Midwest Storyteller Freebie

There’s a Nip and a Freebie in the Air!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 6 Comments

Hello Dear Readers and Hello October!  A person can’t get too many days like the ones we’ve been having.  I’ve been spending as much time with Lil’ Snookie out in the open spaces as I possibly can.  Now his first question when he arrives at my door is, “Going to the park today?”  And so, off we go!  The only one who is unhappy is Phoebe June, who would much rather we stay home and play in the back yard because she can then go out with us.  She’s a little disgruntled and insulted about the harness because it inhibits her ability to consider herself fully free and “on the hunt”, but she can’t have her way all the time.  She has plenty to say on her own page here.

Speaking of free – Today’s the day!  Welcome to October’s First Friday Freebie.

You know how I love to bless you with a spot of cute décor –

Give Thanks Hobby Lobby Decor www.midweststoryteller

At this time of year especially, it does the soul good to stop and take stock of all the ways you’ve been blessed throughout the year and offer up thanks to the Giver of all good things.  This painted wooden tabletop décor measures approximately 3” X 6” and encourages us to “in all things give thanks”.  It’s about an inch thick so it won’t easily topple and at the top you can insert something as a nod to any season (as I did with the leaves in the photo) or just insert that great photo of the people you’re most thankful for.  If you happen to be a lover of Scripture, this will also serve to remind you of I Thessalonians 5:18.  This was a great find at Hobby Lobby and I hope you enjoy it. 

To enter to win the Give Thanks décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I have much to be grateful for!”  Somehow, we can all say that, even if we have been having our share of troubles lately.  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, October 7th, 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.

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

I hope you enjoy freebies and share them and my blog stories with your friends and family through all your social media. If you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to 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, October 7th, by leaving a comment which says, “I have much to be grateful for!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Oh that we could spend each and every glorious day ahead just taking walks and enjoying lower temperatures and humidity.  Smuffy is building a porch and I have many irons in the fire as well but we plan to snatch every pleasant moment ahead before winter sets in.  I hope you can, too.

Meet the Freebie Winners!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

This post is where you get to see me playing catch-up.  Life has happened and it’s been a struggle to keep up here on the blog this summer, but the First Friday Freebies have not stopped – I’ve just had an issue with making the announcements.  Let’s take a look at who’s been winning  –

Summer Freebie Winners www.midweststoryteller.com

Now for my list of lame excuses. 

In June, Lee Ann entered to win and received the pretty “beachy” necklace you can see here.  In her defense, she did send me a photo.  However, it has vanished so I’m assuming I somehow deleted it by accident.

July’s winner, Vikki, has not sent me a photo.  She won the sparkly patriotic earrings you can see here.  I know her well enough to guess that she probably hoped I’d forget about the photo as she’s not fond of “making appearances”.  I can, however, get around this because of her status as a previous winner.  Here she is with the comfy-cozy scarf she won on another first Friday.

August was a bust.  We had router problems which held hands with server problems and during the days I should have been preparing and posting the August First Friday Freebie we had cyber chaos.  I started to get all frantic about it and finally just took a deep breath and made peace with the fact that stuff happens and if there was no August freebie, the world would keep on turning.

In September, the First Friday Freebie went to Debby (pictured above) and I did get a photo.  Congratulations, Debby!  I hope you enjoy this fun bit of harvest décor and find a place in your home to display it.  It was a fun find at Hobby Lobby.

Well now!  I’m starting to feel like I’m getting back on track!  Let’s hope it stays that way because the busy season is upon us.  I enjoy blessing my readers with free gifts and also the gift of good laughs and good food, so look for some great recipes and a couple of tales from the most popular page on my blog, Life With Smuffy coming up soon.

Lee Ann, Vikki and Debby won by commenting as directed on my post on the first Friday of the month.  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 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.  Let’s be clear – Smuffy is spoken for, but his stories are free.  Does it get any better than this?

On October 7th, 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, October 7th, 2022.

October is a month of autumn splendor.  If you live in the Midwest, October makes you feel a bit sorry for the folks who live where the seasons don’t change – those people who just enjoy day after day in the same old tropical paradise.  That sympathetic feeling leaves us usually around January 2nd.

Freebies Return for Fall!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 6 Comments

Just the little flip of the calendar from August to September makes you want to sniff the air for the scent of pumpkin “something”.  We’re actually trying not to sniff too hard right now around our house because our great outdoors is not so great.  “Something” is out there.  We don’t know what it is or where it is, but we do know it’s dead.  I have been informed by Lil’ Snookie that he “smell sumping.  I don’t like it.”  We may have to diffuse pumpkin spice scent all over our back yard pretty soon. 

Now that I’ve gone unpleasantly off-topic, let’s get back to Freebies.  Last month’s first Friday fell victim to circumstances.  The internet went off, the router suffered the same fate as that mysterious carcass (blessedly without the stench) and Lil’ Snookie didn’t allow me the hours I needed to sort the whole thing out in time to post the First Friday Freebie.  Again – my apologies.

I’m here to help you get back in the mood with this bit of cute décor –

Autumn Acres Sign www.midweststoryteller.com

This Autumn Acres sign will direct people straight to your pumpkin patch.  It measures 6” X 4” so it’s small enough to tuck into a shelf or prop on an easel on your desk or counter.  It does have an attached twine to hang it on the wall as well.  Does it matter that you may not be offering apple cider, hay rides and hot cocoa to your guests?  Of course not – we can all pretend. 

This was a great find at Hobby Lobby and I hope you enjoy it. 

To enter to win the Autumn Acres sign, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Bring on the autumn days!”  We’re ready for them here in the Midwest – it’s been a long, hot summer.  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, September 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.

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

I hope you enjoy freebies and share them and my blog stories with your friends and family through all your social media. If you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to 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, September 2nd, by leaving a comment which says, “Bring on the autumn days!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Oh that we could spend each and every glorious day ahead just taking walks and enjoying lower temperatures and humidity.  Smuffy is building a porch and I have many irons in the fire as well but we plan to snatch every pleasant moment ahead before winter sets in.  I hope you can, too.

Celebrate Freedom with July’s Freebie!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 7 Comments

Here we are at the First Friday and that means a Freebie, but timing puts this extremely close to Independence Day.  Therefore, I pledge to get this special First Friday Freebie out to you lickety-split so you can hopefully have it in time for the 4th.  However, there’s no shame in sporting this patriotic freebie any old time!

Take a look  – 

Metal Flag Earrings www.midweststoryteller.com

Things won’t be perfect anywhere this side of Heaven, but down here on earth there is no finer place to find oneself than the USA.  These American flag motif earrings show your patriotism and add some sparkle and shine as well.  They’re a great find from Factory Connection.

These dangles measure 1 7/8” long and 2 1/2” wide.  I know – I know – the photo makes them look like they’re constructed of some sort of textured fabric or something, but in reality, the earrings are metal and the texture is shimmer and shine!  After all, you have to compete with the sparklers and fireworks, right?

To enter to win the flag earrings, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I’m proud to be an American!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, July 1st, 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.

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

I hope you enjoy freebies and share them and my blog stories with your friends and family through all your social media. If you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to 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, July 1st, by leaving a comment which says, “I’m proud to be an American!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

We’re always in double celebration mode this time of the year, for Smuffy is a real live nephew of his Uncle Sam and born on the 4th of July.  I still say he was probably twelve years old before he figured out the whole thing wasn’t entirely for him.  In addition to the hair-raising things Smuffy has done to enhance my prayer life through the years which I post on my Life with Smuffy page, I might add that he is also a huge fan of fireworks as long as they are powerful enough to register substantially on the Richter scale.  And yet, by God’s grace, we’re all still here. 

For my readers who live outside the USA (I see you out there!) don’t assume that this country is jam-packed with nothing but Smuffy-types.  He’s unique and it is safe to come here.  Just be sure to use the appropriate channels.

Enjoy a safe and happy Independence Day with your family and friends and pray for our nation.

It’s the Summer of Fun and Freebies!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 8 Comments

I know we have three more weeks till summer’s official, but Memorial Day always seems to kick things off and get you in the mood, doesn’t it?  To help things along, how about a summery First Friday Freebie?  (I know…I know…there’s been a jewelry motif lately, but it’s one of my weaknesses.)

Here’s a splash of summer fun for you  –  (pardon the fact that my images don’t seem to be coming out as best as they could lately).

Summery Necklace Freebie www.midweststoryteller.com

Any outfit is made just a little more beachy and fun with a nautical touch.  And who says you need to be at the beach to wear this necklace?  It’s a fun find from Factory Connection.

Each of the three chains on this necklace has its own bit of summer bling.  The first has an aqua teardrop stone, the middle length holds a gold anchor and the longest chain has a starfish, a sea blue tassle and a tropical flower.  I can hear the hula music now.

To enter to win the summer fun necklace, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Send me some summer fun!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, June 3rd, 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.

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

I hope you enjoy freebies and share them and my blog stories with your friends and family through all your social media. If you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to 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, June 3rd, by leaving a comment which says, “Send me some summer fun!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Our days have been filled with planting, transplanting and pretty-ing up our outdoor spaces.  I’ll try to share some photos soon.  It’s a beautiful season and I hope you’re able to get out and enjoy it, too!

Meet May’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

We’re moving into June, but it’s time to announce May’s winner   –

Susan from Kansas City, Missouri!

Congratulations, Susan!

Susan won the shell hoop earrings and don’t they look pretty on her!      

I hope you enjoy wearing them with your summer outfits, Susan. 

Susan won by commenting as directed on my post on the first Friday of the month.  The earrings are a great find from Factory Connection.  If you’d like to see past winners and their gifts check it out here on my Freebies! page.

You can see the original 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 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?

On June 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, June 3rd, 2022.

Next up:  I’m still working on bringing you a Smuffy story – another true tale and one that might make you blush.  I know it made him blush.  We’ve been delayed in our usual pursuits around here due to planting time and endless games of toddler kick-ball and bubble blowing in the nice weather.  We like to put first things first.  

You May Win a Freebie If Only You’ll Try!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 12 Comments

We’ve just made a few people smile and a few others confused by offering a cheerful “May the 4th Be With You” and followed up yesterday with a nod to Cinco de Mayo even if we had no idea where Puebla is or when and what the fuss was all about.  It’s so much simpler and easier to explain to all your friends that today is First Friday Freebie Day! 

Here’s a festive  little something for you  – 

Shell Hoop Earrings midweststoryteller.com

Accessories make the outfit and with these summery earrings you’ll be ready for warm weather days even if you never make it to the beach.  They were a fun find at Factory Connection.

These gold tone hoops measure about 2” across.  The gold, white and blue faceted beads frame the shells that dangle in the center.  They’re just right to set off all those light and airy summer dresses and tops.

To enter to win the shell hoop earrings, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, asking, “May I have the Freebie?”  For one of you, the answer is “YES!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, May 6, 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.

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

I hope you get excited about winning freebies and share them and my blog stories with your friends and family through all your social media. If you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to 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, May 6th, by leaving a comment which asks, “May I have the Freebie?”

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

The saying goes that April showers bring May flowers.  If that is the case, we should have plenty of beauty to enjoy this year here in the Midwest.  May is starting off as wet as April but soon the maddest, merriest month of the whole year will blossom in all its glory.  Enjoy a picnic, take walks.  Ride bikes.  Do some porch sitting.  Give thanks for each and every beautiful day for they are gifts indeed.

April’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 1 Comment

I’m happy to announce this month’s winner   –

Freebie Winner Linda midweststoryteller.com

Linda from Boonville, Missouri!

Congratulations, Linda!

Linda won the “He is Risen” word art and I know she’ll use it to express her faith in this Truth whether she leaves the wood raw or decides to paint it.    

I hope you enjoyed this décor, Linda, as you celebrated the season.  Linda won by commenting as directed on my post on the first Friday of the month.  The bracelet is a great find from Hobby Lobby.  If you’d like to see past winners and their gifts check it out here on my Freebies! page.

You can see the original 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 all 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.  There’s a whole world of folks out there who are going around “Smuffy-less”, perhaps because you haven’t shared.  Don’t cry – just tell them!  Join me in sharing his stories and all my recipes and other fun and informative articles here. When you share with all your friends via 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?

On May 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 might help.

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

Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, May 6th, 2022.

Next up:  Some things are only funny with the passage of time.  Certain Smuffy tales have to brew for a while.  

Meet March’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

Spring has sprung!  That’s as exciting an announcement as the winner of my latest First Friday Freebie!  Hyacinths are blooming, daffodils are getting just a little daffy, tulips are waving their greens as a pre-show and this Freebie is in the hands of   –

Eva from New Franklin, Missouri!

Congratulations, Eva!

Eva won the multi-strand “Blessed” bracelet and I think it goes really well with the necklace she’s wearing in the photo. 

Enjoy this great accessory this spring, Eva.  Eva enters to win fairly often.  She does that by commenting as directed on my post on the first Friday of the month.  The bracelet is a great find from Factory Connection. .  If you’d like to see past winners and their gifts check it out here on my Freebies! page.

You can see the original freebie offer here. 

Not yet a subscriber to Midwest Storyteller yet?  Let my Freebies entice you to become one – they’re 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 all 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.  Would you believe that a very small percentage of the world’s population out there have even heard of Smuffy?  That’s sad, isn’t it?  Join me in sharing his stories and all my recipes and other fun and informative articles here. When you share with all your friends via 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?

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

Smartphone reminders might help.

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

Subscribers, be ready to enter to win on Friday, April 1st, 2022.

Next up:  I’m going just a little nuts!  

It’s Freebie Day!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 10 Comments

Welcome to the month of March.  The weather may be more unusual than usual around here, but at least you can count on the First Friday Freebie.

Let’s see what you might win –  

Blessed Bracelet www.midweststoryteller.com

Looking for an update for your accessories?  This multi-strand bracelet is a pretty mix of textures and elements.  I always love a mix of fancy and casual – like jeans and a lace top.  Here we have the look of pearls, leather, hammered metal and brushed gold all in one piece.  I think this lends it to being worn with almost anything.  The charms give a remind you that you can always count your blessings and where they come from.   Turn on the news for five minutes and you’ll be reminded of how important it is to remember that.  It’s a great find from Factory Connection. 

To enter to win the blessed bracelet, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I am so blessed!”  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, March 4, 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.

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

I hope you get excited about winning freebies and share them and my blog stories with your friends and family through all your social media. If you like an idea, recipe or story you see here, be sure to 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 4th, by leaving a comment which says, “I am so blessed!”

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

I appreciate you all and enjoy blessing you each and every month!