Happy Haul-idays from Chronicle Books

I love books. All kinds of books. Chronicle books has several fun books that I'd love to have. They currently are offering a Happy Haul-idays giveaway of $500 worth of books to a lucky blogger and a commenter from their blog and also a charity of their choosing. What a great giveaway!

I browsed Chronicle books and these are the ones I'd love:

For Me:

Hand Held Pies 19.95

Braises and Stews 22.95

Potpie 18.95

The Backyard Birdsong Guide: Eastern and Central North America 29.95

Why Did I Buy this Book 16.95

Show and Tell 24.99

Sunday Roasts 24.95

Heirloom Beans 22.95



For the Girls:

Chicken Big 16.99

Feelings Flash Cards 14.99

Shadow 15.99

Winters Night Pop Up Advent Calendar 10.99

Doodle 123 19.99

The Woods 16.99

Follow the Star 19.99

Noah's Ark 16.99

Over and Under the Snow 16.99

Snow Riders 6.95

The Other Side 15.99

Squiggles 19.99

Big Rabbits Bad Mood 16.99

Sparkle and Spin 15.95

All Mixed Up 8.95

Mazescapes 16.95

Emily's Balloon 14. 99

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee 15.95

In the Town All year 'Round 16.99

What Sisters/Brothers Do Best 15.99




What books would you choose? Tell me something you'd pick for yourself and something you'd pick for someone else.

And if I win don't forget that you'd get the same books that I chose. And for my charity, I'd choose to let my church, New Hope Community have the $500 to choose books for their elementary school classes. They could really benefit from some books since we currently have a very limited supply to work with.

**forgot to mention that this chronicle books giveaway ends Dec 2, 2011 (I know it ends today but it took me several days to pick out my books!)

Birthin' with Love - Doula Services

If you are in the Houston area and are in need of a doula or childbirth education classes, check out Birthin' with Love. Their next childbirth education classes begin January 8, 2011.

Mattress Giveaway @Reluctant Renovator

Found a giveaway for an icomfort Serta mattress that ends tomorrow! I know short notice but I'm so glad I found it. I need a new mattress so bad! I can't tell you how often I wake up with numb arms or legs, a sore back and neck, and aching knees and hips. My mattress is so old and dips in the middle. I know several other people need some new mattresses as well, so I thought I'd share the info; even though I want to keep it secret so I can win. LOL!

You can enter to win at Reluctant Renovator (ends 7/7/2011)

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party 2011

Welcome to Keeping My Fingers Crossed and the Ultimate Blog Party 2011!

Come in and have a cupcake.

Maybe a pickle? Which seems to be the favored snack around here. The girls would eat bowls of pickles all day long if I'd let them.

flickr by magpiebride

Or maybe a pickle cupcake?

flickr by norwichnuts

I'll keep my introduction short since I know you are visiting lots of people today.

I'm Lace, the creator, writer, editor, photographer, of this sometimes neglected blog. The cast of characters often include; my nieces Buttercup (6) and Pony (4), my mom, myself, and various other people. I write about many random interesting things including; crafting, my addiction to pajamas, my ♥ of the library, bike riding, and a few product reviews.

If I'm not here, I'm editing your giveaway posts at Prizey. Which I have been fortunate to contribute and work at since it's beginning.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see some of you visit again. Make sure to stop by 5MinutesforMom and join in all the party fun.

TV Nostalgia

I've been feeling a bit nostalgic about some of my favorite TV shows of the past and wishing they were still airing new episodes. A few of my favorites:

Homefront (1991-1993) - Family drama that takes place after WW2 and how the family/town moves on from the war.

Veronica Mars (2004-2007) - Teen sleuth investigates her BFFs murder

Pushing Daisies (2007-2009) - Quirky sleuthing team solves various murders

Party of Five (1994-2000) - Family's struggles after their parents are killed in a car accident

Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) - Relationship between mother and daughter and their eccentric townsfolk

Jericho (2006-2008) - After a nuclear attack, one town learns to band together

Freaks and Geeks (1999-2000) - Two different groups experiences in high school during the 80s


I actually just discovered Freaks and Geeks and I'm loving catching up on all the episodes. I'll be sad when it's over in just a few short episodes.

One thing I've noticed, I watch a lot of shows that seem to get cancelled after just one or two seasons. They are great shows, fun and quirky, or just plain awesome TV but for some reason don't get a huge audience and the TV execs give up on them. Much to the dismay of their fans.

I'm so glad I can catch past episodes of many TV shows on DVD and great sites like Hulu.

What shows do you miss? I'd love to find out if we have the same taste in shows or if there is a show I've been missing and need to go find on Netflix, Youtube, or Hulu.

Flat Screen Dilemmas

Our family has been thinking about purchasing a flat screen for our main TV in the living room. We do have a small flat screen in the kitchen. But what do you put your TV on? Hanging it on the wall is one idea I like. It would make a bit more floor space in the living room. But then what do you do with all the TV components? You know the DVD player, DVR, VCR (yes we still have one hooked up to our TV), stereo equipment and speakers. What's the solution for all that stuff?

I guess you will still need some kind of LCD TV stand or cabinet system to store the extras in. Something like these 2 stands would be my first choice, maybe with the TV mounted on the wall above it.



If you have a flat screen TV, do you have it mounted on the wall or sitting on a TV stand? And what have you done about all the extra stuff TVs require? I'd really love some ideas on the best way to organize my entertainment area without it looking cluttered. And how do you hide all the cords so they aren't hanging down the wall from the TV?

I *Puffy Heart w/Glitter* the Library

I *puffy heart w/glitter* the library. I always have. I remember as a kid being so excited to ride my bike to the library to find something new to read. The library I visited as a kid is a Carnegie library that was opened in 1903 and in use until 1994. It's a beautiful brick and stone building that I've always thought would make a great house. One of my favorite features of the library was a curved stone staircase that led to the children's section in the basement. I felt like I was in a castle whenever I went down those stairs. I miss the old building; the worn front steps, the vault in the back, the wooden steps so kids could stand at the counter, and the bookmarks made from old wallpaper samples.

(vintage photo of my old library)

(I'll try and find a new photo)

I visit the library at least once a week and sometimes more. They have a great selection of books and if you can't find a book in the library our state has a great inter-library loan system, which I use often. They also have great programs. We've participated in several of them. Kid's reading programs in the summer, story times, zoo animal visits, library at the park, and tea parties. We attended a Fancy Nancy Tea Party recently that was so much fun.

Buttercup and Pony love to visit the library with me and could spend just as long of time in there as me. Each time they visit, they check out an Elephant and Piggie book by Mo Willems. I usually have to keep them from checking out all of them.

One thing about the library that I'm not sure you know (or maybe you do?) is that its a black hole where time doesn't exist. I enter the library, browse some books and choose the book I want. The next thing I know, I've been in the library for 2 hours! and it only felt like I was there for 30 mins. Does this happen to you? I once missed an entire class period in high school because I was so engrossed in my research that I didn't hear the bell ring for the next hour and I looked at the clock and had been in the library for 2 class periods. It happens to me all the time.

I'm headed to the library today to pick up some more books. Show your library some love and go get some books.