd like in your library I just know with all my heart there's someone you know who would love this for Christmas or Hanukkah or their birthday or because you made them angry and you need to do some suckin' up.
THE RULES
Answer the entry question below in a comment on this blog entry. One entry per person, please. (Note: If you do not see your entry right away, please don’t enter a second time. Your entry will show up shortly!)
No entries after 9:00 pm Pacific Time Thursday.
One winner will be randomly selected and posted here Friday morning at 9:00 am Pacific Time.
The Question:
What is your most vivid Halloween memory? Did you dress as a zombie pageant contestant and win most beautiful costume? Did you get so scared at the haunted house you peed your pants? Tell me your most poignant Halloween story and you will automatically be entered to win the cookbook!
Good Luck!!
