Quick! Advice Needed and $50 Giveaway

After posting yesterday, I realized Sabbath Keeping's post was number 1,000! It totally surprised me because it's like this:

~ not sure where I found this fabulous quote ~

To celebrate post number 1,000, I'm giving away a $50 gift card, entry rules at end of post.

I'm in the market for a smart phone and am getting either the LG G2, here, or the Samsung Galaxy Note, here. When I rent Thistle Cove Cottage, here, it's imperative I have the capability of Square and only a smart phone can handle Square. Currently, I'm using a Walmart phone that was bought on the advice of employees who assured me it used Verizon network. Trusting idiot me, believed them, even though I told them I only get Verizon, never AT&T, on the farm.

Their phone does not use Verizon, it uses AT&T. (boo, hiss, shame on those employees!)

So, I am being drug, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century. (That is right, right?) 

Dave was the high tech geek. He would, 99 times out of a hundred, come to me and say something like, "Would you like an MP3 player?" and I'd say, "What's that?" He'd look at me rather sadly, go away and a few days later hand me a little something and said, "it plays music and you can listen to audio books." Well, he knew he had me at the "listen to audio books" part! The Christmas after his Mother died, he bought us Kindles; I had no idea what a Kindle was but if he wanted one, so did I. 

~ LG G2, photo borrowed from here ~

I narrowed down my smart phone choices to the LG G2, or the Samsung Galaxy Note. (I can "hear" Dave saying, "And if you get the Note then you've got to get the Galaxy Gear as well." Well alrighty then, if you make me!)

~ Galaxy Note and Gear , photo borrowed from here ~

The LG G2 is $99.00 and the Samsung Galaxy Note is on sale for $179.00 at HHGregg which seems a tad expensive (but I'm not claiming to know much about electronics) but, on the other hand, with all the Note does, it might not be expensive. The Galaxy Gear is more expensive and, would you say, probably more of a toy while the phone is a business tool. Anyway, the watch isn't a consideration just now...I'm interested in the phone only and it has to be Verizon network which both phones meet that requirement.

? for you...Do I have to purchase a Verizon network plan at the same place I buy the phone? Is it less expensive to go someplace like Sam's to buy the network plan? Should I buy the network plan at the same place I buy the phone?

To enter, leave a comment and answer:

*which phone you believe to be best and why

*where should I buy the network plan and why

Thanks everyone; your advice is greatly appreciated. If you're not a high tech person, another $50 giveaway is coming up next week and it's low tech.

Thanks for your comments; this post is closed as of 9 April 2014, 10:45 a.m.

Blessings ~ the wisdom of my readers ~ smart phones ~ Kindles ~ giveaway ~
C. S. Lewis ~ 

Grow Your Blog Party!

Today is The Day! It's Vicki's, at 2 Bags Full, Grow Your Blog Party...WOOHOO! I'm excited, can you tell? What? You forgot to sign up? NO WAY, surely you didn't!? Oh gee, I am so sorry...   Please visit Vicki's blog to see all the participants and to leave a nice comment for Vicki...the hostess with the mostess...yeah, it's cheesy but hey! I'm in a party mood and, down on the farm, it's simple pleasures that please best.

Welcome to Thistle Cove Farm where it's beautiful one day and perfect the next. Yes, the header photo is the view from my window, photos change seasonally, and, yes, I am greatly blessed. Dave, my husband, and I bought and established Thistle Cove Farm in 1995. We've spent our time renovating the house, re-siding the barns with rough cut hemlock and, in early days, I bred and raised rare American Curly horses and Shetland, Merino, Romney and cross bred sheep. The Curly horse link is for information only.

Our lives took a turn when, in 2004, I had an opportunity to teach in Russia and that jump started our traveling adventures. Since then, I've taught in Armenia, Georgia, Morocco, at fiber festivals in the USA, at Concord University in Athens, WV and on the farm where I held workshops and conferences. I'm in process of putting together my curriculum in a book, Increasing Farm and Small Business Income, that teaches how to develop your farm or small business by using tourism and networking and partnering with other folks to increase profits. Essentially, it's a how-to manual to help you succeed.

In November, 2011, Dave passed away and the ensuing months have been spent on a very steep learning curve. He and I were going to sit down, me with a three-ring notebook, and I was going to compile "everything" he needed me to know. He died, very unexpectedly and quite suddenly, two days before. Since then, it's been a Very Steep Learning Curve and my hard earned and hard won experience is going into another book...Putting Your Affairs in Order ~ "death comes to us or for us, it's best to be prepared". I'm not trying to be morbid but there's a ton of stuff to know and it's best knowing it and preparing before you need to so you don't waste or lose so much money. Trust me, the only people who couldn't possible use this information are the Gates or Buffet families! -wry smile-

This blog is about life in general and, in particular, life at Thistle Cove Farm. I try to encourage and enable people to do their best work, live their best life and, whenever possible, prepare for the future. You'll find blog posts on how to DREAM LARGE, PDS or Pretty Darn Smart Goals, and, sometimes, You Just Need to Know where I push you in the direction of other folks who offer excellent advice or simply fun stuff worth knowing.
There are posts to your good health -Coconut Oil and Lower Back Pain Relief
and, every Sunday, there's Sabbath Keeping dedicated to the wise words of other folks and each Sabbath Keeping post ends with Prayer Keeping where we pray, one for another.
I am a practicing Christian and, even so, life is still hard; it's been a lot harder since Dave died. I'm just trying to lighten your load and help us both along life's path. I invite you to sign up on the follower's side bar on the right; you're very welcome here!

Okay, more good stuff...there are 5...FIVE...giveaways on this post! Yep, five people will have their choice of goodies starting with ...

~on the left, a skein of purple, blue, muted red Socka, 75 percent virgin wool with 25 percent polyamid yarn made in Austria! It's 30 meters and would make a lovely pair of baby socks, trim for a pair of adult socks or any number of beautiful things.

~on the right, a skein of red Sunbeam Aran Double Knitting Pure New Wool, made in the Republic of Ireland! There are approximately 1 and 3/4 ounces or 50 grams and it's vintage. It's enough yarn to make a small hat, neck cozy or add some color to a pair or socks or fingerless mitts. Then again, it's your choice as to how you use it.

Creating Keepsakes is a scrapbook magazine from May/June 1997; yep, another vintage prize! Along with great ideas for scrapbook projects, this issue still has the "FREE cut and Copy Insert from Design Originals". The magazine is intact, as far as I'm able to ascertain. 

~Summer Cottage magazine is from Summer 2011 and is lovely. The photographs are beautiful, the recipes are delightful...last week, I went to town to the library so I could copy the recipes...no tearing out of pages in this Special Collector's Issue! It's from the publishers of Southern Lady Presents Tea Time and Hoffman Media Publications. You will treasure this special treat!

~Quilters...attention, please...the last prize is a Collins Sneak Peek Preview of 5 Charm Shapes. "A charm quilt is traditionally made of pieces all cut from the same shape, and each cut from a different fabric." The Sneak Peek Preview may be used to design quilts by using as is or rotating designs for varied interest and impact. You may also make special effects with border prints, stripes and florals or develop your own patterns by alternating prints and solids or lights and darks. The templates include the following shapes: Tumbler, Hexagon, Diamond, Equilateral Triangle and an Apple Core. You'll have unending fun using this charming collection.

Winners will be notified on February 1 and chosen randomly. These prizes are open to everyone...domestic and internationally; you only have to leave a comment and a way for me to contact you. No anonymous comments and your e-address has to be linked with your name or in your comment. 
You're invited to follow my blog but it's not a requirement to win and your kind, thoughtful comments are most welcome.

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~ Albert Einstein ~

Today's Miracles ~ Vicki, 2 Bags Full ~ you, a visitor ~ prizes ~ American Curly horses ~ my wooly sheep ~ Thistle Cove Farm ~ 

life:beautiful winners

A day late and a dollar short...it just dawned on me I neglected to let two women know they have won a copy of life:beautiful magazine. The original give-away was for one magazine but I've read my copy very, very carefully and am now giving it away as well.

Midlo Mom and Timi have each won a copy. Midlo Mom's copy will be going to beautiful Midlothian, very near Richmond, VA and Timi's copy will wing its way to Hungary! 

Want to read something funny? Midlo Mom lives fewer than three hundred miles from me and we've never met. Timi lives in Hungary and she, her family and I spent a delightful two days together last year. I also visited with Jane and Lance and am counting the days until I can visit with all of them again. Truly, some of the most delightful memories I have are of those days spent in Budapest with my new friends whom I met through blogging!

Blessings ~ life:beautiful magazine ~ Midlo Mom ~ Timi ~ Jane and Lance ~ 

Comfort Read Give-away

Do you have books you return to time and again for a good read? I call them comfort books for comfort reads and one such author, for me, is Alexandra Stoddard. I'm re-reading Living Beautifully Together. Seems strange, perhaps, because there's no together since Dave has gone ahead but now, more than ever, I need the cozy comfort, the peace, the serenity of h.o.m.e. 


The subtitle says "How to Live Graciously in a Hectic World by Finding Time to Love Your "Family, Your friends, and Yourself. There! At the end...loving myself. Dave was sick for a long time and all my energy, efforts, prayers and time was spent, willing, on him. So now it's time to think of myself and begin to build my life, all over again. Baby steps all with room to be stationary as needed; even regress a bit should need be.


My giveaway copy of Living Beautifully Together was published in 1989 and is the older cover...blue willow plate with glass of red wine and yellow flowers in a basket in the back ground. This book has hundred of ways to touch lives and make a difference. At the end of each chapter, Ms Stoddard offers up Grace Notes as ways to add more to our lives. There are 3 parts, each with different sections:

Part 1: Nourishing Yourself

Part 2: Living Together, Twenty Points to Remember

Part 3: Enjoying Others, Children, Friends, 

Relations, Unknown Others

As Ms Stoddard says, "Nothing of value comes quickly. Everything is a great deal easier, however, if we open up and know ourselves better by letting our defenses down, understanding that we are all equally vulnerable.' and "The difficult struggles we've all experienced--our losses--are our muscle and strength. We learn through loss not to hold on too tightly." Yes, I am learning.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "scatter joy."

You've encouraged me to both open up and scatter joy; for that, and so much more, thank you. Your prayers have been my constant companion, along with Jesus, and keep me standing, whole even though bruised, tattered and worn, while I navigate new and uncharted waters. That's what I want to do...scatter joy so if you'd like a chance to win this book, please leave a comment and tell me one of your favorite authors, one of your favorite books and why you like both. If you'd like two chances to win, tell others about this give-away on your blog, then come back and leave another comment. I'll give it a week, then draw a name via random.org on Wednesday next at 5:00 p.m.


It's my hope Living Beautifully Together brings you as much joy and comfort as it has me.


Blessings ~ Living Beautifully Together ~ joy ~ grace ~ comfort books ~ 

Thankkful Give-Away for Followers

THANK YOU!

Dave would, in great excitement, call out to me, "You've got another Follower!" That tickled him, and me, so much; thank you for that gift, that great memory. He would click on your names, visit your blogs...never leave a comment though -smile-...and tell me, "you have the nicest followers!" Very rarely did he leave a comment on my blog and mostly as "Mr. Stumbles".

Yes, there is a give-away...just keep reading!

He was right. You are the nicest folks and, a lot of times, leave the nicest comments. You've tucked me into prayer, commiserated with me when things were going not so well, blogged about me, stood in the gap for Dave and I, written Sabbath Keeping when I was unable, sent me cards with actual stamps, e-cards, gifts, poems. Truly, you have blessed me greatly and there have been dark days when I would go back over each and every comment just to feel love and loved; to know I wasn't alone in my miserable grief. When I was unable to pray, you prayed; when I was unable to post an entry, you said, "it's your blog, post when

you're able"; when I felt so absolutely bereft of life's longing, what kept me going was knowing someone was standing in the gap for me. Bless Ezekiel's heart, he found no one but God sent me you! If you're not a Christian, you can't understand what it's like...knowing someone, somewhere is taking your name to the throne of God and beseeching Him, the creator of the Universe, on your behalf. I'm telling you, it makes me want to have church...right now!

Mercy Father, please bless us each and every one!

Thank you for your prayers, your comments, your outpouring of love. 

As Robert Frost wrote:

"Where had I heard this wind before
Change like this to a deeper roar?
What would it take my standing there for,
Holding open a restive door,
Looking down hill to a frothy shore?
Summer was past and the day was past.
Sombre clouds in the west were massed.
Out on the porch's sagging floor,
Leaves got up in a coil and hissed,
Blindly struck at my knee and missed.
Something sinister in the tone
Told me my secret must be known:
Word I was in the house alone
Somehow must have gotten abroad,
Word I was in my life alone,
 Word I had no one left but God."

So, for the giftie...a beautiful china cup and saucer with a ten bag packet of green tea and a beloved book, The Mercy Seller. I enjoyed this book, greatly, and hope you will also. I'll ship all of it to anyone, anywhere because you only have to be a follower; this is my way of saying you're the best and I thank God for you!

The rules...

~open to TCF followers world-wide  

~comment on this post for your chance to win

~leave a way for me to contact you...sorry, but no searching for e-mail

~comments taken until Sunday, February 5 at midnight

~when your name is drawn, Monday, February 6 at 9:00 a.m. and then you're notified, you have 24 hours to send me your snail mail address...at Tuesday, 9:00 a.m., if necessary, I'll do a random drawing again

Blessings ~ followers, each and every one ~

Giveaway 3: Yarn

 ~ yarn ~

 Lion Brand Jiffy - a quick and easy mohair look yarn, machine washable and dryable. These four skeins are three ounces each, 85 grams and 135 yards of yarn in each skein. At 540 yards total, there's enough to make someone a lovely shawl or perhaps a child's sweater. One skein has come "undone" but has been wound back around the skein, I seem to remember the entire skein is intact but memory could be wrong. If there is any missing, it's not much and while the color is labeled as "taupe", it's more of a light chocolate brown.

 What you need to know:
-one comment = one entry
-contest ends one week from today, Tuesday at midnight
-winner notified the next day, Wednesday
-leave your contact information!

For additional chances to win:

-one entry if you mention the giveaway on your blog
-one entry if you mention it on Facebook

Please comment separately for each time you enter; that's the easiest way for me to Random.org pick the winner.
Blessings ~ knitting ~ crochet ~ yarn ~ weaving ~

Dei Gratia,
Sandra

Giveaway 1: Sheep Stamp

 ~ silly sheep ~

Monday's giveaway is a trifle silly - a sheep stamp. Just the one, mind, but I wanted you to see both front and back -smile-.

It's rather a large stamp, about 2.5 x 2.5, brand new and never been used.

What you need to know:
-one comment = one entry
-contest ends one week from today, at midnight
-winner  notified the next day, Tuesday

For additional chances to win:

-one entry if you mention the giveaway on your blog
-one entry if you mention it on Facebook

Please comment separately for each time you enter; that's the easiest way for me to Random.org pick the winner.

Delightful company has visited today and time will tell the story. But, for now, it's give-away week and no, it's not Christmas nor did I win the lottery. Heck, I don't even buy lottery tickets. I am de-cluttering and thought it might be fun to give folks an opportunity to win some stuff...serious, silly, functional, fun.

P. S. Please leave an easy way for me to contact you; some of you have "no reply" to your comments and that's not a good thing.

Blessings ~ prizes ~ silly sheep ~ give-aways ~ de-cluttering ~

Dei Gratia,
Sandra

Things to Come: Giveaway

 Next week is a week of giveaways; in no particular order...

 ~ Baggallini, accordion bag ~

~ tea cup, saucer and Twinings Earl Grey tea ~

 ~ one funny little sheep stamp ~

~ Lion Brand Jiffy yarn, 4 skeins ~

 ~ quilting pack ~

No photo but a needlepoint kit; by the time its day has come 'round, I'll have a photo.

Rules: 

one giveaway per day

one comment = one entry

contest ends one week later, at midnight. So, for a Monday giveaway, all entries must be made by the next Monday at midnight with winner being notified the next day. God willing and the creek don't rise.  

For additional chances to win:

one entry if you mention the giveaway on your blog 

one entry if you mention it on facebook

each entry must be separate.

Blessings ~ prizes ~ nice folks to win prizes ~

Dei Gratia,
Sandra

Oogles of Gifts

 ~ Sam P. Spade says, "want to see what Mom won?" ~

Some years ago, we had a friend, Clyde, who used the word "oogles" when he meant a bunch of something. It's a great word, always loved the way it rolled off the tongue and the visual it brought to mind so let me tell you about the oogles of gifts sent my way since November.

Sew, Mama, Sew! had a Handmade Holiday in November, ending with folks ponying up to give stuff away so other folks could win some stuff. I won Barbara Campbell's beautiful hand crafted wall quilt and it's so perfect for both me and Thistle Cove Farm.

 ~ quilt center ~

 The horses in the quilt center are contained within a star and the quilt measures, roughly, 2.5 x 2.5 feet. Just as soon as I make a tab for the back, it will be hung on the wall behind my computer. 

 

~ quilt back ~

Barb signed the back and also said why the gift was won - the SMS Giveaway 2009. That's so wonderful and brings home why all quilters, indeed all artists, crafters and those who make gifts of their heart using their hands, need to tag their gifts. Once day, someone will wonder about this little art quilt and due to Barbara's thoughtfulness, part of the story, at least, will be known. Barb, thank you so very much; this quilt will be a treasure always.

Lisa Swifka, A Whimsical Bohemian, sponsors One World One Heart each January February. This blog tour has gone from a few participants to 1,088 this year, representing 40 countries! She now has them listed in alpha order and with country of participant. It's an amazing job and, very likely, keeps her aware more hours than she'd like. Lisa is a artist and her blog is full of wonder and wonderful things.

~ DREAM ~

Angie Hall Haviland, from Texas, made this incredible piece and is quite a prolific artist. That's a nice way of saying she puts herself in her studio and cranks out the art. I should live and learn as I'm way too guilty of saying yes to too many people other than myself. I know full well about JOY - Jesus first, others second, yourself third - but when there's too little of me to give, I tend not to give either at all or very well and neither are good things. As the Bible says, moderation in all things and I take that to mean balance as well.

This piece is incredible! The sparkly tulle skirt, the floral body, the glittery wings, the tiny chain encircling the waist with the flower at side, the fabric "ribbon" touches and the word DREAM holding it all together. If a woman can't get inspired by this piece, then the woman might not have any breath left in her body. DREAM will have a place of honour but first, she'll travel around with me from office to studio to bedroom to sun room and will remind me of the good, and good people, in this frosty ole world as well as remind me to DREAM. Angie, thank you from the bottom of my heart; you'll always be in my thoughts as I carry DREAM from room to room to room.

 ~ listen ~

This beauty was lovingly made by Cindy Ashplant, living in the United Kingdom, and I love the quote. I've always said the sound of silence was the ultimate white noise and I now believe the quote: "The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood, and the sound of outer ocean on a beach. The mermaid, with starfish anchor, reminds me to listen. Cindy calls herself a "craftholic" and has beautiful work on her blog; she also has a lovely giveaway so hurry along now as it ends soon. Cindy, thank you for this beautiful bookmark. I took the liberty of writing your contact information on the back so you'll always be remembered.

~ listen ~

~ magazines from Down Under ~

 Okay...for the life of me I can't remember where I wrote the woman's name who sent these wonderful Australian magazines. I am so sorry. These were won as well and all just too perfect! I get to see a bit of Australian life, gardening, cooking and living...how cool is that?! Thank you so much! Even though my memory has decided to vacation without the rest of me, please know God knows your name and when I remember you to Him, He'll say, "Oh, yes...she's a favorite of mine."

Dear Misha, my next door state of Tennessee neighbor, sent me a box absolutely crammed full of her largess and goodness! The spring colours are grand, seeing as how there aren't too many of them on the farm. At least, not yet. We had snow yesterday followed by ice and I stayed on the farm all day. Dave had to go to the office and he said the roads were a bit treacherous; good thing I didn't find out for myself.

~ boxes and ribbons and mags, OH MY! ~

 As I've written before, I am a creature of delayed gratification; it took me a week to get to the bottom of this wonderful box! I took my own sweet time and thoroughly enjoyed every single moment.

~ new, to me, tea cup and saucer ~

This lovely, vintage tea cup and saucer is Indian Tree Pattern by Johnson Brothers of England. As it happens, Johnson Brothers is one of my favorite makers of china. They have such lovely patterns, so gracious and well made. The cup is the perfect size to enjoy a cup of tea before it's gone cold and the saucer can just hold a cookie or two. Unfortunately, at least I believe so, in 2003, production was ceased in England and moved to China. Johnson Brothers began china production in 1883 with an Earthenware pattern called "White Granite" and brothers Henry, Robert, Alfred and Fred Johnson made china and was at one time, says Pottery and Glass in a 1946 publication, "probably the largest firm of earthenware manufacturers in the world, controlling a number of factories in England and abroad." Alas, no longer.

~ ready for service ~

The acrylic tray was purchased at an after Valentine sale and, perfectly, holds things ready for tea. Of course, the Indian Pattern cup and saucer with spicy Constant Comment tea, the Williams and Sonoma dish holding individually wrapped chocolates from the Greenbrier and all laid on a beautifully hand embroidered tea towel. The little rabbit in back watches over the goods and I'm almost positive he'll step in should one of the monkeys puppies get too close. Ya think?! BTW, Constant Comment makes a mighty fine apple pie should you find yourself with all the pie makings except the spices. That's a nice trick to know.

~ Flea Market Style and ME's Home Companion! ~

I am such a fan of flea markets, thrift stores, consignment shops...virtually anything with a history...so Flea Market Style was made for moi, doncha think? You too, of course and Misha's husband, J, being the Fine Gentleman and Loving Husband, sought out and found Flea Market Style for Misha. I think one thing a lot of "us" don't know when we're younger is, love isn't a noun, it's a verb and it's a verb in action. It's bringing someone a cup of coffee or tea without them asking; it's having the oil changed in the car without being reminded; it's putting clean sheets straight from the sun drenched clothes line on the bed because someone we love isn't feeling their best; it's searching out and buying Flea Market Style because a loved one keeps going on and on about this new magazine. Like I said, love is a verb and a verb in action; if you get my drift. Like the Gift of the Magi, but with better results, Misha and J bought their copies the same day so Misha decided to give one away and my heart is grateful. Many thanks, Misha, and to you also, J, because I get to share, in a tiny way, in your love for each other.

I've been reading, in very small bites, Flea Market Style and am taking it with me today. I've got to continued on my health care journey and am sure to have a lot, too much probably, down time as I wait for this one and that one to fit me into their schedule. FMS will be my constant companion and will divert my attention from worrisome things. I'm sure to see a good lot of my home and farm in FMS as I tend to "decorate"...I'm sure Dave will laugh to see that word...smile...with found objects that are new to me.

Please visit all the folks mentioned above. Consider it my gift to you. I'm giving you permission to sit down for as much time as it takes to restore your soul by visiting Misha, Cindy, Ashley and Flea Market Style. Go on, do it. You'll not only be glad you did, you'll be a better person as well; trust me on this.

Blessings ~ Misha ~ Cindy ~ Ashley ~ God's friend in Australia ~ packages of goodies ~ One World One Heart ~ Sew, Mama, Sew! ~ Flea Market Style ~


Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Waffle Winner

 ~ Chef's Choice Belgian Waffle Iron ~

My apologies for being a day late; sometimes life gets in the way of living but then, you know how that goes, right?

Dave pulled Pattie's, xmaswoman at hotmail dot com, name out of the hat so as soon as I hear from her, we'll have it confirmed.

BTW, Dave tells me our waffle iron shown here, was purchased in 1970 so that makes it vintage but still working.

Blessings ~ hot waffles ~ new waffle iron ~ folks who entered ~ maple syrup ~ butter ~


Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

Chef's Choice Belgian Waffle Iron Giveaway

 ~ Chef's Choice Classic Belgian Waffle Maker ~

We have a country kitchen. That is to say, no islands, no bar stools , no cute little garages for appliances. We do have the basics: 1914 Acorn seven burner stove with four ovens including warming oven, double sink, coffee pot, refrigerator, six foot table that used to be a fixture in a Giles County Bank, three chairs older than all of us put together, two old vintage rocking chairs,  a fifteen year old bench hand crafted by Daddy, gas log fireplace, one dog bed under the table and two dog crates in front of the fireplace. It's the dog crates that make the kitchen, at least, that's what Dave and I tell each other; it adds that touch that says "home" -smile-.

My kitchen, probably, isn't what CSN Stores had in mind when they contacted me and asked if I'd like to host a giveaway but farmers are only about 2% of the US population, and, I've gotten sorta used to being in the minority. If you're not familiar with CSN, visit their website and prepare to be impressed. Seriously, the company started in 2002 with two employees and one on-line shop. As of today, they are one of the top three on-line US retailers of home and office goods and have more than four hundred employees and two hundred on-line stores! They sell what you need, and want, including what I grew up calling them - waffle irons or, as they are now called, waffle makers.

~ our vintage waffle iron ~

About once or twice a month, I'll make waffles using our vintage waffle iron maker. I'm not quite sure how old it is but it's been in use, at the bare minimum, for at least thirty years. Possibly longer as it could have come down through the family, either Dave's or mine. It still turns out excellent waffles but heats up like the beach in August which is also a good thing as it keeps Sadie the Ridgeback's nose off the counter. For a while anyway.

Would you like the opportunity to win the Chef's Choice International WafflePro Taste/Texture Select Classic Belgian Waffle maker?

You'll receive one entry by visiting CSN and then telling me which of their products you'd most like to take home.

For an additional entry, blog about it and make sure you let me know. 

For every person that comments and says, "_____ sent me", both people will receive two chances to win.

If you follow me, I'll make nice and follow you back.

USA and Canadian bloggers are eligible and contest is open until Monday, 22 March at 9:00 a.m. EST. CSN will mail prize directly to winner and I wish you all well. The new owner of the above waffle maker will be chosen the old fashioned way...names on pieces of paper and then put into a hat and one name drawn by Dave. I'll e-mail you, ask for your snail mail address and then give to CSN. You'll have until Wednesday, 24 March to respond with your contact information or the process begins again on the 24th.

If you win, please blog about your waffles and make us all envious -smile-.

 Blessings ~ waffles ~ prizes ~ bloggers ~ CSN ~ Belgian waffle makers ~

Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm,
Sandra

One World One Heart

~ OWOH 2010 ~

There are some things that simply make January and February better...chocolate, warmth, afternoon naps under toasty throws, a juicy orange. I'm sure you've got your own list and, probably, our lists overlap a tad.

Lisa Swifka is hosting, for the fourth year, One World One Heart and that's something that makes January and February better. The OWOH location has changed to her wonderful blog, A Whimsical Bohemian, and that's a good change. I love wandering around her blog, seeing her art and what's she's doing; she's incredibly talented and there's always inspiration to be found.

The primary purpose of OWOH is for kindred souls to find each other and, I believe, in the finding of each other, to encourage, uplift and, when you find kindred souls, to follow each other. The world is a frosty place but OWOH makes it a warmer place and the world a more comfy place. That's an enviable, but reachable, goal and last year more than nine hundred bloggers from twenty-eight countries took part in OWOH...WOW!

This is my third year and I'm proud to be a member of the OWOH community. It's true that not everyone always plays by Lisa's rules, nor does everyone always say "thank you"...shame on you, your Momma raised you better!...but that's okay. I'm only responsible for myself and my part. There are a few rules to form the OWOH community, to make it, hopefully, a better place for all involved. The event goes to 15 February; a good long time to visit everyone's blogs and see what's being given away.

God willing, at noon, EST, USA on 15 February, I'll announce Thistle Cove Farm blog winners. If something prevents me from making that announcement at noon, it will be made before midnight.

So...here's the giveaway list:

 

~ three emery boards with Frida's image - international

 

~ one mini-art quilt inspirational wall hanging - USA

~ two hand made felted, to be further embellished mug rugs - USA

~ one pair black pearl pierced earrings - international 

~ one pair purple and silver pierced earrings ~ USA

To enter my giveaway, please leave a comment. That's all. You don't have to follow but if you choose to, know you'll always be welcome and appreciated; you don't have to jump through hoops, you don't have to sign up for anything or visit a shop. You don't have to do anything...other than leave a comment and a way to contact you should your name be picked by the random  intgenerator.You have until noon, 15 February to comment. 

Thanks, Lisa, for One World One Heart. Thanks, Visitors, for coming by and hope you're inerested in winning one of my gifts. No matter how cold, snowy, icy, windy it is outside, OWOH makes it toasty warm and inviting inside. Welcome, all!

Until next time,

Blessings ~ Lisa Swifka ~ One World One Heart ~ visitors ~ Frida Kahlo ~ goodies to win ~ giveaways ~

Giveaway Day - Season of Giving

~ Sew, Mama, Sew! Season of Giving ~

 Tonight is the first full moon of December 2009 and it is HUGE. It's also raining so I'm hoping clouds don't restrict seeing it in all her glory. The second full moon of this month, the Blue Moon, is December 30th and it's lovely to end this year on such a beautiful note. All that to say, I'm over the moon because
Beth of Sew, Mama, Sew!, is ending her Handmade Holidays III with a December Season of Giving and she's allowing me to participate. Hurrah and many thanks, Beth! I have SO enjoyed Handmade Holidays III and am happy to give away the following gifts:

~ mug rugs, hand felted, hand beaded ~

~ pair of felted, beaded coasters/mug rugs - shipped internationally
~ pair of felted, beaded coasters/mug rugs - shipped internationally
~ dishcloth pattern booklet and skein of cotton yarn - shipped in USA - will try to post photos after cloud cover has passed, i-net is slow right now
~ Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh - shipped in USA - this is a 1955 first edition, hardback copy but does have writing on the flyleaf.

~ Leisure Arts dishcloth pattern book, skein of yellow cotton yarn ~

Rules:

You have until Dec 6th, midnight to comment here, on this post
Say what you'd like to win and, until prizes are gone, winners will be given their choice
On Dec 7th, names are put in a hat and pulled out by Dave
Notification sent via e-mail
Once winners are notified, you'll have 72 hours, 3 days, to respond or prize will be forfeited to another
Items shipped on, or before, Dec 12th

Thank you for visiting Thistle Cove Farm and hope you've enjoyed your visit.

Until next time,


Blessings ~ Beth at Sew, Mama, Sew! ~ the December 2009 Season of Giving ~ prizes ~ handmade ~

Ennui and Give-Away

 Lately, there's been a sense of ennui around here. Nothing definite, nothing I can, quite, put my finger upon but, a very real, air of ennui. The dictionary says ennui is "a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom". I am not bored nor do I have a lack of interest; in truth, I have so many interests I tend to be scattered without focus or concentration. As to "satiety", that's not true either except in the idea of being satiated with work. There's always work to be done and I am overwhelmed with work, to the point of being so far behind, I feel I'll never catch up. I owe people yarn samples, have for some time, and am kicking myself to 'just do it!'


Perhaps the ennui stems from the political scene: it seems so overwhelming and unbearable. We, the voters, are so divergent, so contrary in our opinions and beliefs and seem to have a hard core idea of where, how and when the direction this country should be headed. We don't seem to listen anymore, especially our "elected representatives"; they especially seem to be listening solely to WIIFM radio. They only want to know, "What's In It For Me" and no one else matters, especially constituents.
I'm fearful. For us all.

Perhaps the sense of ennui comes from living in a haphazard state. Regardless of what I, or Dave, wanted, our house is still not finished from the water damage of eleven months ago. We're headed into winter with things left undone even though I asked, begged, pleaded and, eventually, demanded the work be accomplished. All for naught but I'm still going to "fix up" like everything has been accomplished to my satisfaction. The dining room will have furniture moved in, hopefully, this week and the drapes and sheers have been hung. I'll unpack those many, many boxes of porcelain, china and "precious goods" that Dave's mother left behind.


Hmmm. Wait a minute. Perhaps that's also a cause of ennui. Dave's mother passed away a year tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised if my body is responding to what my mind pushes away. That was a time fraught with overload; she became ill on 3 Nov and passed away on the 19th. A short, furious illness that was caused, essentially, by old age; she was well beyond 95 when she passed away. She died on Wednesday, a few moments before midnight, and was buried on Saturday; that time was full of details, details, details that are now, mostly, forgotten. Not the day though. That Saturday was bitter; the temperature was about 24F, wind chill was around 15F above, snow snugged the ground and sleet split the sky. The only good thing about that week were the people, family and friends who gathered to support, pray and love us through that time.

~ Mrs. Mary Crockett Bowen Bricker ~

Yesterday, we took Boscoe to the vet and there's yet another mystery. He wasn't getting better as quickly as he should have and a vet visit was in order. Dr. Anne hasn't a clue what the underlying cause of his epizootics are but she thinks environmental. She also thinks his immune system has crashed and his paws look like he's been "introduced" to chemicals that have eaten away the top layers. He was full of ear mites and fleas - both signs of a compromised immune system - and she stuffed him full of antibiotics, flea treatment, ear mite treatment and steroids. She thinks he'll pull through, we should know in a week to ten days. Bos is already feeling better; he greeted me this morning as a cat should, by stretching and taking notice of what was going on around him. His appetite is excellent and he's shown an enormous appreciation for the canned tuna we've been feeding him. Bos is eating dry cat food but we felt he could do with some pure protein as well; he agrees. He also thinks he should be allowed to go outside but, not yet, perhaps not ever again.

~ Bos Man ~

In the past week, I've mailed a baby quilt, three hats and a fleece throw to folks; have almost finished the quilt top for my nephew's Christmas gift and have knitted two mobius scarves.  I'm thinking some serious studio time might put me to rights or, at the bare minimum, leave me with something to show for my time. There are several quilts to finish as Christmas gifts, some more knitting, some mini-art quilts and a few other smaller projects. I'm having to plot my time carefully so things will be finished and received by folks by Christmas day.

~ Deer quilt, in hunter's colors, for nephew ~

Two days after Christmas I leave for Tomsk, Siberia where I'll spend time in an orphanage and then go to Moscow where Christmas will be celebrated with Russian Christians on Epiphany, 6 January. I love celebrating Christmastide, more so than just Christmas. It's an entire Season from Advent, 1 Dec., through Epiphany, 6 Jan., and prepares us, Christ's disciples, to look ahead to world missions in light of the Nativity.

In the western world, we've gotten away from the Christmas SEASON and are focused solely on the material aspect of the day - the buying, wrapping, giving and receiving of gifts - and not The Gift that makes the rest possible. Christmas begins what Easter finishes: God's Divine Plan.

One suitcase is being filled with little gifts for both children and adults and it makes me so happy to open it and think of the joy they will bring. The Children's Home, as orphanages are called, houses children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Down's Syndrome and those with physical handicaps. Gifts include small hand lotions, vinyl shopping bags, stuffed toys, balls, packets of flower seeds, bubbles, New Testaments, yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks and whatever else can be found before Christmas. If you'd like to send a little something, let me know and I'll give you my snail mail address. I'll try to blog from the road so pray that and the trip will be a success.


A bucket of walnuts, soaking in water, will be used to dye some naturally colored Thistle Cove Farm yarn. I always enjoy using walnut dye on dark yarn as it gives a richness and depth of color that caresses the light in a way man-made dyes cannot.

~ Nut Bucket ~

  
I visited family this last weekend; we met at Mother and Daddy's cabin in Webster County, WV and rode over to Randolph County to visit my brother. Fairview Farm, his farm, is for sale and is absolutely beautiful! It's about 130 acres, bordered on two sides by National Forest, about 19 miles from Snowshoe, has some pasture, some wooded, all fenced, a pond, outbuildings, two-vehicle garage and much, much more. It's Very Private, with a quarter mile driveway that juts off from a dirt road that juts off from a two-lane, un-lined secondary road.

 Probably, the house and other buildings cannot be seen, photo on right, but this is from the top of the mountain, looking down upon the house.
The house and other buildings are in a small enclave, photo left.

 ~ Fairview Farm ~

 
It's not good, I don't believe, for me to focus upon myself too much; self reflection tends to result in too much belly button gazing and serves to compound what niggling little problems I think I might have. I much prefer to use my blog to focus on the Good Things but, if you've read this entry and said a prayer, please know you have my gratitude. That's one thing I enjoy about blogland - "meeting" other folks and tucking you into prayer as you are brought to mind throughout the day and week and, hopefully, y'all do the same.

If you're interested in having a first edition copy of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's Gift From The Sea, leave me a comment and your name will go into the drawing. Please note there is a name and address on the inside cover and that, probably, detracts from the value but it's still a free book, shipping included.

From Gift From The Sea:  
"...I want first of all...to be at peace with myself. I want a singleness of eye, a purity of intention, a central core to my life that will enable me to carry out these obligations and activities as well as I can. I want, in fact - to borrow from the language of the saints - to live "in grace" as much of the time as possible...By grace I mean an inner harmony, essentially spiritual, which can be translated into outward harmony...I would like to achieve a state of inner spiritual grace from which I could function and give as I was meant to in the eye of God..."

I'll take names until midnight Friday; draw will be Saturday and book mailed Monday.

Until next time,

Blessings ~ Advent ~ Christmas ~ Epiphany ~ Christmastide ~ giving ~ spiritual grace ~ dyeing ~