Friday, July 11, 2008

In which I throw myself the smallest of parties

As of today, I have officially hit 100 posts! Who knew that back in November when I finally sat down and threw a few jumbled thoughts together at the insistence of my sister that this would turn into a full-blown obsession? At the time, my only thought was to keep my scattered family in the loop with our life way out here in the desert. I hadn't even consistently read any blogs prior to that, so I had no clue how big this blogosphere really was or what it was all about.

And here I am today, surrounded by some very lovely readers who have become friends, some that I know in real life and some that I know only through the beautiful stories that you tell and that I follow every day. It's the most amazing thing to feel a connection with someone who you've never met, but who you think of and pray for throughout the day.

So, I'm going to do a small giveaway in honor of my 100th post. Emphasis on small. After seeing the incredible giveaways that some are doing, I was tempted to forego mine completely. Because mine's pretty puny in comparison, especially considering the fact that I am "re-gifting" a couple of the items (hey, if Elaine can do it, so can I!). Oh, believe me when I say that I wish I could give every single one of you a $100 gift card to Target. Or buy you gas for an entire year. Something crazy and awesome like that. But...hmmm...if I were able to do that, I wouldn't be sitting here right now; I'd more than likely be here:

The Hammock Beckons, Talipasak Beach at High Noon, Romblon, Philippines

A girl can dream, right?

But anyway. I'm not there, I'm here. So let's give a little something away!

There are few things I love more than getting lost in a book. And a steaming Caramel Macciato. Oh, and chocolate. So I'm combining these favorite things of mine:

This book (the one that I won from Linda a while back, but which I am now passing on to one of you...you can read a little bit about it here).


A Starbucks gift card for $5 - hey, it will at least buy you one cup of coffee. Can't complain about that.


And a box of Starbucks Caffe Mocha Truffles. Let's just say that if I were not trying to drop a few (ok, more than a few) pounds, these would not have made it into the giveaway.

And there you have it. Leave me a comment, and tell me something about yourself, such as your favorite childhood memory. Or your favorite flower. Or maybe what you would do if you had a day all to yourself.

I will leave this giveaway open until midnight on Monday, July 14, then I'll do a random drawing and announce the winner sometime Tuesday. And as much as I love my Canadian friends, I'm going to have to keep this to the U.S. only...I'm so sorry. And you lurkers out there (I know you're there!) feel free to leave me a comment, too. I'm nice. And I'd love to meet you.

Thanks, everybody - I'm looking forward to getting to know you better!



31 comments:

Jennifer said...

Congrats on post #100!! :)
Favorite childhood memory... playing in the backyard with my sister on the HUGE playset my dad built when my mom was pregnant with me.
Favorite flower... Gerbera Daisy
What would I do if I had a day to myself... SLEEP IN! (duh!) then spend the day shopping/window shopping without hearing, "mommy I have to go to the bathroom" 1,000,000 times IN ONE STORE! :)

SmilingSally said...

My favorite flower is the red rose, and my husband just gave me a bunch of them for our 50th wedding anniversary!
With 24 extra hours, I would read, so you see, this giveaway is no little thing to me.
Congrats on your 100th. I hope you're still visiting me when I hit mine.
smilingsal55{at}yahoo[dot]com

Cheri said...

If had 24 hours? I would just be alone. Without a cell phone for The Boy to call me. Just alone. ALONE.

I love flowers. Outside mostly. I used to love them inside when my husband would bring me flowers just because. Until the cat ate bit one of the lillies and died. I am not even joking. Flowers no longer come in our house unless there is someplace unreachable to put them...

Anonymous said...

Oh, how I do love giveaways! And a book would be so perfect right about now, as we going on vacation in a week! :)

Something about myself...well, I am a total introvert in real life, but I think blogging brings out the extrovert in me. It's a good balance for me, and helps me to release things that I otherwise might not get out. And, of course, it's like cheap therapy to me :)

Here's to another 100 posts!

Sarah@Life in the Parsonage said...

Happy 100!

I count you as one of my friends that I've never met! Isn't Heaven going to be SO MUCH FUN, all of us hanging out...with coffee, and PERFECT bodies...*sigh* can't wait.

My fav flower is the Gerber Daisy...because it's cute, and stays alive when I plant it ;)

Tracey said...

CONGRATULATIONS ON 100 POSTS!!! I'M ADDICTED TOO! I LOVE YELLOW ROSES AND DAISEYS. ENTER ME PLEASE!!

Unknown said...

Congratulation on your 100th post. Mine, too, will be coming up here really soon. I love your giveaway it think it is perfect!
Now you wanted to know something about me. HMMMM- I should be weeding my vegetable garden right now instead of reading my favorite blogs! I'm bad, really bad! I love blogging and have become quite addicted to it!

Elena said...

Congrats on your 100th post. My favorite flower is hard to pick because I love flowers! I would have to say my most favorite is a lavendar long stem rose.

Queen to my 3 Boys said...

MMmmmm...chocolate. The only thing worth hiding from my hubby.

My favourite flower any type of lily. Hands down.

Yikes, I'm Canadian...can't enter. Shipping? I understand. But chocolate? Today is a sad day.

Jodie | Velour said...

Sweet Jackie. You're precious. I heart you!! :)

You already know so much about me, since I talk about myself incessantly on a pretty regular basis on my blawg. Maybe you don't know this though: my favorite flower is Lily of the Valley. It's so delicate and stunningly beautiful. It's such a graceful flower. I love it.

I also love me some chocolate, some coffee and a good book. :)

Wendi@EveryDayMiracles said...

OHHH Fun times!! Happy 100!! Isn't it amazing how quickly this has become a big part of our lives? :)
If I had 24 hours all to myself - and I feel pretty selfish here - I would go to a fantastic mall, buy some cute clothes and shoes, go out to a great resteraunt, maybe get a manicure. Does that make me over the top self indulgent??? Oh well, I would love it. :)
You are so fun! :)

Colored With Memories said...

How fun!

My favorite flower is the Calla Lily. We named our first daughter Lily b/c of it. And then later learned that the calla isn't even really a lily after all!

Count me in!

na said...

My favorite flower is the blue hydrangea and this is the first year that mine have bloomed!

A childhood memory of mine is sitting on my grandpa's lap, steering his truck right through the center of the army base we were at. Couldn't get away with that now, could we? But that was in the 1980, forever ago.

I think I would possibly sleep all day if I had it to myself...at least that is what I would want to do. Probably end up making soap or soy candles.

Count me in and congrats on your 100th post! Thanks for entering my giveaway...it hasn't received many entries yet.

Karen Hossink said...

The 100th post is a milestone, isn't it? Congrats to you! How sweet of you to do a giveaway to celebrate. Seems like we should be giving gifts to you...
I completely agree with you about the fellowship we have here in the blogosphere. Never having met one another, but knowing we have a true connection. (Jesus will do that for you! *grin*) I love my bloggy friends.

As for what I would do with a day alone? Next Thursday I am driving my "alone" self to Cleveland to attend the Women of Faith conference. I'll be in a hotel room all by myself Thursday and Friday. I will be in a huge arena with thousands of other women, but I will be there alone with God and it is going to be wonderful!!!

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

I'm on #89 right now, and I blog nearly every day, so I better start planning if I'm gonna do anything for my own 100th post!

About me: I'm flower crazed, and would spend a whole lot more time lovin' my flowers if the dern mosquitos didn't love me so much! Oh, and I'm addicted to hot tea... and blogging!

Grace Acres said...

Oh jackie happy 100th. You have picked all of my favorites to relax with, a book, a coffee, and chocolate. The only thing missing is candlelight. But I more than enough around here for the cause.

Something about me that I may not have blabbed about yet, hmmm
... I rarely wear jewelry because it's to much hassle and I'm too lazy. plus I am too scared to get my ears pierced.
Hope I win.

Amanda said...

isn't it amazing how you step into the blog world without a clue how many friends you will meet...how much encouragement you will be able to receive (and give!)...and on and on...congrats on post 100! so glad to have stumbled across your little world...

hmm...i don't think this is a "small" giveaway at all. i'm SO with you about curling up with a book, a starbucks treat and chocolate...that would make for a fab afternoon! so...something about me...how about how i would spend a weekend if i had one all to myself...no kids, no hubby...i would go somewhere near water, preferably a lake, not the ocean...find a nice hammock, just like the one in your picture...and simply listen to the sounds of the water, read a book, catch up on some quiet time with the Lord, and sleep...sweet sleep! and then i would retire to a nice cozy cabin where i could knit and sew the night away...ah...bliss! but for now i'd definitely settle for some chocolate, coffee, and a new book!

Wendy said...

Wow, chocolate, coffee AND a book! Those are some of my favorite things, too. Okay, not so much the coffee although I do enjoy some every now and then.

Something about myself...if I had a day to myself I would probably read a book (or two) or go for a drive in the mountains or go hiking without hearing constant whining about various things. That would be wonderful... Don't really have a particular favorite flower, but I love gardenias...so bummed out that they don't do well in my yard here.

Carolina Mama said...

The Magnolia is one of my favorite flowers. Gerber Daisies. Tulips. Oh, it was one. :) I can get lost in the mountains, the beach, the Spa or the Shopping on a day to myself. It would most likely include a good cup of Starbucks and my laptop too. ;) Thanks for the Giveaway and Congrats on 100!

Anonymous said...

We're almost blogging twins - so close with our 100th posts. Congratulations!

I've recently told you so much about me but let me think of one more thing.

How about that iced chai lattes from Starbucks are my newest way to treat myself. What's that you say? You just happen to be giving away a Starbucks gift card? Oh my my. Maybe my lucky day then.

Rita T. said...

If I had a day to myself (which could never happen - 5 kids are always here since we homeschool) I'd finish my novel, alternating that with writing more magazine articles - all in an effort to bring a little more income to our stretched budget.

Thanks for offering such nice prizes.
Rita

Unknown said...

Wow! Look at you getting all fancy.

You probably know too much about me already. But I do love all of these things that you are giving away ... books, chocolate, and of course, coffee.

Here's my gift to you in celebration of your 100th post: I'm adding you to my blogroll. I know that you will be so honored because as you know, I'm so popular with my 8 readers and all.

Anyway, keep up the good writing.

Becky said...

My 100th came and went and I didn't acknowledge it! boo hoo!
Enjoy your blog! Thanks for the give away!
Blessings!
oh, love carnations....they stay pretty soooo long!

Jules from "The Roost" said...

I for one am SO glad you are posting! I am also for regifting....it is like going green, or something....Since I don't have a favorite flower & can't remember much of childhood......If I had a whole day I would take a nice walk, eat lunch with a friend, hit a few antique shops, read, have dinner with the hubby and go to a movie....Do you think I packed enough in?

AudreyO said...

I found your blog quite by accident. Who doesn't like a contets, so I have to enter. Something about me?? A day to myself?? I'd hang out at home and scrapbook, crochet, and even hang out on my computer.

Mamajil said...

{{Big cyber applaud for your 100th post}}

Lets see....
Favorite childhood memory is going camping in Vermont (Lake Dunmore) with my brother and sister and
cousins, my parents and aunts and uncles....it was great fun!

Favorite flower: daffodils

If I had a whole day to my self...I would either want to sleep all day (do I sound like I have a 2mo old lol) or....
Maybe go to the little antique shops in a neighboring town that I just love to browse through.

Congrats again on "100"
I enjoy your blog!

Michelle@Life with Three said...

Congratulations on 100 posts! That is a lot of work -- well done!

I love lilacs. When I lived in Michigan, there were plenty to be found. But, here in Georgia, I have yet to stumble across any.

BTW, I left something for you over at my blog. You can find it here: http://lifewiththree.blogspot.com/2008/07/bloggy-business.html

Miss Lisa said...

Whoops--forgot to say something about myself.

If I had a day to myself--I would sleep all day!

Genny said...

Congratulations on your 100th post! LOVE your giveaway! Coffee, coffee...

Something about myself... I love plain ol' vanilla ice-cream sandwiches!

The Sullivan Sitcom said...

Happy 100th, I'm getting close to that # too, maybe I should think about a giveaway, oh wait, you must have readers to give away to. I'll have to work on that.

I've enjoyed reading your blog, keep up the good work!

Something about me: I love to label things - anything really!

Lisa said...

Jackie,

I didn't make the cut-off, but just wanted to mention that although I'm fairly new, I have enjoyed reading your blog and getting to know you. I appreciate you visiting my blog, too.

Congrats on #100...keep it up!

There are at least 30 things I would love to do if I had a day to myself, but most likely I would end up reading a book, reading blogs and going for a run.