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happy international women’s day and 3 book giveaways
, 03 07th, 2010When I was a child, every March 8 dawned fresh and glistening. In our country it was a national holiday, a celebration of being a woman, a mother, a wife, a colleague. Children at school worked on crafts and wrote letters to their mothers. Men brought flowers and chocolates for the females in their lives. Mothers sent children to school with bouquets of spring flowers for the female teachers, and after saying, “I kiss your hand,” the obligatory child to female adult greeting, we would give them the flowers.
In our house, my dad prepared the breakfast on March 8. We usually had a simple one of chunks of homemade bread liberally spread with sweet butter and homemade jams or clover honey, a boiled egg on the side, and mugs filled with hot milk in which a dark chocolate bar would be broken into several pieces and stirred in until all melted. It was a delicious breakfast made even more so by the anticipation of handing our gifts to our mother.
In honor of this day I am having a giveaway for each of the following books:
This is an international giveaway, open to all my female readers from every beautiful city and village on this planet. Leave a comment on any post between today and Thursday at midnight, and you will be entered. The winners will be announced in Friday’s post.
Happy International Women’s Day to all the beautiful, amazing females out there, be they young or old, single, married, divorced, or widowed. We have come a long way, and yet we have so much more to accomplish. And although I know that stopping violence against women and children was the theme for 2009, as long as I am a mother and I have children, that will continue to be my goal. What will be yours?
read comments(61)
March 7th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
I didn’t even know there was an International Woman’s Day. How brilliant. We so deserve it!
Of course, I’d love to be entered.
Your goal is much more worthy than mine…I’m just trying to stay sane from day to day.
March 7th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
What a great holiday! Yes, so much more to accomplish….and we need to do much more to recognize this.
March 7th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I also did not know there was an Internationl Woman’s Day…shame on me! I also wish a celebration of this day to Angie and all the women who visit here and also to all the women in my life. I do not have a daughter, but I have two sons who I am teaching what it is to respect women. I hope that they learn my lessons well. Thanks so much Angie…for the post and the giveaway!
March 7th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Beautiful Angie
You know I seem to have more women in my life these days than men.. must be the blogging!! hehe.. But it is true.. although things have changed over the decades we still hear of atrocities against women and children… I think silence allows these crimes to fester… social stigma is often feared. You do good work opening up the channels of communication.. xx Julie
March 7th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
What a wonderful day to celebrate! I don’t have children, but this is one of my goals, too, Angie.
This is a great giveaway! I loved The Children’s Book, and the other two books look wonderful, too.
Wishing you a beautiful week! xo Gigi
March 7th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
What a lovely tradition! Happy International Women’s Day to you, as well! xx
Oh, and please count me in for the book drawing. I’m feeling verrrry lucky!
March 7th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
And a very Happy I.W.D to you as well, dear. Thank you for your wishes about my recovery. I got up for a while today and moved things from the AeroGrow into the greenhouse and now even the young apple tree is blooming. Reason enough to get well sooner than later. Love from here.
March 7th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
How fabulous that a woman just one best director and best picture at the Oscars! For the very first time!!
March 7th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Happy Women’s Day Angie! In this country we celebrate it (or used to, I’m not too up to date) pretty much like you describe. Mimosas are the flowers for WD, and this year our mimosas are covered in snow and a good month behind. Did you ask about my gardening issues:)? It’s a good theme and goal to continue.
March 7th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Thanks for the giveaway ( :
March 7th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
what a beautiful celebration to remember! and what an amazing way to pay it forward and keep it going…
you are quite a gem.
March 7th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
I have mixed feelings with the INternational Women’s day .. is there a Man’s day?
Great give away you have here!
March 7th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
That might be one of the best days I have ever heard of! I love the way you describe how the day was celebrate din your family. What a wonderful memory. The books look fabulous!
A goal..I have not thought about one in particular, but I would have to agree that ending violence against women and children is a goal to continue to strive and work for. My friend just returned from Kenya and wrote a story on Facebook about the children she was there to work with (one was a newborn foudn in the pit of anouthouse)…anything with a child (especially) tugs at my heart
March 8th, 2010 at 12:55 am
Angie what a fabulous post! As I sit here finishing my project on analysing literacy outcomes for girls in Africa - it’s also very apt. I had planned to hide myself away from the internet today so I could finish of the project and get back into my art and blogging with wild abandon tomorrow. WELL! Lucky you gave me the gently nudge to pop by and visit anyway. Women of the world unite - we are the key to a better world! Hugs to you too! Bisous
March 8th, 2010 at 2:05 am
I’ve never hear of women’s day. Is there an equivalent one for me?
As for home made bread - is there anything nicer in the world. This breakfast you had sounds one of the loveliest things I have ever heard of.
If I am lucky enough to win Angie - I’ve already got The Children’s Book.
xxx
March 8th, 2010 at 2:05 am
of course the word should have been *men* - although me is also true - International Me Day has a certain ring to it.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:46 am
Alot of people don’t realise that the majority of people hungry around the world are women… and yet these women produce 60-80% of the food! The answer to hunger, I really believe lies with women. You can also send a message of solidarity to women across the world for International Women’s Day at http://www.wfp.org/women
March 8th, 2010 at 3:01 am
Cool holiday and what a great tradition for you to grow up with! I’m not sure what my goal will be but ending violence is definitely a worthy, much-needed one.
March 8th, 2010 at 4:25 am
Such wonderful ways to celebrate International Women’s Day – both now and in your past.
And as women and mothers, what better cause is there than trying to prevent such violence & abuse?
A Happy I.W.D. to you as well. We are all amazing, aren’t we? This is something we must believe and encourage other women to believe, too.
March 8th, 2010 at 8:02 am
…just wandered over here from the House of Edward…just in time to celebrate International Women’s Day!…It isn’t celebrated enough here in RI…and happy birthday to Isabelle:)
March 8th, 2010 at 8:03 am
Yes, lets celebrate Women!
We need to stand up for ourselves.
I don’t need the books but I’m sure three people will be thrilled to get them.
Greetings from New York.
March 8th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Happy International Womens Day to you too! I’ve never heard of it, but it sounds like a great holiday to me.
March 8th, 2010 at 8:18 am
Free books? Pick me, pick me.
March 8th, 2010 at 8:40 am
You are an inspiration lady! Mentioned your giveaway in my post today. : )
March 8th, 2010 at 9:13 am
My goal is to be a loving wife, fulfilling my sweetheart’s dreams, and also a loyal and available friend. Loving God. Making the most of my time here.
A big hug to you dear Angie!
March 8th, 2010 at 9:16 am
My goal is to make sure that my little girl doesn’t believe that there is something that she can’t do just because she is a girl.
Happy International Women’s Day!
March 8th, 2010 at 9:31 am
I was surprised when Susan R. Mills remarked that she had never heard of International Women’s Day! It gives me joy to hear of women like that. Many women who are in the tribal communities and rural areas do not celebrate anything like this. Their lives are led quietly with toil, labour, love and frustration. YET they live and die! We are no different from them. Maybe we know how to demand our rights and stop violence.
I would like to dedicate this day to all those unheard and unseen women.
Angie, I like your idea of giveaway books. You are very generous. Bless your soul!
Thanks for the lovely wish on Women’s day. I am glad to have found a resilient woman like you in the mad medium of World Wide Web.
Joy always,
Susan
March 8th, 2010 at 9:35 am
Yay, for fighting the good fight. Happy International Woman’s Day Angie, and to all woman everywhere.
March 8th, 2010 at 10:40 am
hey Angie, i did not know of this holiday tradition. it really is a beautiful one. and when you described the meal your father prepared, it just sounds yuummmy. what a beautiful reason to celebrate along with a lovely way to do it.
Happy International Woman’s day to you! wow what a wonderful feeling to be celebrated and thought of so.
Makes me wonder if I should adopt this tradition. it’s a good one!
March 8th, 2010 at 11:49 am
what a beautiful post!
oh, i wish to reflect back to women how special and wonderful each one is. it sounds simple, but it seems that most women don’t get told enough!
xoxo and happy holiday to you!
March 8th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
[...] Angie Muresan reflects on celebrating IWD in Romania– “When I was a child, every March 8 dawned fresh and glistening. In our country it was a national holiday, a celebration of being a woman, a mother, a wife, a colleague. Children at school worked on crafts and wrote letters to their mothers. Men brought flowers and chocolates for the females in their lives. Mothers sent children to school with bouquets of spring flowers for the female teachers, and after saying, “I kiss your hand,” the obligatory child to female adult greeting, we would give them the flowers.” [...]
March 8th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Same to you Angie, what a wonderful and thoughtful collection of books for your giveaway. I think your blog is the perfect spot to visit on a day like today. I could scroll thru any day or month and find something that will touch me in a special way. You have a lovely way with words and I always enjoy coming over to see what is on your mind..Happy International Women’s Day
Jeanne
March 8th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Am I too late? If not please count me in.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I have never heard of the day! Please do not add me to drawing, but I love that you are doing a give away.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Happy International Women’s day to you too dear! I would like to work toward empowering women to be who they were meant to be no matter what. That breakfast that you spoke of sounds so yummy! Also, I posted the gifts that I got with my gift card so be sure to read! xoxo
March 8th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Happy international Woman’s Day to you too!!! Great giveaways! My goal is to continue to be a positive influence in the lives of young girls.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
What a beautiful way to celebrate women. Thank you so much for the chance to win. I feel blessed just by your thoughtfulness. And, oh so very blessed at the thought of children greeting women with I kiss your hand. I would be every so delighted to be greeted that way.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
What a fabulous sounding day (and breakfast)! I’ve been coveting the Balthazar cookbook for ages…here’s hoping!
March 8th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Yes, I saw it on my calender, about the internat. Women’s Day. What you are describing was customary in your country, sounds a little like Mothers day. On that day I always request going to another area/city/event to spend the day.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
PS sorry, i forgot -have a great week!
March 8th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Angie, what a lovely holiday to hear about. And your giveaway is just as lovely!
Wishing you well. And I agree with your goal, of preventing abuse. It has to stop.
March 8th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
I wish this was a holiday that was better recognized in the U.S. — and not just because I would benefit from it!
And, of course, stopping violence against women and children is a worthy and necessary goal.
March 8th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
I love International Women’s Day — it’s also my daughter’s birthday! Thanks for the giveaway — I’d love any of those books…
March 9th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Hy, thanks for doing this give away! I found it through Bon Bon Rose
May I ask: are you Romanian? Your name sound Romanian to me!
Have a fun day!
kiss
March 9th, 2010 at 2:40 am
… and I didn’t even know there was an International Women’s Day. Your family breakfast sounds heavenly. Lovely post!
March 9th, 2010 at 4:17 am
Oh, what a wonderful post! Yes, we also celebrated March 8th with great attention to this Holiday - to this day this is one of the my most favorite Holidays. :-)))
Angie, thank you so very much for the wonderful comment you have left for me under my “Kokoshnik” post.:-) They are magical, aren’t they? Such a tremendous source of inspiration for me - each hides so many secrets. I miss that feeling of mystery about woman’s outfits in todays world. Have a wonderful week.:-)
March 9th, 2010 at 5:29 am
Happy International Women’s Day (belated). The Jane Doe Foundation also has an initiative going to help stop violence against women. Thanks for raising awareness on these important issues.
one love.
March 9th, 2010 at 7:39 am
We have definitely come a long way baby…..what I wish for my daughter and all the young women out there is to follow your passion. You will always have naysayers but if you believe in yourself and where you are headed there is no one who can stop you! Inspiring others and spreading kindness in all areas of your life will lead to a very rich, rewarding life experience for you and everyone around you! Great holiday and great giveaway, Angie…thank you! xxoo
March 9th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Thank you for such a lovely post xxx
March 9th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
International Woman’s day?
So, cool! How is that I haven’t heard of it before? There are so many amazing women in this world worth celebrating!
Thank you for bringing my attention to it and thank you for sharing your tradition.
March 9th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
I hope you had a good day yesterday, Angie. I’m so sad that very few Americans know about the day…
Last year’s theme is one for every year, yes.
ciao!
Susan
March 9th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Awe, what a beautiful tradition. It truly should be world-wide. Thank you for bringing attention to this.
**kisskiss** Deb
March 9th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
happy international women’s day! i didn’t know about this…but, so happy that i know now. your traditions sound so wonderful! you are such a wonderful blogging friend! so happy that we met.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
What a lovely way to honor women…I’d have to buy my own gift for that too;)
March 10th, 2010 at 8:53 am
I always love to hear stories of your childhood in your “motherland”. It’s so nice to learn of the traditions of other countries and you always make it feel like a fairy tale. Hunks of bread with clover honey and sweet butter turn into foods of princesses. Thank you for always sharing your memories…they are always a bit of bliss for me to read.
March 10th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Happy International Woman’s Day to you too.
I love how you celebrated and love the tradition in your house.
There is so much we can and must do as woman - so much.
March 10th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Those are absolutely beautiful books; I SO want to win! oddly, I have never been here before and clicked over from my pal Ms. Moon’s place-and what a lovely day to visit!
March 10th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
this is a celebration, that just warms my heart. your traditions, began as a little girl, and you share them as a beautiful and powerful woman.
xo
March 11th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I honestly had never heard of this particular holiday. The description of your particular celebration is lovely. Thanks for sharing and passing it on to us.
March 11th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Happy belated IWD to you too!!! Very cool giveaways! Hope I win!
March 13th, 2010 at 6:20 am
i never knew about this holiday either until my brother who is now living in Vietnam mentioned it on Facebook. I love it. Love your rememberings, esp the hot chocolate! So sweet of you to give away these books and to honor and celebrate women just the way you do. you are so sweet and dear Angie. Happy IWD to you!