Glacier Park Giveaway Winners!

Granite Park Chalet-August 2012

(this picture was taken by Randy on a hike last week of the outside of the Chalet that is featured on the first mug)

Winner of Mug #1 (Granite Park Chalet/"the living's fine")

is

#5 Traci K!



Grinnell Glacier-August 2012

(this picture was taken by Randy on a hike last week-the glaclier is named after George Bird Grinnell who's quote is featured on the second mug)

The Winner of Mug #2 (Glacier Park/"the crown of the continent")

is

#9 Ruth S!

These numbers were generated by Random.org.

Thanks so much everyone for participating!  I would really like to give all of you a trip to the park.  I love to see people from all over the world enjoying it. 

Traci K. and Ruth S. please send me your addresses at hugsfromus@yahoo.com and I will send your mugs to you in the mail. 

Have a great week!
Alison

Soap Winner and My Thoughts on "Love"

And the lucky winners of the soap tonight are...

#5 Heather!

&

#44 Linda!

These random numbers were generated using Random.org

Heather, I already have your address so I will be sending your soap soon. Linda, I will be seeing you this weekend so I will give you your soap then!

Thanks everyone for your comments! I love the comments!

So here are my thoughts on "LOVE"...

Sometimes "love" seems like such a strong word to use when I'm describing things I really like. I often wonder if it is appropriate to "love" material things such as redone chairs, goat milk soap and blog post comments. Know what I mean?

But then I start to try and come up with another word that fits. Just "like" doesn't really cut it. I keep thinking what a monochramatic and dull world it would be if I only just "liked" everything. Things I like, adore, cherish, almost love, favor, care for... nothing, and I mean nothing, sounds right! So, I will continue to use "love" until I can find the perfect word to describe the huge range of things that fit somewhere between like and love in my colorful, exciting life! It is what we make it right?! ;)

With these thoughts in mind I loved all your comments. Some of my favorite...

...I love how excited my kids are every night their daddy comes home from work! -Anna (ahhh, me to!)

...I love that my kids are feeling better after a loong week of fevers and sleepless nights. -Heather (So true!)

...I love when I actually have energy to get my list of "to-do's" done on a quiet day. -Jesse (now that's a GOOD day!)

...I LOVE seeing how a memory of admired generosity and wholesome happiness trickles into the following generations. :)-Sarah (hugs!)

...Oh there is so much I love, my heart swells with love. -Cindy (beautiful!)

...I love my family so so much -MaryAnn (love!)

...Sitting down with my phone, a cup of coffee, and a good blog list makes my day!-JoEllen (smile)

...I love: happy kids...-Tammia (nothing so sweet!)

... Fun to watch my nieces/nephews grow up and learn new things!!-Emily (you are so lucky!)

...1 thing I love is my new country and really hope to be your tour guide one day :) xxoo-Lori (I wanna go to Ireland! Until then keep posting pictures! Hugs!)

...I love you-Kyla (thank you my sweet daughter! I love you to!)

Many, many of you mentioned autumn and the colors, smells, feelings of the season. (oh happy day!)

I loved all your comments! (have I mentioned that before?)

Thanks for sharing your "love",
Alison

some things I love **GIVEAWAY**!

I really love this little bench and basket set-up (above) that I have upstairs in the living room. All of the kids toys are downstairs in the playroom but I needed a little place to store a few things upstairs for Lita so that I wouldn't have to run up and down for things to keep her happy.

This birthday gift from my husband is also something I really like! It is... a cookbook that holds millions of recipes, a bible, a calender, an alarm clock, an organizer and note-taker, a dictionary, a thesaurus, a research device, an instant messenger and voice communicator, a photo album that stores millions of photos, a camera, and an instant blog checker. Am I forgetting anything? And it's all contained within this pretty notebook cover. The Apple iPad is really something.
I picked up these sweet bibs at target for just a few bucks. They are Velcro, easy to clean and so colorful. I'm all about 'colorful' as we move into our drab, dreary time of year...

As much as I like color I like contrast too. This chair is my very first re-upholstering job ever. Pretty impressive huh? heehee! We bought this directors chair in an online auction for Randy's grandparents belongings when they were trying to disperse them to extended family. I think we paid around 5$ for it and it had a faded, well-used orange canvas seat and back on it. I ended up picking out this black and white mazey-looking decorator fabric to redo it and I love the finished look!
Last but not least, I love this new soap we have been enjoying. My cousin, Heather, makes it from her goat's milk and it is very moisturizing. After I wash my hands with it I don't have that dried-out feeling but instead my hands remain soft. No lotion needed! And it smells absolutely wonderful!

I really want to share some with you. I have 2 Goat Milk Soap bars to give away to 2 lucky people. An Almond & Oatmeal one and a Huckleberry one.

Please leave me a comment in my comment section at the bottom of this post telling me one thing that you love (share the love). This is for anyone and everyone to enter!

If you visit Heather's soap site The Goat Lady Soap, where you can read about the ingredients and the benefits of using the soap, feel free to enter another comment.

Also, if you are a regular visitor to my blog feel free to enter another comment.

And lastly, if you mention this give away on your blog or other site, you may enter another comment too. Thanks!

Some people have mentioned that they can't leave comments on my blog for some strange reason. If this is the case for you please feel free to email me at hugsfromus(at)yahoo(dot)com and I will enter your comments into the drawing.

If you live in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada or anywhere, please feel free to enter!

I will use random.org to draw the winners on Tuesday evening, October 11. I will announce the winners and give them my email address. They can send me their addresses and I will send out their soap!

Sharing the love,
Alison

It's A...

...GAME!!!

Somewhere hidden on this blog is the answer to the question...Is it a Boy or a Girl?

If you are the first to find the answer and leave a comment you will win a $15 gift certificate to the business of your choice.

So, just leave a comment of the year, month, and day of the post that you found the answer to the question. When you come to the right place it will be VERY obvious what the answer is! If you happen to already know the answer, go ahead and play along. The right answer is not WHAT the baby is, but WHERE the answer is found on the blog.

If you win you may choose a $15 gift certificate from one of the following businesses...

Coldstone Creamery
Starbucks
Lowes
HuHot
Target
Borders
Ross
TJMaxx
Bed, Bath and Beyond
Pier 1 Imports
Famous Dave's
Home Depot
Famous Footwear
Bajio Mexican Grill
Five Guys Burgers and Fries

One Hint: Our blog Archives on the side of the blog may make your search easier. But don't search back before MARCH 2009 because it is mostly slideshows and will slow you down.

Have Fun and Enjoy this Beautiful Day!

Winners and Comment Responses!

Giveaway #1

Winner for the Giveaway #1 is number 27!

That would be Kate!

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Giveaway #2

Winner for Giveaway #2 is number 75!

That would be Lois!

Thanks everyone for participating! It was so much fun and I truly wish I had something to give everyone! :)

I loved all your comments SO much and wanted to respond to each one! Sorry for any mis-spellings and for all the exclamation points! Like I said, it was just WAY to much fun!

Kate and Lois, my email address is randy-alison-h@juno.com. Please email me your addresses and I'll get your mugs/border's cards sent in the mail to you!

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First comment- is it Betty F.? This was fun! Thanks!

Darcie- The Mighty Mississippi! Very cool! I want to see that someday!

Carin- I like where you live too. It's a special place to me. My grandparents met there many many years ago!

Kate- Ahhh, coyotes and meadowlarks, owls and mountains. So serene! AND MOUNTAIN LIONS jumping on your screen? YIKES!!!

Wrena- I love The Northwest corner of Wyoming. What a beautiful place. I would love to see your area over east. The Energy Capital of the Nation- how intriguing!

Carolyn- We can't wait to see you at preps too! Not to far away!

Jenny- so fun to get your comments. I think Minnesota must be the next best place to Montana!

The J's- your a Nebraska "soon to be" country girl! So excited for you!

Elaine- enjoy all that spring in Oregon! Beautiful!

Neisha- so fun to get a comment from you! I have been by your blog before too. Thanks for stopping by!

Marice- thanks!

Ben, Heather and kids- you get to enjoy 2 places to live! How fun. Maybe one day you will call Montana home-hope so!

The Parson's Family- more Wisconsinites! Thanks for stopping by and can't wait to see you for REAL this summer!

Dim and Jana-love your blog and hope to get to Oregon again some day!

Monique- it's always fun to meet a new friend! Eastern Montana is going to be even more special very soon!!!

ourtinydot- I will never forget the evening I got your first comment on my blog! Thanks for all the visits!

Growing Up a Country Girl- love your blog. Thanks for stopping by from Minnesota!

MaryAnn- your just down the street but I don't see enough of you. Thanks for the comment!

Herod Happenings- Thanks for stopping by. Tennessee-how neat! I look forward to stopping by your blog to get acquainted!

Cyndie, Ahh spring!!!

Lynn ann- great to hear from you! Just a few weeks away!

Lani- sorry about he leaking roof! Hope it's fixed for good! Maybe you need a red umbrella?!

Bry-cyn- Sounds like a beautiful place in Washington! I haven't been there in WAY TO LONG!

Mj- sometimes I long for a huge city, zoo, gardens. Sounds wonderful!

Andrea- Texas. A state of it's own! Would love to spend a lot of time there someday!

Benjamin Ranch- the windmills are in the Homestead Village in Ft. Benton. I took the picture during grandpa's 90th birthday! Fun times!

Jackie- that's Montana for you! the stop lights can be few and far between and the wildernesses are endless! Love your blog too!

HrdWrknWmn- I would love to see the windmills and sunflowers together. Maybe someday. Until then, I will dream about it!

gkey- thanks for more delightful comments! You keep me smiling! Enjoy the "middle"!

Darrell- Fun to hear from you!

Ruth- I wish for your windmill view! Enjoy!

Heather T- glad your finally enjoying spring in the midwest! Thanks for stopping by!

Jeannie- we sure enjoyed our weekend too! Glad were you call home isn't that far away!

All American Family- I enjoy the chats too! Hoping for a REAL one someday!!!

Parsley- thanks for stopping by!

amy and marilyn- I wondered if you were still out there. ;) Our second favorite place-the eastern Montana prairie!

Heather-sometime I'm gonna stop by and see your farm! How fun!

Jenn- another Washingtonian! You got to meet Ree!!! how fun! Thanks for stopping by!

He&Me+3- I've visited your blog before too! Sorry about the dangerous city part! Hope you don't see any of the danger were you are. Hugs!

Deborah Ann- I've been to Wisconsin and enjoyed the rolling hills. I always was wondering what was just over the next hill. Thanks for stopping by!

Janette- we love our neighborhood! It's fun to have you near!

Melinda- Love you! I need to talk to my sister again someday!

Joe, Heather & kids- thanks for stopping by. Enjoy Wisconsin for me!

Elissa&Logan-You live in a great place were I spent the first years of my life under this Big Sky!

Glacier Lily- it will soon be hiking season! YAY!

Lois- I think I know what state your talking about! Never been there but hope to go someday! Lovely!

Joyce- ahhhh the Pacific! I often wish I lived nearer an ocean! thanks for the comment!


Thanks again!

Last Chance!

If you haven't entered to win my Montana Front Porch Giveaway yet, you may still do so by clicking here. I will post the winners tonight at 8:00 pm Mountain Time! Anyone may enter (except you Kyla and Randy, sorry... ) Good Luck!

51 of 52: Montana Front Porch Giveaway!!!

What do these two pictures have to do with this giveaway?

A while back I decided to try Zazzle! I ordered these...

I thought they turned out great so I decided to use them for my 3 year blogiversary giveaway.

Giveaway #1
Ft Benton Windmill Mug with $10 Borders Gift Card

Giveaway #2
Backyard Sunflower Mug with $10 Borders Gift Card

Now you can pick out a great book or magazine at Borders, make your favorite drink and sit out on your front porch and enjoy this beautiful spring weather...

Oh wait, everything was covered in snow yesterday here in Montana... good thing these are mugs!

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So, here's what to do:

1. Please leave a comment on this post telling me something about where you live (no specific information) for a chance to win one of the above prizes.

2. If you are a "follower" of this blog or come here regularly, please leave another comment if you wish.

3. If you mention this giveaway on your blog/other site, please leave another comment if you would like.

Any and all are welcome to comment.

I will choose the 2 winners through Random.org on Tuesday evening, April 20th and will announce the winners then.

If you are a winner, I will post my email address so you can send me your address. I will then send you your prize.

Good luck!

Hosted by Forever In Blue Jeans

*52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with your family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

3rd Blogiversary and Upcoming Giveaway!!!

Yes! my first blog post happened 3 years ago on April 11, 2007. It's been a fun few years!

To celebrate it all... I'm having a "Montana Front Porch Giveaway"!!! I'll be posting the details on Thursday! There will be 2 giveaways and up to 3 chances to win!

See you then!