Free Home Decor

Say Hello to March’s Freebie Winner – AGAIN!

~ Midwest Storyteller

Disclaimer:  Lest you think this drawing is rigged, I hereby announce that this is a first in my First Friday Freebie world. 

Our February winner is also our March winner!  Let’s meet the two-in-a-row winner – 

Christine in Boonville, Missouri!

Congratulations, Christine!  Christine has certainly found out that it pays to subscribe and then enter to win – maybe not early, but certainly often. Thanks so much for sending me this photo.

This adorable bunny pillow cover is a great Hobby Lobby find that will bring Christine’s décor right into the spirit of spring.  If you’d like to see the original freebie offer, click here.  If you’d like to see what Christine won last month, 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.

Christine 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.  It seems that from time to time, a subscription will get “stuck”. 

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 help me reach more people with my 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.  Are you catching on this is a free thing?

Coming soon:  April’s First Friday Freebie!  That takes place on Friday, April 2nd.   You’ll be able to see a photo of the Freebie and enter to win at any point all day that day.  Don’t forget to check the email that you used to subscribe for notification that you’ve won.

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, April 2nd, 2021.  No foolin’!

Meet 2021’s First First Friday Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

I’m excited to announce the winner of January’s First Friday Freebie.  Sometimes my Freebies have to take a little journey to arrive at their new home.

This one did do some traveling – all the way to –

Janine in Rochester, New York!

 Congratulations, Janine!  Enjoy your goodies and thank you for subscribing and entering to win.

If you’d like to see the original freebie offer, check it out 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.

Janine 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:  February’s First Friday Freebie!  That takes place on Friday, February 5th.   You’ll be able to see a photo of the Freebie and enter to win all day that day.  Don’t forget to check your email for the reveal.

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, February 5th, 2021.

Preparing to say “Happy Valentine’s Day“ to someone special?  You can keep this Freebie for yourself – or maybe not!    

Wishes and Freebies for a Bright New Year!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 9 Comments

It’s 2021!  May I be the first to wish you a Happy New Year!  And a healthy one!  And a normal one! 

The first Friday of the month can sneak up on you if it falls on the first day of the month.  It can really sneak up on you if it also falls on the first day of the year!

Let’s get to the good stuff so you can get on with your New Year’s Day celebrations or, as I prefer to call it, National Jammie Day.  Just leave those warm snugglies on and do whatever you feel like today.  After all, you have 364 more days to be busy and stressed and overloaded.

Just don’t neglect one thing – enter to win January’s First Friday Freebie!

Live Simply Be Grateful Dream Big www.midweststoryteller.com

This 6 ½” X 3” hanging wooden sign is a rustic reminder of what really matters during the months ahead.  After all we’ve seen happen in 2020 (much of which we never thought possible), we truly need to learn to simplify, to be grateful for what we do have and, most of all, to allow ourselves to dream and hope for better days ahead.  Along with the sign, you’ll receive a package of three scented sachets for your home from Lifescapes.  The Sea Salt & Driftwood scent will make your home as fresh as the new year.  I know this is the time when many of us promise ourselves we’ll de-clutter and get reorganized and whether it is drawers, closets or office space, a little scent gives an added boost to our moods and our sense of accomplishment.

To enter to win the sign and sachets, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Happy New Year, Midwest Storyteller!”  You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, January 1st, 2021!

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 menu 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, “Happy New Year, Midwest Storyteller!”

See the complete freebie rules here.  

Those four steps will take you no time at all!

I know you stayed up too late last night, but don’t let your grogginess keep you from entering right now.  Subscribe now if you haven’t already, and confirm in your email before you forget!  (See note above concerning subscription problems.)

Is the earth spinning faster than it used to?  We’re going to turn around and find out it’s Valentine’s Day and wonder how that happened. 

Comments or questions?  I’d love to hear how you’re going to make even the smallest shifts in your life in 2021 to Live Simply.  Be Grateful.  Dream Big.

Meet October’s First Friday Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

I almost didn’t get this announcement out while it’s still October!  The First Friday Freebie found its new home weeks ago, but in case you haven’t heard, I keep my grandbaby every day and am in the middle of the world’s longest kitchen remodel.  I’m just a wee teeny bit distracted. 

Meet the winner –

Ruby from Boonville, Missouri

Congratulations, Ruby!  I know you enter often and that it has paid off.  You’re not a first-time winner.

Ruby won this fall set of two kitchen towels from Fabulous Home’s Fall Harvest Collection.  Measuring 15” X 25”, they are of generous size.  One boasts a plaid of burgundy and gold while the coordinating towel has word art just right for the season. For an extra touch of fall color, you can display (either hanging or sitting) this 5” X 5” metal sign by Dayspring that lovingly lists “Ten Things God Wants You to Remember”.

If you’d like to see the original freebie offer and have a better look at the items Ruby 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.

Ruby entered her email in the subscription area here on the blog and then confirmed 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?

I’m excited about November’s drawing which will take place next Friday on November 6th.   I’ll surprise you that morning with the announcement and photo of November’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, November 6th, 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?    

You’ll Fall for This Freebie!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 8 Comments

When I think of this time of year, what comes to mind is a pot of my Zesty Pumpkin Soup.  Click here for that and remember to use almond milk to stay plan-friendly with Trim Healthy Mama. (And the biscuits in that blog post – not on plan – tasty, but pure Frankenfood.) I also think of digging out my boots and scarves, going on outings with friends while the weather is brisk and the colors are bright.  I dream of having friends over for comfort food!

To do that, I like a touch of fall in the house, even in the kitchen.  You probably do, too, and that’s why I think you’ll enjoy October’s First Friday Freebie!

You’ll be hostessing in style with this fall set of two kitchen towels from Fabulous Home’s Fall Harvest Collection.  Measuring 15” X 25”, they are of generous size.  One boasts a plaid of burgundy and gold while the coordinating towel has word art just right for the season. For an extra touch of fall color, you can display (either hanging or sitting) this 5” X 5” metal sign by Dayspring that lovingly lists “Ten Things God Wants You to Remember”.

To enter to win this fall towel set and metal sign, leave a comment on this post before midnight tonight, October 2nd, 2020 and be sure to say, “I’ve fallen for the 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, “I’ve fallen for the Freebie!”

Click here for complete First Friday Freebie rules.

Four simple steps!

If you don’t do it now, you might just forget between now and midnight and miss your opportunity to enter.  Subscribe now if you haven’t already, and confirm in your email.

Enjoy these beautiful days if you live in a place where the seasons change.  Winter around here is nothing I care to brag about, but autumn in the Midwest is a glorious sight to behold.  May you revel in the beauty of it all!  Have a picnic.  Take long walks. Gather some folks around a campfire. Just go sit and stare at the handiwork of God.

Comments or questions?  What’s your favorite thing to do this time of year? 

It’s Freebie Day – Oh, The Joy!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 8 Comments

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? 

Here’s August’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

We welcomed August with a pineapple, a symbol of welcome, or perhaps not, as we discussed in the original post.  Let’s see who won the drawing for the First Friday Freebie and welcomed it into their home –

Freebie Winner Eva www.midweststoryteller.com

Eva from New Franklin, Missouri!

This shabby little bit of metal décor from Hobby Lobby will liven up Eva’s walls, that is, if her daughter doesn’t latch onto it for her own room.  I’m told she’s enjoying a pineapple craze at the moment. Do teenagers do that? 

Congratulations and enjoy, Eva – whichever one of you ends up with it!

Eva has entered to win multiple times as one of my faithful subscribers.  She commented as instructed when she received her email on the first Friday of the month.  That’s all it took to enter her name into the drawing.

Freebies are my way of reaching out to more folks who might enjoy the various stories, recipes and more here at Midwest Storyteller.  Seriously now, would you want one of your friends to miss an episode of my Life with Smuffy? Why not share with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest so they’ll be able to subscribe?  Subscribing is every bit as free as the freebie!

Freebies happen every month.  Check out my Freebies page to see the winner and the free gifts they’ve won.

 The August drawing is coming on up Friday, September 6th.

A winner is 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. 

An important thing to remember is that 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 days following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.

Be sure to take a moment make yourself familiar with the Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on September 6th, 2019.

Leave a comment!  On a desktop 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.

It’s August! Say “Hello” to the Freebie (or is it “Goodbye”)?

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 8 Comments

I’ve heard for years that the pineapple is a symbol, especially in Hawaiian culture, used to give one’s guests a hearty “Welcome!”  A pineapple in your entry hall or used in your tablescape can indicate more than just a liking for tropical décor. 

Recently, however, a friend told me of another custom.  It seems that when you’ve had house guests and enjoyed their company for just about as long as you can stand it, you leave a pineapple in their room.  It’s meant to imply, more or less, “Here’s a lovely parting gift, because it’s time for you to go!”

The latter is a fabulous idea as a mannerly way to avoid conflict or hurt feelings.  Of course, it does little good and merely provides a nutritious snack if your house guests haven’t heard of the custom.  I promise that this month’s First Friday Freebie is meant to welcome you to Midwest Storyteller and to invite you to stay as long as you like!

Pineapple Metal Wall Art www.midweststoryteller,com

This pineapple from Hobby Lobby, at 10 inches tall and 5 inches wide, will be a great addition various styles of décor, including farmhouse styles, due to its neutral color and weathered appearance.  A shabby bit of metal art that sits close to the wall or nestles into the back of a bookshelf, it’s a great way to welcome guests to your home. It’s shown in the photo above hanging on my fence, so it could also welcome guests to your back yard.

I suppose you could let it make a sudden appearance on the nightstand should you have some guests who linger a bit long, but I’ll leave that up to you.

To enter to win the metal pineapple décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I welcome First Friday Freebies!”  You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, August 2nd, 2019!  Important:  Once you’ve entered, you MUST keep checking the email address you used to subscribe or you may not know you’ve won and have to forfeit your free gift.

All my Freebies occur on the First Friday of each month and last for one day only, so share with all your friends and family TODAY through social media, send them the link in an email or just plain tell them, “Hey!  It’s Freebie Day!”    

Good intentions will not help you enter to win before midnight tonight so you had better navigate to the comment section now before you forget!

First Friday Freebies are for email SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.  You can subscribe by going 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.  Confirming your subscription through the confirmation email you’ll receive is absolutely necessary, so don’t forget that!

Use the Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest icons on this page to help you share with friends.

See past gifts and their winners on my “Freebies” page.

Remember, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “I welcome First Friday Freebies!”

I send Freebies to any winner who lives within the continental United States.  For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, CLICK HERE. 

Glitches happen.  If you subscribe and do not receive a confirmation email for some reason, please email me and let me know at barb@midweststoryteller.com

Enjoy this last full month of summer and prepare yourself!  I have a couple of things I’d like to tell you about my Life With Smuffy.

Announcing July’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

My last First Friday Freebie was a small thing reminding us to enjoy the small things.  Let’s meet July’s winner –

July Freebie Winner Elise www.midweststoryteller.com

Elise from Sterling, Illinois!

This 6”X6” bit of wood and metal décor with metal lettering will perch on Elise’s shelf or hang on the wall. 

I know you’ll find the perfect spot for it, Elise.  I’m so glad you entered to win!

Congratulations!

All Elise had to do was to become one of my faithful subscribers (which she was already) and comment as directed when she received her email on the first Friday of the month.  Then, POOF, just like that, her name entered into the drawing for the Freebie.

It’s that simple, folks!  Why not share Midwest Storyteller with all your friends via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest so they’ll be able to subscribe and do the same?  Subscribing is every bit as free as the freebie!

Freebies happen every month.  Check out my Freebies page to see the winner and the free gifts they’ve won here at Midwest Storyteller. To see July’s original Freebie offer, click here.

 The August drawing is coming on up Friday, August 2nd.

A winner is 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. 

An important thing to remember is that should your name be drawn as the winner, you will be notified via the email you used to subscribe.  That means you’ll be needing to check your email often in the days following the drawing so that you can respond and keep the prize from being offered to someone else.

Be sure to take a moment make yourself familiar with the Freebie Rules by clicking HERE.

These four simple steps will have you ready to enter to win on August 2nd, 2019.

Enjoying 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’s latest adventure, “A Studebaker in the Hand is Not Worth Two in the Bush” got a lot of attention!  I’m glad so many of you enjoyed it.  The incident reminds me of the time we went to pick up some new living room furniture…  Stay tuned, for Smuffy, quite literally, is “on a roll”! 

Bringing on Spring with a Freebie!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 9 Comments

April showers, as the old saying goes, bring May flowers, and I’m offering you an early bouquet with this flowery First Friday Freebie!

This metal art wall hook from Hobby Lobby is just the thing to set the tone for warmer weather in your home.  Subtle shades of pinks and yellows, along with green leaves give this rustic hook a bit of “happy”.  It’ll be the perfect place to hang a fun tote bag, basket, scarf, or serve as a catcher for that jacket you can’t wait to stop wearing.  It measures 12 inches tall and 8 ½ inches wide.

I do love a great Hobby Lobby find and this one is cute, cute, cute!

To enter to win the flowery wall hook, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Bring on the spring thing!”  You’ll need to do that before midnight TONIGHT, April 5th, 2019!

First Friday Freebies happen every month 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.

Share this post with all your friends and family through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest so they can enter to win, too!

Subscribers win every single month!  My “Freebies” page has past freebies.  Take a look at all the free gifts and the wonderful people who’ve been winning them.

Remember, a winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight by leaving a comment which says, “Bring on the spring thing!”

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, CLICK HERE. 

Subscribing is simple and FREE, but don’t forget to go immediately to your email to confirm your subscription or it will not go through.  If you do not receive a confirmation email for some reason, please email me and let me know at barb@midweststoryteller.com

The clock is ticking!  Enter now so you don’t forget to do that before midnight tonight!

I hope we all get to enjoy many more glorious spring days! Phoebe June and I spent some time outside working and playing before this last round of rain.  Would you care to guess which one of us worked and which one of us played?  She’s enjoying spring as much as I am, except for being irritated at her humans for not spending entire days outside with her.  She lets us know, loud and clear, what she thinks of our disobedience.  Sometimes it’s just a mere glance, but even that is enough to convey the message in her eyes as, “You nitwit!” She shares her opinions on my Phoebe June page.

Thoughts?  Questions?  I’d love to hear from you!  Please leave a comment.