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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Blogoversary Giveaway #1



The first of the many books I have for a giveaway for you is Cowboy Christmas by Mary Connealy from Barbour Books. On September 21st, come back to read the first chapter. Review to come soon! A winner of an autographed copy will be chosen on October 18th.

Cowboy Christmas

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

Good luck all! And for the fun of it, after your MANDATORY entry above, any of the following will get you additional entries...

  • Add my blog to your technorati favs (left sidebar)
  • Follow my blog through Google Friend Connect (right sidebar)
  • Follow my blog through Networked Blogs (right sidebar)
  • Subscribe to my blog via Feedburner (right sidebar)
  • Follow me on Twitter (right sidebar)
  • Tweet this giveaway (come back and leave your status link - find this by clicking on your time of tweet)
  • Join my Facebook Fan page
  • Comment on other non-giveaway posts
  • Blog about this giveaway
  • Grab my button and link to my blog (left sidebar)
  • Grab my giveaway button and link to my blog (right sidebar)
Leave an additional comment for each entry.

98 comments and creative thoughts:

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

My favorite Christmas memory...hmmm I'd have to say are all the family dinners we've had over the years! There's always craziness when the family gets together and eats too much food!

I follow your blog through friend connect

I grabbed your blog button

I grabbed the giveaway button!

I tweeted it! http://twitter.com/steelergirl83/status/3864396824

I became a fan on Facebook!

XOXO~ Renee
steelergirl83(at)gmail(dot)com

Wendi said...

Congrats on hitting the 2 year mark!! :)

My favorite Christmas memory is from when I was really little. Most of both sides of our family all met at a local mountain lodge called Troll Hagen (I think). . . I must have been 5 or 6. There were MANY cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents etc - it was great. There was also LOTS of snow! The adults made us a huge snow slide, we rode intertubes down some huge hills, and we played games as a family. I think it was the only Christmas that had both sides of the family in one area at the same time. My grandma had made sleeping bags for each child, and the girls all got matching pajamas. It was so much fun! It is one of my earliest Christmas memories. LOL - I fell out of bed on that trip and cried so hard many aunts and uncles ended up checking peeking in on us. :)

~ Wendi
wbarker at hotmail.com

Wendi said...

Added on my Technorati Favorites!

~ Wendi wbarker at hotmail.com

Wendi said...

Following on Google :)

Wendi

Wendi said...

I've added your giveaway button on my sidebar and listed your giveaway under my giveaways :)

Sheila Deeth said...

I follow on Google

Sheila Deeth said...

Favorite Christmas memory is the "cruciform" light my Dad would put behind the crib. Like a cross in a dome, glowing yellowish red, with a home-made wooden base. I loved it.

Sheila Deeth said...

It's very odd, posting lots of comments. All those weird word verifications....

sdeeth at msn dot com

Angie said...

My favorite Christmas memory is my brother waking me up early and as we tip-toed down the hallway being so scared we would catch Santa and he would be upset with us for getting up so early. :D

Okay, I grabbed your button to your blog, I'm now following you through google, twitter, and I became a fan on your facebook page. :)

sundaisy920@gmail.com

Mary Connealy said...

Good morning everyone.
Wendi...what about your memory?

Carole said...

I always play for two Christmas Eve services every year. My favorite memories are attending the second smaller one as a family, then coming home to hot chocolate and watching A Christmas Carol, usually the one starring George C. Scott.

Congratulations on your Blogoversary, Margaret. I just looked at your "about me" page and saw that we live fairly close together (I live on the south side of Atlanta).

I have subscribed to your blog through Feedburner, and follow you on Twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for a fun giveaway!

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

CherryBlossomMJ said...

Hey Mary!! Wendi's memory is the second comment, I think... it's posted through if it had not appeared before, it is there now.

CherryBlossomMJ said...

It seems like family is a constant theme. *grin* My favorite memory, just to share for kicks... is running down the stairs and standing at the double doors to our living room just knowing there were surprises on the other side. Only problem was I had to wait for my three siblings before we could all go in...

CherryBlossomMJ said...

Hey Carol. I know it's summer or the beginning of fall rather, but you just made me want Hot Chocolate! In all my blogging time I had only met two people from GA, one actually down the street. In the last week I have met at least five more. So neat!!

apple blossom said...

Christmas memory:

We had one of those silver Tinsel Christmas trees (Charlie Brown type) we also had a big rotating spot light that changed the color. I remember always shutting off the lights and watching the light change the color of the tree.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

I subscribed to your feed.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

I'm a new follower to your blog

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

I added your anniversary icon to my giveaway list.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

I added your main logo to my side bar

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

apple blossom said...

I added your link to my fav. blogs to check "MY BLOG LIST" in my sidebar

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

CherryBlossomMJ said...

I remember the lights in the dark too.

apple blossom said...

I just left a comment on your quilted bag. Oh, how neat. That is so cool.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Michelle V said...

I followed you through networked blogs.

Michelle
m.vasquez[at]grandecom.net

Michelle V said...

I followed you on google blogger.

Michelle
m.vasquez[at]grandecom.net

Michelle V said...

I put your blog button on my blog.

Michelle
m.vasquez[at]grandecom.net

Michelle V said...

I became a fan on your facebook fan page.

Michelle
m.vasquez[at]grandecom.net

Michelle V said...

When I was a kid, my Grandma on my Dad's side loved opening presents as much as us kids. She would whisper and scheme and get me to beg my parents to let us open the packages early. She was so much fun!

Michelle
m.vasquez[at]grandecom.net

sphinx63 said...

My favorite Christmas memory is my brother and I waking up at like 4am and sneaking to the top of the stairs and trying to see what Santa left under the tree. Then Mom waking up and telling us it was too early to get up, to go back to bed until 6am! Such torture!

sphinxcw at aol dot com

Mary Connealy said...

I see Wendi's memory now.
I love the baby pictures. So sweet.

CherryBlossomMJ said...

Posted for Bonnie:

I need help. I don't know a Twitter from a tweet from a blog. I don't know how to get them either. It's a monumental accomplishment just to retrieve e-mail. I would love to participate but there is no one who can take me step by step in any process. May I place my favorite Christmas tradition here? I find everything on your website confusing only because I am so IGNORANT of these terms and their definitions. On the off chance that it is permissible to describe my tradition here, I am going to type it here and hope if this is not the correct place, you will forward it, if possible. Thanks.

My favorite tradition is decorating the Christmas tree with my family. When my children were children and lived at home, it seemed to be the only time my children wanted to spend any length of time with me. I made sure it took all evening. From placing the tree into the stand to detangling the lights wiring, it was all fun. Each year I would carefully wrap all ornaments in tissue paper, so therefore, each ornament had to be unwrapped. Both Anthony and Tracie (my children) would smile and make a comment about the ornament they unwrapped and would place it on the tree. It was a way of keeping their memories in tact as each item was revealed. It was and still is as now my grandchildren unwrap each ornament and discuss what they find inside and ask, "Who made this?" or "Mommy made this, didn't she?" or "Who gave this to you?" Memories are then handed down to be passed along when I go to Heaven. Each of my children do the same with their children. Getting, decorating and disassembling the Christmas tree continues, and I hope, will continue to take place in the homes of generations to come. Included in the decorations is a Nativity Sceen with a makeshift barn with one side open. All characters are in attendance: Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the three wisemen, and even the shephards with their sheep. There's even a goat and a cow! There are a few chips in the plaster pieces, but that doesn't take away from the love story it represents. As children, in the beginning, they used to fight over who got to place the figures in place. It didn't take long for them to divide and share in process. That was alright as long as they were participating and remembering the story, why each person or animal was there and where they might have stood or sat. Regardless of it's lack of straw now, it always has a place of honor near the tree. It is older than I am. It's 31 years old, and I'm 29 (times 2)! Thank you for reminding me again how blessed I am with two children and 5 grandchildren and a loving Savior who fills my soul.

CherryBlossomMJ said...

Hey Bonnie,

Wanted to let you know I got your comment, and that method is fine too. You're still entered!! I loved doing the Christmas tree decorations more than anyone else. I'm the baby of four, so it seemed when it got old to every one else I kept it going. We own a Christmas tree farm, so my dad or brother would get a tree each year. One year it stayed in the driveway and never got put up. After that I never let that happen again (I was too little then to do anything about it). I make sure that tree gets put up and decorate it. It has kinda become a game, for the last few years I lived at home, and then in the years since. I go back home at a time when nobody is home for a couple hours or so, blast the Christmas tunes and decorate the whole house with Christmas flare including the tree. Whenever others get home (now just my parents) they are always amazed and proud.

CherryBlossomMJ said...

Michelle that's precious.

Sphinx I feel your pain. :)

Thanks for the commentary love Abi.

Alice H said...

I have a lot of favorite memories! Last year was one of my favorite Christmas's ever though because it was the first with my son. We cut down our own tree and made a nice fire Christmas morning - those are going to be annual traditions for sure. Thanks for the chance! alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Alice H said...

I follow through Google Friend Connect - alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Alice H said...

I follow you on twitter - I'm alicedemske - thanks! alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Alice H said...

I have your button at www.alicedemskehansen.blogspot.com - thanks! alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Alice H said...

I have your giveaway button at www.alicedemskehansen.blogspot.com - thanks! alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Alice H said...

I subscribe via google reader - alicedemskehansen at gmail.com

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

My favorite Christmas memory is Christmas caroling with my family.

writer_weaver at yahoo dot com

Virginia C said...

I truly love Christmas. I carry it in my heart all year long. My Christmas memories are wonderful! The most precious memory of all is being "the one" who always went with my grandfather on the Sunday before Christmas to pick out the Christmas tree. What an honor!
gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Virginia C said...

Hello! I am a new FeedBurner email subscriber. gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Virginia C said...

Nice to be here! I am a new Google follower. gcwhiskas at aol dot com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

+1 My favorite Christmas was the one I got to spend with my Grandmother!
She is an awesome women and I love her so much!

+1 I follow through Google Friend connect

+1 I subscribe through Feedburner

+1 blogged about this on my blog dancealertreads.blogspot.com

+1 I emailed the notice to my friend Cindy, dutchlvr1 at aol dot com hopefully she'll come and post.

+1 I read the story about the bridge ran by the Mormons across the Colorado river in the Grand Canyon, and the fighting that went on. Never knew about that.

+1 would love to own the Amish Cookbook. I've read a story I'm sure that had Wanda Brunstedter in it. I read quite a few that are about the Amish.

+1 Congratulations on the addition to your family!!!!

dancealert at aol dot com

dancealert at aol dot com

Beth said...

My grandparents came out to Australia from England in the early 60s, so they brought with them quite a few traditions. One of my favorites is the Chocolate Log. It's a chocolate sponge roll covered in milk and/or dark chocolate and dusted with icing sugar. We used to have little plastic robins that got put on the log. Papa (my grandfather) was always the one to decorate it. He taught me, and now it's my task to make it each Christmas. Traditionally we don't eat any of it until Boxing Day. Sadly, the robins disappeared when my Nanna moved out of her cottage into a nursing home.

I love Mary's books and can't wait to read this one.

And I am following this blog as a Google Follower.

Beth said...

I am a follower!!

Beth said...

I've popped your giveaway button on my blog!

apple blossom said...

I posted a entry about your giveaway on my blog page.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Renee G said...

One of my favorite Christmas memories was going to my great-grandparents house on Christmas Eve. Santa would drop in and bring each of us an orange.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOt)com

CherryBlossomMJ said...

Alice - I think I can relate to that (we had our Christmas tree farm tradition) and now this year will be my first with my daughter. I'm really looking forward to it!

Anna W - Did you go a special place or sing special songs??

Virgina - That does sound fabulous!

Brenda - What was it about spending Christmas with your Grandmother? Was there a specific memory?

Beth - That sounds fabulous!

Renee - The orange sounds so traditional of old times. I love that.

roxxyroller said...

When I was just a little girl, I still do not know who it was to this day, but a guy dressed as Santa used to walk up the road every Christmas Eve around 9pm and wave at us looking at him through the window!
I used to get so excited at that time as I didn't know any better, and it filled my heart with love and excitement!
I am the youngest of 6, and my older brother's and sister's would get me all pumped up waiting for Santa!! The Christmas tree was all lit up in the dark, and I eagerly anticipated Santa's arrival sitting on the back of the couch looking out at the light snowfall, it was so exciting and beautiful!!
I still wish those days existed!

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

roxxyroller said...

Follow your blog through Google Friend Connect

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

roxxyroller said...

Follow your blog through Networked Blogs

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

roxxyroller said...

Subscribed to your blog via Feedburner

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

roxxyroller said...

tweeted!

http://twitter.com/coolcanucks/status/3903295284

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Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

roxxyroller said...

Joined your Facebook Fan page!
(Heather Clouston-Diotte)

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

roxxyroller said...

I own CoolCanucks.ca, which is a Canadian Contest and Freebie site. This giveaway is posted here:

http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/22222-creative-madness-cowboy-christmas-mary-connealy-book-giveaway-oct18-canada

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/

Edna said...

I just joined the newsletter so please add me in the drawing again.


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I became a fan on facebook!

I subscribed by email

dancealert at aol dot com

GoodPlans said...

I would love to win! I'm a big fan of Mary's books! My favorite memory is waking up on Christmas morning and eating cinnamon rolls.
~Carman
booklovercb[at]yahoo[dot]com

windycindy said...

One Christmas all I wanted was a Chatty Cathy Doll. I knew my dad was working two jobs to support our family and that is why I only asked for this special doll. I will never forget getting up before dawn and seeing Chatty Kathy standing right in front of the Christmas tree for me to see. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

You are added to my favorites on Technorati!
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I follow you via Google Friend Connect.
Again, many thanks.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

Also, I follow you through Networked
Blogs.....Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I also follow your blog via Feedburner.
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I follow you on Twitter!
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

"Tweet!"
http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/3963261208.
Thank you.....Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

I am a fan of your Facebook Page!
Thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Belinda M said...

My favorite christmas memory is an every year one when I was a child. We would always go spend it at my grandparents, waking up xmas morning to open gifts. Followed by family arriving and a great big dinner later on. I miss those days



Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda M said...

I follow on google friend connect


Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda M said...

tweeted

http://twitter.com/Prairiebelle/status/3964788031

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Cherie J said...

Taking my kids to their first Christmas lights show two years ago. Seeing the wonder and excitement on their faces really made it extra special for me.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cherie J said...

I am a follower on Google Friend Connect.

Cherie J said...

I am a follower on Twitter.

Unknown said...

My favorite Christmas memory would have to be one that happened a few weeks before Christmas. My Birthday is December 5th and we usually get the tree that weekend my birthday falls on. Well, my aunt, mom and sister were begging my dad at 9:30 p.m. to go get the Christmas tree. We really wanted to decorate it and the house. We begged him for thirty minutes. (Let's not forget that the tree place closed at 10:30) He got so frustrated with us that he said. "I'm not going to go get you a twistma twee!" We all bust out laughing. Needless to say, he went out the door five minutes later to go get one. So every year we go get our twistmas twee and laugh about my dad's blunder.

I already follow your blog and I am a fan on facebook.

Culinarily Obsessed said...

Favorite Christmas memory? Gosh, that's a hard one..I don't think I have one specific memory, I think it's probably just the excitement of the decorating and selecting gifts that leads up to Christmas along with the baking cookies and just eating a big meal and being with my family on Christmas day.

urbanxtacy @ yahoo . com

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

My favorite Christmas memory is the one where I got a My Little Pony house and my oldest brother played along! I loved it, because those times were rare!

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

I'm following your blog (sidebar).

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

Following you on twitter. Here's my profile:
http://twitter.com/mymadakaja

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

I've tweeted it here:
http://twitter.com/mymadakaja/status/4091759953

Thanks for sharing how to find the link for a status update!!

Tami @ This Mom's Delight said...

Facebook Fan now! Here's my profile:
http://www.facebook.com/tami.qualls?ref=name

Diana said...

My favorite Christmas memory is the one year when my family and I didn't have any real plans. We attended a Christmas play at a local church, then drove aimlessly around the town, stopping by at any stores that were open. Though it wasn't the most exciting Christmas ever, we did get to spend a lot of time together, just laughing and relaxing.

Diana said...

I'm a google friend.

Diana said...

I subscribe via feedburner.

Diana said...

Follow on twitter.

Diana said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/dzhu19/status/4106082148

Diana said...

I'm a facebook fan.

Aik said...

Family dinners on Christmas.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Rebecca N. said...

Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday! My favorite memory is from when I was about 8 or 9. My mom and grandparents thought it would be really funny if they wrapped up a bunch of rocks as presents from Santa to me. Then every time it was my turn to open one, that was what I got! After doing this several times with them all laughing, and my sisters opening real presents, I think I started to cry. LOL! Eventually, they gave me all my real presents and I was a very smiley little girl. I received some of the best presents ever that year! I can no longer remember why they pulled this lil ruse on me, but the memory of it happening sure has stuck with me over all of these years! Every time I think about it, I chuckle. I miss those days :)

Happy Blogoversary to ya! Thanks for all the wonderful giveaways!

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I Added your blog to my technorati favs

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I follow your blog through Google Friend Connect!

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I follow your blog through Networked Blogs!

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I follow on twitter!

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I tweeted!

http://twitter.com/Sparkleglow/status/4176313717

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

friend/fan on Facebook

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Rebecca N. said...

I have your event button!

imsosweepy { at } gmail { dot } com

Mystica said...

Attending midnight mass when the children were little and visiting the crib in church is a wonderful memory as children are now all grown up!

Mystica


mystica123athotmaildotcom

Michelle V said...

Take my entries out of the drawing for Cowboy Christmas. I actually won a copy off Mary's blog and I can't wait to read it!

Blessings!
Michelle

Amy K said...

My favorite Christmas was when I was wanted the Barbie Western Motor-home. I was telling my older cousin all about it at Christmas dinner and how much I wanted it. When presents came to be distributed at Nana's, I didn't get one. I mentioned something to Nana and she said, "Oh! that big one there is for you." We all had to unwrap out presents at the same time, and I 'll never forget how excited I was when I peeled that wrapping paper off and saw the Barbie Western Motor-home. Nana even came over the next day and helped me sticker all the pieces.
I know it's a selfish story but that was one of my favorite ones:)

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