Author: Midwest Storyteller

2024’s First First Friday Freebie!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 9 Comments

It’s time for my First Friday Freebie, of course, and I confess I nearly forgot it.  Maybe this one will serve as a reminder to both you and me to stop and smell the roses this year.

As I like to say every year here on the blog, I’m in protest about the timing of celebrating the new year.  Even though we are having a mild winter so far here in the Midwest (though I may have to scold the meteorologists concerning their loose talk in reference to next Tuesday), I am generally not in favor of having winter at all.  Aside from not wanting to deny Lil’ Snookie the joy of building a snowman and throwing himself into the stuff to make angels, I could skip the whole thing.  I think we’d all feel so much better if we could run around shouting “Happy New Year” around the third week in March when spring actually arrives, but one of you is going to have to be the one to bring this to the attention of the proper authorities.  I’m too busy with edits.

I can, however, have my say in regards to the First Friday Freebie, so here it is!

Rose Bracelet Set www.midweststoryteller.com

This set of five bracelets will bring sparkle and shine to your dull winter days.  It’s by Trelu Accessories and is great Factory Connection find.  All the  bracelets are stretch-to-fit and can be worn separately, mix ‘n match or all together.  Since all of them are neutral, they’ll go with any of your outfits and work for all seasons.   

To enter to win the bracelet set, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Brighten my new year!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, January 5th, 2024.

And fellas – you can enter also and gift this to your favorite lady!

NOTE:  An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails.  Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.

Haven’t subscribed yet?  You’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.

Be sure to share my blog with friends and family through all your social media.  They’ll never know about it unless you do.  If you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”. Hey!  The world needs to know.  People have enough news every day to drag them down.  Give them something smile about.

On the “Freebies” page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, January 5th, by leaving a comment which says, “Brighten my new year!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Enjoy the season.  Play out in the snow if you can.  Stay warm and cozy.  Read books.  One of these days, you’ll be reading mine!   

2023’s Final Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

Greetings in this Bright New Year and all my hopes and prayers that yours is one to remember for all the right reasons.

I’ve been overwhelmed lately, as I’m sure many of you have been over the holidays.  Add to that some (well, lots) of attention that needed to be given to the publishing of my upcoming novel series and some other exciting things that have to do with the future of my book series and I feel I can safely say that I’m what they officially call frazzled.  There’s been no time for chatting with you here recently and that has made me sad.  We can, at least, find out who won December’s “surprise” First Friday Freebie.

Let’s meet –

DIY Holiday Gift Bags www.midweststoryteller.com

Francine from Boonville, Missouri!

Congratulations, Francine!  I hope you enjoy and made good use of my hand-made projects. The reason this had to remain a surprise is because I wasn’t finished with them when the First Friday Freebie offer was posted.  I told you I was frazzled.

Francine received her First Friday Freebie in plenty of time to put it to good use for its intended purpose.  I’m always itching to up-cycle something and when I have time, I pull out the craft supplies and my stash of “saved up stuff” and start making things.  This year, Lil’ Snookie and I made lots of homemade Christmas cards, using the pretty fronts I’d saved from cards over the years and adding his creative Nativity artwork (or as he called it, “a barn with statues”) inside along with a Christmas blessing.  Having plenty of cards left over, I decided to decorate gift bags!  Many of the cards had flocking, lots of glitter or sparkle or metallic enhancements even before I added my own touches.

Each bag has its individual Christmas card on the front which I embellished with crystals and metallic ink.  I inserted coordinating tissue and added one of my handmade tags which I also embellished the crystals and metallic ink.  After being pleased with my own bags, I decided that a set of five would make a great gift for one of my readers.

I do send freebies anywhere in the continental U. S., so don’t let your location keep you from entering to win.  It seems that though I have many subscribers and followers, a relatively small percentage enter to win.  That makes your odds fantastic!

Francine had her name drawn after she commented on the freebie post as directed in the post.  I do have to make it just a little tricky each month in order to prevent spam and make sure you’re on your toes and paying attention. 

You can comment as directed on my post on the first Friday of the month also.  That is all any subscriber needs to do to enter to win.  If you’d like to see other past winners and their gifts check it out here on my Freebies! page.

You can see the original First Friday Freebie offer for the one Francine won here. 

If you’re reading this and haven’t become an email subscriber yet, please do that today.  Hopefully, my freebies, not to mention the stories, recipes and other great content, have enticed you to do that.    

NOTE:  Subscribe with an email you intend to keep and check the week after the drawings.  This is my only means of notifying winners.  If it isn’t up to date, you may not get your gift!

Computers, tablets, smartphones – they each give this blog a different appearance, but you can easily find the subscription area in the menu under “CONTACT”.  Confirm your subscription when the email arrives.  If you’ve don’t receive a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com – it seems that from time to time, a subscription will get “stuck”. 

Subscribers get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month.

Comment as directed on the post that offers the Freebie and you’ll be entered to win. 

Freebies help me reach more people.  I need you to help me share all the fun with your friends and family.  When you share on MeWe, Facebook, Instagram, X, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free. 

Coming up on January 5th, you’ll see the new Freebie.  Enter to win that day.  A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight.  Then, check your email in the days following. 

Smartphone reminders help.

Take a moment make yourself familiar with the complete Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, January 5th, 2024.

I hope you are beginning this year with bright hopes and high expectations.  After all, is there any benefit in going about it any other way?    

No Peeking!  (at least not until you win)

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 10 Comments

I love Christmas!  Gift-giving is a joy to me and I like keeping secrets until the big day.

Some of my family members are not so much into that.  They like to shop off someone’s wish list.  While I like to do that also – I find it hard to resist slipping in that one gift they weren’t expecting and hiding things. Since this is my blog and I get to make the rules – I say, “DO NOT OPEN THIS FREEBIE UNTIL CHRISTMAS” (or at least until you win).

On that very first Christmas, the world certainly got something it had long awaited but hardly in the form it had been expecting.  Well, let’s keep up that tradition!

Introducing the December First Friday Freebie!

Mystery Freebie December 2023 www.midweststoryteller.com

It may come to you in this box and then again, it may not.  I’m holding my cards close to my chest.  You’ll have to take your chances and enter to win by following the instructions. 

To enter to win the surprise Christmas Freebie, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I love a Christmas surprise!” You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, December 1st, 2023.

NOTE:  An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails.  Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.

Freebies are for my email subscribers only. Haven’t subscribed yet?  You’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.

Bless your friends and family this season by introducing them to Midwest Storyteller  through all your social media.  They’ll never know about it unless you do.  If you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”. You surely know that the world needs a healthier lifestyle, creative ideas and a good laugh!  The world needs to know.  People have enough news every day to drag them down.  Give them something to lift them up.

On the “Freebies” page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, December 1st, by leaving a comment which says, “I love a Christmas surprise!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Enjoy the season.  I love this quote from Dr. Caroline Leaf:  “This is your reminder to stop stressing to ‘finish the year off strong’ You can finish it off grateful, relaxed, slowly, peacefully.  The idea that we always need to ‘be doing’ and ‘achieving’ only creates cycles of anxiety.  Rushing will not solve your problems.  Rest will.”

November’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

I hope this finds you filled with gratitude for all your blessings and ready to bestow them on others during this Christmas season.

I’m excited for you to meet the winner of the most recent First Friday Freebie.

Let’s meet –

Freebie Winner Pattie www.midweststoryteller.com

Pattie from Morristown, Tennessee!

Congratulations, Pattie!  I’ve known Pattie for a long time and am thrilled that she keeps up with my blog and entered to win!  Seeing her hold that sign seems so fitting as it’s her way of living life.

Remember that I do send freebies anywhere in the continental U. S., so don’t be shy.  I seem to have many more subscribers than those who enter to win.

Pattie had her name drawn after she commented on the freebie post as directed in the post.  I do have to make it just a little tricky each month in order to prevent spam and make sure you’re on your toes and paying attention. 

You can comment as directed on my post on the first Friday of the month also.  That is all any subscriber needs to do to enter to win.  If you’d like to see other past winners and their gifts check it out here on my Freebies! page.

You can see the original First Friday Freebie offer for the one Pattie won here. 

If you’re reading this and haven’t become an email subscriber yet, please do that today.  Hopefully, my freebies, not to mention the stories, recipes and other great content, have enticed you to do that.  I’ve been a little lax lately due to working on edits for my publisher. 

NOTE:  Subscribe with an email you intend to keep and check the week after the drawings.  This is my only means of notifying winners.  If it isn’t up to date, you may not get your gift!

Computers, tablets, smartphones – they each give this blog a different appearance, but you can easily find the subscription area in the menu under “CONTACT”.  Confirm your subscription when the email arrives.  If you’ve don’t receive a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com – it seems that from time to time, a subscription will get “stuck”. 

Subscribers get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month.

Comment as directed on the post that offers the Freebie and you’ll be entered to win. 

Freebies help me reach more people.  I need you to help me share all the fun with your friends and family.  When you share on MeWe, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free. 

Coming up on December 1st, you’ll see the new Freebie.  Enter to win that day.  A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight.  Then, check your email in the days following. 

Smartphone reminders help.

Take a moment make yourself familiar with the complete Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, December 1st, 2023.

I hope you are entering in to the full joys of the Christmas season.  After all, that’s when we received the greatest Gift of all – and it was also free! 

Time to Be Grateful (and time for a Freebie)!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 3 Comments

It’s Time to Be Grateful!

I’ll admit it – the world is on fire.  We’re seeing and hearing more hate and discontent on the news lately than we’ve seen in a long time and it’s enough to get you down.

It is so important in this time to remember from whence cometh our help and to pause, lift up thanks to the Giver of every perfect gift, be grateful for all the things we do have and pray for those who are suffering.

This month’s First Friday Freebie might help you prepare for this season of Thanksgiving and serve as a reminder that others might wish they were in your shoes.

Be Grateful Freebie www.midweststoryteller.com

This hammered metal wall hanging with attached twine for hanging measures approximately 8 inches square.  Its “Be Grateful” sentiment is apt for the season and it will fit into any décor.  It’s a great find from Hobby Lobby. 

To enter to win the “Be Grateful” wall décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I’m grateful for every good thing in my life!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, November 3rd, 2023.

NOTE:  An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails.  Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.

Haven’t subscribed yet?  You’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.

Be sure to share my blog with friends and family through all your social media.  They’ll never know about it unless you do.  If you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”. Hey!  The world needs to know.  People have enough news every day to drag them down.  Give them something smile about.

On the “Freebies” page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, November 3rd, by leaving a comment which says, “I’m grateful for every good thing in my life!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

We’ve had a nasty little cold snap that felt like a harsh reminder that winter is about to hit the Midwest.  Then, things came to their senses and returned to where they ought to be, which is sweater weather.  I hope that wherever you are, you can enjoy the glory of the outdoors as long as possible.

Meet Author Diane Yates!

~ Midwest Storyteller

If you are at all within range of KWRT, 1370 AM radio, be sure to tune in and listen to an interview with author Diane Yates on Friday, November 3rd at 8:30 AM.

Diane is a dear friend of mine and as a fellow author has helped me navigate through the world of publishing and I am eternally grateful for that. Would you like to meet her?

If you are at all within driving distance, please join us! Diane will be speaking at 10:00 AM on Saturday morning, November 4th and following that will chat with you at a book signing from 11:00 AM till 1:00 PM. Details are in the photo below.

The bake shop is in the historic district in one of the beautiful old buildings of this river town. You’ll be able to get breakfast and/or lunch there if you so choose.

I’ve interviewed Diane here on the blog as well, so check that out here. Of course, she’s been very busy since that interview and has much more to share and more books for you to enjoy. You can get the latest at dianeyates.com

Don’t miss this great opportunity to meet this wonderful romance author!

Meet October’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

It’s time to see who won the most recent First Friday Freebie.  I promise I got it to her in plenty of time for decorating throughout the month, even if I am slow in posting this.

Let’s meet –

Freebie Winner Shirley www.midweststoryteller.com

Shirley from Boonville, Missouri!

Congratulations, Shirley!  This was my “two-fer”, so I hope you enjoy them both.

Shirley is a repeat winner.  She’s learned to enter every single month and that it pays off.  Remember that I do send freebies anywhere in the continental U. S., so don’t be shy.  I seem to have many more subscribers than those who enter to win.

Shirley had her name drawn after she commented on the freebie post as directed in the post.  I do have to make it just a little tricky each month in order to prevent spam and make sure you’re on your toes and paying attention.. 

You can comment as directed on my post on the first Friday of the month also.  That is all any subscriber needs to do to enter to win.  If you’d like to see other past winners and their gifts check it out here on my Freebies! page.

You can see the original First Friday Freebie offer for the one Shirley won here. 

Not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller?  Hopefully, my freebies, not to mention the stories, recipes and other great content, will entice you to become one – freebies are for email subscribers only.

NOTE:  Subscribe with an email you intend to keep and check the week after the drawings.  This is my only means of notifying winners.  If it isn’t up to date, you may not get your gift!

Computers, tablets, smartphones – they each give this blog a different appearance, but you can easily find the subscription area in the menu under “CONTACT”.  Confirm your subscription when the email arrives.  If you’ve don’t receive a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com – it seems that from time to time, a subscription will get “stuck”. 

Subscribers get an email reminder each time there’s something new – like when there’s a FREEBIE on the First Friday of every month.

Comment as directed on the post that offers the Freebie and you’ll be entered to win. 

Freebies help me reach more people.  I need you to help me share all the fun with your friends and family.  When you share on MeWe, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free. 

Just a shameless plug here.  When my soon to be released novel comes out (the first in a three part series), it won’t be free.  Well…perhaps one special copy might just pop up as a First Friday Freebie?  We’ll see!

Coming up on November 3rd, you’ll see the new Freebie.  Enter to win that day.  A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight.  Then, check your email in the days following. 

Smartphone reminders help.

Take a moment make yourself familiar with the complete Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, November 3rd, 2023.

Enjoy the glories of autumn.  Like the First Friday Freebie, it is fleeting – it’s not here to stay. 

It’s an October Two-fer and It’s Free!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 4 Comments

I couldn’t resist.  My favorite season is spring, but my favorite season to decorate for is fall! So, when I found myself choosing a First Friday Freebie for you, I couldn’t make up my mind.  Take advantage of my indecision today because I got both!

Let’s take a look at them.

Fall Decor Give-a-Way www.midweststoryteller.com

The slatted wall hanging on the left measures 13.5” X 9” (not counting the twine hanger) and invites your guests to “Gather Here with Warm Hearts”.  The metal section adds some sparkle and shine against the rest of the rustic wooden slats which are all connected with twine, enabling the whole thing to collapse accordion-style for storage.  This is great if you have limited space as I do.  On the right you’ll see “Leaves are falling – autumn is calling” on a 6” square wooden box that can either perch on a shelf as it is 1.5” deep or hang on the wall.

When I say I was undecided, I really mean it.  I started out with three items and ended up falling in love with one and keeping it for myself. Just true confessions here.

To enter to win the “October Two-fer” wall décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Make mine a double, please!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, October 6th, 2023.

NOTE:  An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails.  Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.

Haven’t subscribed yet?  You’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.

If you’ve missed my recent post, you’ll want to visit my Food Freedom page and get the recipe for “Lime Sillies” which only takes seconds to make.

ANNOUNCING: The September First Friday Freebie went to Ruth in St. Louis, Missouri! Ruth didn’t have a way of getting a photo to me, so if you’d like to see what she won, check it out here.  Congratulations, Ruth!  I hope this finds a great spot on your wall during “sweater weather”. 

Be sure to share my blog with friends and family through all your social media.  They’ll never know about it unless you do.  If you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”. Hey!  The world needs to know.  People have enough news every day to drag them down.  Give them something smile about.

On the “Freebies” page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, October 6th, by leaving a comment which says, “Make mine a double, please!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

We’ve been doing a few things to beautify our porch and also screening it in.  We’re thinking we may not see much of Phoebe June when she finds out she can get out there and glory in the fresh autumn air.  You get out and do the same and remember – October is a gift!

Introducing…Lime Sillies!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 2 Comments

I probably should have passed this one on to you at the beginning of summer so you could enjoy it in the summer months, but since we enjoy it year-round I decided to go ahead and share it now that it has a name.

Lime Sillies www.midweststoryteller.com

I’m quite a lot like Anne of Green Gables when it comes to names. I like a little romance or beauty in a name rather than something ordinary. I, like Anne, would never have called it Barry’s Pond when I could’ve re-named it The Lake of Shining Waters and what is a better name for a blooming orchard than The White Way of Delight? It’s like she’s in my head.

I gave up soda a long time ago – decades in fact. After a while, I actually grew to detest the stuff and the way it made me feel.  However, I do somehow miss the bubbles and had to content myself with the occasional bottle of sparkling water because I’m way too frugal to drink it all the time.

Then I did some bartering one day with a friend who was doing a rummage sale with me.  I traded her some tea tree oil I’d over-bought for a Soda-Stream.  We had lots of fun with successes and fails as we tried various additives and blends to flavor the sparkling water we could now just fizz up in our own machine. (There is a cartridge that you trade in when it’s empty so after your initial purchase you pay only half price when you make the swap.)

We found it to be economical.  We started our first cartridge around July 4th and didn’t run out of bubbles till the middle of September!

Flavorings seemed to be the sticking point.  Smuffy is super picky on taste.  I am super picky on healthy add-ins.  Some of the ones you buy turn your carbonated water right back into soda! 

After a while, I just threw something together one day as a “lime thing” and ended up loving it.  Then I started serving it to guests and they liked it, which is good because when they come to my house I don’t stock “junk” drinks.

I knew this was ready to pass on to you when Lil’ Snookie gave it a name.  All on his own, when he was still two years old, he began to say that anything with carbonation in it had “sillies” and would ask Pookie, his mama, if he could have sillies in his drink.

Now he’s grown to love my invention and almost every day asks me if he can have “Lime Sillies”.

And there you have it!  It needed the perfect name and now it’s ready to share.  No free printable necessary for this recipe because this is all you do –

Lime Sillies

1.  Pour 1” to 1 ½” inches of Real-Lime or fresh lime juice into the bottom of your glass.  (Everyone has a different preference as to how much lime they prefer.)

2.  Add a tiny pinch of mineral salt (not the table salt gunk).

3.  Add 1 doonk of THM Pure Stevia or any on-plan natural sweetener.

4.  Add a couple of drops of pure vanilla extract.

Swirl the glass well or stir the mixture with a spoon before filling the glass with cold, carbonated water.  Add ice if you wish.

NOTE:  You cannot add the ingredients to the water.  You have to add the water to the other ingredients.  For some mysterious reason, dropping the sweetener into the carbonation makes the contents of the glass explode all over the counter.  Ask me how I know.

Also, with a SodaStream, you must carbonate only plain water.  Adding any ingredients to the water prior to pumping in the carbonation will result in more exploding things.  Ask me how I know.

There you have it – Lil’ Snookie’s Lime Sillies!  Fix a glass and head for the porch on these beautiful autumn days.

If you’d really like to see me explode things, check out “Don’t Blame the Cat – The Spaghetti Squash Did It”.  I can’t let Smuffy have all the fun, you know, and you can get a taste of what it’s like to live my Life With Smuffy here also.

I fully disclose that I am a THM Certified Lifestyle Coach and at times receive financial compensation as such.

If you need support in your journey to better health and weight loss, head to the Contact page or my Food Freedom pages on Facebook and Mewe and let me know.  I’ll give you all the info on group sessions which I conduct locally in person on a weekly basis.  Private coaching can be done in person or by phone.  Share with friends and let’s see how many are ready to get Trim & Healthy!

The Trim Healthy Mama Plan is a great way to boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, and certainly to lose weight safely and sustainably if you need to do that. 

Leave a comment after you sip your Lime Sillies and let me know how you like it.  Do you have a carbonation machine of any kind? What are your favorite flavors to add that keep it healthy and make it tasty?

Welcome September and Sweater Weather!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 5 Comments

We have arrived.  It’s “relief month” here in the sweltering Midwest.  September means that there is a chance that perhaps even half of the days this month won’t be those that enable you to fry an egg on the sidewalk in less than a minute.  A few of them may even leave your hair without the frizzies.  One or two might even get you out of your flip-flops. Today it is a certainty that you can enter to win my First Friday Freebie.

Let’s take a look at it.

Sweater Weather Wall Hanging www.midweststoryteller.com

I’m a believer in positive confessions, so join me in announcing “Sweater Weather” even if it hasn’t actually made itself felt yet.  This round wooden declaration of crisp days to come measures just under 8 inches in diameter.  The white inset is metal with cutout lettering and leafy embellishments.  It’s just the thing to prop on an easel, tuck into a shelf or hang on the wall using the attached metal hanger or even its twine extender.  This is just one of Hobby Lobby’s great fall items.

This time, instead of just getting one for you and wishing I had one just like it, I went ahead and bought an extra for myself.  Now I’ll have no regrets when this one leaves my house for yours! 

To enter to win the “Sweater Weather” wall décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I can’t wait for sweater weather!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, September 1st, 2023.

NOTE:  An occasional problem occurs with subscribers not receiving confirmation emails.  Should this happen, email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com so that I can report it and have the issue resolved.

Haven’t subscribed yet?  You’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.

If you’ve missed my recent post, don’t forget to check out the results of Smuffy’s kitchen remodel!  We are both glad to have the bulk of that ordeal behind us and I can’t wait for you to see how my design and all Smuffy’s hard work turned out! 

Be sure to share my blog with friends and family through all your social media.  They’ll never know about it unless you do.  If you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”. Hey!  The world needs to know.  People have enough news every day to drag them down.  Give them something smile about.

On the “Freebies” page, you can see what readers have been winning every month.

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, Septemer 1st, by leaving a comment which says, “I can’t wait for sweater weather!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Enjoy every bit of pleasant weather coming your way.  I know I’m going to try.  Life for me will fluctuate between getting outdoors to enjoy these days and closeting myself to do final edits on my novel series.  More news on that in the days ahead!