My husband and I have a dream of living abroad.  We’d love to take the kids and move from one country to another, settling for a time being in each, getting jobs, learning the culture, the ways of that world, knowing the people, and eating the food.  Whether we ever will, remains a mystery to us.  In the meantime, we’re happy to read about other families braver than we are.  Families such as the one belonging to Rebecca Ramsey, author of French by Heart.  I marvel at her courage to uproot her three small children from their South Carolina home and follow her husband to France for four years.

Rebecca is as charming and as hilarious in real life as she is in her book.  I’ve read French by Heart twice, I love it so, and I also bought an extra copy because I wanted to give it to someone to enjoy it just as much as I did.  Please visit her blog: #mce_temp_url# to read more about her, and also go on and purchase a copy of French by Heart.  #mce_temp_url# has some amazing deals (don’t they always?)!

The contest for this book is through next Sunday at noon (my time).  Everyone who leaves a comment on any of the posts is automatically entered.  Have fun!

Congratulations to Corinne of #mce_temp_url# for winning last week’s Writing Home giveaway!  Stop on by her place and say hello.  She is a wonderful writer.

SJ (It's Raining in Baltimore Baby)

SJ gets to pick which of the three books she wants.

Francesca (Fuori Borgo)

Has the pick of the remaining two books.

Evangeline (A Million Universes)

Gets the remaining book.

I’ve been debating what is a fairer way to do this, and considered letting them fight over the books.  However, that doesn’t promote world peace, so I just decided that this way is really the best way.

Winners, please click on the About Me link in the upper part of my sidebar to get my email address and leave me yours.  I will contact you individually with the choices.  Congratulations, and enjoy!

According to random.org, the winner of last week’s giveaway is Jessica of Booking It.  Check her out in the Blogroll.  Jessica is the type of blogger that I wish to be, but forget.  And what is that, you ask?  Why, she responds to every individual comment left on her posts.  Well, I do have the excuse of not commenting while there’s a giveaway as that makes it all the more difficult in counting the eligible entries.  Still… Also she is full of practical advice for writers which she doles out with a great sense of humor.  Congratulations Jessica!

This week’s giveaway is starting right now.  Any comment on any post past, present, and future, enters your name in the drawing.  This week’s giveaway is a $25.00 giftcard to P.F. Changs, Red Lobster, or The Olive Garden.  Good luck to you all!  Now don’t forget to comment!

Thank you all for celebrating my blog’s birthday with me!  I adore celebrations!  I am so pleased to announce the winners of the giveaway, and hope that you all take a few minutes and visit their blogs as soon as possible, as they are absolutely lovely and captivating and I just know that you will love them as much as I do.

The first one belongs to Miss Cavendish, who dishes about literature and fashion, and fashion in literature.  She is extremely cool and stylish, and I would have loved to have her as a literature professor when I was in college.  I would have gone shopping with her, that’s for sure!  You can find that under the Blogroll since WP is acting weird and I can’t link directly from here.  Go right now and look!

The second winner is lovely Audrey from L’air Du Temps.  Her posts are about life in New York City.  There is nothing hurried to them though.  They are so beautifully written and graceful.  You’ll feel as though you are inside a bejeweled kaleidoscope.  She is also in the Blogroll.  Head on over right now!

Congratulations to the both of you!  You can get to my email address by clicking on the  About Me link in the left hand upper corner of the blogsite.

I have so much fun doing these giveaways, that with the holidays coming up I have decided to have THREE more.  Make sure you check in to see when they are announced and leave comments for a chance to win!

Aren’t birthdays exciting?  That wonderful day which comes but once a year is truly the one time each of us gets spoiled.  And if we don’t, we should.  I always get a rush of unexpected happiness when my birthday comes around.  My lovely hubby and darling babies know just what to do to make it extra nice.  And then of course, my wonderful friends remember me with fondest wishes.  I float on this love and attention from the moment I open my eyes until I go to sleep.

One of the most amazing things about starting this blog, was meeting so very many like-minded people.  Each and every one of you has become a dear friend, and I am happy that you’ve selected me to become a friend of yours as well.  I have often cried, laughed, and smiled at memories resurrected through the sharing of your stories, and I hope you all continue to share your fascinating lives, adventures and advice with me and other readers for years to come.  And for all of you who read my blog and don’t comment, thank you too, for silently offering your support and friendship.  It is greatly appreciated.

I wish I could celebrate this first birthday of my blog with a huge feast, and all of you in attendance.  We’d make merry far into the night, ensconced in lovely gilded chairs, dining by candlelight.  Wouldn’t that be fun?  But since passing together such an evening is physically impossible, I’m settling with not one, but two  giveaways, to show my appreciation to you, my fabulous friends.  Thanks for the memories!

Unfortunately, the only way this works is if you leave a comment.  So stop on by and don’t be shy.  I’d love to get to know all of you.  Comment on any post until Monday the 9th of November to be entered into the drawing.

$25 from me to one of you!

All right, I know that there are many of you who read my blogs but don’t comment for one reason or another.  In an attempt to draw you out, I’m having my first giveaway ever: one $25 Target gift card!  And yes, you need to make a comment on any of my posts for the next two weeks, to be entered into my little lottery.  Also, I apologize to my readers outside of the U.S. as this gift card could only be used within the United States.  The next giveaway will include everyone from everywhere.  That’s a promise.  Enjoy your weekend!