Valentine Decor

Don’t You Just Love a Freebie?

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 6 Comments

February is often called the Month of Love. There are many stories that claim to tell the story of Valentine and that makes it difficult to tell fact from fiction.  Some dislike the whole notion of Valentine’s Day if they aren’t in a relationship with that one special someone or if their special someone is reluctant to participate in a show of mush for a day.

I prefer to think of Valentine’s Day as a nudge from above to remind us to show anyone and everyone a bit of extra thoughtfulness and let them know that they are special to us.

My favorite story concerning Valentine tells of him being suddenly imprisoned for his faith. He feared that his loved ones would not know what had happened to him or where he might be. So, reaching out through the barred window of his cell, he plucked leaves from a trailing vine (which happened to be the shape we’ve come to know as a heart) and, with a pin, pierced holes in them to spell out “Your Valentine”.  One by one, he kept dropping them to the street below so that eventually, someone would notice them and those he loved would learn of his whereabouts. 

True or not – I love this story. It’s not one involving a love-struck couple, but one of sacrifice and bonded hearts. I think it helps us to look at Valentine’s Day as something more than just romance.

How about that?  You’ve gotten a free story to go along with your First Friday Freebie!

Let’s take a look  –

Choose Love First Friday Freebie https://midweststoryteller.com/

Display a little love in your home with this wooden sign encouraging you to “Choose Love”.  It measures 3 ¼ inches tall and 11 1/8 inches wide.  The floral letters are outlined in black to make them pop against the light wood grain look of the background. It hangs easily with the attached twine.

To enter to win the “Choose Love” wall décor, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Happy Month of Love!” You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, February 7th, 2025.

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.  You’re not officially subscribed until you confirm by email.

Smuffy and I have our own brand of romance on my “Life with Smuffy” page and you might love my “Laugh!” page.  If cute felines make your heart go pitty-patter, head to my “Phoebe June” page and you’ll find a dose of catitude. .

Remember to be sure to share the content you enjoy here on your social media such as Facebook, Instagram and “X”.  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, “Happy Month of Love!”    

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

Love you, Dear Readers!

Meet February’s Freebie Winner!

~ Midwest Storyteller

The month of love is about to expire, but gloriously it will be replaced by the month of spring!  Before it’s gone, let’s meet the First Friday Freebie winner.

Freebie Winner Ruby www.midweststoryteller.com

Ruby from Boonville, Missouri!

Congratulations, Ruby!  You’re a repeat winner and that is because you always remember to enter to win. I hope you enjoy this bit of shelf décor that not only was great for the month of love but also for styling your home with a Resurrection theme or for any time of the year.

Ruby’s name was drawn at random after she commented on the freebie post as directed in the post.  I do have to ask you to go to a tiny bit of effort each month in order to prevent spam and make sure you’re on your toes and paying attention. 

Don’t think you’re too far away to enter.  I send freebies anywhere in the continental U. S.

As long as you’re an email subscriber, you can comment as directed on my post on the first Friday of each 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 for the one Ruby won here. 

If you’re reading this and haven’t become an email subscriber yet, please do that today.  Hopefully, my freebies, not to mention the stories, recipes and other great content, have enticed you to do that.   

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.

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

Freebies enable me to 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, X, Pinterest, you’ll give them the opportunity to subscribe and win also.  Subscribing is free.  Freebies are free. 

Coming up on March 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 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 1st, 2024.

We’re emerging from a cold snap here and if the meteorologists aren’t messing with us, we’re heading into some glorious days as March rolls in, so I am hoping that the old saying that should it come in like a lamb it will go out like a lion is just a bunch of hooey.  I just love it when spring feels like spring!      

‘Tis a Freebie of Love!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 5 Comments

The focus in February is always on love.  Rather than grumble because it gets commercialized, why not be grateful for the reminder?  You don’t have to have a “significant other” in order to feel the love or share the love.  Look around.  Someone in your life needs to feel special and know that you care.

I’d love to make all my readers feel special, but, alas, as there is only one First Friday Freebie, I’ll have to make do with one of you.  Let’s take a look at it. 

Love Cross Freebie www.midweststoryteller.com

This cross makes a statement about the One who is love.  While it will fit in nicely with all your reds and pinks if you decorate for Valentine’s Day, it’s green-on-white color scheme will take you right on into spring and celebrating the Resurrection which, by the way, falls early this year in March.  The metal wording gives texture and shine.  It measures approximate 8” X 5” and does not have a hanger on the back.  However, it is an inch in depth so it is meant to be a shelf sitter without tipping over. I thought many of you would enjoy this great  Hobby Lobby find. 

To enter to win the Love Cross, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “Send me the love!” You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, February 2nd, 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 2nd, by leaving a comment which says, “Send me the love!” 

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

One of the great things about a February is that even if you don’t care to keep it for yourself, you can spread the love by presenting it as a thoughtful Valentine to someone you care about.  You can be that person who lets them know they are special just when they might be needing to hear it.    

Speaking of love, you know I love Smuffy.  Have you read each and every episode of my “Life With Smuffy”?  I love and sharing those with all of you and filling your lives with joy and laughter.

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.

Love is Enough, but Freebies Make Life Better!

~ Midwest Storyteller ~ 6 Comments

February has come to be known as the month of love.  It’s good that it has received a positive association because here in the Midwest February can get pretty tedious.  The upside is that I get to use this snow day to write this post and that I don’t have to be out in the deep, white stuff.  Lil’Snookie had enough fun in it for the both of us and Smuffy shoveled a path, so I’m just happy to be warm and blessed. 

Welcome to the First Friday of February!  If you’re not new to Midwest Storyteller, you know that means it’s Freebie Day.  And what might I have for you during this month of love?  Let’s take a look –

Love Is Enough www.midweststoryteller.com

This “Love is Enough” wood plaque is 7 7/8” square and can be propped on an easel or hung by its attached twine.  The ivory background with a pale sage leafy floral design has a slightly distressed look and the lettering is done in a dark gray.  Its colors are neutral enough to fit in with your Valentine décor and it can be used year-round as well.  It’s a great find from Factory Connection. 

To enter to win “Love is Enough” plaque, all you need to do is “Leave a Comment” on this post, saying, “I love Midwest Storyteller!”  See how I did that?  I know how to get my Valentine wishes, don’t I?  You’ll need to leave your comment before midnight TONIGHT, February 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, February 4th, by leaving a comment which says, “I love Midwest Storyteller!”.

For the complete First Friday Freebie rules, click here.

I love hearing from you and I love blessing you with a free gift.  Love is all around!

With this first First Friday Freebie of the new year comes all my prayers and best wishes that you have a 2022 that is blessed, healthy and happy.