Winner!

Another virus claimed our house again, and this time it was I that was in it's wrath. So, excuse me for the short post today; however, this is the first time I've been able to move a muscle to announce a winner to the photography giveaway. Drum roll, please......

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:1

I thought that the first person that commented on any post essentially never stood a chance of being chosen....I was wrong! And, lucky for Heidi that I was wrong because she is the number one comment on the giveaway. So, Heidi, get in touch with me and we can schedule your spring photo shoot at the Botanical Gardens - much fun!!!

Hope your week is great. I hope to be back into full gear in the next couple of days and maybe giving away some jewelry very soon!

a picture is worth a thousand words.

This time seven years ago, I was anxiously anticipating my high noon walk down the aisle to the most amazing man. And seven years later, I'm anxiously anticipating the arrival of the Sears repairman so that I will not have to hand wash my dishes much longer! Honestly, I had planned to make this blog post full of love for my husband, but who says I cannot love a working dishwasher, too?!

So, yes, it is our 7th anniversary. If by any chance my husband would actually read my blog (doubting it!), I would like to tell him how much I love him and that I'm the luckiest girl in the world! While I'm on the subject of my husband, I had just a couple of weeks ago promised another giveaway that actually involved him. Some of you may know that he rather enjoys photography and happens to be amazing behind the camera. Well, he has offered the readers of my blog a chance to win a free spring photo session (1 - 1 1/2 hrs.) at the Athens Botanical Gardens. Now, this is huge! Most photographers would charge at least a $100 location fee, and you can win a free session right here on my blog. In addition, he will be offering a $25 print credit to the lucky winner. Again...huge! All you have to do is register your comment before this Thursday at midnight. A winner will be selected and announced Friday. This would be the perfect opportunity to have beautiful spring pictures of your children (even senior pictures), your family or even multiple generations of your family. I hope you will all take time to register a comment to win. In addition, you can sign up as a follower of my blog (on the right-hand side of my blog page.) In a separate comment, please share with me that you signed on as a follower. This will give you yet another chance to win! So, you have two chances to throw your name in the hat. I have included several of his photos to give you an idea of his work. I am sure one of these will look a little familiar to you!

I guess you get the "picture." Go ahead and comment! And, good luck!

ten tiny toes

Are these not the cutest?!

I have had so much fun with this piece, and it has been the inspiration for pieces I'll show off a little later - so much fun! If you know someone expecting a bundle of joy, this would make the perfect gift for the mother. You could personalize it with the baby's name. Be sure and contact me if you want one!

Powerless

I determined one thing over the last couple of days...I'm no pioneer woman. After a stomach virus swept through our house last week, we were greeted with the most beautiful snow I've ever seen. If it had stopped there, I would have been in snow heaven; however, the power went out Sunday afternoon and did not return until yesterday. Now, I get really cold really easily. I love a hot shower. I love a cozy bed. And I love most everything associated with a beautiful snow - building snowmen, throwing snowballs, roasting marshmallows over a roaring fire, hot chocolate, etc. For two days I brushed my teeth with snow melted by the fire and slept with the entire family in one bed to stay warm. Okay...that is just not fun for me. When you came in from playing in the cold snow, you were greeted by the cold house. Thank goodness my husband is the master at keeping a fire going. I was seriously thinking about checking into a warm and comfy hotel, but I'm married to an outdoor man who loves camping and testing the elements. At least he had the clothes for it (that he generously let me borrow,) and that camp stove of his saved us from going hungry. Here are some pictures from our trip back in time.

We went from this....

to this!

This is our idea of outdoor refrigeration.

I'll post some really cute snow pictures of the boys in my next post. My camera battery died (as did cell phones and everything else that requires electricity to charge!), so my husband got some great shots of the boys playing on his camera. I just really felt like it was necessary for me to explain my blogging absence. Oh, by the way...another giveaway is coming up soon. And for a little hint - this time my husband is getting involved!!