In case you didn’t know it, I love winning giveaways just as much as you do. And I’ve been blessed to win a few lately, so thought I’d share them with you. I love having giveaways here on my blog for all of you too and am happy to share the wealth when they come along. Winning is fun!
First, from my friend, Sandy, at Reluctant Entertainers, I won this whole box of Fall goodness, from chocolate cake mix to pumpkin mix, Mrs. Meyers dish soap in Basil (smells yummy), and some beautiful Fall dish towels, Fall napkins and a pretty green door planter. Thank you SO much, Sandy! The chocolate cake has already been baked and consumed by us and we enjoyed it tremendously.
Next, from Kim at Beautiful Living, I won the book, Blogging for Bliss, which is penned by a very popular blogger, Tara Frey, of Typing out Loud. I’ve been dying to read this book and have really enjoyed going through it to see all of the blogs that I love and read on a regular basis. One of my dear friends, Kim of Daisy Cottage fame, is highlighted in here and I loved seeing her article. So many great blogs out there, so if you are new to blogging, this is a good book to read, since it tells a lot about the basics of blogging too. 
Then, I won a giveaway from The Flying Bee blog and the prize was a $5 Starbucks giftcard, which has already been spent on a Pumpkin Spice latte on the way to Bible study . YUM, by the way! The rest of the prize was a $50 gift certificate to the beautiful online shop, The Beautiful Life. I chose something for myself and it came all wrapped up in this beautiful box and ribbon. 
I picked this gorgeous dove gray bird tureen and it is so pretty in person. Had enough left to get a sweet-smelling bar of Mango Butter soap, which I know I’ll love.
For now, I put the tureen in the dining room, but I think I’ll have to find a special place just for it.
Earlier this summer, I won a piece of jewelry from Kristen’s We are THAT Family giveaway, from LaBella’s Etsy shop. I chose this very special personalized bracelet and used our wedding pic cropped and in black and white and was so happy with the way it turned out. 
Flanked by stamped sterling discs with our wedding date and names, it is a one of a kind treat for the wrist. Love it!
So, in case you think you are never lucky enough to win anything, I thought so too, until I joined blogland and started signing up for giveaways. I have been SO blessed with all of these, just wanted to encourage all of YOU to keep signing up too. You’re bound to win one day!
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Jumping back to the monogram plaques that I showed you earlier this week, one of my readers, Sheila, emailed me these pics of her monogram letter project that I just had to share with you:
Sheila uses decoupage and scrapbook paper on her letters too (lay letter on paper, trace and cut), along with some pretty sparkly embellishments. Look closely and you’ll see pearl stickpins filled with pretty beads and finished off with an earring back.
More great Holiday gift ideas! Thanks, Sheila for sharing.
I really enjoyed reading all of your comments yesterday on the simple pleasures of life. Just goes to show, it’s not about the bucks, but about being content in the small things. I love that!
One more little pleasure I just treated myself to: a wireless keyboard and mouse combo. Now, that’s a good one, if you haven’t upgraded yet. I’m zippity-doo-dahhing along so fast now! Of course, y’all are probably way ahead of me. I’m not known for being on the fast-tech track. Heck, I didn’t even get a cellphone until 2002. And can you believe, I don’t even own an I-pod? or an I-phone? I know, it’s shameful, just shameful. 🙂
RE: Yardsale items! Still waiting to hear from Vanessa and Tracy. If you all would please email me back, I’d love to get these finalized. There are others in line for the items if you change your mind!
Wow, Rhoda! How did you win all that? I need to enter more contests apparently. lol Congratulations to you on all the great things you won.
Rhoda-Lucky Duck! I love all your goodies! That gray tureen is just beautiful and so different. All your gifts are lovely (especially the bracelet of you newlyweds :). Since you are on a winning streak, you might want to stop by my place–it’s a giveaway and an ivitation. Hope to “see” you!
Congratulations on all of your recent winnings, Rhoda! I don’t own an ipod or an iphone, either. I’m just a simple gal and that suits me just fine! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Pam
WooHoo! LOVE your new goodies – so fun and I know you appreciate them so much too!
The necklace is just perfect – really really special! (It seems like just yesterday that you and Peter met!)
Nope – no ipod, no iphone, no blackberry for me either …… I was the LAST of my friends and family to get on the computer and to have an email addy!
😉
Love ya,
Kim
Rhoda,
Congratulations on all these great giveaway prizes! I agree Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice is a wonderful treat. I got hooked last season when my sister introduced me to them.
Cathy
Congratulations Rhoda on all of your winnings! Sometimes luck comes in spurts!
Great gifts you have won! I sounds like you have been very blessed lately. I am not a very technological person either. I do have an MP3 player, but didn’t get my cell phone until last year. Hubby insisted, so I finally caved. Sometimes a girl needs to be away from the phone!
Have a great weekend!
Jennifer
You’ve won some great items, Rhoda! The bracelet is very sweet. I admit, one of the reasons I started a blog was to enter in some blog giveaways– and also ’cause it’s so much fun!
No iphone here, either. An mp3 player, though, is essential 🙂
Congrats Rhoda on all of your great winnings!!
I am lovin’ the monogram letter plaques and I would love to know if “Sheila” has a blog…I really must see more of her kitchen…those pics are a tease! It reminds me of your kitchen (which is AWESOME, btw!).
Hey, Amanda, no Sheila doesn’t have a blog, I think she just reads them. I also featured her diningroom molding project a few months ago too. ANd yes, I agree her kitchen is beautiful.
Great goodies you got there Rhoda! I love the bracelet and that you were able to put your wedding picture in it.
that dove tureen is gorgeous!
and Sheila – your monograms are so cute!
Rhoda! You are so lucky!! Now you KNOW I LOVE that tureen!! I am going to go to her shop right now!
Have a great weekend!!
Lou Cinda 🙂
I love the scrapbook letter project – that looks like something even I can do! 🙂
I SPLURGED (by that, I mean I paid full price at the bookstore -Amazon was out at the time) and bought a copy of Tina Frey’s “Blogging for Bliss” and I’m so glad I did – it’s a beautiful book with tons of good info!! I encourage anyone that’s new to blogging (or just loves it…) to get one.
Congratulations Rhoda! I need to enter more contests!!
Hi Rhoda! Don’t you just love winning “stuff”?? No matter how great or small! It’s always such a pleasant surprise!
If I have a suggestion for a possible post, would I put it in these comments or would you prefer I send an e-mail?
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your posts!…ALL of them!!
Ummm, you’ve won some lovely gifts…and I love you tureen and the braclet is fabulous.
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O, and I had to leave my name, email and website here..what makes that happen on just a few, I wonder?
Hi Rhoda, What a lovely surprise to wake up and read your sweet comment on our blog! We have been lurkers on yours for a long time…so we feel we know you. Shame on us for not commenting sooner. I just love the bracelet you picked out! One-of-kind & fabulous! Thanks again, Deborah & Hubs
Rhoda,
Thanks for the encouragement! After reading your blog a couple days ago, I decided to try my hand at the monogram plaques. Pictures and a nod to you are my first blog post over at http://disastersanddelights.blogspot.com/
Decided after following so many other people’s blogs for a while I probably should not be an anonymous stalker but rather make myself known.
Thanks for your wonderful blog!
Hi!
I can’t actually remember how I found your blog, but I’ve been reading it for about 2 or 3 months and I just wanted to tell you thank you thank you thank you!!! This is one of my first pitstops when I am working on a new project or want to feel inspired, and you’ve done such a beautiful job on your blog! Thank you for bringing beauty and joy to such a stressful time!