Hobby Lobby Finds

Welcome September and Sweater Weather!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 5 Comments

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

Let’s take a look at it.

Sweater Weather Wall Hanging www.midweststoryteller.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

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

Hear That?  It’s the Sound of a Spring Freebie!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 6 Comments

I don’t know what your winter has been like.  Maybe you’ve had the worst one on record and had to dig your car out of a snow drift twice daily.  If so, I hate to rub this in, but we’ve been having the mildest winter I can recall in a long time.  I know, I know, this is the Midwest and it ain’t over till it’s over and we have three weeks to go, but this has been glorious for those, like me, who’d rather the season be done away with if we didn’t need it to kill the bugs.

So, as we listen to the spring peepers outside and I watch the tulips stretching their necks all up and down my front walk, let’s celebrate March with a First Friday Freebie. 

Saved by Grace Wooden Cross www.midweststoryteller.com

I almost saved this one for next month as we look forward to Resurrection Day on April 9th, but I just knew you’d be decorating early and this simple confession of faith is definitely something that suits all seasons.  “Saved by Grace” is stamped on this white wooden cross that measures slightly less than 6” X 8”.  It’s a bit distressed and the carved horizontal grooves give the appearance of shiplap.  It is thick enough to stand without falling over easily and also has a hanging notch on the back. Another great Hobby Lobby find that I think most of my readers would enjoy.

To enter to win the “Saved by Grace” cross, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I live a grace-filled life!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, March 3rd, 2023.

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

If you are new to Midwest Storyteller and haven’t subscribed, you’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.

My Life with Smuffy, recipes, freebies, fun things to make you laugh, reviews, creative ideas and even thoughts for you from Phoebe June – they’re all here on the blog so click through the menu and be sure to share with friends and family through all your social media.  They’ll never know about it unless you do.  If you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”.  Help me get the word out!

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

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, March 3rd, by leaving a comment which says, “I live a grace-filled life!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

The painful part about March is that we can’t plant anything yet here.  That’s another six weeks away.  I’ll have Lil’ Snookie begging me for outdoor play and trips to the park way before I’m warm enough to tolerate it.  It’ll come, eventually.  Then, oh, how we will glory in  it!

I have a personal victory to share with you soon, so keep watching.  I’ll post it as soon as I can.

If you still have winter blahs, my “Life With Smuffy” and my “Laugh” pages will jolt you right out of it!

February’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

I hope you spread the love in February.  I know I did!  Lil’ Snookie and I made Valentines together and he enjoyed helping me make Trim Healthy Two Minute Truffles and Brownie Fudge.  And, of course, I offered the First Friday Freebie of Love. 

Let’s meet the winner  –

February First Friday Freebie Winner with Gift www.midweststoryteller.com

Shirley from Boonville, Missouri. 

Congratulations, Shirley!  I hope you enjoy the wood and metal wall hanging.  Shirley’s name was drawn after she commented on the freebie post, which asked for everyone to fill in the blank, “I love doing life with _____”  Shirley filled it in with “grandchildren” and I’m sure this will be the perfect greeting for them when they stop by her house for a little TLC. 

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

You can see the original First Friday Freebie offer here.  This gift was a great find at Hobby Lobby.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Smartphone reminders help.

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

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

Enjoy all the hearts and flowers February has to offer!  You may think it’s all been commercialized, but I look at it this way – if there’s one thing in life that can’t be overdone, it’s loving on others!  So, buy a box of Valentines, stir up some THM chocolate goodness and bless somebody.  Tell them you love them, appreciate them, value them.  Do it on the cheap, but do it with all your heart. 

A Freebie Sent With Love

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 16 Comments

Here we are in February and my motto is – “embrace the love”!  Whether you have a significant other or not, you can still spread love and appreciation along with the other thing I consider vital – chocolate!  Why not wear red, sport some pink, hang up some hearts and hand out some Valentines?  It beats sitting around surrounded by winter’s drab days waiting for brighter ones.  Brighten them up yourself!

I’m doing my part.  Let’s take a look at February’s First Friday Freebie. 

I Love Doing Life With You www.midweststoryteller.com

We do life with so many others – our close-knit immediate family, our extended family, those coming in and out of our home and those we meet out and about.  This weathered wood sign with its riveted metal plate declares, “I love doing life with you!”  It measures 7” wide and 10” high.  It’s a little bit of modern on a little bit of shabby and neutral to go with any décor.  You certainly won’t have to take it down after Valentine’s Day.  Its twine rope allows you to hang just about anywhere.  I hope you enjoy this great  Hobby Lobby find. 

To enter to win the “love doing life” décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I love doing life with _______” (and fill in the blank with someone special).  It could be your sweetie, your grandchild or your pet – just drop in that special name.  Of course, I love doing life with Smuffy. You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, February 3rd, 2023.

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

If you are new to Midwest Storyteller and haven’t subscribed, you’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.

No one will get to enjoy all the great things here on the blog unless you share it with your friends and family through all your social media, so if you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to share and if you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”.  Help me get the word out!

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

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, February 3rd, by leaving a comment which says, “I love doing life with _______” and insert that special name or nickname. 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Spread a few hearts and flowers over the next couple of weeks and make the ones you love or appreciate feel special.  It serves to heal the soul when people know they’re not forgotten.  Soon we’ll be moving on into spring and have fresh reasons to rejoice.  For now, let’s melt the winter blahs by warming as many hearts as we can. 

I’m tweaking a great recipe to share and will hopefully have it posted here soon to help you make 2023 trim, healthy and simple. 

Speaking of love, my “Life With Smuffy” and my “Laugh” pages are all about people I love and sharing those with someone will fill their lives with joy and laughter.

2023’s First First Friday Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

We’ve just said farewell to January, which is usually a welcome thing in this part of the country.  While we’re waving, say “hello” to the winner of that month’s Freebie.

Let’s meet  –

Freebie Winner Liz www.midweststoryteller.com

Liz from Boonville, Missouri. 

Congratulations, Liz!  These Boonville people are super consistent about entering to win and it certainly pays off.  Liz is not a first-time winner and she assures me she has just the place in her office for the metal “family and friends” sign.    

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

You can see the original First Friday Freebie offer here. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Smartphone reminders help.

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

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

Enjoy all the hearts and flowers February has to offer!  You may think it’s all been commercialized, but I look at it this way – if there’s one thing in life that can’t be overdone, it’s loving on others!  So, buy a box of Valentines, stir up some THM chocolate goodness and bless somebody.  Tell them you love them, appreciate them, value them.  Do it on the cheap, but do it with all your heart. 

Blessings and a Freebie for Your New Year!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 8 Comments

May your 2023 be healthy and happy and may you prosper in it.  May your blessings be many and your troubles few.  May it start off with a fabulous First Friday Freebie! 

For most of us, this is the month when we evaluate the old year, giving thanks for the blessings that were too numerous to count, and make plans for the year to come that hopefully don’t involve any resolutions that are unrealistic and end up stealing our peace of mind.  If we focus on treasuring and nurturing home, family and friends, we can’t go wrong.  This month’s First Friday Freebie is a reminder to do just that.

Love Overflows sign www.midweststoryteller.com

This metal sign measures 11 ¾” wide and 5 ¾” high and reminds us exactly where love and joy are found.  Its white background and gray leafy vine at the edges keep it simple so it will go with any décor or season.  Its twine rope makes it easy to hang just about anywhere.  I hope you enjoy this great  Hobby Lobby find. 

To enter to win the “family & friends” sign, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I’m blessed with family and friends!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, January 6th, 2022.

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

If you are new to Midwest Storyteller and haven’t subscribed, you’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.

No one will get to enjoy all the great things here on the blog unless you share it with your friends and family through all your social media, so if you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to share and if you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”.  Help me get the word out!

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

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, January 6th, by leaving a comment which says, “I’m blessed with family and friends!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Don’t overload yourself this new year.  Perhaps broad resolutions are better than specific ones.  One of my family members tells that last year, she had resolved to get better sleep.  At the end of the year she felt like she had made strides in that direction.  That’s great!  One of my favorite things to remind myself and others is, “Baby steps count!”  Moving forward in the right direction is sometimes all that matters. 

I’m resolving to get more stories, recipes and other fun and inspiring things coming your way in 2023.  While you wait, “Life With Smuffy” and my “Laugh” pages and start your year off with joy and laughter.

2022’s Final Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

I’m playing just a bit of catch-up here because, though we say we’re the ones who never get sick, it happened.  The crud hit the house and Pookie’s house as well and the First Friday Freebie isn’t the only thing suffering delay.  Christmas got bumped as well.  But we’re going strong once again and I hope that you are also and that you are having a Happy New Year!

Let’s meet the latest winner  –

December 2022 Freebie Winner

Francine from Boonville, Missouri. 

Congratulations, Francine!  I’m glad the delivery of the freebie was not delayed, so these lovely, festive kitchen towels made to you in plenty of time to spruce up your kitchen ahead of any Christmas festivities. 

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

You can see the most recent First Friday Freebie offer here. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coming up on January 6th, you’ll see the new Freebie.  Enter to win that day.  A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight.  Then, check your email in the days following. 

Smartphone reminders help.

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

Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, January 6th, 2023.

As I mentioned in November, I had asked God to help me see the beauty in winter.  I smile that He has made it easy on me so far by giving the blessing of mild temperatures.  Although it turned cold again today, we eased out of the old year and into the new with warmth and time outside.  Smuffy has been doing the things Smuffy does in the back yard and yesterday I took Lil’ Snookie out for a romp and we ran around and kicked the ball like spring lambs. (Actually, I ‘ve never seen spring lambs kick balls, but you get the idea.)  The Midwest has got to show its true colors sooner or later, but I’ll cross that icy bridge when I come to it.

A Christmas Freebie for You!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 13 Comments

Welcome to December!  (As if I am in charge of December.  If I were, we’d have some changes in the usual temps and precips.)

The fabulous upside to this month, of course, is the celebration of Christmas!  Another thing I’m celebrating is being married to Smuffy (today is our anniversary).  To top it all off, it’s the first Friday of the month so today you can enter to win the First Friday Freebie.  Let’s take a peek at it –

Christmas Kitchen Towels www.midweststoryteller.com

There are always a few more people around during the holiday season and things need to be freshened up.  A few new linens help brighten up the kitchen and these towels from Robert Stanley Home Collection will do just that.  Each of the four towels measures 16”X26”.  One has a Christmas tree farm theme which coordinates with the green and white checked towel and two are solid and embroidered with white snowflakes.  Once again, these were Hobby Lobby finds that I hope you enjoy. 

To enter to win the holiday towel sets, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Make my kitchen Christmasy!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, December 2nd, 2022.

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

If you are new to Midwest Storyteller and haven’t subscribed, you’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.

No one will get to enjoy all the great things here on the blog unless you share it with your friends and family through all your social media, so if you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to share and if you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”.  Help me get the word out!

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

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, December 2nd, by leaving a comment which says, “Make my kitchen Christmasy!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Make a promise to yourself to slow down, simplify the days ahead, celebrate the real meaning of Christmas and savor the love of those around you and the love that came down to that stable in Bethlehem so that you could have joy and peace! 

I’m working on a couple of Smuffy stories for you and his tale of Christmas past is a real doozy so stay tuned!  In case you’ve fallen behind, take a trip to my “Life With Smuffy” page and catch up on the laughter and thrills.

Meet November’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

It’s cold.  I always try to do my part by warming your heart with a gift every month with my First Friday Freebie.  This month my freebie didn’t have to work too much because it traveled to a much warmer home.

Let’s meet the winner  –

Sally from Chino Valley, Arizona. 

Congratulations, Sally!  I hope that, as the freebie says, you are “happy and blessed” by it.  The embossed metal sign expressing gratitude was a great find at Hobby Lobby.

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

You can see what Sally won here. 

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

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

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

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

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

Freebies help me reach more people.  I need you to help me share all the fun with your friends and family.  When you share on MeWe, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free.  Let’s be clear – Smuffy is spoken for, but his stories are free.  Does it get any better than this?

Coming up on December 2nd, you’ll see the new Freebie.  Enter to win that day.  A winner is chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight.  Then, check your email in the days following. 

Smartphone reminders help.

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

Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, December 2nd, 2022.

As I mentioned last month, I have taken a bold step.  I have asked God to help me see the beauty in winter.  Aside from thinking that falling snow is pretty, I’ve pretty much failed at this for a very long time.  There will be the same amount of frozen precipitation whichever mood I’m in and no amount of silent disgust on my part will move the thermometer, so I’m trying to make friends with it.  However, my past failures have shown me that I’ll be needing help of a Divine nature.  Either that, or I’m going to have to go visit Sally and stay for four months!

Be Blessed with a First Friday Freebie!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 7 Comments

Oh, that November could hold on just as it is, I say as I sit here at the computer at night with the windows open.  That’s right – and I’m not even wearing a sweater.  This is my idea of fall.

I lingered outdoors with Phoebe June, but finally had to come in and finish this post so you could have a First Friday Freebie!  Don’t take it personally, but she hissed when I nudged her out of her dusky spying lair under the backyard swing. I don’t think she thought giving you a freebie was half as important as exercising her pouncabilities. Let’s take a look –

Gather, Rest, be happy & BLESSED www.midweststoryteller.com

This embossed metal sign carries the message that our hearts long for.  Smuffy has so often said, “This year, I’m going to take a long winter’s nap.”  (Then, he has a million indoor projects and never really gets one.)  We feel things beginning to slow a bit around here even though there is still much to be done to this old house.  To “gather, rest, be happy and blessed” is, I believe, what God wants for us in winter.  I couldn’t resist giving you this freebie as a wish that you’d experience a time of enjoying your loved ones, resting and relaxing and counting your blessings, realizing that they are truly new every morning.

The sign measures 8” square and its neutral gray color fades at the edges to look just a bit worn.  It also features a rope hanger should you want to hang it on a wall rather than prop it on a shelf or easel (or on a tree as I did). This was a Hobby Lobby find that I hope you enjoy.  The words remind me of the Scripture in Hebrews 4: 10-11, where we are told,  “For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter His rest.”  Throughout Scripture, we are told to fear not, fret not, and worry not.  There seems to be just this one area in which God tells us to strive and make effort and that is to rest.  You have His permission!

To enter to win the “Gather, Rest…” metal sign, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I’m ready to be blessed with rest.”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, November 4th, 2022.

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

If you are new to Midwest Storyteller and haven’t subscribed, you’ll need to do that before entering to win.  Head to the right sidebar or use the menu to navigate to the “Contact” page where you can fill in your email address and then watch for your confirmation email.

No one will get to enjoy all the great things here on the blog unless you share it with your friends and family through all your social media, so if you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to share and if you save things on Pinterest like I do, hover over the photo and “pin it”.  Help me get the word out!

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

A winner will be chosen at random from those subscribers who enter before midnight tonight, November 4th, by leaving a comment which says, “I’m ready to be blessed with rest!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Enjoy enjoy every minute of these fleeting beautiful days.

Be sure to take a look at my latest soup recipe – it’s Lil’ Snookie’s favorite!