Whambang-est Giveaway - Day #4

Being self-sufficient means that you have to develop a lot of skills.  Sewing, knitting, crocheting are all skills that are not that difficult to learn (she says, cavalierly) and will save you a lot of time and money.  Or, at least, a lot of money!   I was only a so-so student in Home Economic class (what is it called these days?  Domestic Engineering?)  To my teenaged mind, basting everything first and THEN sewing it was redundant.  And a waste of time.  So, of course, I refused and did it my own way.  I may have only garnered Cs, but all of my projects turned out just fine.  Pfffffft.

Up for grabs today:  SEW U, The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe. 

Topic for today's comment:  What was your biggest sewing/knitting/crocheting disaster/challenge? Mine was deciding to make a lined, wool fitted jacket with about 20 buttons when I was a junior in highschool. Without a buttonholer, mind you. I basically sewed the entire thing by hand, including the buttonholes.  Those were the days when I could actually focus!

(Comment by midnight tonight to be eligible for the drawing.  Sorry, shipment of the book is limited to the US.)

Congratulations to the winner of Dream Day #3 - Tombstone Livestock!  Please send your mailing info to swomersley at gmail dot com.

It's Official.

I have yammered on 500 times.  Of course, that is no surprise to those who know me.  But this blog has just been a joy for me - sharing the chaos of my life with those nice readers who have managed to stick with me through all the eye-rolling events.  I swear it's like a warm, virtual hug.

So, to thank you all for being there when I needed you, for listening to my rants and musings, for propping me up when I sagged, I am having a Whambang Giveaway!

I had picked out six great reads for homesteaders* (and homesteaders-at-heart), when Jordan donated a seventh great book!  It is now the Whambang-est Giveaway!!!  The books will be given away over seven days to seven lucky winners.  Here's how it works:

Each day leave a comment about the topic du jour.  You do not have to 'like' me on Facebook, since I never go there.  You do not have to stick me with a Pinterest (ouch).  Just leave a comment on the topic.  Or within spitting distance of the topic.  Starting today and for the next six days, I will choose a winner from each day's comments for the book of the day and announce the winner the next day.  (Cut-off time for each day's entry is midnight.)  Clear as mud?  You have SEVEN chances to win!  Here's the line-up:

Today:

Simply in Season (World Community Cookbook) - a wonderful collection of recipes by the season, using seasonal food.  I sat down with it to mark my favorites with Post-it notes and, when I was done, the top of the book looked like a neon porcupine!

Day #2

The Gentle Art of Domesticity - Although there is nothing gentle about MY domesticity, this is a lovely little book with lots of beautiful colors and ideas.

Day #3

The Backyard Homesteader - How I LOVE this book!  Backyard or back-forty, this book has so much great information in it, you may not need another book ever!

Day #4

Sew U - The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe - It has patterns and everything!  It's great for both novice and experienced sewers. 

Day #5

The Encyclopedia of Country Living - aka The Homesteader's Bible.  There is nothing more I can add - this book can see you through the apocalypse.  Zombies?  No problem.  'Possum for dinner?  Covered.  (If not, it should be - you never know...)

Day #6

Thanks to Jordan, we now have a very well-rounded selection of must-have books!  I have used How to Build Animal Housing as a reference countless times.  There are tons of ideas and clear instructions in this book.

Day #7

The book I couldn't put down.  Joel Salatin's Foks, this ain't normal.  I can't say more than I've already said.  And even that's not enough.

Today's Topic:  What was your most 'local' meal?  (Mine was a salad from my garden, roast lemon chicken (both home-raised), with my potatoes, my green beans, and topped off with baked apples from my neighbor, with maple syrup from another neighbor and homemade butter from my Jasmine...)  Leave your comment below to be entered in the drawing for Day #1's book!

So, there you are.  And thank you, again, for letting me go on and on and on.  I send you all a virtual hug!  And, if you're ever in the neighborhood, stop by for a real one. xoxo

*Disclaimer:  I am NOT MaryJane, Martha or Ree, so these are most likely gently used books - there are no sponsors coming out of the cupboards...I am just helping spread the word.

Enough, already! How about a Give-Away?

Time to move along.  In my quest to reach an acceptable level of Feng Shui in my house, I am going through my books - especially my LARGE and diverse reference and research library.  I am a self-proclaimed book junkie impulse book buyer.  Baaaaaad combination.  Bad for me = Good for you!

This is a great book for sewers of all levels.  It has wonderful gift ideas and is a lovely, hardbound book with lots of photographs and a wide variety of projects.  It is also very similar to at least two others I have.  Sigh.

To be tossed in the fray for this book, just leave a comment of any kind below.  It doesn't have to deal with sewing - it can deal with sunrises, sunsets, guinea hens, or horseback riding.  Anything you feel like.  The deadline is Thursday, and I will be drawing and announcing the winner on Friday.