Bloggy Giveaways – Country Charm Pot Holders

Congratulations to Mom to Princess In Disguise!

****Contest now Closed****Winner to be Announced Soon****

July 28 – August 1

handmade denim patchwork pot holders

Hooray!  It’s Bloggy Giveaway time again!  One of my favorite things in life!

I’m glad you are here.  A Cup of Joy is where this newlywed American girl who married a wonderful Aussie man keeps in touch with friends and family back in the States.  All while making some new bloggy friends.  Let me introduce you to some…

Join me on Mondays for My Walk Monday with my bloggy friend Caroline of Scrapping Servant.

On Thursdays, I enjoy some Girl Talk with Mommie Daze…now we girls can win some fabulous swag each Thursday!

On Fridays I keep it real with Kailani from an Island Life joining in on her Aloha Friday meme.

Find me every second Thursday of the month at The P.M.S. Club (Praising My Savior)…where I’ve Got The Joy.

If you love contests and giveaways, be sure to bookmark my contest page, Joyful Finds.

Curious about life here in Australia…check out my Joyful Jottings page about my life here in Oz.

You will find yummy recipes and fun crafts here as well.

Oh, yes, my Bloggy Giveaway…if you would like to win these Country Charm Pot Holders just leave me a comment.  Any comment.  Please be sure to include a way to contact you (if you win), either an email or a blog url.  This giveaway is open worldwide.  I will close the comments on August 1 midnight.  All the names will be put in a bowl and randomly drawn.  Winner will be announced August 2.

There are many more Bloggy Giveaways to participate in…quick click here to participate in more bloggy fun!

Where am I?

So, where am I? My tee says, “Detroit, Michigan”…but the tree says, “Autumn.”  Can you guess where I am?  And, what season of the year it is?

This is beautiful…

Reclaiming My Home

I found a helpful list at Bethgem this week.    This simple list of seven things gently spoke to me.  I was reminded that I have let a few things go…namely #1…Look Pretty.  How easy it is to stop doing this all important feel-good-duty of the day.  Inspired by this list, here’s my version:

My husband has been on leave from work due to illness for a much longer time than anticipated.  Thus, the importance of me looking pretty and the house looking pretty has fizzled as an unwelcome guest has taken up residence groaning, “Who cares!”  I am determined to rid my home of this unwelcome guest.  “I care!”  I holler back,  “This is my home, and you are no longer welcome!”  Time to kick the humongous, doom-n-gloom, dark cloud of Depression out.  Who’s with me?  Yes, I could use some help with this dirty job.

The title of my list is “Reclaiming”.  I am keeping “look pretty” as #1 also.  Thanks, Bethgem for the encouragement!

1.  I Look Pretty (morning devotions, exercise, shower, dress, hair, make-up)

2.  Fresh Towels are hung in the bathroom (my husband has commented on how this makes him feel good).

3.  Laundry

4.  Meal is planned for tea (evening meal here in Australia).

5.  Clear “Catch-All” table.

6.  Fresh Cover on couch.

7.  Relax and enjoy the evening with my husband.

These are my list of seven simple things that I hope will dispell the Depression that has been looming about my home these past months.

Any encouragement is welcome!

A Bloggy Aussie Beach Party

Welcome, beach blog party goers!

If we were having this beach party in real life, I would have it here:

Anyone know where this is?  This is South Bank Beach in Brisbane.  A lovely man made beach right in the city!

Being in the city, we will be most unlikely to see any sleepy koalas or jumping joeys.

For games, we can:

or . . .

Hungry?

Bewdy, Mate!

Now, go join in on all the other Beach Parties found here!

Contest Round UP

I hope you have been frequenting the Joyful Finds (contests, giveaways, etc.) page here on A Cup of Joy.  This page is regularly updated…sometimes daily…sometimes more than once a day.  Well, in case you are not able to check it out every day, I have decided to post a weekly roundup here.

Mommie Daze has just started holding giveaways with her weekly feature “Girl Talk Thursday”.  To kick things off, she is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to Soothing Rituals.

Curly Wurly Gurly is encouraging us all to do Breakfast in Bed.  Win some scrumptious goodies for enjoying breakfast in bed and a Wolfgang Puck reversible griddle/grill.

Free samples of Skin MD or Gloves in a Bottle for bloggers.

Harper Collins and THE SAK are teaming up each month to bring you the chance to win a Book(s) in a Bag.

My Wooden Spoon is one of my favorite blogs.  Yummy recipes and fun giveaways.  Enter by July 31 to win a Pace Fiesta Pack.

The first Friday of the month, Uniquely Yours is giving away free fiber.  The next giveaway is scheduled for August 1st.

{sweeter than me} designs is giving away one pair of Clarity bridal earrings.  These are beautiful!

Hurry over to The Downtown Boutique today to win a cool clock for your home…ends today!

Looking for a fabulous tank to wear this summer?  I found one I hope to win.  Marvelous Mouse Designs is giving away a “Fabulous” tank or tee.

Are you a Scrapbook Junkie?  Heather’s Creations is giving away some blog candy just for you!

Love to travel…or love to look like you travel?  Day to Day Miracles is hosting a From Thailand with Love giveaway.

Visit the contest page for ongoing monthly giveaways.

Have a contest or giveaway happening at your blog?

Leave details in a comment and I will post your giveaway here for you.

Mama Mia…This Was FUN!

Have you seen this, yet? Born in the early seventies, I did not grow up knowing much about ABBA, other than Dancing Queen thanks to the radio on the school bus. I do love musicals…and this one is a real treat! Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan are no songbirds…but they did not disappoint in this flight of fancy tale of love lost and returned. Even a hard hearted Miranda Priestly,Meryl’s character (The Devil Wears Prada) would enjoy this flick.  She might even sing along to the upbeat ABBA tunes.  Though, it is hard to imagine: However, there is no doubt that Yolanda Evans would be dancing in the aisle.  Yolanda was Meryl’s character in A Prairie Home Companion.  Meryl sang in this movie with Lily Tomlin and Lindsay Lohan. 007 singing was a surprise. Hard to picture James Bond humming, let alone crooning…why is that? Now, Stuart Dunmeyer may have known a lyric or lullaby…anyway, I’m sure Mrs. Doubtfire did. If the songs don’t keep you entertained…the costumes…

the dancing…

and all around good fun sure will!

For more Mama Mia fun, sing along here.

Please Vote for Me!

I entered the 2008 Designer Chic Contest at The Girl Indie Blog.

Now, it’s time to vote!

I entered my Kangaroo & Didgeridoo Pocket Placemat in the Children’s Accessories category.

Voting has begun. Please, vote for me today! Voting closes June 20th at 12 a.m.
Click here to vote for me. Oh, yeah, I’m Entry #1.

Hugs n’ Kisses Breakfast

Strawberries n’ Cream Cheese on Toast

Hugs n’ Kisses Ingredients:

2 slices whole wheat bread

Extra Light Cream Cheese

2 Fresh Strawberries, sliced

Toast bread.  I toast my bread in the oven on low heat.  Spread extra light cream cheese on toast.  Top with sliced strawberries in an “X” and “O” pattern.  Enjoy with a cup of hot chocolate!    Good Morning!

Five Things Meme

Mommie Daze tagged me with this last month…I’m a little behind.

What are five things on your to-do list for today?

1.  Dishes

2.  Laudry

3.  Clean out Fridge

4.  Make Tea

5.  Post this Meme

What are five snacks you enjoy?

1.  Hershey Kisses (not available in Australia)

2.  Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (not available in Australia)

3.  Cool Ranch Doritos (not available in Australia)

4.  Apples n’ Peanut Butter

5.  Strawberries n’ Cream

What are five things you would do if you were a billionaire?

1.  Travel

2.  Fly my family over for a visit.

3.  Support missions.

4.  Adopt a bunch of children.

5.  Take care of my parents…they have done so much for me.

What are five of your bad habits?

1.  Listening to the Enemy.

2.  Procrastinating

3.  Not keeping in touch as often as I should.

4.  Not exercising daily.

5.  Not eating enough chocolate. 

What are five places you have lived?

1.  Michigan

2.  Pennsylvania

3.  Florida

4.  Alabama

5.  Australia

What are five jobs you’ve had?

1.  Almond Vendor

2.  Kitchen Hostess/Camp Counselor – Pine Ridge Bible Camp

3. Ponderosa Steak House Cashier

4.  New Tribes Mission – Missionary Teacher, Secretary

5.  Ganto’s Boutique sales assistant

What five people do you want to tag?

1.  dAkAWA

2.  Heart of A Mommy

3.  Riddles, Rhymes, and Reasons

4.  Scrapping Servant

5.  Thou Shalt Clean

Feel free to pass this on. Let me know you filled it out, and I’ll come read your answers.