And Another Winner: Find Out Who Won December’s First Friday Freebie!

December has gone by in a blur around here.  I hear it hasn’t been so for some of you who’ve had pretty much everything cancelled.  I didn’t get in much blogging and writing time due to my small daily companion even though he tried to be such a help with his new skills at grabbing and throwing, paper tearing and high-speed floor cruising.  Evenings and naptimes seemed to be the only slots available for this gal who normally suffers from Martha Stewart/June Cleaver/Mary Poppins/Emily Post-itis to decorate, create, bake, wrap and deliver.  But, hear me loud and clear – I’m not complaining!  This Grandma Life – there’s nothing like it!

I didn’t really know what to ask for this Christmas because I’ve learned from experience that no matter how many times you proclaim that all you want is a nap, you never open a box or bag and find one. 

My First Friday Freebie did, however, find a new home and if you’ve been keeping up with Midwest Storyteller for a while, you may recognize the winner –

Kathy from Prairie Home, Missouri!

 Congratulations, Kathy! I hope you’ve had time to enjoy your gift!

Kathy is such a creative spirit.  She’s been a guest here on the blog to share some of her creations. Hopefully, she’ll reappear here at Midwest Storyteller again in 2021 and show us how to do more creative projects.  If you’d like to take a peek into her talents and see the Freebie she helped me create, click here. Other creative ideas are found on my Create! page.

Kathy received this copy of Glenn Beck’s novel, “The Christmas Sweater”.  I offered this book after reading it myself and giving it five stars.  I recommend it for ages pre-teen and up. 

If you’d like to see the original freebie offer, check it out along with my thoughts on the book here.

You can see past First Friday Freebies and their winners on my Freebies! page hereIf you’re not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller they might entice you to become one – First Friday Freebies are for email subscribers only.

Kathy entered her email in the subscription area here on the blog and then confirmed her subscription when the confirmation email arrived in her inbox.  If you’ve done that and not received a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com and let me know as I am trying to work out a few bugs with that. 

Subscribing is the best way to avoid missing what’s new here on the blog because you’ll 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 are my way of reaching more people with the stories, recipes and more.  When you share with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free.  Get the idea?

Coming up:  The First First Friday Freebie of 2021!  That takes place on Friday, January 1st.   I’ll surprise you that morning with a “Happy New Year” and a photo of January’s free gift, so don’t forget to check it out.

A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing. 

REMEMBER:  Should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe.  That means you’ll need to check your email often in the week following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.

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

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on Friday, January 1st, 2021.

Preparing to say “goodbye” to 2020?  It’s been quite an experience!  Blessings on your life as we enter a bright and happy new year!    

After the Glitch: Meet November’s First Friday Freebie Winner!

In some ways, I have my ducks in a row.  In others, not so much.  Throw a monkey wrench into my well-oiled plans and I’m likely to forget I had any plans at all.  November’s First Friday Freebie was chosen in a timely manner and in the usual way.  And then, emails just didn’t seem to be moving back and forth in their proper cyber-flow and I lost contact with the winner.  By the time this got sorted out and the Freebie got into the hands of the postal service, and the Freebie took it’s cross-country journey, I succumbed to CPO (Christmas Preparation Overload)!  This condition, complicated by my chronic state of GCED (Grandchild Comes Every Day), led me to lose complete track of things.    

Anyhow, let’s meet the winner –

Jean from Hurricane Utah!

Congratulations, Jean!  I’m so glad you entered to win!

Jean received this autographed copy of Diane Yates new novella, “Christmas on the High Seas”.  I’m hoping that COP did not prevent her from enjoying this great read in time to enjoy it during the Christmas season.

If you’d like to see the original freebie offer, check it out and enjoy a brief interview with Diane Yates about this Christmas romance here.

You can see past First Friday Freebies and their winners on my Freebies! page here.  If you’re not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller they might entice you to become one – First Friday Freebies are for email subscribers only.

Jean entered her email in the subscription area here on the blog and then confirmed her subscription when the confirmation email arrived in her inbox.  If you’ve done that and not received a confirmation email, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com and let me know as I am trying to work out a few bugs with that. 

 Subscribing is the best way to avoid missing what’s new here on the blog because you’ll 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 are my way of reaching more people with the stories, recipes and more.  When you share with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free.  Get the idea?

Coming up:  December’s winner!  Then, 2021 and another great drawing are just around the corner on Friday, January 1st.   I’ll surprise you that morning with the announcement and photo of January’s free gift, so don’t forget to check it out.

A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing. 

REMEMBER:  Should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe.  That means you’ll need to check your email often in the week following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.

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

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on Friday, January 1st, 2021.

Preparing to say “goodbye” to 2020?  It’s been quite a year!  Blessings on your life as we enter a bright and happy new year!    

Cozy Up With December’s Freebie!

This month’s First Friday Freebie is one that you’ll really enjoy and I hope you’ll share it with someone else. 

I’d heard about this for years and had put it on my mental list under “Someday When I Have Time, I’m Going to Get This Book Because I’m Curious”.

From what I’d heard, it seemed to be about a boy and a sweater he’d received one Christmas.  As a novel with such a plot, I couldn’t fathom why the author, Glenn Beck, would put out such a book.  There must be some driving purpose, right?  Some political point?  Some analogy to the times in which we live?

Well, there is a driving purpose and it’s not what you think. 

The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck

It takes a while for things to move to the top of my slush pile and when I tell you that this book came out in 2008 and that I just read it a few months ago, you get the idea.  I discovered the purpose of the book at last and I believe that Glenn’s intent was to tell his own story in a unique, entertaining and heartfelt way and, most importantly, to heal your soul.

The copy I am sharing with you today is in large print, making it easy to read for you, young readers or anyone else who needs that feature. 

Yes, it is about a boy and a sweater he received one Christmas just as he entered his trying teen years.  It’s about his loss, his heaving emotions, his relationships with his parents, grandparents and everyone else.  As I read it, I found myself wanting all boys and girls in this stage of life to read it and find that they are not alone and that God cares.  You’ll fly through the pages and won’t be able to put it down. Glenn gets an A+ rating from me on “keeping it clean”.

To enter to win this copy of “The Christmas Sweater”, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Send me The Christmas Sweater!”  You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, December 4th, 2020!

NOTE:  There seems to be a problem here on the blog with people trying to subscribe and not receiving their confirmation email.  If this has happened to you, please email me at barb@midweststoryteller.com and let me know so that I can report all these instances and have the issue solved.

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so hop on over to the right sidebar or use the drop-down menu on your device to navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so.

Your friends will enjoy the stories, recipes, laughter and, of course, the FREEBIES here on the blog, too, so share with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.

Subscribers win every single month!  On the “Freebies” page, you’ll be able 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, “Send me The Christmas Sweater!”

Be sure to read the complete Freebie Rules here.

Those four steps will take you no time at all!

Don’t let the day slip away!  Subscribe now if you haven’t already, and confirm in your email before you forget!  (See note above concerning subscription problems.)

Christmas will be here before you know it!  My apologies for moving straight from “Freebie-to-Freebie” this month.  There has been much to distract me as you will see in upcoming posts.

Comments or questions?  I’d love to hear from you!  If you’ve by chance already read “The Christmas Sweater”, please leave a comment and let me know how you liked it!

Sail Into the Season with This Freebie!

This month’s First Friday Freebie is so much fun!  I’ve been excited to let the cat out of the bag on this one.

If you’ve been keeping up with things for a while here at Midwest Storyteller, you’ll remember that I treated you to An Interview with Author Diane Yates.  Diane provided a copy of her first book, “Pathways of the Heart” as a First Friday Freebie.  Later, I offered another great freebie from Diane – her second book, “All That Matters”. 

Well, it’s been a little difficult to keep up with Diane!  She’s been turning out more great reads.  Her first two books, written in novel form, contained the true story of her mother’s life, a tale of a spunky woman whose difficult journey eventually brought her to the understanding of what really matters.  Diane then moved on to Christian romance and brought us “Melissa’s Fate” and the sequel, “Impossible Fate”.  The first book in this series brought Diane requests for the second and I can understand why.  What a story!

Now, just for fun, Diane Yates brings us “Christmas on the High Seas” and I thank her so much for offering it to you as this month’s First Friday Freebie.

Let’s see what Diane has to say about her latest endeavor.  Then, I’ll tell you exactly how to enter to win.

Storyteller:  How did you like writing your first Christmas romance?

Diane Yates:  It was truly a lot of fun! I thought it would be difficult because I had to write it in the middle of summer, but music has always been inspirational in my writing and I could literally listen to Christmas carols all year round. Since it was a Christmas in the Caribbean, I had Alexa playing everything from Jimmy Buffet’s Christmas Island album, to Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters!

Storyteller:  So, tell me about the main character in Christmas on the High Seas.

Diane Yates:  Her name is Halley Simpson. She works in advertising in New York City, but her life has not always been ideal. When she and her younger sister, Kaleigh, were little, their parents were killed in an auto accident. They were both raised by their grandmother. When Halley was thirteen, a popular boy, Devon Copeland, called her chubby and with the help of his friends, set about tormenting her all through high school. College was a much better experience for her. With her long blonde hair and slender body, she never had to give Devon Copeland another thought.

Storyteller:  How does Halley end up on the High Seas Cruise Ship for Christmas, sharing a room with none other than Devon Copeland?

Diane Yates:  Halley and her sister, Kaleigh, originally booked a Christmas cruise a year ago. Since that time, Kaleigh married and sold her ticket to her friend, Candace. Halley boards the ship expecting to share a room with her sister’s friend, but when she opens the door to her state room, she finds Devon as Candace has sold her ticket to him.

Storyteller:  How awkward is this for Halley?

Diane Yates:  First, it meant that she had to relive some painful memories and come to realize she still harbored anger and hatred, yet her beloved Nana had taught her to love her enemies. Not only does Halley have to sleep in the same room, but she will have to eat at the same table every evening and attend the same onshore excursions with him.

Storyteller:  What is remarkable about this particular Christmas story?

Diane Yates:  There are fun experiences from jet skiing and scuba diving to dancing in the sand under the stars. From Key West to Cozumel, Nassau to Christmas Island, this cruise is one exciting adventure.

Storyteller:  How does Halley deal with her high school enemy?

Diane Yates:  The big thing for Halley is she is experiencing the adventure of a lifetime yet her memories will be forever tainted with the presence of her high school enemy. Devon mentions that people can change, but she doesn’t believe it for a minute. She has hung on to her hatred for so long.

Storyteller:  When all is said and done, what next?

Diane Yates:  The big take away from this story is “never judge a book by its cover!” (Pun intended!) No, everyday Halley judged Devon by his past mistakes, but on this cruise, enmity meets forgiveness and hate falls for love.

Storyteller:  What is next for you as an author?

Diane Yates:  I will be completing the third book of the Fate Series, which is the Drake Family Saga. In the first book, Melissa’s Fate, Beth reappears with shocking news. Phil Drake will never forgive her, but he’ll do anything to save the little girl he didn’t know existed. In book two, Impossible Fate, Melissa and David Drake grow up. At a young age, David falls in love with Aliyah Zimmerman, but she’s Jewish and he’s Christian. Her parents equate Christians with Hitler because Hitler claimed to be Christian. Her parents forbid her to even be with David. She is expected to marry a nice Jewish boy, but David trusts God to provide a way. The title of the third book is still being determined, but my vote goes for “Love’s Fate.” It is in this story that Love itself will be at risk for some of the Fate characters you hold dear and beyond. I’ll be releasing more information about this story in the upcoming weeks.

Storyteller:  Do you have anything more you’d like to share?

Diane Yates:  Yes. As always, I remain so very thankful for my readers. Without you, my stories stop! When you take time to read my books, share a review or rating on Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub, etc., and follow me on those sites, you participate in promoting my career. I am humbled by your faith in my writing.

Storyteller:  Thanks so much, Diane, for giving us such exciting previews.

You’ll find that “Christmas on the High Seas” is a quick read for all of us who are so busy this time of year, so even if you’re not the winner, be sure to grab a copy for yourself and some for stocking stuffers!

Christmas on the High Seas is published by Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications. The book is available at www.DianeYates.com and Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-High-Seas-Diane-Yates-ebook/dp/B08H8M4QJW.   Or, you can click on any of the links in this post to access Diane’s books and more information about them. Diane is represented by Stephanie Hansen of Metamorphosis Literary Agency.

To enter to win “Christmas on the High Seas”, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Bring me some Christmas romance!”  You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, November 6th, 2020!

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so hop on over to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so already.

Your friends will enjoy the stories, recipes, laughter and, of course, the FREEBIES here on the blog, too, so share with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.

Subscribers win every single month!  On the “Freebies” page, you’ll be able 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, “Send me some Christmas romance!”

Click here to see the complete rules. 

Four simple steps!

Don’t let the day slip away!  Subscribe now if you haven’t already, and confirm in your email before you forget! 

Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  Can you believe it?  Then, we “sail” straight into Christmas!  This Freebie will put you in the mood.

Comments or questions?  I’d love to hear from you!  Please leave a comment telling me what good books you’ve read lately.  I’m curious – what is your favorite book of all time?

Meet September’s First Friday Freebie Winner!

Autumn officially arrived a little over a week ago and the days have been just lovely here, even the rainy ones, for it has been the kind of rain that feels appropriate for the transition of the seasons.

As we now greet October, color is due to arrive where we live and I am always in hopes that science equals beauty.  All the right amounts of rain at just the exact times causes a burst of orange, gold and burgundy and that certain red that can only be described as “fall red”.  While we wait for it, let’s meet the latest winner of Midwest Storyteller’s First Friday Freebie. 

September’s free gift found its home with –

Debby from Boonville, Missouri

Debby is a first time winner here on the blog.  Congratulations, Debby!  I hope you enjoy your diamond dial watch and I know it will go with lots of your outfits for fall.

If you’d like to see the original freebie offer and have a better look at the beautiful watch Debby won, click here.

You can see past First Friday Freebies and their winners on my Freebies! page here.  If you’re not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller they might entice you to become one – First Friday Freebies are for email subscribers only.

Debby is a fairly new subscriber and you must be an email subscriber to enter to win.  She did that entering her email in the subscription area here on the blog and then confirming her subscription when the confirmation email arrived in her inbox.  And that, dear friends, is just as free as the freebie!  Subscribing is the best way to avoid missing what’s new here on the blog because you’ll 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 are my way of reaching more people with the stories, recipes and more.  When you share with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free.  Get the idea?

October’s drawing will take place tomorrow on Friday, October 2nd.  I’ll surprise you in the morning with the announcement and photo of October’s free gift, so don’t forget to check it out.

A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing. 

REMEMBER:  Should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe.  That means you’ll need to check your email often in the week following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.

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

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on Friday, October 2nd, 2020.

If you’ve won one of my Freebies in the past, leave a comment today and let me know how you liked it.  Did you gift it to someone special or keep it for yourself?    

It’s Time for a Freebie!

I think you’ll agree with me that as soon as the calendar flipped over to September, it was time for a change!  People have shown an amazing amount of patience in the last several months, but I can sense a certain something in the air that tells me we are all ready for cooler weather, a shift in how we connect with the world and a big dose of normalcy.

I’m here to lift your spirits with a lovely gift!  I think you’ll enjoy September’s First Friday Freebie! 

Freebie Diamond Dial Watch midweststoryteller.com

This gorgeous watch by “Time and True” will help you get back into the swing of things in style.  It has a genuine diamond in the dial and the thing I love most is the self-adjustable bracelet band.  You can see that on the watch in the lower portion of the photo. This means you won’t have to have the band adjusted by adding or removing links. You ask why there are two watches?  I couldn’t resist buying one for myself when I got one just for you!  Smuffy always gets the job of removing links when I buy a watch with a metal band because I have small wrists, so I was thrilled to be able to find such a pretty watch that I could just put on and wear.

The color is a rose gold that leans toward bronze which will look perfect with your fall outfits.

And guys, do you know how many points you’ll score if you win this watch and give it to her “just because”?  I’m trying to help you out here.

So many people have said these last few months that the days have gone by in a blur to the point where they didn’t know what time it was or what day it was.  I’ve found myself feeling the same way.  So, if you’re headed back to school, work or just a more normal life, you might enjoy this First Friday Freebie.  By the way, it is September, it is Friday and it is the 4th day of the month.  Are we all straightened out now?   

To enter to win this “Time and True” Diamond Dial Watch, leave a comment on this post before midnight tonight, September 4th, 2020 and be sure to say, “It’s time I won a Freebie!”

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so subscribe now over at the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so already.

Your friends will enjoy the stories, recipes, laughter and, of course, the FREEBIES here on the blog, too, so share with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.

Subscribers win every single month!  On the “Freebies” page, you’ll be able 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 I won a Freebie!”

Click here for complete First Friday Freebie rules.

Four simple steps!

If you don’t do it now, tomorrow will dawn and you’ll have missed your opportunity to enter.  Subscribe now if you haven’t already, and confirm in your email before you forget! 

The days are shorter now.  Autumn will officially be here in less than three weeks.  Decorate your home, pull out the scarves and sweaters and have them ready for that first nippy day.  Things are about to change and, my dear friends, it’s about time!

Next up, (did I say up?) Smuffy’s up to something – WAY up!

Comments or questions?  What have you done in the last few months to keep the joy alive? 

Meet August’s First Friday Freebie Winner!

Here we are winding down to the end of summer.  Time to meet the latest winner of Midwest Storyteller’s First Friday Freebie.  This winner is yet another example of why it pays to enter often.

August’s free gift goes to –

Freebie Winner August 2020 midweststoryteller.com

Jenny from Boonville, Missouri

Jenny’s name has been drawn a couple of times in the past because she just keeps entering to win almost every month! 

Congratulations, Jenny!  I hope you “find JOY” in your Freebie!

If you’d like to see the original freebie offer and have a better look at the “Find Joy in Everything” wood and metal wall art that Jenny won, click here.

You can see past First Friday Freebies and their winners on my Freebies! page hereIf you’re not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller they might entice you to become one – First Friday Freebies are for email subscribers only.

Jenny subscribed by entering her email in the subscription area here on the blog and then confirming her subscription when the confirmation email arrived in her inbox.  This is the best way to avoid missing what’s new here on the blog because you’ll 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 are my way of reaching more people with the stories, recipes and more.  When you share with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free.  Get the idea?

September’s drawing will take place on Friday, September 4th.

A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing. 

REMEMBER:  Should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe.  That means you’ll need to check your email often in the week following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.

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

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on Friday, September 4th, 2020.

If you’ve won one of my Freebies in the past, leave a comment today and let me know how you liked it.  Did you gift it to someone special or keep it for yourself?    

It’s Freebie Day – Oh, The Joy!

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s August and the weather has been fabulous!  I’m told it’s to be short-lived, but here in the hot, sticky Midwest, we take relief any time we can get it.  To find myself looking in the mirror all throughout the first week of August and not muttering about the frizz and general icky-ness of my mane is almost miraculous – and welcome.  It’s almost as nice as a First Friday Freebie!

The year is now well into its second half and most of us will be glad to see 2020 and its ridiculousness go and we won’t even bother to tell it not to let the screen door smack its fanny on the way out!  Oh!  Wait a minute – I know what we need to do –

My first Friday Freebie is a great reminder to (as the old song goes) count your many blessings and name them one by one.  Or, as the Scripture says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” (James 1:2)  We definitely need reminding. My general tendency right now is toward muttering to myself throughout the day, rehearsing a list of world events and news reports that are stepping on my last frayed nerve.  You know the one.  It’s the nerve that (if I may borrow a phrase from P. G. Wodehouse) is already sticking out an inch and curled on the end.

This 6” X 6” reverse box-top framed word art by “Sign of the Times” has metal lettering and will easily fit into that little nook in your décor that just “needs a little something”.  Right now, we all need a little something.

To enter to win this “Find Joy in Everything” décor, leave a comment on this post before midnight tonight, August 7th, 2020 and be sure to say, “Freebies bring me joy!”

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so subscribe now over to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so already.

Your friends will enjoy the stories, recipes, laughter and, of course, the FREEBIES here on the blog, too, so share with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.

Subscribers win every single month!  On the “Freebies” page, you’ll be able 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, “Freebies bring me joy!”

Click here for complete First Friday Freebie rules.

Four simple steps!

If you don’t do it now, tomorrow will dawn and you’ll have missed your opportunity to enter.  Subscribe now if you haven’t already, and confirm in your email before you forget! 

Spend the rest of your summer counting your blessings, even if is something as trivial as a week without frizzy hair!  I have so many things in my life to put on my blessings list.  We are all enjoying good health, this frightful kitchen makeover has made a giant leap forward and my sweet grandbaby is all laughter and smiles as he learns to sit up by himself and eat from a spoon.  He certainly seems to find joy in everything – except pears – and he would have you know that pears are disgusting.

An update on Smuffy’s grand kitchen remodel is coming up soon!

Comments or questions?  What have you done in the last few months to keep the joy alive? 

Meet July’s First Friday Freebie Winner!

I suppose 2020 has been crawling for some people, but not for me.  How in the world did we arrive at August?  It’s almost time for another First Friday Freebie, but before that, let me introduce you to July’s winner –  

Shirley from Boonville, Missouri

Shirley enters often and this time she’s won the beautiful fabric covered remembrance book/journal.

Congratulations, Shirley!  Whether you journal your thoughts or just let it rest somewhere as décor, I hope you enjoy your First Friday Freebie.

If you’d like to see the original First Friday Freebie offer of this great Tuesday Morning find, click here.

Past winners of my First Friday Freebies are on my Freebies! page hereFirst Friday Freebiesare for email subscribers only, so be sure to subscribe today if you’d like to enter to win.

Shirley’s name was drawn from among those who commented as instructed after reading the post that appeared on the first Friday of the month.  Becoming a subscriber is the best way to avoid missing what’s new here on the blog because you’ll 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 and you’ll be entered to win. 

I love it when you share my blog posts with your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.  That helps me reach more people and gives them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free.  That makes life good.

August’s drawing will take place tomorrow on Friday, August 7th.

A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight on the day of the drawing. 

REMEMBER:  Should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe.  That means you’ll need to check your email often in the week following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.

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

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on Friday, August 7th, 2020.

Spread the word and, most importantly, look for tomorrow’s post and enter to win!   

Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Freebies!

It’s July!  The heat and humidity has arrived here in the Midwest, but so has the First Friday Freebie, so that’s refreshing, isn’t it?

I haven’t figured out how summer can be lazy and crazy at the same time.  I suppose the songwriter was grasping for rhymes or perhaps was just bored to tears between parties or something.

I’ve forgotten what lazy feels like, but I refuse to refer to my days as crazy.  “Wildly blessed” – How’s that?

Having made it through the first half of 2020, I think we all have to admit that it’s been a corker.  Most of us are fed up with events and the lack thereof to the point of wanting to throw a real hissy-fit and scream, “Can’t we all just be together, and normal and nice to each other at the same time?”

Anyhow, it’s been a half-year for the record books and that brings us to this First Friday Freebie.

This beautiful fabric covered remembrance book/journal (a great find from Tuesday Morning) looks handmade and is ready for you to record precious memories, daily happenings, observations on life or perhaps tuck in photos.  The way things are going, a few prayers wouldn’t hurt. As an item of décor, it’s lovely!  French themed and measuring 7″X 4 3/4″, it has the appearance of having been passed down through the generations.  Aged prints decorate the inside covers. The blank pages, appearing browned with age, are simply secured to the binding with satin and lace ribbons that run through the metal rivets of the cover.  This allows the individual pages to be easily taken out in case you’d like to remove them in the future for sharing or copying.

Some people love to journal.  Some don’t.  If there’s ever been a time in your life to jot down your thoughts – it’s now.  You’ll want to leave behind your version of the historical times we live in.  I have a friend who loves to have ladies over for tea as much as I do and I envision her using this journal as her guest book.  You might find that keeping a “treasure book” such as this a great thing to have handy so that you can quickly record the milestones or just the cute things your children or grandchildren do or say.

To enter to win this beautiful journal, you’ll need to “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “The pretty journal, pretty please!” Be sure to do that before midnight TONIGHT, July 3rd, 2020!

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, so subscribe now over to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page and subscribe to Midwest Storyteller if you haven’t done so already.

Your friends will enjoy the stories, recipes, laughter and, of course, the FREEBIES here on the blog, too, so share with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.

Subscribers win every single month!  On the “Freebies” page, you’ll be able 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, “The pretty journal, pretty please!”

Click here for complete First Friday Freebie rules.

Four simple steps!

Don’t let the day slip away!  Subscribe now if you haven’t already, and confirm in your email before you forget! 

May your summer be spent with the people, places and events you love and cherish enough to record in this beautiful book!

Comments or questions?  I’d love to hear from you!