Blog Perks

Posted August 1st, 2008 by Jen in blog stuff, family life, humor, product review

Becky's oven mittsThank you, Becky at Twisted Fencepost, for the cheerful and comfy oven mitts! I won Becky’s giveaway of her handmade oven mitts. These mitts have this wonderful little stretch to them that gently squeeze my hands as if to say, “You’re an awesome cook!” Oh, also, Becky included a lovely matching kitchen towel, which was unavailable for the photo shoot, as it was recently completely soiled and in need of laundering.

I told Becky how badly I needed them, because I couldn’t find a single oven mitt in the house, and I was in danger of burning off my sweet fingers. I need my fingers. These arrived the day after my birthday – I love surprise birthday gifts! And the day after that, I found the one oven mitt I did own – in my 7 year old daughter’s underwear drawer.

I had to explain the craziness to Becky, who may have wondered about my daughter’s stability – why was she stashing away an oven mitt with her underclothes?! An unknown fact was revealed: my mother, with Alzheimer’s or some mysterious mind-confusing disease that can afflict almost-80-year-olds, lives with my family. She loves to help put laundry away. You may find my t-shirts in my son’s dresser, dirty clothes mistakenly folded neatly into drawers, or oven mitts filed away with underwear. We work with it.

Sheila's notecardsAnother blog perk came my way when Sheila at Meditations and Confessions of a Homemaker sent me this pack of handmade cards. Each card has an inspiring scripture, wise saying, or encouraging word for women. Sheila is truly gifted (in many ways), and you can find more of her cards for sale at her Etsy shop. She has a great big heart for hurting and broken people, she blogs for the persecuted church (don’t miss her post on China), and is simply refreshing.

Sheila has also given me a few blog awards recently, which I’ll pass on soon. They are the Arte y Pico (best art) Award, and the Brillante Weblog Award. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Coming up (or whenever I get around to it!) will be my awards reception in which I present these to some other excellent bloggers.

Have you enjoyed any blog perks lately?

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12 Responses

  1. Beckynsc August 1st, 2008 at 4:13 pm

    You are very welcome! Glad they fit so well! As for the other one in the underwear drawer, just consider them, life’s little unexpected smiles!

  2. Jen August 1st, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    Becky, great way to view things. I know you said you cared for your aging parents until their death, and I can see you learned some wise things along the way!

  3. sheila August 1st, 2008 at 7:23 pm

    Jen, thanks for the blog love :) Right back at ya!

    My etsy shop link is http://www.ATimothyMom.etsy.com

    Blessings to you!
    Sheila

  4. e-Mom August 1st, 2008 at 7:27 pm

    Wonderful surprise gifts! I forgot that your Mom lives with you too. You have a houseful… I’m sure she’s both blessed and a blessing. :~D

  5. Tipper August 2nd, 2008 at 4:01 am

    Looks like Becky does very neat work! I wanted those mits-but I’m glad you won them too. I didn’t realize your Mom lived with you. Weird laundry things happen here too-but its all me that does it!

  6. Sandeep August 2nd, 2008 at 5:09 am

    I have precious memories of the poplar tree that grew in our yard. I would climb the tree and sit for hours on a branch, shaded in my leafy hideaway, looking at the blue sky and imagining the warriors (as if we are going to have a battle) in the distant mountains. I spent my early childhood in Chandigarh (North India). My tree gave me a bird’s eye view of the amazing hills of Shimla and I was sure the warriors were still hiding there. I visit Chandigarh/Shimla almost twice a year just to keep going back in time.

  7. Jen August 2nd, 2008 at 9:05 am

    Sandeep, is this your idea of a blog perk? Ripping off content from other bloggers? I did a double take when I read your comment, because here is part of my post from Feb. 29, 2008:

    I have precious memories of the poplar tree that grew in our yard. I would climb the tree and sit for hours on a branch, shaded in my leafy hideaway, looking at the blue sky and imagining the Apache Indians in the distant mountains. I spent my early childhood in the Arizona desert, near the stronghold of Geronimo. My tree gave me a bird’s eye view of the Cochise Stronghold and I was sure the warriors were still hiding there.

    Quit plagiarizing.

  8. Jen August 2nd, 2008 at 11:09 am

    Sheila, thanks for the link!

    e-Mom, yes, both blessed and a blessing is right. I love that we’re teaching our kids through our actions about elder care. We were driving in the van the other day, and JJ says, “Mom, which one of us will take care of you when you’re old?” There ensued a conversation among all the children about how it would happen, and it was decided among them (ages 3 through 9) that they would take turns, and Mom (and Dad), when they’re old and gray, would rotate among the children, a few months at a time. It was darling. And touching. And I realized something I hadn’t discerned before–they notice how we care for others, and are learning life-long attitudes. It was really precious to see that there was no question about whether the aging parents would be cared for by one of the children, but rather how it would be accomplished.

    Tipper, you gave me a good chuckle: “Weird laundry things happen here too-but it’s all me that does it!” –I can relate to that, too!

  9. Razor Family Farms August 2nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm

    Isn’t the blogging community wonderful? I am constantly amazed by the generosity of my fellow bloggers who are quick to use their blogs to ask for prayer and support of another blogger (perhaps even one that they do not know very well).

    Congratulations on your prizes!

    I also love your blog design! It’s beautiful!

    Blessings!
    Lacy

    RazorFamilyFarms.com

  10. Veggie Mom August 2nd, 2008 at 4:35 pm

    Love the oven mitts! The greatest joy I get from blogging is giving; in fact, Uncle Lynn has authorized another Great Pop’rs Giveaway! We’re launching on Tuesday, so stay tuned!

  11. Jen August 2nd, 2008 at 6:21 pm

    Lacy, thanks for the compliments on my blog design – it’s my husband’s gift to me–he’s amazingly talented. I agree, the blogging community can be generous!

    Veggie Mom, thank you!

  12. Sandier Pastures August 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 am

    I haven’t won anything lately but got a very precious help from another blogger when my site crashed some days back! I thought I’d never go back to blogging again. It was that serious!!

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