I have spent some time reflecting on this blog, how it started, what it was, what it has become, and were I want to go with it.  LOL!  I have a few “must do’s” on this blog, that I enjoy with the blogging community, like Teaser Tuesdays at Should Be Reading, Booking Through Thursday, and Poetry Friday, hosted by a different blog each week.   Well, I want to put my stamp on this blog in more ways than my book reviews.  Yes, this is a book blog, but I enjoy other things besides books…hard to believe, I know.   I have met many wonderful people through this blog in the short time that I have been blogging, and I want to repay not only them, but anyone who reads this blog.  What better way to do that, than with a contest?  This is not my idea, but one that I am going to run with.  One of the things I enjoy, besides reading, is making things for other people.   Hence, the Pay It Forward! contest.   This will be a monthly contest at Write for A Reader.

I am a fan of the 160 Acre Woods, and when I read her blog this morning, I found this contest.  It sounded like so much fun, but I was sure I was too late…nope; I was one of the first 3 to respond.  Respond to what, you ask?  Well, I’ll tell you. 

here’s how you play.

• be the first 3 bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me!!!
• Promise to post this challenge on your blog, (meaning, that you will then ‘pay-it-forward’, creating a handmade gift for the first 3 bloggers that leave a comment on YOUR blog!!)
• the gift can be any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item.

I am more than willing to do international! So let the games begin!

I know that many of my book blogging friends and readers are crafty; is it you???

This will be the last Wednesday Wanderings post for the year.  I have enjoyed this new addition to my blog.  Still wish I knew how to make a button – anyone that will volunteer or help me out?  I found a picture I like, but don’t know how to do the “button” thing.

There are tons of ’08 wrap-ups around the blogosphere as well as New Year’s wishes.  Both of which I’ve done; the wish just won’t post until tomorrow.  Here is what I found over at Papertigers.  I really liked the short and sweet post.

Giveaways

I found a new blog this week – Life Starring Ellie and Eve.  Great giveaways happen here, including this one for Eric Carle books.  2 winners will get all of the books listed.  Giveaway ends Jan. 10. 

Consumer Queen.com is new to me this week also.  In one of her posts, she gives you 7 ways to save and has a great giveaway to go along with it.  Here are the 7 ways to save:

Sign up for Fanatics to print $5 in Savings coupons                   Purchase the January “All You” magazine for $1.50 Savings (Magazine contains $50 in manufacturer’s coupons)Purchase the Fast Fixin’ Breakfast items and send in the Try Me Free for up to $5 in savings.Cut out the UPC’s from the products and collect 10 to earn a free product coupon. = $7.99 SavingsUse the coupon inside the box of Fast Fixin’ Breakfast items for a $1 savings.Use the Coupon in the Breakfast Burrito box for a Savings of $1.50

Use the Coupon in the Fast Classics Country Fried Steak for $2 off any 2 Fast Fixin’ Breakfast Items= $2 Savings

Here is the giveaway!  15 families will win a year’s supply of breakfast from Fast Fixin’ & Fast Classics.  This one will end on Jan. 15th with many ways to earn extra entries.

If you read my blog frequently, you know that I love Parent Reviewers.  They are wrapping up their Mega Giveaways with some great ones!  Who wouldn’t love a SNAP! digital camera?  Want to see Altar Boyz?  Readers available near the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania area or readers traveling to NYC would be able to take advantage of this opportunity.

A Peek At My Bookshelf is putting her blog through some changes for the new year, and she wants to do a You Pick It! book giveaway once a month, but she won’t unless we help her get to 50,000 by tonight.  Read the post here.

Don’t Forget

The Cybils short lists are due out tomorrow.  There are many bloggers who have been busily reading tons of books to whittle down each category.  Thank you for all your hard work; can’t wait to see the list!

Challenges

I will be participating in many challenges in the upcoming year.  I am trying to refrain from overloading myself with too many, but here is one that I may have to add to my list.  Check out The Ban on Spending Challenge!

That is all I have for today, unless you have something for me to add.  Let me know in the comments about what you’ve “wandered” on as you blog hopped this week.

Until next week…

I have lots of good things to tell you about this week!  I’m posting this early because of the deadlines on a few of the contests.

First things first…are you a member of Bookblogs?  If not, you need to get over there and check out all the groups that you can be a part of.  Yesterday, two groups were started that I want to highlight.  Natasha, of Maw Books Blog, started a group called Blogging Tips - “A place to share blogging tips, techniques, technical “stuff”, creating an audience, share frustrations and successes, what works and what doesn’t!”  Wendi, of Wendi’s Book Corner, started Book Bloggers Stumble Up!! - “Help drive traffic to your site by learning about StumbleUpon and how we can use it to help each other!”  Both of these groups would benefit new as well as experienced bloggers.

Speaking of Maw Books Blog, she has a great giveaway right now.  Read her post about the Christmas Mouse and see how you can enter to win a $10 Amazon gift certificate.  Hurry as she is announcing the winner TOMORROW!!!

Bookshipper is giving away any book of your choice of $20 or less from either Amazon.com or Chapters.ca because she has had 10,000 visitors to her blog…WOOHOO!!!

Over at Sharon Loves Books and Cats, you can win a copy of The Forest of Hands & Teeth.  Contest ends 12/18

Brimful Curiosities is always having giveaways, but the one that has my attention right now is the Smartshopper.  Have you seen this thing?  I am so into it!  Make sure you check it out and get entered.  You have until 12/31 on this one.  You can check out her other giveaways in the sidebar.  She also does a list of Kid’s Book Giveaways every Monday and Friday.

I came across 2 new blogs this past week.  Both of these are great and are hosting giveaways that I’m sure you’ll want to check out.

The first is Write by Faith - Ramblings, Musings, and a Whole Lot About Books.  Right now she has 3 books and an ornament giveaway going on.  Hurry because these end 12/19.

Next, I happened on Allison’s Attic of Books.  Over at Allison’s Attic, you could win a copy of Perfect on Paper.  This one ends 12/21.

Finally, I’ve saved the biggest one for last!  Run, don’t walk over to Reviewer X!  It is Girl Week and you are in for AWESOME treats – guest blogs, reviews, interviews and contests.  You don’t want to miss this!

This just in…OMG!  Have you seen the contest over at The Story Siren?  It’s an amazing giveaway to say Thank You to all of the readers.  BTW, her blog is 1 year old!!!

That’s all for this week’s Wanderings.  As always, if you have something you’ve “wandered” on or want me to add, please leave it in the comments.  Until next week…

‘Tis the season everywhere, for giving.  I have noticed alot more giveaways around the blogosphere this week and alot of Christmas spirit! 

There has also been some sadness and I want to start off with that.  If you haven’t heard, Dewey from The Hidden Side of a Leaf, passed away last week.  There has been so much discussion on this topic since we heard the news.  I myself have had a heavy heart and I had only known Dewey since right before the last Read-a-Thon.  Natasha, from Maw Books Blog started a discussion over at Book Blogs so that we, bloggers, can discuss, share memories, grieve, etc.  Thank you Natasha, from giving us all a place to gather.

What else is happening aroung the blogosphere?

Over at Booking Mama, great things are happening!  There is a new reviewer, Booking Daughter.  Check out her first review here.  She also has copies of Bobbi Brown’s Makeup Manual to give away.  You can enter until 12/8.

I got an email yesterday from The Lil’ Peanut Patch.  They are having 12 Days of Christmas at the Patch.  There is a new giveaway every day from Dec. 1 – 12. 

Have you found Books for the Holidays blog?  The goal is to promote the buying and giving of books as gifts this holiday season.  There are great posts on there with gift ideas.  You can even comment with questions and the contributing bloggers will do their best to try and help you find the perfect book for someone on your list.

Scribbit is hosting a week of giveaways this week.  Each day’s giveaway will last until Sun. Dec 7th and winners will be chosen on the 8th.  There are some great giveaways!

Another 12 Days of Christmas is happening over at Kidbits.  These giveaways run almost all month, and although you won’t have them in time for Christmas, they will be drawing the winners on the 25th. 

If you are a readergirlz follower, then you may already know this, but they have started a new blog; readertotz, in an effort to recognize the infant-toddler book as a vital addition to children’s literature.

The long lost blogger is back at And Another Book Read.  Read this post to find out how you can enter to win an ARC of Paper Towns.  Oh, and I’m mentioned in the post…I won a book!

Finally, for today, Brimful Curiosities has 3 hardcover copies of a children’s book: The Moon Shines Down (12/8) to give away.  She also has a Land’s End giveaway (12/8) and an Itty Bitty Bookworm curriculum giveaway (12/15).

I hope that you have found yourself easing back into this week after the holidays.  May you continue to enjoy a great week and have fun with all your wanderings.  Until next week…

As always, I will continue to update this post throughout the day when I find other items of interest.  If you’d like to add something, please leave it in the comments.  I love to hear from you!

Happy Humpday!  That’s the message I got from my Secret Pal when I walked into my office this morning.   It’s so nice to get treats, especially when they are unexpected!  Along with the message were 4 colored pens and some cute notecards.

Wednesday Wanderings this week will be sparse as I am trying to catch up from being at a writing training all day yesterday.  I have happened on some things that I want to share with you. 

Bloggy Giveaways has something new everyday that you can enter to win, but I wanted to let you know about a giveaway at her other blog:  Blogging Basics 101.  She is giving away an Epson Artisan 800 Printer.

Found a new blog – Brain Burps by author, Katie Davis.   She has started something new called Freebie Fridays.  Go check it out!

Do you know about the Picnic Basket?  It’s a blog for teachers, librarians, and other gluttons of good books.  You can request review copies of children’s books to use and review.  Thanks to Deborah from Jacket Flap for giving me the link.

Have you seen Becky’s new reading challenge?  It is called the Centuries Reading Challenge.  I’m in; are you?

One last thing:  Bookroomreviews Weblog is hosting Holiday Gift Guide 2008.  Everyday there is a new item reviewed that might make the perfect gift for someone on your list.  Also, there are giveaways!  Today’s is Connection Bracelets.

I am so excited about everything that is going on right now around the blogoshpere – freebies, gift ideas, new books, and lots of comments on each others’ blogs.  Join in the fun and spread a little love this holiday season.  Until next week…

Okay, it’s freezing here today, so I’m off to the tropics!  Well, not literally, but A Novel Menagerie has a great contest that I’m entering about the tropics.  Here is what you have to do…

“So… for the LOVE IN THE TROPICS CONTEST, I’m giving you a few choices for your entries:

 What is your favorite tropical food or drink recipe (I’m Posting MaiTai’s on the 5th)

What was your favorite tropical vacation?

What was your favorite “girls only” vacation?

Facing Forty… is Forty “The New Thirty”?

Finding Love a 2^ndTime Around

This way, you have many choices to choose from for the contest.”

I chose, what was your favorite tropical vacation.  For those of you who come here often, you will learn a little more about me through this post.

In Oct. 2006, I was married.  Where?  In the Bahamas!  My husband and I were very fortunate to be married in Nassau, Bahamas, at the Sandals resort.  We got to spend 7 beautiful days and nights in what I think is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and we did it for free!  How in the world?  Well, I love country music and one of our stations here is 93Q.  In the evenings, they have a show called, The Lia Show.  During the summer of 06, they ran an email/radio contest for people who were getting married or wanted to renew their vows.  Of course I entered; we had just gotten engaged in June.  The day came for the winner to be announced and it was awarded to a couple who never really had a honeymoon and were due to celebrate their 25th anniversary; their daughter entered them.  I was happy for them and never gave it another thought.  The time came to set up my classroom for school, and I busied myself with that; we had no date for a wedding yet.  Out of the blue I received a phone call from the radio station.  Turns out that the couple could not go on the trip and we were the runners up…unbelievable!  The Lia show paid for everything – my dress, shoes, hubby’s clothes (western jeans and shirt), airfare, resort, wedding, reception!  It was not only a dream wedding, but a wonderful vacation for us.  We spent the first 4 days basking in the sun, snorkeling, laying on the beach, eating wonderful food and exploring the island.  I have never met friendlier people than those who live in Nassau.  Theirs is a tourist town, but yet they don’t resent that.  They welcome everyone and treat them like family.  Nassau is full of history, which my husband loves, so we even got to do some of that while we were there.  We are so ready to go back and will in the next year or so.  Here’s a pic of us on that wonderful day!  It truly was “Love in the Tropics!”

A Novel Menagerie is a new blog I’ve found this week through the comment challenge.

Would you like 3 Wishes?  A Novel Menagerie is having a great contest that end TODAY!

What is the giveaway?  Well, she just had her blog redone by Doodlebug Designs, so she is giving away 1 free blog header!  Hurry over and get entered!  You could get a holiday header or a fresh new looking header for the new year.

So, here are my 3 wishes…mine, just for me, not my husband or anyone else:

1. To pay off my debt so that I could relieve the stress of worrying where the money will come from.
2. Have a house built on my land so that I can get out of this trailer house.
3. Get back into my size 10 jeans without a struggle.

That’s not real profound, but it’s what I’d like!

Do you have wishes; what are they?

You can really get into the holiday spirit just by jumping around the blogosphere!  There are so many blogs doing holiday “things” that it is just fun to be a part of it all.  Check out some of the activities going on, join in the swaps, enter the giveaways, and get in the holiday spirit!

Over at My Friend Amy, we have been challenged to buy books for the holidays.  Who on your list would like a good read?  I’ve already found some for people on my list!  Click here to join in!

Were you aware that there is a comment challenge going on?  Those of us in the Kidlitosphere are trying to comment on at least 5 other blogs a day.  We are doing this for 21 days in order to create a habit.  Do you comment or just lurk?  Why not add to the conversation the blogger is having?  Go on; it’s fun!  Thank you to Mother Reader and Lee Wind for putting this together.

There are bloggy swaps going on!  What are bloggy swaps, you say?  Have you heard of Secret Santa?  Well, we are doing that, blog style.  Head over to Things Mean a Lot or The Hidden Side of a Leaf and see what it’s all about! 

I’ve also found lots of holiday giveaways at these sites.  Be sure to check them out!

5 Minutes for Mom

Parent Reviewers

3 P’s Mama Says

Have fun!  What else is out there that you want people to know about for the holidays?  Leave it in the comments.

We have yet another book winner!  I am so excited by all of the traffic that the Book Giveaway Carnival has brought to my blog this week.  I am also pumped that we will be doing it once a quarter…it is so much fun, not only entering for free books, but visiting other blogs.  Thank you to all of you who have entered.  If you come here often, thank you.  If this was your first time, I hope you will come back. 

The winner of Nora Roberts’ Blood Brothers is…

SUSAN C.

I have sent you an email, so please send me your mailing address.

If you didn’t win, try again.  I am currently giving away an ARC of Creepers.

I have no hesitation in telling you that I really enjoyed this book.  I received an autographed hardcover copy and read it almost immediately after I completed the Twilight Saga.  I just couldn’t read anything else until I had finished that.  I’m so glad that Creepers  by Joanne Dahme was the next thing I decided to read.

Synopsis of book:  Courtney and her parents have moved into an 18th century home in Murmur, Massachusetts.  What’s disturbing to Courtney is that the house is covered in ivy and right next door to a cemetery.  Shortly after moving in she notices two people in the cemetery; a man and a young girl.  Come to find out, this is Christian Geyer and Margaret, who she officially meets in the grocery store.  They seem odd to Courtney, but she becomes friends with both of them, especially Margaret who is about her age.  Christian and Margaret have been in Murmur a short while.  They are looking for the remains of one of their ancestors, Prudence.  It seems Courtney lives in the house where Prudence used to live, but her remains were relocated and no one knows where they are.  Strange things start happening in the house and outside; Courtney even thinks she sees a witch!  Will they find out what really happened to Prudence and where her remains are?  You will have to read it to find out.

My review:  Creepers is such a great title for this book, because it is truly creepy.  I enjoyed the story immensely.  I really liked the way the author added insight by putting a picture, letter excerpt, news article, etc. at the beginning of each chapter.  From the beginning I was wondering if Christian and Margaret were ghosts themselves, but Courney’s parents can see and interact with them.  This is a great ghost stoy that I think 3rd grade and up students will enjoy.  Dahme hooks the reader from the beginning and keeps you there by keeping you guessing.  Why does the ivy seem to grow back every time it gets cut down?  Why does the witch keep coming around?  Will they ever find out what really happened to Prudence’s remains?  Adults will love this book as it is an easy read.

I was fortunate to receive the hardback, which I donated to my school library, but I also received an ARC, which I’m happy to pass on to one of you.  Since Halloween has just passsed, tell me your favorite ghost story for a chance to win.  I will keep this contest open until Wednesday, Nov. 12, and I’ll choose a winner via random.org on Thursday, Nov. 13.  Good luck!