Talk about touched. I am so impressed with all of the gifts you gave this year. Reading through all of the Mid Winter's Eve Blog Hop Giveaway entries was a treat! Some of my favorite ideas were things like the tried and true gift of cookies and candy. There were boxes of books, gift cards, a coupon binder (Great idea!) and someone even generously donated a Kindle to one of their loved ones.
Happy Holidays from my family to yours.
We went the simple route ourselves for the most part. Having a family of almost grown boys, we offered clothes and gift cards and just a couple family games for the Wii. For my extended family, we baked treats as well. I love making my yummy Caramel Corn recipe. My dear momma made our family batches of her famous crescent rolls, so my freezer is stocked with what we didn't snarf down on Christmas day. You can never go wrong with homemade baked goodies. Ever! That being said, I've still my birthday and New Year's to eat through -- and the treadmill is hissing at me every time I totter by.
Now, for the Mid Winter's Eve Blog Hop winner...
(Ineligible entries were deleted for the final count.)
Congratulations to our Mid Winter's Eve randomly selected hop winner: Ericka Coello
You have won a copy of one of my books and the $10 Amazon gift card. Happy Spending!
Thanks to all of you who participated in the blog hop, new followers and old. I'm excited to have new friends following The Balanced Writer and hope to see you back. If there's ever anything I can do to help you with your reading, writing, or even editing, drop me a line, and I'll do my best. As far as balancing your life -- we're all doing the best we can. I hope I can inspire you with new ideas.
Enjoy the posts and have a wonderful finish to December 2011.
Happy Holidays! It's time for the Mid Winter's Eve Blog Hop, which means blogs all over the web are gathered together (well, linked together anyway) to give away books and prizes to our visitors and fans.
This month in honor of all the soon-to-be new Kindle and iPad 2 ownersI am giving away a $10 Amazon gift card and the choice of an ebook copy of any of my books. You choose!
In this busy day and age, sometimes it takes a holiday to be able to sit down and read a good book. We need more moments like these, as well as time with our families and friends we hold dear.
I wish each and every one of you peace this season and a sparkling moment of pure joy--whether it be in the giving, the getting or just a few snowflakes.
Best wishes, ~Danielle Thorne
HOW TO ENTER
1. For one entry: Follow the blog and leave a comment. Tell us, what are you giving this Christmas?
2. Bonus entry: Refer a friend. Tell a friend about The Balanced Writer. When your friend follows, have them include your name in their comment.
This giveaway contest ends 12/27/2011 at midnight. Late entries are not eligible.
Time for another Favorites post before we hit the holiday rush. (Of course, most of us are already rushing!) If you're looking to win some free books or Amazon bucks this season, make sure and join The Sweetest Romance Authors at their holiday chat on Monday, December 19th, at the Coffee Time Romance Boards. Register early and join the site, then pick up some clean, award winning fiction by some of the sweetest authors around. I'll be there and offering up copies of my Jane Austen-inspired Regency, JOSETTE, along with an Amazon gift card.
Now, if that's not enough, The Balanced Writer will be hopping with the Mid Winter's Eve Blog Hop on Wednesday next, so stop back here and enter to win some more goodies.
Now, about my vacuum...
It may sound crazy, but I'm in love with my Dyson vacuum cleaner. Actually, I've two. Not because one quit working, but because I needed something a bit smaller when my back went out a few years ago. I keep my larger DC33 model Dyson in the basement, where it works better on the thick carpet. The kids usually have that chore since that floor is their domain. Both Dysons have superior sucking power and really keep my carpets clean. I should know, I'm anal about carpet care because we've moved so much. Remember my carpet spot cleaning post last year? I may be the Closet Clutter Queen, but my floors are in good shape, even with five men in the house.
The smaller unit, my DC24 model, does the rest of the house--the stairs, the laminate flooring and the hardwood. It also has a nice long hose that yanks easily out and reaches creepy crawly bugs on the ceiling. This year, I had an enormous Palmetto bug on my bedroom ceiling. 'Palmetto Bug' is a fancy Southern name for a giant cockroach. I mean, Amazon-size. After failing to hinder its existence with wasp spray, my kids finally had the bright idea as it ran around the room and I jumped up and down and screamed, to take the Dyson to it. It sucked it up like a tater chip. No problem.
The DC24 model is the pivoting ball vacuum that turns easily around corners and such. I had a hard time the first few times I used it because it's an awkward motion to get used to, but I love it now. It does have a smaller head so it may seem to take longer to clean a large room, but it's worth it. It's easy on my back, too, which can't take a lot of pulling or twisting. I recommend this model to anyone who has back issues or just wants something light.
The best thing about the Dysons? I got them for a killer deal, both online and refurbished from the company. I still get sticker shock when I see them marked up at $500 or more when I'm out and about. Despite not being 'off the shelf,' I've never had the slightest problem with either model. My original Dyson is around ten years old and almost like new. You can't find vacs made like that anymore!
Balancing life during the holidays can really be a challenge. I am so impressed with Anna del C. Dye and her management skills. Whew! Anna is an author of fantasy and children's literature. We met on a loop for authors and friends of our faith. She is so clever when it comes to preparing for Christmas. Here's what Anna shared with me this week. I hope it helps you get through, too!
I am very busy person, any time of the year, so I have learned many things that have helped me keep somewhat on top of things—if that is possible. Let’s take Christmas. I found out early in my married life that I couldn’t afford all the gifts I wanted to give during the year and even less so in December. So I started what has become my best idea ever for my personal tradition. I start Christmas the second of January. You heard me right.
Do you know about all the liquidation sales that happen in January and February? I go and grab things a whole size bigger than what my kids or grandkids wear and put them away in a box all year long. Christmas stuff is half price after Christmas, so I get what I want of it, too, and....yes, I save it for next Christmas.
Does it work? Yes! It does work. I have boxes with names for each member of my family and some close friends that grow right before my eyes all year long. Take yesterday for example. I finished my last present and organized the last booty. They are all ready for the grand day. Now I can relax and have the time I need at this hectic time of year. This year it feels extra good because I am busy with costumes for a movie that isn’t finished, in addition to my writing.
I also spent a week in November tending four of my grandsons so their brother could make it into this happy life. Then, as if I wasn’t busy enough, the doctor decided he wanted to do disk surgery which should have me off my feet for a while. All this could have combined for a very frustrating time of year, but I am ready for the holidays, fresh as a homemade caramel and just as sweet.
I am ready for whatever comes next and will still have a most cherished Christmas with those who are the most important in my life. And, to add to my hubby’s contentment, you will find me in January back to saving for next Christmas. This, of course, will be mixed with book contests, chapter meetings, and more new babies. Come next Christmas I will be ready again. And I hope you are, too.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Anna del C. Dye
Anna del C. Dye is an award winning author and the writer of four fantasy Elf books and also the children’s e-book tale, Emerine’s Nightmare. You can find her books at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and http://www.annadelc.com where you can join her in her Reading Room, presenting free readings of Christmas Classics for children all ages.
