Celebration!!!!

It all starts today!!! What are we celebrating??? We are celebrating

"Pieces From Me"!!

On June 9th this blog will be 1 year old!! So let's have a party! What goes on at a party??? Food??....I can not help you there. Music? Turn your speakers up and we can party to "Kool and the Gang"! Games, yes we will play games!! Presents?? Of course there are presents.

First I want to share how special this blog has been to me. I started this blog for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it is a journal for my future generations. Charlotte and Zach will have documentation of their childhood to share with their children and grandchildren. TJ can show his own children how their Great Grandma spent her days. How she shared books on the swing with him when he was only 2, and how much she adored him!! Second, I started this blog to join in on all the inspiring quilting blogs out there. I have been inspired by you all everyday since. Something I did not plan on, were the wonderful friendships I would make. People I have never laid eyes on who feel like family!! Also, the inspiration from women in general. It has truly changed my life. OK, I am doing the thing Miss America does when she wins...you know, how she waves her hands in front of her eyes to dry the tears before they fall!!??

SO....I want to show how much I appreciate all of you by giving one lucky reader a selection of gifts that represent "Pieces From Me". Here we go.

Did you put on your pearls, party dress, and that coat of Strike-A-Pose Rose?? What??? You don't have that shade?? Oh it is wonderful!! My favorite because it can be applied so light, it is a hint of color, or bold enough to see you coming from a ways off (my favorite way to wear it). Well you just need to have a tube, so here you go!!!

A year ago, this blog started out a quilting blog. It is a large part of my life and I want to share my love of fabric, and hand quilting with you.This table runner has fabrics from my own quilt, all my children's quilts, my husband's quilt, my grandson's quilt, my granddaughter's soon-to-be quilt, along with a piece of all my Galena fabrics. It has fabrics from my first jelly roll, my first Thimbleberry line, and my civil war fabrics. It represents my "loves". (I cut it close...the binding just got finished last night!)

Homemaking has been a huge "Pieces From Me" subject. I have learned so much from all of you and want to share my favorite homemaking/housekeeping tools. Holy Cow pink is my absolute favorite product. I learned of it in blogland and I use nothing else. It cleans carpet stains, clothing stains, grease off the stove top, and shines a sink like nobodies business!! Of course, you need a hand knitted dish cloth to go with it. Nothing else will do!!! (Sue made the dishcloth)You can't clean that kitchen or bake those pies without an apron!! I love aprons and I love vintage....what could be better than a vintage chicken scratch apron??? It will look so cute on you!I love a home that smells good. I want to share my favorite scents. The Cabernet sachet is heaven on earth!!! Also a 100% soy candle scented with organic essential oils in a Lavender Clove scent. It is a scent that will sooth and energize at the same time. It is a Healingsense candle and I made it myself (with Rachel's help) :) Now you know why my e-mail is Healingsense!Once your house is clean and smelling good, you need a break. Sit down and have a wonderful cup of coffee...my favorite drink of all times. In the morning I want basic coffee, splenda and cream. In the afternoon and evening I like a great flavored coffee. Here is my favorite...Decaf Hazelnut Creme in a green (my favorite color) mug!Throw in a CD while you relax. Mark Schultz is one of my favs!!! Tracks 2 and 3 are awesome!
The biggest life lesson I have learned through blogging is to....For me it is not about growing a garden, canning, consuming less, or cooking everything from scratch. I have started doing alot of those things to benefit my family, but for me the lesson and philosophy is this...When my daughter sucks the brand new can of redi-whip dry, don't go nuts! When I find a new scratch in the wood work, don't freak out. When life happens, and it will, take it for what it is...life. This has made my entire life expectancy longer! I want to share that lesson with this sign. It is a smaller version of the one I have hanging in my own home. Let it mean to you whatever you need it to!

Finally, my children want to give you gifts too!!!Kyle wants to gift you with his favorite patriotic mouse pad. He is a true American that boy!! Charlotte wants you to have one of her necklaces. It is a pink "diamond" (her words) on a silver chain. Zachary can not imagine you not having at least one match box car to play with. He chose for you a convertible roadster!!!What do you do to win the Pieces From Me Blogoversary gifts??? One comment could do it for you! Leave a comment on this blog post sharing one memory about your visits to this blog. This will get your name put in the drawing. Want more??? Let's play some games. Between now and the actual drawing, I will post a question (or two) each day. All questions asked have answers that can be found on this blog. Answer that question correctly and your name is entered again. Every correct answer gets you another chance! You do not need to answer any questions or play the games to be entered once, however, you can not play the games unless you first comment on THIS post with a memory. The drawing will take place on June 9th, which is the actual blogoversary day!!!! Feel free to use the search box on the sidebar, but I can't think of too many people who want to take the time (except Corin who loves games AND competition!) You can answer each question one time only! Don't know the answer and have no time or desire to search??...Take a guess...you never know! Leave your comment and answer today's question correctly and you already have your name entered twice! If you do not have a blog, please leave your e-mail address so I can contact you should you win! Today's question???

What did I name my vacuum cleaner?

(don't forget to leave the memory or your guess won't count)