Showing posts with label contests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contests. Show all posts

Friday, October 7, 2011

1000 Facebook Fan PAR-TAY

Okay, as of the time I'm writing this, I haven't actually hit 1000 people liking my page on Facebook, but I'm really, really close! As of this very moment, there are 955 people who like the page. When it hits 1000, which I fully anticipate any day now, something wondrous and magical will happen: A PAR-TAY! That's right! Some of you will remember my 200th Post Par-tay a couple months ago, and this one will run pretty much the same way, but with even more prizes and more ways to enter to win!

To enter, post a comment on ANY of my nearly 250 blog posts. Each post is worth an entry into the contest. A second way you can enter is join paperbackswap.com (make sure you follow one of my links to do it, so you get credit for doing it!) and list 10 books available to trade (sorry, this way to enter is only for US residents). New followers on Twitter from now until the end of the contest will also be entered to win. A fourth way to enter is to submit a article, picture, or cartoon to ViewsHound.com (new authors to the site only, please) and put my name (Chris K) in the field that asks where you heard about the site). (The deadline for the ViewsHound entries has passed.  If you already submitted something to them, please make sure I know about it for this contest.) Finally, you can vote for me in either the Babble.com Food Blogger contest (a one time thing) or the Fabulous Food Garden contest on yourgardenshow.com (you can vote daily on this contest and each vote counts as an entry as long as this contest as going on as long as you let me know that you did so) and let me know you did so. So you have about a billion ways to enter, give or take.

Once the Facebook page reaches 1000 "likes" the contest will begin.  I will select one winner randomly at random times until the prizes run out.  Since there are a few ways to enter that might require a day or two to complete, I anticipate the giveaway to be going on for a few days.  I will tweet winner's name (which will then automatically show up on the Facebook page, since that's the way I have it set up).  The winner will then need to email me with their prize pick and mailing info.  One prize per person please.  Prizes are awarded in order of emails received, not name drawn so you'll want to email me as soon as possible to make sure someone else doesn't snatch up the prize you want!

Here are the prizes currently available.  More may be added at any time before the end of the contest if someone offers them up and I will update this page to reflect the prizes that have already been claimed:

2 dream catchers (to be awarded to two different people), provided by Allure of Hearth and Home:  The smaller dream catcher (the one with a large red stone on the webbing) is a six inch circle.  The larger dream catcher is 9 inches wide by 7 inches tall, and because of the size and tension, it's slightly warped - intentionally so - in a very pleasing manner. When set flat on a table, the side of the catcher curl up like a flower petal.  (When requesting, please specify which dream catcher you'd prefer.  Shipping only within the US please)

Patchwork placemat (given by reader Rachel W.):  I don't have details on this, but Rachel made it (will make?) it herself and it will be coming from Australia, so it must be cool!  (Congratulations, magreen!)

3 2 1 tie dyed flour sack towel (to be awarded to three two different people) by wilDandwackYuniversE's etsy store: They are super big and are really a pretty addition to the kitchen.  She says, "Whoever wins these can specify colors that they like. I can't promise anything but if I have something in stock with their color choices, I'm glad to send it rather than a random towel. The colors I use for my tie dye are: red, pink, yellow, blue, green, orange, black, brown, and purple. " (Shipping only in the US only, please) (Congrats to Amy S and Kristen W, for winning one each of these)

 4  3 2   1 Trailer Park Homestead seed assortment:  These don't come with a ton of seeds of each variety, but the ones that are included are heirloom (unless otherwise noted.  I might send some leftover other seeds too.  I'll have to see what I have floating around) so you can start off with a few plants the first year (just like I do on my 'stead) and save as many of the seeds as you'd like for a second planting the next time.  Each assortment includes a minimum of some Aunt Molly's ground cherries, moon and stars watermelon, and rostov sunflowers. (Shipping only within US please) (Congratulations to Carrie S, Theresa, and pattyloof for winning three sets of these)

Books (please note: these are all used, in varying states from "like new" to borderline "good"):

12 Best Foods Cookbook: over 200 delicious recipes featuring the 12 healthiest foods by Dana Jacobi:  From an award-winning food writer and chef-the breakthrough cookbook that identifies 12 micronutrient-rich foods that can help protect you against major disease and shows you how to turn them into mouthwatering dishes.


A diet rich in nutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and vitamins, is not enough for our health. For optimum protection against heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, we also need an abundance of micronutrients. How to make sure we get enough of these vital micronutrients-and how to prepare them easily and deliciously-is what Dana Jacobi shows us in 12 Best Foods Cookbook.


After identifying the 12 foods containing the most potent micronutrients-broccoli, black beans, tomatoes, salmon, soy, sweet potatoes, oats, onions, blueberries, walnuts, spinach, and chocolate-Jacobi provides over 200 fabulous, remarkably varied recipes starring these ingredients. From appetizers and sandwiches to sides and smoothies, from Salmon and Creamed Corn Chowder to a stir-fry of Asparagus, Red Pepper and Curried Tofu, the recipes in this book prove that a diet rich in all the micronutrients science has shown to be indispensable to our well-being can be a parade of delectable dishes. And, since chocolate is the most powerful antioxidant food, The Ultimate Bittersweet Brownies is one of the sweet treats that will satisfy the yearnings of health-conscious eaters and passionate chocoholics alike. (Congrats, Cheryl!)

The Cereal Lover's Cookbook: Fun, easy recipes for every occasion, made with your favorite ready-to-eat cereals by Lauren Chattman:  In The Cereal Lover's Cookbook, the great American staple comes out of the kitchen cabinet and goes into delicious recipes for everything from baked goods and snacks to salads, soups, and main dishes. There are more than fifty homestyle dishes to choose from, such as mustard-dill salmon fillets with a crispy corn flake crust, jam-filled muffins with a Grape Nuts® streusel topping, blueberry parfaits with layers of Fruit Loops®, and even meatloaf made with Wheaties®. All of your favorite cereals are here—Cap'n Crunch®, Cheerios®, Kix®, Special K, and more—adding crunch and pizzazz to recipes that are easy to make and hard to resist.

Confessions of an Organized Homemaker:  the secrets of uncluttering your home and taking control of your life by Deniece Schofield:  Do you find yourself constantly picking up the toys and clothing that clutter your home?  Has your desk drawer become your filing cabinet?  Do dentist appointments and important evens seem to sneak up on you--if you remember them at all?  If so, then Confessions of an Organized Homemaker is coming to your rescue!


The author, Deneice Schofield, who at one time needed "a camel, a canoe, a priest, and a tourniquet" to get through her home, has personally discovered and tested methods that will help you gain control of the house.  Through trial and error she has determined the best organizational techniques and strategies and can now pass them on to you!


This practical and comprehensive guide includes sections on:
  • ways to conquer the need to collect
  • tips on handling interruptions--the "hidden destroyers"
  • creating a time-saving personal planning notebook that will stop you from looking for things or forgetting events
If you follow these and many other valuable techniques, the confessions of this organized homemaker will keep the mess from being swept under the rug--and sweep you away!  (Congratulations, Patricialynn!)

Feed Your Kids Right: Dr. Smith's program for your child's total health by Lendon Smith, M.D.:  Illness, hyperactivity, and even stress can be prevented if your child eats right.  Lendon Smith, M.D.--"The Choldren's Doctor"--has developed a complete, yet easy-to-follow, nutritional program that insures your child's physical and mental well-being from infancy through adolescence.  At the core of the program is the "Prevention Diet," a general plan for eating that eliminates the "antinutrients"--foods that have been packaged, processed, added to, stabilized, colored, or preserved.  With his five health profiles, Dr. Smith shows how to recognize any fluctuations in your child's condition.  He also urges the use of vitamin supplements--clearly explaining the function of each vitamin and mineral--to counter such troubles as short attention-spans, skin rashes, muscle cramps, chronic colds, and allergies.  Dr. Smith's comprehensive plan addresses the total health of your child.


A Country Doctor's Common Sense Health Manual by J. Frank Hurdle, M.D.:  An easy-to-use guidebook for getting read of aches and pains all over the body, for building resistance to disease, and for "rolling back the years" so that you look and feel years younger! (Congrats, Mali!)
Green Living: the E Magazine handbook for living lightly on the earth by the editors of E/The Environmental Magazine:  Experts suggest that by 2005, 40 percent of American homes will buy organic, yet a large majority have only a limited knowledge of how to actually make informed, green choices. Green Living, from the editors of E/The Environmental Magazine offers a thorough, step-by-step plan for every aspect of your life, from the laundry room to the kitchen:


Maintaining a healthy home
Going organic and avoiding genetically modified food
Finding a planet-friendly car
Making socially responsible investments
Using personal-care products free of damaging chemicals


With advice on everything from planet-friendly cosmetics to home-based renewable energy, and straight talk on hemp, hybrids and hair coloring, Green Living is the ideal reference for both the neophyte and the experienced environmentalist. (Congratulations, Nicole!)

Today's Herbal Health for Children: a comprehensive guide to understanding nutrition and herbal medicine for children by Louise Tenney:  TODAY'S HERBAL HEALTH FOR CHILDREN contains valuable information to help concerned parents learn how to aid the healing process of their children through natural methods. Also discussed is the importance of prevention through building the immune system.(Congrats, Aine!)

You Can Be a Super Quilter!: a teach-yourself manual for beginners by Carla J. Hassel:  Create beautiful pillows, Christmas decorations, hot pads, placemats, bazaar items, and heirloom quality quilts that will be prized by your family and friends!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Please Help

Every day since February 3 of this year, I've made sure that at least one post has gone up on this blog.  Every day, regardless of what I've been going through or needed to get done, I gotten something up in the hopes of educating, inspiring, or perhaps even entertaining someone out there on the other end of the internets.  Now I want something back.  No, I'm not asking for money (although that always does help and there is always a secure Paypal donation button on the sidebar if you are so inclined, but I digress).  There is a contest that I'd really like to win and you can help me do it. 

There are two winners to the contest, a people's choice and an editors' choice.  Both win $500, but I'm extra interested in the editors' choice award.  Not only does that person get the money, but their garden will be featured in Mother Earth News magazine.  My whole life, I've viewed Mother Earth News to be a major inspiration, so it would truly be an honor to have my garden, that I've worked so hard on and fought so hard for, to show up in its pages.  In order to be eligible for that prize, I first have to make it into the top 25 gardens.  As of this writing, I'm 5 votes away from being in the top 25 and just over 150 votes away from being in the top spot!  You can vote every day and voting ends November 1.  You do have to sign up with the website to vote, but they don't ask for personal info except for a zip code (which isn't really that personal) and, except for a few required fields, most of what they ask, including about which gardens you'd like to follow, you can just click "skip this step" to just join to vote.  Please click here to go to my page to vote.

In case you need some reminders (or are new to this blog and don't know), here are some highlights from this year's garden, the first year of the Trailer Park Homestead:
















Obviously, I could show off many, many more pictures of my garden, and I'm currently working on getting as many as possible uploaded to my page at yourgardenshow.com so even people who've never heard of my blog can see that I should win this contest. 

So please, please, please vote for me!  With over 900 Facebook fans (yes, I'm plotting something cool for when I hit 1000), plus a bunch of people following me on Twitter, NetworkedBlogs, and who knows where else, it seems like it should be a piece of homegrown carrot cake for me to take this thing, but if no one votes for me, I won't.  Please don't let me down.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

WIN the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving--the "bible of canning"

Ball Blue Book Guide to PreservingHow'd you like a chance to win a copy of the book I've been raving about, Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving?  How cool would that be?  Why am I giving it away?  Because I can!  Hahaha!  That joke never gets old to me.  Seriously, it is because I was at my mom's house yesterday and she gave me a copy to give away.  She didn't want to do a giveaway on her blog Lawnless Trials Goes Homesteading, so she thought one of my lucky, lucky readers might enjoy it!


There are four ways to enter to win.  Seriously!  Four ways!
  1. Comment on this blog post telling me what you most want to can (make sure I have a way to contact you if you win!)
  2. Comment on my Facebook page telling me what you most want to can (which means, of course, that you have to "like" me on Facebook in order to do that)
  3. Follow me on Twitter
  4. Participate in the Homestead Happenings linky that I put up yesterday.
That's it.  How easy-peasy is that?  The contest runs until Friday 9/9/11 at 11:59 EST, which not coincidentally is when the linky closes.   At midnight, I will randomly select a winner from all entries and will announce the winner in Saturday's blog post.  This contest is open internationally, since there is no seeds or plant matter  to worry about customs with.  Good luck!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A Cooking Contest: the quest for the perfect peach salsa

My biggest splurge grocery shopping is chips and salsa.  I'm working on getting to the point of being able to make my own tortilla chips, starting with corn seed, growing the plants, harvesting the corn, and making cornmeal, but I've come no where near being able to replicate my favorite salsa.  My mom has been trying without success and I haven't even found anything in books or online that looks remotely similar.
That's where you come in.  We're going to have a little contest for who can come up with the recipe that tastes the most like my favorite salsa, Meijer Gold medium peach chipotle salsa.  The ingredients list reads: peaches, tomato puree, filtered water, onions, tomatoes, assorted chiles & peppers, evaporated cane juice, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice from concentrate, salt and spices.

The contest will run until October 3 (the average first frost date for my area, after which I'm sure it will be a lot harder to obtain fresh local peaches and tomatoes).  The winner will be the person that comes up with a recipe (original OR found somewhere) that most closely resembles the flavor of the store-bought salsa.  If none of the salsas entered taste like this product, the best tasting, as determined by me and my family, will be the winner.  If more than one person submits the same fount recipe, the first one to enter it will be considered the winner.  The prize is an assortment of seeds from the Trailer Park Homestead and a cookbook from my personal collection to be determined later (seeds can only be shipped within the US, the book prize is available internationally).  Post your recipes in the comments so I can find them easily and have record in one place of when each recipe was entered.

Friday, August 19, 2011

200TH POST PAR-TAY!

Welcome to the party!  Would you like some chips & salsa?
I think 200 posts is worth celebrating don't you?  To celebrate, I'm having the biggest giveaway I've ever had!  I've got a great list of prizes (more may be added through the day, so watch for announcements of that throughout the day), so I know you want to play!  Here are the prizes currently available:
1. Dill seeds (courtesy of SimplerTimes Homestead):  1"x3" mini baggie. enough for a small batch of dill pickles, planting or simply seasoning a nice dish.  Note these are organic seeds. Origins of the plants are volunteers from last year at an organic community garden plot we cultivate.  Offer good in the US only.  Congrats, Kim P!
2. Dried lavender, 8 grams (courtesy of Lawnless Trials): US only  Congratulations, Tina!
3. Dried boneset, 7 grams (courtesy of Lawnless Trials): US only Congratulations, SustainableHome!
4. Dried yarrow flowers, 6 grams (courtesy of Lawnless Trials):  US only Congrats, Kim D-M
5. Dried calendula flowers, 6 grams (courtesy of Lawnless Trials):  US only Congrats, Tasha!
6. Dried calendula flowers, 5 grams (courtesy of Lawnless Trials):  US only Congratulations, magreen!
7. Assorted seeds: US only.  This is a Trailer Park Homestead assortment that will include some goodies from my garden, including ground cherry seeds, a few tomato, zucchini, some Amish snap peas, and whatever else I find.  Since it is a TPH assortment, there are only a few of each, but they should all be heirloom seeds (I'll mark it if any aren't), so you can use these few seeds to grow more seeds for future years!   Congrats, Allyson!
8. Seed assortment 2 (courtesy of Allure of Hearth and Home):  Us only.  This is not an heirloom collection so you get what you get:  Golden Cross Bantam Hybrid Sweet Corn, Blue Lake Stringless Garden Bean, Sweet Italian Basil, National Pickling Cucumber, Big Max Pumpkin, Crimson Sweet Watermelon, Nantes Coreless Carrot  Congratulations, Amie!
The following books are all used, but in good to like new condition:
Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich (Revised edition)9.  Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich (Revised edition)Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin, first published in 1981 and revised in 1993, is the sacred text for those wanting to liberate themselves from enslavement to a job and the pursuit of status symbols. Elgin's work emerges from a concern for the environmental consequences of our mass consumption lifestyles. His book exhorts us to save the planet and our souls by "living with balance in order to find a life of greater purpose."   Congratulations, grammasmiles!
The NEW Passport To Survival. 12 Steps to Self-Sufficient Living 10. The NEW Passport To Survival. 12 Steps to Self-Sufficient Living: The New Passport To Survival is your Passport To Peace, your ticket to a self-sufficient lifestyle - whether you choose to live in a city, a suburb, or in a rural area. This book will show you how to prepare, without panicking, for all kinds of disasters-loss of a job, natural and man-made disasters, or global calamities.  Congrats, Anne!
 11.  Cooking Without AdditivesToday's hectic lifestyle creates a new set of problems in the kitchen, but most can be solved with the help of a well-stocked freezer, and ideally a microwave-cooker too--ensuring a healthy balanced diet for busy people.  (I don't like to use my microwave, which is why I don't want this book anymore) Congratulations, Amy S!
Herbally Yours (Health Education)
12.  Herbally Yours (Health Education)
Herbally Yours is the first comprehensive herbal handbook.  An easy to use, alphabetized guide to the use of herbs, Herbally Yours, is simple enough for the herbal student, complete enough for the herbal practitioner.   A complete list of herbs and herbal combinations and how to use them.  An alphabetized list of health problems and what herbs aid.  Chapters on diet, cleansing, pregnancy, nursing, and babies.   Herbal first aid, poultices and tinctures, Herbally Yours is a veritable herbal encyclopedia. Congratulations, Lydia Harper!
13.  1 Paperbackswap.com credit good for any one of more than 5 million used books!:  Must have a valid Paperbackswap account.  US only (since Paperbackswap is only available in the US)  Congratulations Patricialynn!
What a great list of prizes, wouldn't you say???  And it is so easy to enter!  Actually, there are two ways to enter:  1.  Comment on this blog post (on the actual blog, not any syndicated feed of it off in the wilds of the WWW), telling me what your favorite Adventures of a Thrifty Mama blog post was your favorite of all time (so far) or 2.  Post a link to your favorite Adventures of a Thrifty Mama blog post (this one doesn't count...you gotta work harder than that!) on your Facebook page, tagging Adventures of a Thrifty Mama, so I know you did it.  All entries will be stuck into a hat (actually, I'll probably use a web-based randomizing tool, but if it was a real life party, I'd probably use a hat, so we'll go with that for the imagery of it) that I will draw from at random times throughout the day (ie, whenever I think of it and am near my computer to make sure my list of entries is up to date).  I will then tweet the winner's name (which will also be automatically be posted on my Facebook page so you can watch for that either way) and that winner gets to pick the prize they would like most from the available prizes.  I'll be crossing out the prizes as they are no longer available, as well as adding any more that get donated by anyone that would like to promote their blog or business that way. The winner will then need to email me with the prize they'd like and the address they would like it sent to.  Prizes will be awarded in order of valid emails (both prize requested and address included) received, not names drawn, so if you are a winner, but dally about before claiming your prize, you may miss out on the prize you want because a quicker fishie may have snagged that worm!  With that in mind, cancel any plans you had for the day and come hang out at the Trailer Park Homestead PAR-TAY!
The party will continue until the beer, er, prizes, I meant to say prizes, run out!  Since everything is random, I don't even know how long it will last!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Silly Pumpkins--the mystery is solved and more!

So it looks like the mystery plants are pumpkins!  Unfortunately, I didn't really need pumpkins since I already have pumpkins growing elsewhere, sometimes several feet in the air!  Also unfortunately, the one person that said pumpkins for the answer to the contest was an anonymous person that didn't leave any sort of contact info, so if you are that person, you'll need to email me your address to mail your prize (don't worry:  I can verify it is the correct person from ISP address).   My theory is that when we tossed the pumpkin goo from carving Jack-o-Lanterns last Halloween, the seeds laid in wait until spring.  When I used some of that compost to plant the tomatoes, the seeds sprouted and grew and grew!

Anyway, back to the silly pumpkins!
The pumpkins in the inside out Three Sisters garden don't look that great, but they are flowering, so maybe I'll get something out of them.
The silliest pumpkin plant of all!  One tiny little pumpkin plant is threatening to take over the entire vertical growing space on the front garden bed!  There are tiny little pumpkins all over this thing, including up on the bar on top!  I should end up with plenty of pumpkins for my kids this Halloween plus some additional ones to sell.  Yes, I know I could freeze them and eat them instead, but I'm really not overly fond of pumpkin, so I'll make some money with them instead, hopefully!
A tiny, baby pumpkin, about 4 1/2 feet in the air
Check out the silly pumpkin about 6-7 feet int he air! 

ucky pumpkin :-(
A final "unfortunately":  the former mystery plant pumpkins have been infested with ucky things, so it is a good thing I have the planned silly pumpkins!  The silly pumpkins so high in the air should be safe from bugs sneaking up out of the ground to eat them up.  Now, I'm off to pull the mystery plants and plant something I can actually use!