And the Winner is...

The giveaway is over and the entries are now closed. I decided to do the drawing the old fashioned way, so I got out this bowl and started cutting and folding.

When I was through, I asked hubby to do the honours.

He carefully mixed up the names to ensure that everyone had a fair chance and then he drew a name...

Tammy from Lattes and Lollipops. Congratulations, Tammy. I will need your mailing address.

Thanks so much to all who entered the giveaway. It was a lot of fun and I appreciate your support.

Blogiversary Giveaway

***This is a sticky post and will remain at the top until after the drawing on Saturday September 19th at 8pm EST. To see my latest posts, please scroll down.***



Chicken Soup for the Soul What I Learned from the Dog will be released on September 22. Imgaine my surprise when my contributor copies arrived by courier today. I knew I would get them but didn't think they'd arrive until after the release date.

Considering it is very close to my two year blogiversary and that this is my 720th post, I am giving away one of these books to one lucky person. My story is on page 182 and I will sign that page for the winner.

This is my first story to ever be published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, though I have had stories in many other anthologies, including Chocolate for Women and Guideposts.

It's always nice to see your words in print. The feeling is very similar to seeing your baby delivered safely into the world.

All you have to do is comment in order to be entered into the drawing. If you post about my giveaway, I will enter your name a second time. Just be sure to let me know. All are welcome to enter. If you don't have a blog, be sure to leave an email addy where I can reach you. The drawing will take place on Saturday September 19th at 8pm EST, so be sure to spread the word. Good luck to all who enter.

The Seasons are Changing

Early this morning the temperature was 6 C, which is approximately 42 F. Yes, autumn has arrived. Trees are changing colour and some are even losing leaves. Mom told me last night she is surprised we haven't had a frost yet. So it's time to get the yard ready for the autumn season. Last Sunday when hubby and I went to the War of 1812 reenactment, we stopped at a farm produce stall on the way home. We bought tomatoes (ours are done for the year) and sweet corn. They had mum plants on sale for $2.00 each. I chose a yellow one and hubby chose the lavender one. They look nice on the porch railing and bring colour into the yard.

I also brought my houseplants in from outside. The ivy in the basket is the one that Brandon planted in the spring and the spider plant on the left is one that he gave me for my birthday last year. There isn't much light in our living room and I often have trouble keeping plants alive. However, the entertainment unit has a light in the mirrored shelf, so I sent hubby to buy bulbs for it and we've put the plants there. They will get articifical light all day. I'm hoping that they will live until spring when I can once again get them outdoors.

So, we have been changing things around a little. I'm looking forward to all the sights, sounds and fragrances of the season. Today we watched the squirrels fighting in the large maple at the end of the driveway; the blue jays have been screaming their raucous calls all day long and the Canada geese are flying overhead, honking and reminding us that summer is past.

If you haven't already, please be sure to enter my giveaway. It will be closed Saturday night at 8 pm EST.

Dakota

A couple of months ago, I measured Dakota for length and height. For while we didn't think he was growing at all, but in the last couple of weeks I could actually see a difference. When I measured him today, with hubby's help, he had grown 4 inches longer and 3 inches taller. He isn't a short stubby dog any longer. At one point I thought he might always be that way.


Here he is sitting beside hubby in the yard. I tried to get one of myself with him, but he wasn't cooperating.

Dakota and hubby playing. He loves to go outside and jump around the yard. He also does this with me, but not tonight.

Rough housing. Dakota is feisty and likes to play rough. He is more gentle with me and the boys.

Yes, he likes to dance too. As you can see he has changed a lot since we brought him home at the first of February. He has changed from a biting, scratching puppy to a calmer dog. He still has a lot to learn, but we can leave him alone for hours and he never has an accident in the house. He was one of the easiest dogs to housetrain that I've ever had. The one thing he's still doing the odd time is chewing. However, he is a good companion and very protective, which is just what I was looking for when we adopted him.