“Time” For a Christmas Freebie!

December 7, 2018December 7, 2018 ~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 8 Comments

The clock has been ticking away all year and once again we find ourselves in the full rush of the holiday season. For our family, that means time together, feasting, gift-giving – all things we are so blessed we could do any time of the year if we chose to do so, but things we do now with extra joy in our hearts as we celebrate the birth of our Messiah.

I’ve always loved gift-giving! I love packages and bows and surprises and keeping secrets. I love decorating and food traditions and dressing up and …well, you get the idea.

I’m tempted to wrap this up and make it a holiday “mystery freebie”, but there are enough secrets this time of the year, right? Let’s take a peek –

This beautiful watch set will have your (or someone special) looking stylish at this year’s holiday gatherings. I’m loving this latest trend in rose gold. I think it’s so flattering to all skin tones. The watch has raised markers for each numeral and a second hand. The faux leather band is rose gold as well. Six bracelets are included – four bangles and two beaded. You can split them up or wear them all together. (You know me – I’m wearing them all at the same time!)

To enter to win the watch set, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “It’s time for me to win!” You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, December 7th, 2018!

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so if you’ve not become a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller yet, give yourself a another free gift by heading over to the right sidebar or using the menu to get to the “Contact Me” page and subscribe if you haven’t done so already.

Share this blog with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or by copying the link into an email so they can enter to win and begin enjoying everything else on the blog as well!

Subscribers win every single month! Take a look at past freebies on the “Freebies” page to see what they’ve been winning.

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “It’s time for me to win!”And now, here are the complete rules:

Freebie Rules www.midweststoryteller.com

Four simple steps!

What are you waiting for? Time is running out! Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm in your email and comment to enter before midnight tonight, December 7th!

Enjoy all the celebrations and those around you this holiday season. Years from now, you won’t remember any of those bargains you chased or a fraction of the presents you got or gave, but you’ll never forget the laughter, sweet tears and loving arms that made this Christmas a precious memory.

A Little Slow, But Still SO Thankful!

December 4, 2018December 4, 2018 ~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

Due to circumstances that burned my candle at both ends and in the middle, I’m announcing November’s freebie winner in December. Welcome to my world. I am so thankful for all my readers and all the wonderful feedback I receive from you, whether in comments on the blog or on social media. Soon I’ll be giving you a glimpse into what has been taking up all my time lately – and Smuffy’s – I have him hard at work.

You may recognize this face. The winner of the Thanksgiving Hostess Set was –

Kathy from Prairie Home, Missouri!

Kathy, a guest here at Midwest Storyteller a few months back, inspired us all to test our woodburning skills. You’ll want to check out our efforts and meet Kathy here. After watching Kathy add some awesomeness to a set of wooden kitchen utensils, I was able to put my newfound talent to work and create yet another freebie for you, which you can see here, along with its winner, here.

I know Kathy will put the items in the hostess set to good use as she is always trying new recipes and loves blessing others with her amazing hostess ideas. She’ll be back here again on the blog sometime soon, I hope, to share what she’s been creating lately.

Take another look at the Thanksgiving Hostess Set. (I realize the above photo is a little blurry.)

All Kathy had to do to enter the First Friday Freebie drawing was to subscribe, read the blog post on the first Friday of the month and comment as directed in the post. Subscribe now, if you haven’t already, because December’s freebie is only days away!

To see the original freebie offer, click here.

The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, December 2, 2018 and only SUBSCRIBERS can win!

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post. See the recently revised rules below.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules.

Follow these four simple steps and subscribe now. Then, you’ll be ready for December 7^th.“Share”, “like” and “pin” this post! You’re friends will want to enter to win, too! Have an opinion on the Freebies? Leave a comment! If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking. On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

Here’s What’s Cookin’: The First Friday Freebie!

November 2, 2018November 1, 2018 ~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 9 Comments

Welcome to November! How did that ever happen? Soon the hustle and bustle begins as we prepare to gather our families and friends together for Thanksgiving.

Food begins to play an even more important role in our lives and I’m here to help you be the hostess with the mostess this Thanksgiving with November’s freebie.

This set will spruce up your kitchen, give you a head start on baking cookies to celebrate the season and help you set a great display for your guests. The oven mitt lets you pull all those cookies out of the oven in style. The set of three cookie cutters offers a turkey, a pilgrim hat and a pumpkin and I know you’ll come up with great ideas for decorating those. Also included is a set of three spreaders with pumpkin and leaf handles to make those yummy spreads and dips even more appetizing.

If you’d like to enter to win this Thanksgiving hostess set, you’ll need to “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Thank Goodness for Freebies!” and you’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, November 2^nd, 2018!

Remember, you must be a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller in order for your comment to be entered into the drawing. Head over to the right sidebar or use the menu to get to the “Contact Me” page and subscribe if you haven’t done so already.

I’ll be thankful if you’ll help Midwest Storyteller reach your friends and family by SHARING this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or by copying the link into an email so they can enter to win and begin enjoying everything else on the blog as well!

Subscribers win every single month! Take a look at past freebies on the “Freebies” page to see what they’ve been winning.

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “Thank Goodness for Freebies!”

And now, here are the complete rules:

Four simple steps!

What are you waiting for? Go! Go! Go! Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm in your email and comment to enter before midnight tonight, November 2^nd! Coming up next – Comfort food is where it’s at this time of year! One of my family’s slow-cooker favorites is bound to become a favorite with your family as well.

Wondering “Whooo” Won October’s Freebie?

November 1, 2018October 31, 2018 ~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 2 Comments

My little owl has been flying across the country, but he’s finally ended up here –

He’s made his new home with Jan in Greeley, Colorado!

Jan tells me that she sometimes forgets to enter to win my freebie on the first Friday of the month, but this time she remembered. Good for you, Jan!

October marked the first time that I’ve had to do the drawing twice. That is because our first winner did not respond to the email notice and provide me with contact information so that I could send out the gift. After waiting a week, we conducted the drawing again from those who had previously entered.

Jan tells me that she’s already named her new little friend “Ollie”. I hope the two of you will be very happy together, Jan! When you introduce Ollie to your friends, I’m sure he’ll be happy to have you tell them that he came all the way from Midwest Storyteller so they can subscribe and enter to win also.

If you haven’t subscribed, you’ll want to do that now.

To see the original freebie offer for this adorable owl from Hobby Lobby, click here. I know there’s a store near you with more awesome fall décor. Or, you can order online here.

The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, November 2, 2018 and only SUBSCRIBERS can win!

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post. See the revised rules below – I am trying to make certain that I do my best to make contact with the winners.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules.

First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you come to the post through social media or someone has emailed you a link to it and you haven’t become a subscriber yet, you’ll need to hop on over to the right sidebar and do that really quick. If you are on a phone or tablet, the easiest way is to go to the “About Me” page. All it means to be a subscriber is that you’ll receive an email each time Midwest Storyteller has something new, which won’t likely be more than once or twice a week. It keeps you from missing out on all the fun and FREE STUFF! And, I’m not sharing your emails with anybody.
IMPORTANT: After subscribing, you MUST check your email to confirm the subscription or it will not appear. Then, sadly, you won’t be eligible to enter.
To enter the drawing, scroll back up to the top of this post and under the title, click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on the first Friday of the month will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States.
The drawing will be conducted the weekend after Friday’s freebie offer. The winner will receive an email at the address they’ve provided in order to subscribe. ENTRANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING THEIR EMAIL so they can receive notification. If the winner does not respond within a week of the original contest date to provide name and mailing address, they will forfeit the freebie and another winner will be selected from those who have already entered according to the rules. Follow these four simple steps and subscribe now. Then, you’ll be ready for November 2^nd.“Share”, “like” and “pin” this post! You’re friends will want to enter to win, too!

Have an opinion on the Freebies? Leave a comment! If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking. On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

Dear Readers: HELP!

October 17, 2018October 16, 2018 ~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

Yes, Jamie – where are you? Normally, I do love a mystery, but…

The winner of October’s First Friday Freebie is “Jamie E.” Jamie has been notified with a reply to a comment on the blog post as well as through a personal email. However, Jamie has not responded to me with contact information to claim the free gift. It’s been over a week.

So sad.

Since I have no way of knowing whether Jamie is male or female or whether Jamie lives in my own hometown or anywhere else in the continental United States, it makes it impossible for me to send out the free home décor from Hobby Lobby.

So, my dear readers, please help! Share this post and if you have any idea who Jamie might be, please contact this person and let them know they’ve won. I’ll give it a few more days. If I do not hear from “Jamie E.” by Friday, October 19th, I’ll have Smuffy choose another name from among others who have entered.

Check out what Jamie is missing out on here. This owl is wondering “whoo” will give him/her a new home!

Thanks for sleuthing with me! Leave a comment, but be sure not to share any personal information. If you have any such details to share, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com.

Who Will Win the Freebie? “Whoo – oo!”

October 5, 2018October 4, 2018 ~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 11 Comments

Here I am, in turmoil again, as the First Friday Freebie takes flight. If there had been two of these in the store, there would have been no problem, but I’m mustering up my courage to part with this one, because it is meant for you!

It’s October and most of us are in the mood to decorate for fall. This adorable owl wall plaque from Hobby Lobby just begs for a place among your fall leaves, candles and other autumn décor.

Here it is, propped up on my mantle where it sat begging me to give it a forever home.

My personal preference would be to have him sitting and not hanging, but there’s a hanger on the back so you can do whichever you like. Did I say “he”? I suppose it could be a “she” or, as they say in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, a “little gal owl fowl”.

The owl measures just under eight inches tall and is seven inches wide, so it’s just the right size to slip in with your other decorations and set things off really well.

If you’d like to enter to win the owl plaque, you’ll need to “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I’m the one WHO wants to win!” and you’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, October 5th, 2018!

Remember, you must be a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller in order for your comment to be entered into the drawing. Therefore, it would be WISE to head over to the right sidebar or use the menu to get to the “About Me” page and do that if you haven’t already.

Help Midwest Storyteller reach your friends and family by SHARING this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or by copying the link into an email so they can enter to win and begin enjoying everything else on the blog as well!

Take a look at past freebies on the “Freebies” where you can see the gifts subscribers have been winning.

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “I’m the one WHO wants to win!”

And now, here are the complete rules:

Three simple steps!

What are you waiting for? Go! Go! Go! Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm in your email and comment to enter before midnight tonight, October 5th!

Coming up next – It’s that time of the year for hot and hearty comfort foods. I’ll take you on my journey through the wonderful world of that delicious (albeit embarrassing) and nutritious topic – BEANS – and you’ll get two great from-scratch recipes to please your whole family!

Announcing September’s Freebie Winner!

September 28, 2018September 27, 2018 ~ Midwest Storyteller

By commenting on my last First Friday Freebie, someone got to “tie one on”!

On September 7^th, I asked my readers to leave a comment, saying, “I’m ready to tie one on!” in order to enter the drawing for this beautiful scarf. And the winner is…

Liz from Boonville, Missouri!

Liz is another one of my repeat winners. She’s sure to put her name in almost every single month and it’s paying off!

Soon it will be time for October’s freebie! If you haven’t subscribed, you’ll want to do that now because First Friday Freebies are for SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.

Check out the “Freebies” page! After seeing some of the gifts other subscribers have won, you’ll want to be sure you enter to win and SHARE so your friends can do the same.

Congratulations, Liz! The scarf looks great on you and I know you’ll like wearing it now that we are having cooler days.

This beautiful scarf is by MIXIT. You’ll find more great styles in scarves, other accessories and clothing at JCPenney.

To see the original freebie offer, click here.

The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, October 5, 2018. Why not follow Liz’s example and become a SUBSCRIBER so you can win!

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules.

First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you come to the post through social media or someone has emailed you a link to it and you haven’t become a subscriber yet, you’ll need to hop on over to the right sidebar and do that really quick. If you are on a phone or tablet, the easiest way is to go to the “About Me” page. All it means to be a subscriber is that you’ll receive an email each time Midwest Storyteller has something new, which won’t likely be more than once or twice a week. It keeps you from missing out on all the fun and FREE STUFF! And, I’m not sharing your emails with anybody.
IMPORTANT: After subscribing, you MUST check your email to confirm the subscription or it will not appear. Then, sadly, you won’t be eligible to enter.
To enter the drawing, scroll back up to the top of this post and under the title, click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on the first Friday of the month will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States. .Follow these three simple steps and subscribe now. Then, you’ll be ready for October. .“Share”, “like” and “pin” this post! You’re friends will want to enter to win, too! Have an opinion on the Freebies? Leave a comment! If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking. On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

Leave a comment today and let me know how you are liking the freebies!

Is there a Nip (and a Freebie) in the Air?

September 7, 2018September 5, 2018 ~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 9 Comments

Go ahead. Sniff the air. Is that an autumn breeze passing by?

Well, no, not really. It’s hot. But it’s September and that brings hope that the worst is over.

We find ourselves directly in the path of Hurricane Gordon’s “leftovers”, which are due to bring us several inches of rain this weekend and perhaps some cooler temperatures. Highs in the 70’s and 80’s are better than the highs in the 90’s that we’ve been having ever since May.

I have just the thing to put you in the mood for cooler, crisper days. Take a look at September’s First Friday Freebie.

This beautiful scarf by MIXIT is just the remedy for that first urge one gets this time of the year to run out and tie one on! Get it? Tie. One. On. Oh, never mind. I am sometimes overwhelmed by my lightning wit.

As you can see in the photos above, the rose pattern speaks of summer’s end with soft ivory and brown tones to usher in cooler days. Subtle touches of metallic gold highlight the leaves and petals. The woven fabric is thin enough to wear at the first hint of cooler weather.

At 73 inches long and 26 inches wide, you’ll have plenty of room for tying it into multiple styles. Take a look at some of the ways my model wore it.

Of course, there are all sorts of unique and stylish ways to tie scarves, from twisting them into rosettes to leaving them untied and just letting then ends hang down straight.

To enter to win the MIXIT scarf, “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I’m ready to tie one on!” (I know, I know – but humor me.) You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, September 7th, 2018!

Remember, you must be a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller in order for your comment to be entered into the drawing.

JCPenney carries a wide selection of MIXIT accessories and you can check out more styles from MIXIT here.

SHARE this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or send the link in an email to all your friends so they can enter to win!

Take a look at past freebies on the “Freebies” where you can see the gifts subscribers have been winning.

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “I’m ready to tie one on!”

And now, here are the complete rules:

First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you have come to this post through social media or someone has emailed you a link to it and you haven’t become a subscriber yet, you’ll need to hop on over to the right sidebar and do that really quick. If you are on a phone or tablet, the easiest way is to go to the “About Me” page. All it means to be a subscriber is that you’ll receive an email each time Midwest Storyteller has something new, which won’t likely be more than once or twice a week. It keeps you from missing out on all the fun and FREE STUFF! And, I’m not sharing your emails with anybody.

IMPORTANT: After subscribing, you MUST check your email to confirm the subscription or it will not appear. Then, sadly, you won’t be eligible to enter.

To enter the drawing, scroll back up to the top of this post (or all the way to the bottom, depending on your device) and click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on Friday will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States.

Three simple steps!

What are you waiting for? Go! Go! Go! Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm in your email and comment to enter before midnight tonight, September 7th!

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Freebies!

August 29, 2018August 28, 2018 ~ Midwest Storyteller

Announcing the August Freebie winner! Let’s see who won the free gift –

Ruth from St. Louis, Missouri!

Ruth not only received the free cupcake kit, but also an “E” for effort! I think she’s entered almost every Midwest Storyteller drawing for months now and is finally a winner! All she had to do was comment on the August 3^rd post, saying, “Come on, let’s party!” Her name went into the drawing for the adorable cupcake kit by MeriMeri. Smuffy chose a name from those who entered and there you have it

I’ve had a little delay in making this announcement, so it won’t be long until time rolls around for September’s freebie! If you haven’t subscribed, you’ll want to do that now because First Friday Freebies are for SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.

Take a look at our “Freebies” page where you’ll see some of the other gifts subscribers have been winning.

Congratulations, Ruth! I know you’ll have fun making your favorite cupcake recipe cute with all the items in this kit.

You can check out more items from Meri Meri at www.merimeri.com where they have coordinating items for all your celebrations, including, baby, wedding, anniversary and more. Words cannot express how much I adore their Peter Rabbit themed party items!

To see the original freebie offer, click here.

The next First Friday Freebie drawing will be on Friday, September 7, 2018. As Ruth can testify, it pays to be a SUBSCRIBER.

Share this post with all your friends so they can SUSCRIBE and enter to win. A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing by leaving a comment as instructed in the post.

And now, here are the Freebie Rules.

First Friday Freebies are available to SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. That means if you come to the post through social media or someone has emailed you a link to it and you haven’t become a subscriber yet, you’ll need to hop on over to the right sidebar and do that really quick. If you are on a phone or tablet, the easiest way is to go to the “About Me” page. All it means to be a subscriber is that you’ll receive an email each time Midwest Storyteller has something new, which won’t likely be more than once or twice a week. It keeps you from missing out on all the fun and FREE STUFF! And, I’m not sharing your emails with anybody.
IMPORTANT: After subscribing, you MUST check your email to confirm the subscription or it will not appear. Then, sadly, you won’t be eligible to enter.
To enter the drawing, scroll back up to the top of this post and under the title, click on “Leave a Comment”. Subscribers who comment as directed before midnight on the first Friday of the month will enter the drawing, provided they are already on the subscribers list and live within the continental United States. Follow these three simple steps and subscribe now. Then, you’ll be ready for September. “Share”, “like” and “pin” this post! You’re friends will want to enter to win, too! Have an opinion on the Freebies? Leave a comment! If you’re on your computer, scroll back up under the title of this post and let me know what you’re thinking. On various devices, you may find “Leave a Comment” at the bottom of the post.

Smuffy returns soon: Need I remind you that I am not responsible for this man’s actions? Another landmark moment for the books is coming up! If you’ve not let Smuffy entertain you, click here.

Summer Fun and a First Friday Freebie!

August 3, 2018August 2, 2018 ~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 12 Comments

It’s the First Friday in August!

It’s easy to get tired of summer heat. Let’s enjoy it while we have it! In this neck of the woods, I start missing it once the crisp fall days give way to the ones that ice up my car and force me to cancel plans because I’m snowed in.

Not to mention the fact that ours is the damp kind of cold – the type that creeps into your bones and starts arguments over who gets to snuggle Phoebe June for a bit of extra warmth.

Summer’s hanging on, but so are the picnics, parties and celebrations that go along with it. The little added touches are what transform you into the hostess-with-the-mostess at your summer get-together.

The August Freebie will help you out with that. Let’s take a look –

This cupcake kit by Meri Meri contains twenty-four cupcake cases and twenty-four toppers. It’s all-over floral design is perfect for summer parties and events and don’t you love it when each cupcake has a flower sprouting out of it?

Come to think of it, why do we always dress up sweets? This might be a fun way to get your kids or grandkids to eat a healthier choice, such as a fruit-filled muffin! Spread the love – after all, it’s FREE!

To enter to win the Meri Meri cupcake kit, “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Come on, let’s party!”

Remember, you must be a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller in order for your comment to be entered into the drawing.

SHARE this post through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest or send the link in an email to all your friends so they can enter to win!

Previous freebies can be found on the “Freebies” page. Take a look at the gifts subscribers have been winning.

Once again, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “Come on, let’s party!”

And now, here are the complete rules:

IMPORTANT: After subscribing, you MUST check your email to confirm the subscription or it will not appear. Then, sadly, you won’t be eligible to enter.

Three simple steps!

What are you waiting for? Go! Go! Go! Subscribe if you haven’t already, confirm in your email and comment to enter before midnight tonight, August 3rd!

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