Scrapbooking Your Baby's First Year (giveaway)

Update: Random.org picked commenters #7 and #2 as the winners! Keli (#7) and Delaina (#2), e-mail me for the FREE class info!

My goal was to finish the scrapbook about Annalyn’s first year by her first birthday party. I wanted to put the scrapbook on display, so people could enjoy photos of her and remember how tiny she used to be.

That didn’t happen.

I did end up finishing the album the next month, though, and I am so glad. It’s not just about how cute the layouts are {although, they are}. It’s because it’s no longer sitting on my to-do list, mocking me.

{What? Your to-do list doesn’t mock you? Because mine is a snarky little punk!}

However, you know what IS on my to-do list? Besides file old bills, write to my Compassion child and for the love, clean the bathtub? Finish Annalyn’s albums.

See, I have scrapbooks for each of Annalyn’s first two years. And they’re both semi-finished. For her first year, I slapped the gajillions of pictures I took onto pages like scrapbooking was going out of style (and don’t you even tell me that!), not taking time to journal or add embellishments or, honestly, even make sure all the page protectors were the same size (they’re not).

And so these projects that I so badly wanted to have finished by now are not.

It’s too late for me (I’m kidding. It’s never too late to start or finish a scrapbooking project.), but perhaps we can save YOU.

Do you have boxes of photos, waiting to be organized and enjoyed? Do they mock you? Are you overwhelmed by the thought of finding time or knowing where to start? My friend Jessica has the perfect solution for you.

As a new mom who works full-time, writes The Mom Creative blog and loves to scrapbook, Jessica Turner's life is a constant juggling act. After not finding any baby scrapbooking resources she loved and with a commitment to completing her son's first-year album while he was still a baby, she developed Don't Blink: Scrapbooking Your Baby's First Year.

Finding time to scrapbook amidst milestones and diaper changes can be a challenge, but it is possible! In the self-paced class Don't Blink: Scrapbooking Your Baby's First Year, you'll receive tips, tricks and inspiration to complete your baby's first year album – while he or she is still a baby. And don't worry; if your baby is walking and talking, Don't Blink will still inspire you to complete his album before he graduates from high school.

After taking Don't Blink, I know you'll be inspired to create dozens of layouts for your baby's scrapbook. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the amount of pictures you have taken and the layouts you could make, you'll have the tools needed to create a scrapbook that will be cherished for years by your child. AND, you will be able to get it done during naptimes, at night and whenever else you can squeeze in 15 to 30 minutes to scrapbook!

Here’s my favorite part: Jessica has been sweet enough to give us a coupon code for the class AND two free classes for me to give away!

Coupon Code: For a 20% discount for Don’t Blink, use the code blogblink at checkout.

Giveaway: To enter the giveaway for one of two free classes (in other words, two people will win this class), tell me in the comments if you like to scrapbook and what’s kept you from finishing your albums.

For additional entries, subscribe to Giving Up on Perfect, follow me on Twitter or join my Facebook page – and then tell me about it in a separate comment. I’ll draw a winner after midnight (CST) on Friday, July 2.

This post will be linked to We Are THAT Family's Works for Me Wednesday, because scrapbooking my baby's first year works for me. 

Disclaimer: The coupon code only applies to the Don’t Blink self-paced class; coupon does not apply towards other self-paced projects, workshops or gift certificates. Good for one time use, per student. Expires December 20, 2010, at 10 p.m. PST. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Coupon must be entered in the “Promo Code” box during checkout and press “apply” button; discount will be applied immediately. Not applicable towards previous purchases. Other terms and restrictions may apply.

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Thrive Africa Giveaway Winner

I have a winner for my Thrive Africa giveaway. [It’s about time, right?!]

Random.org picked #6, which was Amanda. Thank you all for entering the giveaway and supporting Thrive Africa!

Amanda, please send me your address, so I can get your coffee and mug in the mail!

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Thrive Africa: Top 10 and a Giveaway

Today I want to tell you about my friend, Alece.

(And in case you’re like me and are saying “Alice” in your head, let me set you straight. Her name is pronounced like “Elise.” Just so you know. The things you can learn in a video post, am I right?)

For a long time, I didn’t know much about what Alece does. I read her blog and comments on other people’s blogs. Sometimes we commented on each other’s blogs, but for a while, that was all. I eventually figured out that she’s a missionary in Africa, but honestly, I didn’t look much deeper.

Then I started reading more about her ministry and became true bloggy friends with her and even got to meet her. And now?

I’m 100 percent, completely and totally in love and on board with Alece and what she does.

{Not that I didn’t love her before. But to know someone and her heart for ministry? It’s a whole different level of friendship and respect and all that good stuff.}

See, around the same time I was sloooowly getting to know Alece and what she does, God was sloooowly breaking my heart for missions.

I’ve told you before about how I never really cared about missions. I’ve admitted that I had no desire to do anything other than give my missionary friends a pat on the back and thank God for not calling me to live in the desert or the jungle or the hood.

Alece didn’t have quite the same experience. I love how she describes it on her blog:

Africa steals the hearts of anyone who comes here. I know. It happened to me.

I got the missions bug in me when I went on my first mission trip at 14. At 16, I was ruined forever by a two-month trip to Southern Africa. I went home with more than a tan and some wooden carvings. I knew I’d spend my life on this continent, with these beautiful people.

I moved to South Africa when I was 19. I didn’t know much, beyond the fact that God called me here. I’ve learned a lot over the past decade+ of living in Africa, but in many ways I still don’t know much. And I’m okay with that. I’ll be a student of Africa forever.

After moving to South Africa in 1998, Alece founded Thrive Africa, a ministry that disciples believers, equips leaders and strengthens the Church in South Africa. Everything they do is focused on guiding people into a growing relationship with God and training them to be competent, upright leaders.

Like so many companies and organizations, Thrive Africa is having some hard times financially. In another incredible leap of faith, they set a God-sized goal to raise $80,000 by June 1.

Which is right around the corner. As in . . . next week!

So today I’m asking you to consider joining Thrive Africa in 10 Buck Tuesday. Just $10 can provide . . .

• Year-round vegetable gardens for three families
• Weekly transport for a coach to teach hundreds of students
• Paper for printing discipleship materials
• A day’s wages for three national employees
• 5 AIDS prevention workbooks, teaching students God’s ways

To give you a larger glimpse into the work Thrive Africa is doing, here are the Top 10 reasons why we should support them. Keep reading . . . there’s a giveaway at the end!

The Top 10 Reasons to Support Thrive Africa

1. Our Leadership Summit program is breaking barriers of communication and providing vital knowledge to turn the tide of the AIDS pandemic in southern Africa. 93% of our partnering pastors report that sexual activity among their youth is a significant problem – and they’re asking us to help. 50% of our surveyed students still need to know essential truths about HIV/AIDS.
2. Boitsebelo School reported zero teen pregnancies this year, due to the impact of Leadership Summit. Their headmaster, Mr. Lebone said this: “Much has been done in terms of equipping students with tools and knowledge to make wise decisions. Example, during the past years we had several learners who got pregnant, but we don’t have even one learner who is pregnant this year.”
3. One Hand-in-Hand conference equips 100 church leaders. We’re aiming to change what’s been said about the African church – that it’s a mile wide and only an inch deep.
4. LaunchPad students come to our discipleship classes during their free time because they are hungry to know about God. Your $10 helps us get to our six classes each week. Our160 LaunchPad students are developing connections with Christ, building relationships with our staff team, learning to make prayer a lifestyle and experiencing what it means to never be alone.
5. Nearly 400 students participate in our quarterly IMPACT conferences, where they are equipped and advanced as leaders. Eighteen schools in QwaQwa (South Africa) participate in our conferences, and hundreds of schools are still waiting for the opportunity.
6. We equip and mentor 23 coaches who impart hope and knowledge to approximately 4,000 students every two weeks.
7. The Department of Education has granted Thrive Africa unlimited access to the schools in our entire district (over 300). Our limitation is the funds to pay for additional coaches and curriculum. Just $10 pays a days’ wages for two coaches or for five curriculum books.
8. Thrive is investing in 52 national staff members and combating the 88% unemployment rate. Your gift of just $10 covers a day’s wages for two South African staff.
9. Your investment in Thrive is guaranteed to multiply. As we invest in pastors and other church leaders, they become equipped to invest in others and bring lasting change to this nation.
10. For less than the cost of a date night or coffee with a friend or a new CD, you can equip a nation for tomorrow and make an eternal impact on our world. Our investment in South Africa is exponential because we extend our reach of God-centered change by raising up indigenous leaders who will model the same. We believe in teaching men to fish rather than solely giving them a fish for today.

These reasons were taken from the Thrive Africa blog.

Now for the giveaway! Do you like coffee? Do you care about Africa? Well, howsabout we put those things together and give you a lovely red Thrive Africa mug and a bag of Thrive Africa blend coffee?!

{The certified fair trade and organic coffee comes from Africa in the Sidamo region of Ethiopia. It’s coffee from Africa for Africa!}

To enter the giveaway, do one of the following and leave a comment telling me about it. For additional entries, do more than one of the following and leave a {separate} comment for each one.

• LIKE: Thrive Africa on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/thriveafrica)
• FOLLOW: Thrive Africa on Twitter (@impactSA)
• TWEET: $10 goes farther than you think. Join in the fight against AIDS in africa. http://10bucktuesday.com/ #10BuckTues
• DONATE: http://10bucktuesday.com/

Random.org will choose a winner after midnight on Thursday, and I’ll announce the winner on Friday.

This post will be linked to Top Ten Tuesday at OhAmanda.

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Giveaway winner: The Pioneer Woman Cooks

WOW. I can't believe how many people entered my giveaway for The Pioneer Woman's cookbook. I wish I could give one to EACH of you!

Unfortunately, I can't. So Random.org got the unenviable job of choosing just one. And he picked . . . drum roll, please . . . Commenter #89, KirstinMarie!

Kirstin, please e-mail me your address, so I can send you the book!

Thank you to everyone who made me hungry ALL week with your favorite comfort foods! I hope you get to indulge in your favorites soon. (And who would have guessed mashed potatoes would be at the top of the list? Okay...I would have guessed that. How about you?)

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Giveaway: The Pioneer Woman Cookbook

I had grand plans to make something from the Pioneer Woman’s cookbook this weekend, take beautiful photos in the natural light and then write all about it in today’s post.

As you might have guessed from the way I said, “I had grand plans,” something went awry. Mainly the daycare germs striking again, although the rain and the clouds and the no natural light didn’t help.

I won’t whine for long (Although I could. And I want to. Believe me, I want to.), but this was the third weekend out of three that someone has been sick at our house. And it was the second weekend out of three that someone has, in fact, been ME.

Last time, my co-workers and I just suffered through my 10-day-long cough. But since this bug – whatever it is – has returned as quickly as So You Think You Can Dance after a fall season, I went to the doctor yesterday.

Well, I went to the CVS clinic. And saw the “doctor,” who gave me the weakest antibiotic on earth (Yes, amoxycilin, I’m talking to you.) and told me I should feel better in three to four days.

THREE to FOUR DAYS.

Needless to say (is it? Because I seem to be saying a lot here.), I didn’t do any much cooking this weekend.

I did, however, make it to the store to buy groceries, so I now at least have the ingredients for the PW recipe I picked out. Because, no, I don’t normally have Crisco on hand.

So, I’m sure you’re wondering – especially if you came over here from a cooking carnival – what do I have for you, anyway? Is there a giveaway or what?

Yes. Yes, my friend, there is a giveaway. But first, I thought I’d tell you – because I’m feeling really inferior when it comes to my cooking skills, now that I admitted I don’t keep shortening on hand and all – that I have tried a few of PW’s recipes.

Here are the few I’ve tried (I tweaked each one of them, but LOVED them all):

• World’s best lasagna
• Chicken spaghetti
• Cheesy garlic bread
• Southwest corn dip

Now, on to the good stuff. I’m giving away my last copy of The Pioneer Woman Cooks. So if you like good food (and, really, who doesn’t?), I suggest you enter this one.

To enter, leave a comment telling me your favorite comfort food.

[I’ll go first with an embarrassing example. In college, my favorite once-a-month, if you know what I mean, comfort food was macaroni and cheese. Made from a box. With water and not milk. In the microwave. See? Even if I make my meatloaf in the microwave now, my tastes have clearly improved. Somewhat.]

For additional entries, subscribe to Giving Up on Perfect, follow me on Twitter or join my Facebook page – and then tell me in a separate comment. (That’s a separate comment for each one, if you’d like. And if you already do these things, just say so in that separate comment.)

I'll use Random.org to draw a winner after midnight on Friday. Good luck, and happy Monday!

This post will be linked to Mouthwatering Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, What's Cooking Wednesday, Friday Food, Foodie Friday and Food on Fridays.

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6 friends + 6 salsas = One great [early] Cinco de Mayo!

About a year and a half ago, I had an idea. I thought it would be fun to plan and teach salsa tasting classes, demonstrating the difference between peppers and spices and tomatoes.

Or, at the least, I’d learn how to make salsa myself.

I know you’re going to find this shocking, but I have to confess: I haven’t done either. But last Saturday, I did have a small salsa tasting party at my house!

It was so fun. I got six different types of salsa – four from restaurants, two from the store (although they were restaurant brands) – and put them in matching bowls. I numbered each bowl and put the name on the bottom.

I wish I’d taken time to get the other two salsas fresh from the restaurant, but since I didn’t, I had enough time to clean the house well enough. (I’m not going to say it was sparkling or anything, but if one didn’t look closely, it looked pretty good.)

Because Saturday was not technically Cinco de Mayo, I thought it would be fun (or funny) to call it an “Uno de Mayo” party. And then we could play Uno.

But we didn’t. It turns out tasting salsa and pigging out on eating tacos and talking and laughing takes up a lot of time.

We started by passing each bowl around the table and getting a “taste.” We varied in our exact method; some scooped just enough for one chip, while others scooped a whole spoonful onto the plate. But we waited to taste it at the same time. (You know, like communion at church.)

Then we had a little discussion. Mainly that consisted of guessing which restaurant it came from and Josh trying to use the word, “bouquet,” to describe each sauce.

I had two different types of chips to use, because – as was pointed out on Facebook – chips make all the difference when eating salsa. I bought a bag of big, sturdy, salty Tostitos, and one of the restaurants gave me two greasy bags of thin, crispy chips.

I know you’re just dying to know, so here are our results:

• Abuelo’s - Smoky (like BBQ, according to some), spicy and delicious.
• Margarita’s - Definitely the most recognizable. Sweet with a bit of a bite.
• On the Border - Awful! I really like On the Border’s salsa, but I bought it at the store instead of the restaurant. (I KNOW.) The jar stuff tasted like marinara sauce, and we all hated it. Except Brittany, who got to take the whole bowl of it home.
• Jose Pepper’s - Mmm, garden fresh! I’m not kidding. That’s exactly what one of my friends said after we tried it. This is my favorite, and I’m pretty sure my friends liked it as much as I did. Because it was ALL GONE before the night was over!
• Chili’s - Mild, a little tomatoe-y, but pretty good. Which is a good thing, since I got 32 ounces of the stuff, thanks to a little miscommunication (a.k.a. Server who couldn’t get my order right.).
• Chipotle (tomatillo green-chili, medium) - Salty and onion-y with a spicy aftertaste. Also, delicious. I’m glad we had some of this left, as it’s one of my favorites.

We spent a couple hours sitting around the dinner table, dipping and tasting and eating and laughing. But the best part of the evening was definitely when we moved into the living room to relax.

And I’m not just saying that because it’s when I put Annalyn to bed and we got to eat Beci’s peanut butter bars.

See, Josh and Brittany are fairly new friends, and Alan and Beci are brand-new friends. And they wanted to hear about a time in my life that I haven’t shared with many people. They let me ramble for over an hour, listening and asking questions and listening some more.

I don’t think I can call any of them “new friends” anymore. These four people (even Alan, who I swear didn’t say more than a dozen words the whole night) are friends.

So, before I start tearing up (which I may or may not have done during our heart-to-heart in the living room), let’s get back to the salsa.

Aside from the fresh salsas from Jose Pepper’s and Chipotle, my favorite salsa – and what I buy every couple of weeks – is Sam’s Choice medium salsa from Walmart.

Yeah, I’m high class like that.

Before I ask about your favorite salsa (you know I was going there, right?), I’m going to, AHEM, strongly suggest you check out my other site for a special salsa giveaway.

And now – what’s your favorite salsa?

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Homemade Gourmet Salsa Giveaway

Congratulations! Random.org picked #8, which means Katie is the winner of this giveaway! (Please e-mail your address to me at givinguponperfect [at] gmail [dot] com.)

When I posted on Facebook that I had a great time at our salsa tasting party, several people commented. One of those comments was from Tami Van Hoy, founder of Homemade Gourmet. I love the company’s mission: With God’s help, Homemade Gourmet strives to bring families back to the dinner table by providing quality, affordable, easy-to-prepare meals, education and direct sales business opportunities.

Tami said her favorite is Homemade Gourmet’s black bean and mango salsa. And then – and THEN! – she offered to give away a salsa package.

One reader will win the following mixes from Homemade Gourmet: Black Bean Salsa Mix, Maria’s Salsa Mix and Southwest Seasoning Mix. I did a quick search on HG’s recipe site for “salsa,” and with these three mixes, you will be able to choose from dozens of delicious meals and dips!

To enter, leave a comment about your favorite way to bring your family or yourself back to the dinner table. For an additional entry, subscribe to Giving Up on Perfect, and leave a separate comment to tell me about it (or leave a separate comment telling me you already subscribe). You can also follow me on Twitter and leave a comment about it or join my Facebook page and do the same.

Random.org will choose a winner after midnight (CST) on Friday, May 7.

P.S. Make sure you include your e-mail address in your comments if you’re not using a Blogger or Google account.

Famous Footwear Giveaway Winner

Random.org picked #9, which is BeckyJoMama! Congratulations!! Becky Jo, e-mail your address to givinguponperfect AT gmail DOT com, and I'll send it to you.

Thank you so much to everyone for participating!

I knew the moment she ripped out her feeding tube.

Have I mentioned lately that Annalyn was born seven weeks early? No? Because she was. And I kind of talk about it a lot.

You know why? Because it was a miracle.

And not just the fact that she was healthy, but it was also amazing that she was able to come home so quickly.

Every time I hear about a family living in the NICU with their premature baby for weeks, I’m thankful all over again that Annalyn only had to stay in the hospital for nine days longer than I did.

But part of the strong will that kept her warm and strong and breathing well when she was a teeny tiny baby? Um, yeah. It’s the same darned will that’s driving me crazy two and a half years later!

I am not exaggerating. When Annalyn was less than two weeks old – still weighing barely more than four pounds – she ripped out her own feeding tube.

The NICU nurse said that they wouldn’t put it back in unless she needed it; she said they’d try to give her a bottle. But, she warned me, babies never took the bottle that early. They had to be at least 36 weeks (or in Annalyn’s case, three weeks); something in their little tiny brains just clicked at that point.

Every time, she said. That’s how they all were.

Except my tiny baby. Annalyn started eating from a bottle and never looked back.

That strong will was a good thing back then. A real good thing. And, as a friend recently reminded me, it will be a great thing when she’s 16 and dating.

But right now? At age 2 ½? That strong will drives me cuh-razy!!!

A few weeks ago, I had to take her to choir practice with me. She was great. Except for when she said, “No, Mommy! You no hush me! I no hush!”

Yeahhhh.

I know, I know. Some of it’s typical two-year-old stuff. (And don’t even tell me about how the threes are more terrible than the twos. I may have heard it already. Just a time or twenty.)

But you have to admit. The thought of that tiny baby who pulled her feeding tube out – as a teenager? Kind of scary, right?

Over the next several weeks, the March of Dimes will be holding a walk in a city near you. (Or in your city, you know, if you live in a city.) March for Babies gives hope to the 500,000+ babies born early every year. The money raised by these walks supports programs that help mothers have healthy, full-term pregnancies.

As I’ve mentioned before, this is a cause that’s close to my heart. So when I heard (because they told me) that Famous Footwear is supporting the March of Dimes with a special shoe, I was impressed.

For every pair of Dr. Scholl's "Inferno 2" walking shoes for women purchased, Famous Footwear will donate $5 (up to $500,000).

For a, ahem, related discount and a giveaway, visit my other site.

Have you ever walked in a charity walk? What’s your favorite cause to support?

P.S. I love the March of Dimes and this shoe campaign. Therefore, I'm linking up to Things I Love Thursday and Friday Favorites.

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Famous Footwear Giveaway

Famous Footwear is donating $5 to March of Dimes for every pair of Dr. Scholl’s Inferno 2 walking shoes for women they sell.

If you’d like to buy these shoes (Look at them! They’re cute! They feature a breathable mesh upper with supportive and reflective leather overlays, Dr. Scholl's Air Pillo Gel insole for comfort and a durable traction outsole!), you should do it now. They’re on sale for $39.99 (regularly $49.99), and if you buy them by May 1, you can save 10% if you order online (use this code: MODN999).

And to help you do that, I’ve got a $50 gift card to Famous Footwear to give away. You don’t have to use the gift card on these shoes. But you can. If you want. But you don’t have to.

How do you enter?

• Visit FamousFootwear.com and tell me what shoes you’d buy with the gift card.
• For an additional entry, become a fan of Famous Footwear on Facebook (and leave a separate comment telling me you did it).
• For a third entry, become a fan of Giving Up on Perfect on Facebook (and leave a separate comment telling me you did it).

I’ll use Random.org to pick a winner after midnight (CST) on Friday. I’ll announce the winner Saturday morning (so you still have time to use that coupon, if you want)!

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Chili's Gift Card Winner

Congratulations to Amber Renea! Random.org picked #18, and that is your lucky number today! E-mail me your address (givinguponperfect at gmail dot com), and I'll mail it to you!

Thank you to everyone else who commented. I loved reading about what YOU do when you don't feel like cooking dinner. For the record, it's almost always ORDER PIZZA at my house!

The night we ate at Chili's, not to be confused with that OTHER place.

Back in the day – our dating days, that is – Mark decided that he hated a certain Mexican restaurant we’d gone to a couple times. I didn’t mind that so much; Kansas City has plenty of places that serve chile con queso. But the problem was that Mark kept confusing the restaurant he hated – Chi-Chis – with a perfectly decent restaurant – Chili’s.

Chi-Chi’s is not Chili’s. But he wouldn’t listen.

I would suggest Chili’s, thinking of their chicken tortilla soup or the quesadilla explosion salad, and he would say “No, I hate that place.”

And I’d remind him that he actually hated Chi-Chis. But he wouldn’t listen.

Until the day I was asked to review Chili’s for the blog. Suddenly, faced with a gift card and an assignment, he wasn’t so averse to Chili’s-which-is-not-Chi-Chi’s.

So after taking a trip to the car show several weeks ago, Smitty, Mark, Annalyn and I headed to Chili’s.

I pointed out to Mark that they serve fajitas, which is what he eats at every Mexican restaurant (except Chi-Chi’s, because we don’t eat there, you know). I’m not sure if he wasn’t in the mood for fajitas or if he didn’t want to get more confused about just where we were eating, but he opted out of that dish.

Instead, he and Smitty both ordered from Chili’s new Fresh Pairings menu. It’s a good deal: for $9.99, you get an appetizer and an entrée. Smitty got chips and salsa and the Grilled BBQ Chicken Salad, and Mark got the Texas Cheese Fries and the Shiner Bock BBQ Burger.

Both of their entrees looked sooo good! And I always love Chili’s chips and salsa (although I’m not a fan of smothered fries in general, which you may find surprising). Mark didn’t care for the Shiner Bock BBQ sauce, but I liked it. It had a vinegar taste to it, and I thought it was good.

We ordered grilled chicken and fries for Annalyn. The grilled chicken was so good that I was jealous! I wish I’d ordered it for myself! Lucky for me, my sweet girl only had eyes for her fries. So the chicken was mine for the taking.

And that was a good thing, because I was actually a little disappointed in my own meal. In an attempt to be healthy, I ordered the Smoked Turkey Sandwich. It wasn’t bad. It was okay. But when we go out for a special dinner, I want something more than “okay.”

Which means I should probably have ordered something other than a turkey sandwich.

And this review wouldn't be complete without telling how great our waitress was. Annalyn was a little difficult (since it was dangerously close to bedtime), and I was weird (because who takes pictures of their food at a restaurant?). Smitty ordered her salad without bacon, and Mark insisted on getting multiple refills of his iced tea. But our waitress was on top of it - and with a smile.

It's almost as if she knew I was reviewing the place!

Overall, we really enjoyed our dinner. And I’m pretty sure Mark has finally figured out the difference between that other restaurant and Chili’s.

As part of this review, I have two exciting things to tell you. Click over to my other site to find out (And don’t be skipping this part. You want to check it out!).

Have you ever gotten two restaurants confused before?

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Chili’s Contest and Gift Card Giveaway

I love reading cooking blogs and printing out new recipes and admiring the glossy pictures in a cookbook. I even love making a grocery list and buying groceries (sans toddler, of course).

And I do like to cook. But sometimes, I do not feel like cooking! Enter Chili's . . .

Chili’s knows all about this feeling, and that’s why they’ve started their new campaign called Shout Out to Eat Out. Every day until August 30, Chili’s will be giving away a $50 gift card to someone who, you guessed it, shouts out. All you have to do to enter is upload a 10- to 30-second video, telling Chili’s why you don’t want to cook tonight.

Easy enough, right? (Or, at least, easier than cooking dinner!)

And because I don’t want you to have to wait to win that drawing, I’m giving away a $50 gift card to Chili’s to one of you. Just leave a comment telling me what your solution is for the nights when you don’t want to cook.

I’ll let Random.org choose a winner this weekend, so comment by Friday at midnight (CST).

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Bloggy Business: giveaway winners and a survey

This post will be super quick, because my husband and daughter are playing outside and I want to join them! It has been a gorgeous weekend, but I've been focused on potty training AND income taxes. Now, though, I'm ready to play!

First of all, if you are reading my blog (which, hello? You are.), please take a couple minutes to take this survey. I'm thinking of making a few changes around here, but I want to make sure that it's something that YOU will like. The survey is only 10 questions long, and it truly will take just a few minutes. Thank you!

Second, thank you SO much for participating in my blog anniversary giveaways last week! I had so much fun reading about your favorite jewelry, books, cookbooks and funny stories. What a great way to celebrate two years in this bloggy world.

Now, on to the winners:

The winner of the Stuff Christians Like book is Carla Anne!

 The winner of the Point of Grace CD and cookbook is ssmueller64!

The winner of the Lisa Leonard necklace and Angie Smith book is Beth at Not a Bow in Sight!

Congratulations, ladies! Please e-mail me your address, so I can get you all set up!

I hope you've had a great weekend, too. Oh, yeah. One more bloggy bit to tell you: I have not actually forgotten about the couch post I promised you a million years ago. I'll have it up on Tuesday!

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Heart and Story / Necklace and Book

One of the richest blessings I’ve received as a result of being a part of this crazy blog world is the amazing women of faith I’ve met. Some I’ve met and hugged in real life, while others I’ve only read their stories, crying and laughing along with the details of their lives.

Lisa is one I’ve met and hugged. Angie is one I’ve only read her story. Both have touched my heart.

Lisa Leonard is a beautiful jewelry designer – and by that, I mean that she’s beautiful and that she designs beautiful jewelry!

After spending a couple days with her at Blissdom, I tried to explain something I saw when I looked at her. See, her blog is full of photos in soft, muted colors. It’s gentle on the eyes. And there’s something about Lisa that is gentle on the soul.

I don’t really know how to describe what I thought. I guess that all sounds a bit crazy. But even though I told her how pastel-ly she was, Lisa was still kind enough to let me give away one of her necklaces.

As I looked at my list of books to read this spring, I knew exactly which necklace I wanted to give away.

What? How does that even make sense? [And, side note, it’s possible that none of this makes sense anyway. It’s real late, Annalyn got up real early, and I’m darned tired. But I digress. I do that when I’m tired. And never when I’m rested. Of course.]

Angie Smith lost her daughter, Audrey, shortly after she was born. Her story is devastating, but the way the Smith family has lived through it – and lived to tell it – is amazing and inspiring and encouraging.

Angie has written a book about her experience, and Lisa has designed a necklace in honor of Angie and Audrey. It’s called Audrey’s Necklace: Marked by Love. It’s lovely, and it’s designed to remind us that, as Lisa wrote on her website, “Some lives, though short, profoundly change the world and leave a mark on our hearts.”

Today I’m giving away Lisa’s necklace and a copy of Angie’s book, I Will Carry You. To enter, leave a comment telling about a book you’re looking forward to reading this spring OR about a piece of jewelry that means something special to you.

For an additional chance to win, follow Lisa on Twitter or follow me on Twitter.

And don’t forget to enter the other giveaways if you haven’t already! (Stuff Christians Like book and Point of Grace cookbook and CD)

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Cooking with grace and loving laundry . . . or something like that.

A couple weeks ago, my office had what’s called a “birthday food day.” In other words, it’s the one day each month that we’re assigned to bring snacky or dessert-y foods, so we can graze all day and pretend that eating crackers and cookies and the occasional grape is the best way any of us can celebrate our co-workers’ birthday month.

For the third (fourth, fifth? I may have lost count.) month in a row, I forgot to bring food.

As I was filling up my water cup in the kitchen that day, looking longingly at the dips and chips and carrots that I didn’t have a right to munch on, I told a co-worker, “I wish I could get it together.”

Later that afternoon, I got an e-mail from Warner Brothers, asking me to review Point of Grace’s latest CD, No Changin' Us, and their cookbook, Cooking with Grace. The e-mail included a link to a song on their album called, “Love and Laundry.”

I plugged in my earphones and clicked on the link.



With phrases like, “I thought that I could do it all/Turns out I was crazy,” and “I keep praying that I can get everything done,” and the kicker, “It might take a miracle to get myself together,” I immediately fell in love.

And cried. Maybe. Just a little. (I mean, come on! If the ladies of Point of Grace can’t get it together, then there’s no hope for me!)

Seriously, I really enjoyed this song and some of the others on No Changin’ Us. “Love & Laundry” has a country pop sound to it, and I like that sort of thing.

Even more than their CD, though, I LOVE Point of Grace’s cookbook, Cooking with Grace. The chapters are divided up into types of food, like a normal cookbook, but they’re titled in a conversational tone that I adore.

“So, not all SALADS are blah.”
“So, SOUP’s on!”
“So, we’re not vegetarians, y’all! MEAT.”

The recipes are for regular food – with simple instructions and less than a dozen ingredients. And almost as good, they include fun stories and photos from the Point of Grace ladies.

And did I mention Amy Grant’s pot roast? Yeah . . .

Even though I like posting my mediocre recipes and linking up to cooking carnivals, I’m not exactly a chef. I enjoyed Julie & Julia, but it’s not like I have a library of cookbooks on my shelves.

But when I got my copy of Cooking with Grace? I literally read it cover to cover. And then made dinner, of course. (Hey, you try reading a cookbook and not getting hungry!)

As you may have guessed, I’m giving away Point of Grace’s CD and cookbook today. Same rules as yesterday (and don’t forget to enter that giveaway, if you haven’t already):

Leave a comment, telling me about your favorite cookbook or CD. For additional chances to win, become a Facebook fan of Point of Grace or Giving Up on Perfect (or both!) – and tell me in a separate comment.

I'll use Random.org to draw a winner of all this week's giveaways after midnight (CST) on Friday.

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Stuff Christians Like: The “Is that contestant on American Idol a Christian Scorecard”

25. After they make the final 12, they thank God = + 1 point (You'd think this one would be worth more points, but everyone on the planet thanks God when they're excited. Rappers have kind of made this one hard to call.)

To add up your score with more than 130 other ideas on this scorecard, visit Stuff Christians Like.

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That’s funny, right? If you like Stuff Christians Like, the blog, you’ll love Stuff Christians Like, the book. And in honor of both my blog anniversary and Jon’s blog tour, I’m giving away a copy.

Edited to add: I'm reading this book right now and just about spit milk out of my mouth this morning when I read, "I don't know if sweat is a spiritual gift, but I've got it."

Oh my. So do I. So. Do. I. 

How do I enter this amazing contest?

Why, I’m so glad you asked! Just leave a comment, telling me the funniest thing you’ve read online lately. For additional chances to win, follow Stuff Christians Like or me (or both!) on Twitter – and tell me in a separate comment.

I'll use Random.org to draw a winner of all this week's giveaways after midnight (CST) on Friday.

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Swagbucks and Amazon.com Giveaway

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? What? It’s too early? Right. But it’s not too early to start saving for Christmas!

That’s where Swagbucks comes in.

Swagbucks is a search engine that offers you the chance to win cool prizes from every time you search. You win points by searching, and you can use points to “buy” prizes that include Amazon gift cards, kids’ clothing, electronics, comic books and more.

[Yeah, I thought I’d get your attention with “comic books.”]

Seriously, though, I easily earn about 10-20 points (Swagbucks) a day, and a $5 Amazon gift card costs 450 points. That means just by searching (which is made even easier by installing the toolbar, which I did at work and at home!), I could earn a gift card each month.

That’s not to mention the extra points you can get by following Swagbucks on Facebook, Twitter and their blog.

And there’s one more way I can earn Swagbucks. It’s pretty simple: I just tell you, my friends, all about it!

If you're interested in signing up for Swagbucks, would you please use my referral code? Just click here, and it will take you right there.

As of right now (8 p.m. on Tuesday night), I have 520 Swagbucks. That means I can buy my first Amazon gift card. And because I love you – and it’s only fair – I’m going to give that card away to a reader who signs up!

That’s like getting 450 Swagbucks for free!

If you sign up for Swagbucks using a link from this post by Friday, leave a comment and tell me. I’ll draw a winner (or Random.org will draw a winner) on Saturday.

Swagbucks works for me . . . and I love it . . . and it’s my favorite way to search the Internet. So this post will be linked to Works for Me Wednesday, Things I Love Thursday and Friday Favorites.

(And don't forget to vote for the couch you want me to write about.)

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Hear No Evil - winner!

Random.org picked #31 - Jenn Calling Home - to win a copy of Matthew Paul Turner's Hear No Evil.

Congratulations, Jenn! E-mail me your address, and I'll ship it to you.

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A Woman Inspired ticket winner

Thanks to everyone who entered to win a ticket to A Woman Inspired's online conference about organization and creativity. Random.org picked #1, which was Hillary @ The Other Mama!

If you'd still like to check out this online conference, tickets are very reasonable. You can register here!

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