2/3/08

Love Connection (Giveaway!)

“Life is a journey, and love is what makes that journey worthwhile.” Anonymous

It’s February and love is in the air! I hope you will always be able to feel that love connection when you come here to visit me on 4 Reluctant Entertainers.

Connecting with one another is my distinctive goal and focus – to help you, as readers, become more comfortable and savvy in using your gifts and passions – to bless others!

Conversation Starters” is a major topic of discussion as of late. With that in mind, a copy of this book will be included in this special GIVEAWAY, along with other treasures to brighten your day, and set you up to have some fun with that particular person you want to connect with (your spouse, sweetie, son, daughter, niece, nephew – friend?). So when I say, ENJOY, the winner will know exactly what I mean, when you open this box.

Here are some ideas as to how you can ENJOY what I am sending you, with another person, during this Valentine's season:

Your spousefind a room in the house that you normally don’t sit in, and concentrate on one trait that you absolutely love about that person. Then ENJOY and tell your spouse what it is and why you love that about him/her.

Your sweetietake a walk outside together and tell each other about a person, while you were young, who impacted your life and really taught you about love! Then come back inside and ENJOY, and gaze into each other’s eyes.

Your son or daughterwhen they come home from school ENJOY and sit down together and share an experience of when you were young, of what you remember about Valentine’s Day parties at school. What was your favorite part? How did it make you feel? Then ask about their favorite experience.

Your niece or nephew - invite them over and ENJOY by sitting down together and telling a special memory of their mom or dad (your brother or sister) – and how you felt loved by that person. Then ask them, in turn.

Your friendeither invite your friend to your house, or take this to their house and ENJOY. Talk about what you appreciate in that person as a friend, and how that person has been an encouragement to you! Take it a step further and challenge each other in a new way of how your can reach out to others in the coming year.

In order to win (US and Canada only, please) – simply post a comment and answer the one question below (by putting A, B, – etc.). You can choose more than one answer, and you can elaborate on your answer if you want to (but not required).

What would you like to learn more about on 4 Reluctant Entertainers, this next year?

A. Inspiration
B. Balcony Girls
C. Creativity (table settings, thrift, types of parties, ideas, conversation)
D. Recipes
E. Myth Busters (de-bunking myths about entertaining, i.e., perfectionism)
F. Canning and domesticity
G. Entertaining w/Kids

SPREAD THE NEWS by posting this on your blog (please let me know by email or comment), and your name will go into the drawing twice. (Drawing ends Wednesday evening, Feb. 6th.)

Yes! Love is in the air and this package could be yours, arriving to your home just in time for Valentine’s Day!

79 comments:

Julie said...

Hi Sandy,

My vote goes for (A) and (E) which are: inspiration and myth busters.
Those are the posts I enjoy most from you.

But ALL your posts are good, girl!

YOU are a blessing!

Julie @ A Joyful Life

Liz Zelie said...

I would love to hear more about (C) and (D). My roommate and I moved to a new city in order to be part of a church plant and we've found that entertaining is a crucial part to forming friendships and meeting people. But when you're both single girls working full-time (and sometimes more!) it can be quite draining to plan out creative evenings. I've enjoyed the insight I've received from your blog and it has made me appreciate, more than ever, how much my family has always discussed and connected around the table - my parents are well known for their conversation and hospitality.

Laura said...

Wonderful giveaway! I would definitely say B and G!

Thanks Sandy!!

Laura

AnneMarie said...

A
yep, a little inspiration here is a good thing ;)

I was just talking to 2 girlfriends on Friday night about you!! We have been friends since we were 13 and get together often. I talked about the book- how cool that it is your give away!!

Anonymous said...

De-lurking here...I read you often...love your blog.

I vote for C, A & G

Thanks,
Kathy :)
jokaj@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandy! Fun giveaway. I'll read whatever you choose to post! I always love simple recipes since cooking is not my thing! If someone else will tell me what is good and easy for a party (or potluck!), and has pretested it for me, I'm all for it!

Blessings,
Melissa

Kirstin said...

oooh. Sounds like a great giveaway Sandy. I would have to say (A)Inspiration, (D) recipes and (C) creativity. though (F) and (G) sound good too. Looking forward to more inspiration from you. You are so amazing at it.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, Sandy, thanks for the heads up! Of course, sign me up. I'd love to win your giveaway. You can probably guess that I'll pick "C" for my answer. Have a great week!

xo,
Rhoda

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I'll pick 'D'~ perfect for the WhistleStop Cafe.
Sandi

Unknown said...

My pick is (A) and (C)...Inspiration and Creativity...although I love all things on your blog!

As for the GiveAway...I'm really hoping I'm picked for this. I've heard about this book and actually was told it was out of circulation. How thrilled I am to know that's not the case, now to WIN it..would be the icing on the cake of my life!!

Anonymous said...

Hi I'm Dini and I have been reading your blog since last November. My husband is from a real hospitality family and I'm not ; ).
But I really want to learn and your blog has been a great inspiration and encouragement to me. Thank you so much.
I would choose A, and C.
Thank you for doing a give away. I had never heard of something like this. Maybe I'm blessed.
Blessings
Dini

O - I almost forgot - I will write you an email to give you my email address - in case I win : ) I don't have a blog.

Emily said...

My vote is for "C" and "D" - although I am really interested in all of the subjects. But creativity is not an area of strength for me and I love to see and learn new ideas. Thanks!

Missy said...

My vote is for C and E! Thank you for the giveaway.

Missy

Anonymous said...

B and C usually get my attention the most. The giveaway looks great. Thanks for offering it.
Holly
www.homeschoolblogger.com/aiminghigh

Jen said...

CF & G.......I love your blog..you could talk about pool maintenance and I would find it helpful and interesting. I really enjoy all your topic....and look forward to reading more...please enter me I would love to have it.

An Ordinary Mom said...

I love all your ideas, but I think A, E and C are my favorites.

Thanks for the giveaway!

Kim said...

Sandy,

I would have to say I'm interested in them all! Likely A, C and F are my top picks!

Thanks,
Kim

Anonymous said...

B. Balcony Girls
C. Creativity
and
G. Entertaining with kids

These are my top picks! Thanks!

Lynn
keithlynn6@msn.com

Poulsen Family said...

How do I pick TWO???? I'd love to hear about all of them. I enjoy reading this blog so much. Well...if I have to...D (with some F included) and c (with some G included)...ok, ok, I know I just chose four, but really...too hard to choose just two.

Lindsay
lindze_brooke@yahoo.com

Jen T. said...

B, C, D, and G! I'd love to start a Balcony Girls type group with my six year old daughter! We have two more after her, so I love creative ideas, especially how you entertain with young ones around!

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm, I would have to say probably
A, C, and F.

Yep. Love those topics!

Unknown said...

Love your blog my answer is G! Thanks!

Jill said...

Sandy - I love all your posts but I especially like inspiration (A) creativity (C). How sweet of you to be doing this give-away. Thanks for entering me!

Kerry said...

Sandy, My vote is for (c). I love planning and hosting and decorating but need to keep it thrify and cheap. Am planning on posting about your contest on my blog!

Anonymous said...

Sandy - You *know* I want to hear more about the Balcony Girls(B)! I can't be the only one! Love the whole blog, though....keep it up!

linda t said...

Hi Sandy!
Oh yes, A & C & D!
Love your blog and would love anything you would want to share with us!
Thanks!
Oh, and I would love to win your give-away!

GiBee said...

i would love to see more of C, D, F, and G!!! especially tips on how to entertain with a toddler running around the house!!

Unknown said...

Hey there,

Thanks for visiting my blog. You have such a wonderful blog here, with so much going on!
:)
best,

Sylvia C.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to learn more about B - Balcony Girls and C - Creativity.

I actually already used one of your lessons...the one where you did a variety of things to a money bill and talked about self-esteem and finding personal value in oneself. It was a hit!!! Afterwards, I made each one of our 30+ girls identify and share one thing she likes about herself. Thanks again for the idea.

Also, I am really starting to become interested in entertaining and hope to have my first dinner party this summer. I'd like to see more ideas on table settings, menu ideas, and so one...

DSP
dsphillips@neo.tamu.edu

Unknown said...

Having kids; B and G definitely interests me but it has been your posts on inspiration and creativity that brought me as a regular reader to your blog!

Hope C.

Aubrey said...

B - Balcony Girls - I just love to hear what is going on with this group of girls. I was in Girl Scouts for years, but it was missing so much. I hope to organize a group of girls that will include my daughters in a few years, and I gain so much insight from your sharing.

C - Creativity - Because I like ideas, thats why.

F & G are at the top of my list as well. Actually, just go ahead and add in A & D, too. I am easy to please.

Anonymous said...

Inspiration and Creativity. I love to get new ideas. I also like tried and true recipies. I love you website! It always brightens my day. You have a wondeful gift! GOD BLESS YOU!!

Anonymous said...

Inspiration and Creativity. I love to get new ideas. I also like tried and true recipies. I love your website! It always brightens my day. You have a wondeful gift! GOD BLESS YOU!!

Anonymous said...

I would love to read about B & G and everything else! Fantastic blog! I admit I need to do more implementing of what I read/learn. :0)

tammi said...

C, F, and G for me, please!! I will also be putting a button on my blog to link to this contest. (I hope you don't mind if I use the first picture)

I've actually got a giveaway going on over at my blog, too. Come on down -- and let's swap gifts, haha!

Peggy said...

I love seeing how others tablescape and get ideas. Thanks for the giveaway.

tammi said...

Okay, the sidebar button is up and running -- please enter me twice!!

Tarrah said...

I would love to hear more about C, Creativity. My dinning table is bare, I have not table cloths, or place mats, or nice napkins or anything and I don't have the slightest of creativity.

Recipes are always nice too :)

I did a post on my blog so I would love to be entered twice :)
Thank you for the wonderful contest.

Christy said...

Sandy,

Thanks for the great blog! My vote is for A - Inspiration and D - Recipes. I can always use more of both.

Thanks,
Christy

Anonymous said...

My vote is for D. All your dishes look delish!

Thanks!

Shannon P.

the tattered nest said...

I would have to say "C"...please sign me up! and thank you for being such a gracious blog hostess and giving this generous gift a way! take care,Gail thetatterednest.blogspot.com/

Heather said...

I'm a new reader and have fallen in love with your blog! I choose C, D & F but I really like all of what I see so far :)

AnneMarie said...

Sandy.. you have been blogged by me...
http://annemariez.blogspot.com/2008/02/tagged-again-for-my-middle-name.html
put me in twice! I want that book! lol!

Anonymous said...

I'd have to vote for B, C, D, and G, but then I qualify that by saying I've never found a post here that didn't interest me...

Anonymous said...

I vote for c, a, e, and f in that order. I read your "Rusty and Out of the Groove" blog. Guess what? We had a family over last night. First in over a year and a half. We were rusty but I am excited.

PamJ said...

Valleygirl brought me to you :)
Here's my vote: c, a and g!

Rhonda said...

Sandy,

Please add me to your draw.

My answer to your questions is:

A, C, D, E

And I will post on my blog about your draw.

Thanks,

Rhonda

Anonymous said...

B, B, B, B, and B!!!! I really want to know how to start a Balcony Girls with My nine year old. But they are really all great - thanks for pushing us to be entertainers :)

Anonymous said...

You have inspired me over the past year! However, I am still a rookie and would like to learn more about A, C, C, C, D, & E!

Jenni
mrs_ki23@hotmail.com

Melissa said...

I choose F. I hardly ever come across anything on canning--it seems to be a lost art for the most part!

Thanks for entering me into the drawing. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandy!

My choices: (and would really love to receive that conversation book : )

A. Inspiration
B. Balcony Girls
F. Canning (believe it or not)
D. Recipes

thanks for the fun, deb meyers

Tara said...

I'm for A. I can always use a bit of inspiration!

Darla said...

When I see a post about the Balcony Girls my eyes always light up - so B for me. All of your posts are interesting tho.

BTW, I just edited today's post on my blog and included a link to you. Just raising my chances of winning (big grin!)

Darla

Hillcrest Acres said...

Sandy, Thank you for stopping by my blog. That is how I found you and I am really glad I did. I have enjoyed reading your posts.

Please count me in on your giveaway. It is so hard to pick just two, so I say C and D would be my first two choices then E. I have to read further back in your posts to find out about Balcony Girls.

Thanks for the giveaway and I look forward to reading more of your blogs.

Jean said...

All the choices appeal to me. B-even though I don't have girls, I love to see the creative ways you teach them life lessons that are great for anyone.
C,D,G.

Christine said...

I love your recipes and your Balcony Girls posts. I would also love to see more about entertaining with the kids- teaching hospitality is hard with the real young ones but I want to get better with time!

Love you!

Anonymous said...

I have been lurking and visiting your site for a couple of months now. I am always blessed for having visited. I love to entertain and you are an encouragement. I would love to be entered in your contest and would vote for letter "C", with a side-order of "D".
Blessings,
Tuscan Lady (aka, Deborah)

shelbi said...

sweet sandy,
i can never get enough 'inspiration', balcony girls and recipes :) thank you for asking and thank you for all of the wonderful contributions above that your blog is always so full of! your photography is amazing!!! i love the angles and the lighting....all of it!

lots of creativity and inspiration here!!

hugs!
shelbi

Dee Light said...

Wow!! What a fun giveaway for Valentines.

Let me see. I really do like all of your posts and find them both helpful an inspirational. But I really love the ones with the kids, and teaching them about hospitality and entertaining. So B and G are my top 2 picks!! The things you are working to instill in those girls are the same things I want to instill in my own children.

I will post a link to your blog and contest a little later today!

~j~ said...

Hi Sandy,
I am in for all of them! It's so restful here that i will read happily each topic you post.
Thanks for asking!
~j~

Jennifer said...

Tough question! I have to say more of C and G although all of your topics are great! Looking forward to your posts this year!

Anonymous said...

I vote B. I would love to be entered in your drawing. ~ Lynn

Kim said...

Hard question! I like them all but I would say (c) and (e) and (a) are my top choices!
I have been reading your blog for a few months and really enjoy (need) the encouragement to entertain!
Thank you!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Great give away. I vote for D and F
Thanks..Mary

Angela said...

My vote is for E! Oh, and A. I love your blog and have you linked on mine!

Jessica said...

Hi! C and D are a tie for me. I LOVE when you post pictures of your home/tablescape. Since I have been married less than two years, I love to get ideas from the gorgeous ways you put your house and table together! I posted about your giveaway on my blog, too! Thanks for inspiring us to be courageous.:)

Marianna said...

I vote for (C) and (D). I just found your blog and have already been quite inspired!

Marianna

Praise and Coffee said...

C-D-E
I love all your ideas and input!

Thanks for the link about your books, I am going to check them out!

Hugs,
Sue

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

I would love to hear more about C and E.

I had just added your blog to my list of "new blogs to check out when I have a free moment" over the weekend.

Thanks for sotpping by and leaving me a comment about your giveaway.

Karen said...

B...I have a 12 year old daughter and a group of girls that I may want to start something like the Blacony Girls
D...I need some more recipes to perfect for company
Thanks!

Marlana said...

My vote is for F for canning, spcifically. Although the rest of the choices inspire me, I am challenged by the canning concept. I only know one person in her 30's that knows how to can and I want to be the second. Plus, your jars just look so pretty that I want to have displays like that!

Anonymous said...

Ok, I'm new to blogs...don't have one of my own so I guess I'm a "lurker" (sounds so ominous), but I just discovered your blog over the weekend. It's in my favorites! :-)
My vote is B, F, G.
Thanks,
Carey
I'll email you my email in the off chance you pick me.

a woman who is said...

My vote is for A and B. I love your Balcony Girls. The book “Conversation Starters” sounds like a very helpful tool. That would come under inspiration I'm guessing. Thanks Sandy for all the work you put into making this a great blog. I am always gleaning some great tips and special bits of inspiration here.

Momma Roar said...

I want to learn more about creativity - and how to use what I have without having to go buy new.

And canning - my mother in law helped me with pears one time, but we've never done it since - I want to do it on my own! :)

I've posted a link to your contest today!

Blessings,
Leigh Ann

PS - I just don't think I could let his little curls grow long - not at 14 months. Maybe when he is a little older and in charge of his own hair care regime! heehee :D

Terri said...

What fun! I'll post a link today.
As for content. You usually do o.k. by me, so whatever your up to is fine!!

Nadine said...

Humm...ok...b, c, d, f. Or the whole list would be fine too. what a great giveaway.

Unknown said...

Please tell me I've made it on time!! I choose option G!!

orneryswife said...

Oooh. I came by to give you bling, and found a giveaway! I love visiting your place, Sandy! C and D would be my votes. I LOVED the mango chicken. Oh, yeah! and I love the ideas you share with your creativity.

So, anyway, I have an award for you on my blog, when you have a minute!
TM

Normangirl said...

C and F. I have a dream to some day win a blue ribbon at the fair for canning!

Great blog you have!!

Denise