Hurray, I found my favorite blue earrings! Again. After searching for them for months, I gave up and bought another pair, thanks to a gift certificate from our younger son. I bought the new pair over the phone after seeing a photo of them, and wouldn’t you know it? Almost immediately I found my formerly favorites right where I’d hidden them—I assume from thieves who might break in. I’d remunerated and retraced my steps so many times. Then suddenly—poof—I recalled where I’d stashed them, in the bottom of a hanging zippered bag in my closet.
My beautiful sparkly new earrings arrived and were different enough I decided I must have them both. I now owned a new pair of favorite earrings. But had I learned my lesson? Apparently not, because a few weeks ago I realized I couldn’t locate either pair. To complicate matters, our son was coming home for a visit and I wanted to show him what he’d given me!
I figured I’d hidden them in the same spot, but not true. So I searched what I thought was every possible location. Under socks, inside storage boxes … I kept asking myself how I could be so dumb. Our son never did get to see them during his visit.
Good news! I located them both, nestled together having fun without me, in my shoe rack. I made a mental promise to not hide things from myself again. But can I keep it? Have you ever done something like this? Do you have a secret hiding place? (Don’t tell us where!)
I found this lovely Amish-made potholder in our sewing room. Had I meant to keep it for myself? No matter, I’m offering the potholder plus a signed copy of one book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: Your choice of Leaving Lancaster, Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish!
Leave a comment to enter the giveaway. USA and Canada. Winner has one week to respond.
Congratulations to this week’s three winners: Lynn G, Ellen F, Jan V. Thank you to everyone who left a comment! I think some of you could be writers yourselves!
I have a habit of putting things away for safe keeping. Then I can’t remember where I put them and have to go out and buy them all over again. Love the hotpad. Would love to have the pattern.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Mary Kay! I’ve joked on many occasions that if we need something it’s probably already in the house somewhere. Sounds like you’re a quilter. Good luck in the contest!
I had to laugh when i read this because i just found a christmas prsent i put away last year, i am so bad about putting things in a scret place then i never can find it again until i plum forget about it . i love amish forever and thanks.
Our mother used to do that, Sherry! She’d see something on sale and put it in the bottom drawer of her bureau, then forget all about it. At least she was consistent about where she’d stash things so she’d eventually find them. She was a talented portrait sculptress and gardener, and the best mom a girl could have, so we’re in good company! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I am so glad I am not the only one that does this.I am forever putting things in a safe place to never see for months after I am needing them.I have hid Christmas gifts and run across them months after Christmas.And on top of that sometimes I even forget who I bought it for,so I think of someone and say to myself,”this will be a great present for them,”so I safely stash it away until the next Christmas.The worse thing is when I hide things from myself,lol.I always enjoy reading your post.Thanks for sharing Kate.
Thanks for your fun and entertaining comment, Jackie! I have two little presents I’m saving for our granddaughter to give to her on her brother’s birthday in November, because I went way overboard on her birthday a couple weeks back. But I’m afraid to put them “away” where they may hide for years.
Do it ALL. THE. TIME. 🙁
Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone, Loretta! We actually have a lot of burglaries in the area, but that’s not a good enough excuse. One of these days i hope to stumble upon my missing watch that doesn’t work anyway. I recall the last day I saw it … over a year ago.
My favorite saying when I can’t find something, which is all the time, is “I guess it’s in its secret place”! Glad you found both pair, I usually find what I’m looking for after an exhaustive search. The latest on me is I had lost a bottom sheet to a set of sheets….looked everywhere…finally found it still on the bed under the clean sheet when I’d changed sheets….my mom said it will only get worse! Oh my what a thing to look forward….would love to win, thanks for the opportunity! Linda
P.S. You could leave a note to yourself where you put the earrings, but then you might lose the note!
You made me chuckle, Linda! A bottom sheet is about the only thing I haven’t lost. I like your note idea, but you’re right about losing it too. I have little post-it notes everywhere that need to be stored for further use. (story ideas, choice words, etc.) Thanks for entering the giveaway!
What a great subject! I’ve learned the two ways to find something stashed someplace I just KNEW I could find it again. The quickest and most sure is prayer. The second is to go to the store or online and buy another. Prob with that is it’s expensive and never exact, as happened to you. This happens over and over–human beings! 🙂
I prayed for both pairs of earrings, many times, Peggy. Maybe a lesson in patience and humility? Thanks for writing and good luck!
I usually do that when I am trying to “put something away” for safe keeping but then I forget where I put it. I’ve discovered that if I search for the item, it usually doesn’t appear until I relax and let it turn up. It must be one of God’s ways of teaching me about patience!
I agree, Lisa. The harder I look the more evasive the item becomes. One time, my mother-in-law asked me, “Have you prayed about it?” Minutes later, I found my hidden treasure. Well, maybe God was teaching me a different lesson this time. Although I did have an Aha moment, finally. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate I love the patchwork . It is beautiful . I put stuff up all the time where I think I will find it . Can’t find it later . Maybe down the road I will find it . Would love to be a winner . Thanks for the chance .
lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for writing, Elizabeth, and letting me know I’m not alone! Good luck in the giveaway!
I would love to win the books and pot holder is I am doing my kitchen in amish stuff.
I would love to see your kitchen, Cindy! What a terrific theme. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Isn’t it fun when you discover things you didn’t realize you had. The quilted potholder is beautiful. Adding the Legacy of Lancaster Triology and potholder to my collection would be awesome. Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway.
Thank you for entering, Myrtle! The winner will receive one book and the potholder. Good luck in the giveaway.
I purchase Amish quality products for gifts all the time & everyone compliments their gifts, & I’m hoping to win the books & lovely pot holder to hang near my oven…LOVELY 🙂
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Liesje! Fortunate friends to receive Amish gifts from you! Good luck!
I’ve read Leaving Lancaster, and enjoyed it. I’d love to read Pennsylvania Patchwork. Also, that potholder is beautiful! 🙂
Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoyed reading Leaving Lancaster, Rachel! Good luck in the giveaway!
I’m still hanging out for Pennsylvania Patchwork! I love quilting ***s! So both would be jewels to me.
I at present have two cherished necklaces I wear together somewhere and all I call recall is zipping a zipper over them ~ thought it was an inside pocket of a purse but, no… still a mystery. At least they are together and not alone! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
Your story reminds me of mine, Kathleen! My two pairs of earrings were together having a party without me. A girlfriend once told me she lost a very special bracelet and found it years later in a jacket pocket. Good luck in finding those necklaces and in the giveaway!
I am constantly losing things that I thought I had put in a spot I couldn’t possibly forget. (yeah, right!) I have been looking for a vintage ink pen from the late 1950’s. It is an advertisement pen from my father’s gas station, when he was still in business with his baby brother. Uggh, I hate it when I can’t find things!
I would love a chance to win the pot holder & one of your books!
Have a great rest of the week.
Thanks for writing and sharing, Lisa. I also hate it when I can’t find things, but my frustration never seems to help. My sister said she heard an interview with the former professional thief, who said that burglars look in the exact same places we hide things. So, where should I put them? Good luck in the giveaway!
Hi Kate, I would love this piece of amish craftsmanship, oh those tiny little stitches in this pretty potholder. I thoroughly enjoy reading books like this, and I think if I should be blessed enough to win, Forever Amish would be my choice. Thank you.
Thank you for writing and entering the giveaway, Sharon! I may have forgotten to mention the potholder was made in Lancaster County. Good luck!
I never saw such a beautiful pot holder. And I would also love to read one of your books.
Thanks for visiting my blog, Sue, and entering the giveaway! I’d love you to read one of my books as well as win the potholder. Good luck!
Oh Kate, I had to laugh as I hide things, jewelry, gifts, a treasure that I can’t part with. Then when looking to show someone what I found…but hid….I can’t find it!!! As we were moving, I found several gifts for my Grandchildren!! Now much too young for these gifts they will be given away to someone less fortunate to enjoy. The pot holder is lovely! If I win….I will put it in a shadow box and hang in my kitchen! Much to lovely to mess up!!
I would love to have that beautiful potholder used decoratively in your kitchen, Linda! Good luck in the giveaway!
I lose stuff all the time! On vacation (just home on Sunday) I lost the laundry soap and dryer towels I took along so I wouldn’t have to buy any-still haven’t found it! I was sure I packed my long sleeved nightshirt for the A/C my husband insists on keeping cold, and I never found that. It was new and I only used it 10x!! Now, I can’t find my back up zip drive for my computor! I know I took it along so I had it if my computer crashed on vacation. I can’t find it! So, I know what you mean when you lose something. I’ve tried all my most likely places and still nothing.
I’d love to win the first book from your Lancaster series!
I would love you to win Leaving Lancaster, the first book in The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy, Sharon! I sure hope some of your lost items surface. Unfortunately, I’m a poor person to give advice … Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway!
May the Lord continue to bless you and use your books as a ministry to others.
Thank you very much, Kathy! I truly appreciate your kind words.
I would love to win this! Thank you!
You are officially entered, Joy! Thanks for writing!
I’ve read all three wonderful books, but I’d love that potholder.
Thanks for reading my books, Karen! If you win, you can give the book to a friend and keep the potholder for yourself. Good luck!
As I read about your “lost and found,” I kept smiling and thinking how often I do the very same thing! I always think I’ll remember exactly where I put something special, but then I forget when it’s time to find them. Sigh…………
susanlulu@yahoo.com
I hide stuff too and can’t find it later when I need it, once was a set of keys that I really needed and didn’t find them for months. I’d love to win the potholder, mine are getting rather raggedy looking and I’d love to win a copy of the PA book since I’m from PA Amish country. 🙂 God bless!
Thanks for writing, Sherri! You have my sympathy; I’d hate to lose my keys,, I hope you have a chance to read one of my books soon. Good luck in the giveaway!
Love your books. Have read a few of them and will be reading them again. I would love to be entered to win your potholder.
Thanks so much for entering the giveaway, Andrea! Good luck in winning the potholder!
Beautiful Potholder, Love your books. I am always putting things away in a safe place, where they stay until I run across them or finally remember where they are. I have a rotary cutter that has been safely stowed away for a couple of years now, maybe someday I will find it;) Jan
Thank you for your kind words about my books, Jan! You made me chuckle, but if honest with myself I’ll bet there are many “missing” items lurking around our house. I didn’t mention my lost watch … Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
I lose things too! But I do love that pot holder! Would love it!
I’m glad you like the potholder enough to enter the giveaway, Sonja! Good luck!
There is nothing better than finding something you thought was list unless ….you discover something that you had forgotten you had! Thanks for this giveaway!
So true, Connie! I don’t think our son could believe I could lose a new pair of earrings that quickly, when in fact I thought I was keeping them safe. Or maybe he’s used to me by now. Thank you for visiting my blog and good luck in the giveaway!
Quilting & reading–my favorite things!
Two very excellent favorite things! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I love the colors of this potholder. It’s beautiful.
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Laurie!
I recently did a major purge in my closet and found things I bought for a few high school friends for their birthdays about 10 years ago. I’ve cleaned my closet since then, and remember finding them last time, but apparently hid them again. Brilliant, I know.
Thank you, Christine, for making me feel as though I’m not alone. I keep trying to go through my closets, but must stop hiding things … and also put items away in a specific place. I say that now, but how long will it last? Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
The potholder is beautiful; too beautiful, in fact, to use. I have a tendency to hide things and then forget where they are. But it’s always such a nice surprise when I find them. haha
Reading your comment reminded me that my mom did the same thing, Tammy! She’d buy presents for us and forget to give them … Maybe it’s in my DNA?
This post cracked me up! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
-Blessings!
I’m glad I brought a smile to your face, Emily! Thanks for writing and entering to give away!
I lose stuff all the time…and it seems to be getting worse the older I get and with more stuff….drives me crazy! Love the potholder and the chance to win a signed book, THANKS!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Sally! I’ve put the potholder out where it will not get lost or used. Good luck and thanks for writing!
I would love to win! Your post made my day knowing I am not alone in misplacing things. I hid a very expensive watch before I went on vacation and can’t remember where I put it! Hopefully I will find it one day soon 🙁
I can relate, Maria, as there is a watch hiding somewhere in our home, too. At least I hope it is! Good luck in finding your watch and in the giveaway!
I love giveaways. I also love potholders. Amish fiction is fun to read.
Thanks for visiting my blog, Deb, and entering the giveaway! Good luck!
I’d love you to win a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork, Patti! God bless you and thanks for entering the giveaway!
Love the pot holder! Just my colors! And, boy, would Ilove to win those books!
The potholder is lovely !! I would love to win any of your books.
Are any of the books in large print ?
I ask because I developed diabetes and it’s getting harder for me
to read the regular print books and I so Love to Read.
Thank You for your generosity.
Thanks for writing, Sandy! Unfortunately my books are not published in large print, but there are generous spaces between the lines. Good luck in the giveaway!