Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Giveaway Winner


Thanks for so many comments on yesterday's blog. My all-time high was 62 comments on March 30... I was hoping you all would top that ---and you DID. I even had five new folks who visited yesterday.


This is my first Giveaway ---and I wanted choosing a winner to be as simple as possible. (You know I'm all about SIMPLE.) SO----I went through my comments and made a list of those who signed up for the book giveaway. Then I numbered all of them off ---from 1 -44. (Several who commented didn't mention the book or the giveaway, or had already read the book.) George had no idea what I was doing ---so I just asked him to pick a number between 1 and 44... He came up with Number SIX. And the person's name next to Number six is the WINNER.


Congratulations to BETH who lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains in gorgeous North Carolina. Beth has been a regular viewer (and commenter) on my blog since the end of February. I really like this young woman. She is a great writer. Here's some info I found on Beth's profile:


Hi, I’m Beth, and I’m happy to say that I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Most of my early life was spent as a preacher’s daughter in Eastern North Carolina, but I always felt most at home in the Appalachians. So, four years ago, my family and I followed our hearts west. As they say, I wasn’t born here, but I got here as quick as I could.


I’m married, with two children, who, if I may say so, are simply the most extraordinary children ever. My youngest just left for college. Empty nest? Are you kidding? They might be gone, but their stuff isn’t. Books, papers, art supplies, computer parts, amps, guitars—I am still surrounded by the remnants of my children’s lives. But I don’t really mind. Truth is—I’m not quite ready to completely let go.


My abiding interests and passions—besides raising my children—are reading, hiking, porch sitting, and trying to grow a little every day in my spiritual life. I have been a secretary, library assistant, and a janitor. My husband is a carpenter and handyman. And both of us want to write.


I used to write. Poetry, essays, fiction—even got published a time or two, but the past twenty years have been hard ones. They’ve taken a toll, and I’ve lost something. Oh sure, I still write, but it comes hard. That’s why I started this blog—to see if I can find what I lost and to see if I can ever hope to become a real writer.




Beth recently wrote a blog post that just blew me away. I wrote her and told her that she needs to send it to Guidepost magazine (or some publication). Please click on her name above and read the post entitled "Signs and Wonders and Marvels and Miracles"... It's long---but very powerful. You will be glad you read it.


Congrats to Beth ---and to all of you. You are ALL winners in my book.


We are heading back to Hendersonville today /tonight ---for a family get-together --so I won't be around to check your blogs.. I will catch up SOMEDAY.


Hugs to all,

29 comments:

Kathy W said...

Well congratulations to Beth! =)

RA said...

Congratulations, Beth :)! Thank you for this wonderful post, Betsy. I will check out the link to Beth's blog. Have a great day. Hugs and love from Indonesia.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Congratulations Beth!
I hope you enjoy the book, and later on in the day, I'll be checking out your blog, it sounds delightful !
Safe trip betsy and George :)

Jayne said...

Yay Beth! Glad she was the winner!!!

T said...

Congrats to Beth (and I will pop over to her site)!

Now I will head off to the library to find that book and give it a read.

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Beth said...

Oh my goodness, Betsy...I am so excited! I never win anything, so I am thrilled! In fact, the last time I won anything (besides a two-dollar lottery ticket) was when I won a dozen eggs in a PTA raffle when I was six years old. This is WAY better than a dozen eggs! Thank you so much! And thanks to George for picking my number! :-)

penny said...

Its always nice to be a winner and I think you made Beth's day...

SmilingSally said...

Congratulations to Beth. Enjoy your trip.

Connie said...

Congratulations Beth!! I will be checking out your blog sometime today.

Betsy as soon as I can get my hands on a copy of the book I can't wait to start reading.

Connie said...

Congratulations, Beth! Betsy, I hope you have fun at your family get-together. :D

Arkansas Patti said...

Congrats Beth, you are going to love the book.
From reading the About me, Beth was all ready a winner and I will visit her blog. Thanks for the opportunity.
Have a great visit and take pictures.
Be here when you get back.

Susie said...

Congrats to the lucky winner and thanks Betsy for the giveaway!

NCmountainwoman said...

Congratulations to Beth. Couldn't go to a nicer person.

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Beth. I know she will enjoy the book.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: Congrats to Beth for the neat win. I do hope she enjoys the book.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Congratulations to Beth and to you on your Blogiversary!!!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Congrats to Beth and have a great and safe trip!

Joy said...

I'm glad the book going to a good home. Good for Beth.


Joy

Marinela said...

Congratulations, Beth :):)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to Beth! I'm on my way over there now!

Small City Scenes said...

Congratulations to Beth. she certaintly sounds like a deserving woman. You people that can write are wonders to me. When one of my daughters was in second grade she had a story she had to write and of course you know who did. When her teacher handed back her papers she told Shannon, "your mother should write children's stories". We got caught. But I haven't progressed any further.


A wonderful post as always, Betsy. MB

Shelley said...

Congratulations to Beth for winning this nice giveaway!!

Have a safe trip!!

Becca's Dirt said...

Hey Betsy - That is such a nice post. Congrats to Beth on winning the book. I am going to visit Beth's blog. I'll miss you - can't wait for the photos from your trip.

EcoRover said...

Congratulations on your anniversary, and thank you for acknowledging and pointing us toward the work of other great bloggers!

Leedra said...

Hope you enjoy your day at Hendersonville. I enjoyed this post, even though I was not the winner.

Karin said...

I'm joining the long line of those congratulating Beth! HAPPY BLOGAVERSARY to you!!!! I enjoy starting my mornings reading both your blogs! You deserve a trophy for this achievement! Amazing job and dedication to your readers. God bless you. Hugs, Karin

Wendy said...

Congrats to Beth! Sounds like she will enjoy her winnings.
Hope you have a nice get-away, Betsy!!

SquirrelQueen said...

Congratulations Beth. Betsy have a great trip and we will be looking for great photos when you get back.
Judy

Adrienne Zwart said...

Congratulations to Beth. I just read her post that you linked--very powerful!