Another special gift to show you {and the winner} . . .

I'll never get to France.  

Frankly, I'm not sure I want to visit France.  Oh, if I was a gazillionairess it would be on my bucket list but there are so many places in the United States that I would like to see first.

But that doesn't mean that I don't love all things French!  I am so glad that there are blogs out there that supply me with all of the Frenchy goodness that I crave.

 Rhonda from A Little Bit French is usually where I go to dream of France.  

And I was lucky enough (not lucky enough to be a gazillionairess but . . .) to win her monthly giveaway!  Maybe some of the pieces she used to create these beauties actually came from France!  At least that is what I tell myself!

She made a pincushion out of a spoon!  Can you imagine the creative mind that thought that up?

And little stamped pillows!

I'm feeling the amour!  The jen e sais quai!  I'm transported to France!

I found the doorknob and it isn't from France (or is it?  hmmmm . . .).

The giveaway package is dressed and ready to go to the winner of my birthday giveaway!  Where shall I send it?  Who will the random generator choose?  (Why can't I get a picture of the random generator?)

#18!!!!!!

Joanna of Fiddlesnips!

You are going to celebrate my birthday month with me!

If I get your address before Monday morning, I'll get the package in the mail.  If not, you'll have to wait a little longer until I get back from my VACATION!  Send it to me ASAP, okay?

(Sorry about the difficulties commenting.  I hear that blogger wasn't being cooperative.  But if I heard from you telling me your problems, I added your name anyway.)

Yes, this little Nebraska girl is traveling out of the country.  To sun-filled (I hope!) Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!  Scary - YES!  Excited - YES!  Have to white-knuckle it on the plane -  DEFINITELY YES!  

Thanks to all of my friends who wished me a happy birthday and welcome to the new followers!  Sometimes we have fun here so the more the merrier!

See you on the flip side!

What a co-in-ci-dink ...

. . . I mean coincidence.

Well, you know it's my birthday month and I'm having a giveaway (see post here).  Only 6 commentors so far (what am I doing wrong?  this may just be my last giveaway!) so you have a really good chance to win.

Anywhoo, back to the coincidence.

Last year, way back in 2011 (isn't it funny that 13 days into 2012 we think of last year as being so far in the past), I was a happy camper to discover that I won 2 (not just one, but 2) giveaways!

And I received both gifts ON MY BIRTHDAY!

What are the odds of that happening?  Did they secretly know that is was my birthday?  Did they covertly send their packages so that they would arrive on the same special day?

Probably not.  Just a very lovely coincidence!

Marie from Lost Bird Studio is probably the most talented, creative and prolific artist I know.  Always, always something new and wonderful to see on her blog!  I truly hesitated to open this sweet packaging but I knew inside would be something even more special!

And special it is!  I'll treasure it Marie!

(Darn post office cracked the glass on my special piece but neither me or my memories are in perfect condition either).

Tracie of Fishtail Cottage (one of my 'new' favorite blogs) sponsored a giveaway with a prize from Shellagh of Ticking and Toile.  Another beautifully wrapped package almost too pretty to open.

But being the 'can't stand a unopened package' kind of gal that I am, I tore into it to find a wonderful stamped pillow cover.  Gorgeous, no?

Thank you Marie, Tracie and Shellagh for unknowingly making my birthday a day of happy surprises!

Now, IF you visit my blog and IF you enter my giveaway, maybe you will win and the package will arrive on one of your special days too!

Won't you celebrate with me?

It's my birthday.

Well, it was my birthday last week.  On the 7th.  

(a little trivia for you ~~ Elvis' birthday is on the 9th so I always say 'thank you, thank you very much' when receiving birthday wishes.  and nobody gets it!  my mom would have.)

At my age (which is very young!  tee hee!), I can't party hardy all in one day anymore so I spread out the celebration all month.

I love to get presents!  I love to win giveaways!  

And I know (at least I think) you love to win and get presents too!

So won't you celebrate my birthday by entering my giveaway?  Please?  Pretty please?

If the lucky stars choose you (by random generator, of course) you will receive a loooong crocheted-edge linen dresser scarf (which I really want to keep for myself), a teeny tiny flower frog (that is just so stinkin cute) and several vintage valentines (they came from my main man's stash so you know they are really vintage. tee hee again!).

Now, you know I don't like rules but I think I'll require some this time.

1.  Be a follower and wish me a Happy Birthday!  Yup, I think that is an important rule.  I should really require that you promise to leave me at least one other comment during the year to let me know that you still visit me and don't just follow to win but I won't.

2.  For another entry, the dreaded 'add my giveaway to your sidebar' requirement.  I know, I know, it is an extra step and time consuming but I love to see my name on your blogs.  I'm going to bask in the knowledge that I can be somewhat famous for awhile and maybe I'll meet some new bloggers out there (even though I LOVE all of my current bloggy friends!).

3.  This is an important giveaway rule and imperative to be included to win.  Since the picking has been really terrible around here lately and I'm lost as to what will sell at Miss Maggie's House and what won't, tell me what flies out of your store/shop every time you offer it.  Or if you don't have a store/shop, tell me what you always, always pick out for yourself when you are out and about.  This is worth another giveaway entry.  Or maybe 2!

4.  Do something out of the ordinary for someone else.  It won't get you an automatic win for this giveaway but it will make you and that someone else feel really good about the day.  Sometimes a sweet gesture can be life saving!

Whew!  Those are alot of rules but hey, it's my birthday and I can do what I want!

Let's draw the winner out of the proverbial hat on January 19th, okay?  That will give me 2 days to get the package in the mail before I leave on my beach laying, mai tai drinking, flip flop wearing, zip line screaming, weighing down the para-sailing, swimming with the fishes vacay! 

Now, get those fingers walking and shoot me some comments!  You just might be glad you did!

I almost feel sorry for the guy . . .

. . . the snow shovel.  

(It's a guy snow shovel because this gal doesn't scoop snow.)

And please notice that I said I ALMOST feel sorry for him.

All he can do is wait in a pile of leaves.  He was put on this earth to scoop snow, not leaves.

(this guy also scoops bunks and feed but he feels it is really beneath him to mention it)

He tries to move a little to the north thinking there might be snow there.

Nope, no snow.  Only more leaves and a pile of dead grass.

He knows it is January.  He knows he lives in Nebraska.  Normally, he is just about wore out by this time of year.  He hears that it will be in the 60s tomorrow!  What is a poor snow shovel to do?

(and he sure doesn't want to think about being moved back out to the lowly feed shed!)

Who did this cruel, cruel thing to the anxiously awaiting snow shovel?

ME!

I wished for no snow.  Ever.

(you fellow snow haters can thank me later)

Think it will last?

No?  Me either.  We technically still have 3 (and sometimes 4) more months of potential snow weather.

But I am relishing in the balminess of Nebraska weather today and I snear and laugh at the poor, little snow shovel every time I walk by.

He shoots me back a look that says 'You just wait.  You'll be sick of snow by the time this winter is over'.

*sigh*  I know this to be true.

How is the weather where you are?

I'm linking to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.  Can I also link to Faded Charm's White Wednesday when there is a lack of the white stuff?

Novica - Change your Life, Change the World

Isn't that we all would like to do?  Help change the world, one purchase at a time?  

Novica, in association with National Geographic, is not only helping those of us shoppers who love the unique and the handcrafted but are directly helping those who design and craft these products from countries all over the world.  Novica provides assistance to talented artisans who may not otherwise have access to a world market. There is also an Artisan Loan Program that allows these artists to expand their businesses.

Novica's Mission Statement :

We want to give artists and artisans around the world a global platform to express their true artistic talents and to spur their creativity. And, we want to provide you with access to unique, hard-to-find items at great values that only the Internet infrastructure can allow.

At the deepest essence of our philosophy, we want to create a bridge between you and the many talented artisans across the globe.

We want you to know about who you're buying from. We want you to feel that attachment to the product and to the hands that created it.

Handcrafted items are plentiful . . .

Home Decor . . .

Jewelry . . .

Handbags . . .

Original Paintings . . .

Accessories and Clothing

I was offered an opportunity to see what Novica is all about and believe me, it was hard to choose just one item.

Sandeep's (aka 'Prince') family is in the business of making shawls.  The most beautiful shawls with hand embroidery and made from the most luxurious wool.  Mine came wrapped in a lovely bag, along with a personal note from the artisan.  Novica's service was outstanding and considering that my shawl came all the way from India, the anticipation time was very short.

Novica is now on the short list for all of my holiday gift giving!

Novica Live is a new division recently launched because customers wanted to see products live and in person.  Consultants have the opportunity to do just that with Novica's new party plan.  Beautiful gifts and jewelry are showcased through home parties in an entertaining way, while supporting artisans worldwide.  Check out how you can help 'change the world' here.

I'll even make searching for some very special items easier.  Just click on the links below!

men's accessories

cufflinks

woman's scarves

walking sticks

accessories

Now, let's make 2012 the year that we help and support each other, whether it is next door or the next country over!  

I can see clearly now . . .

. . . the rain is gone,

I can see all obstacles in my way

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It's gonna be a bright, bright

sun-shiny day.

Well, that pity party is over for another year.  (I think.)

Time may not be my best friend, but I think we can tolerate each other for awhile again.  But really, what are my choices?  To wallow or to weather the storm.

I'm going to concentrate on myself this year.  To find out who exactly I am.  To face the fears and tackle them one by one.  To actually write goals/dreams/plans down so I have to work on them each and every day and not dismiss them as trivial.  I'm not going to worry about what other people think.  After all, I am ultimately the only person standing in my way! 

It is back to business -- back to DREAMING BIG!

Thank you, my lovlies, for the encouragement and kind words.  They helped more than you could ever know.

2012 - I'm ready!