Dear Readers & Visitors to my blog, I appreciate you! Thanks for stopping by!
Recently, I watched the 1946 movie Great Expectations on TV. I’d read the Charles Dickens novel about ten years ago & was surprised to find I preferred the black-and-white movie. The title got me thinking. This is the time of year of great expectations: must-do lists, shopping for food and presents at chaotic stores without ample parking, trying to second-guess a recipient’s wishes, hurry up and finish cooking or sewing projects. Chances to spend time with family can be both nurturing and draining. Many of us miss loved-ones as we fondly recall the past and attempt to fill the void. Or maybe endeavor to forget heartache, because our expectations weren’t met. Life is not a movie set where the Director can say, “Cut! Reshoot.”
Among the gifts I’ve received from the Amish is the knowledge that wounds and relationships can be healed by forgiveness. Over the years, praying for those who have wronged me or even for strangers has blessed me and others in unexpected ways.
I have a question: What smaller-than-a-breadbox item would you like to receive or give that costs under $20? Leave a short comment and enter to win this Amish-made Quillow, which opens to 40″ X 60″ quilt, & a signed copy of a novel from The Legacy of Lancaster County Trilogy. USA & Canada. Winner chosen at random and has 3 days to respond.
I’m grateful for Vannetta Chapman’s post last week! Thank you to the many people who entered to win a copy of Murder Tightly Knit. Her winner is Diane (no last name given) whom I have contacted via email. She has three days to respond.
I’m always happy to receive a book. That is a lovely quillow – would love to win it!
I’m the same way, Johnda, when it comes to books! However, I’ve found sometimes people choose some rather strange books to give me … But sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Merry Christmas Kate! I’d love to win this for Christmas, but if I had to choose a small gift, it’d probably be a female Amish doll! Thank you so much for this giveaway, and I really hope I can win!
Mary Christmas, Mallory! An Amish doll would be a delightful gift! Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!
For a gift under $20, I would like some non-GMO seeds to plant carrots, lettuce, green beans, and corn. In South Florida we have a very small winter garden, and I like to raise organic vegetables. We bought new seeds and planted carrots and lettuce, but no carrots came up so far. I would love to have a homemade quillow, and the one in the picture is beautiful. Of course I would love to have one of your signed books. Thank you for having a contest.
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the contest, Kaye! When possible I eat only organic vegetables, but are growing season is practically nonexistent so I must go to the grocery store. A gift of non-GMO seeds is an excellent suggestion. I’d love you to be able to read one of my books! Good luck in the contest!
Thanks for this opportunity! Merry Christmas!
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Deborah! Merry Christmas and good luck!
I much prefer to give a gift of homemade goodies. I just love this Quillow. Thanks for the chance to win and Merry Christmas to you.
Homemade goodies, whether edibles or wearables, are always a delight, Deborah! Good luck in the giveaway and Merry Christmas!
I would to be able to win this pillow with quilt. Thanks for the opportunity.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Donna! Good luck and Merry Christmas!
I agree with everyone else. Books & chocolate. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Hard to go wrong with books and chocolate, Kathy! Although, I have actually met people who don’t like chocolate and who don’t enjoy reading. Can you imagine? Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Hummmm, to fit in a bread box….thinking cap on…..”books”….yes! I would love to have books! This quillow is beautiful….I have never owned one….whom ever wins….they will be lucky winner! Maybe it will be me!
Hi Linda! The person who gives me the most books is me! I gave my husband and each son a book for Christmas, but they didn’t look very excited … Thanks for writing. Wishing you good luck!
Would love the pillow!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Peggy! Good luck!
I would love the pillow!
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Peggy! Good luck!
Books, small box of really good chocolate, a pretty necklace or ring. Thanks for the giveaway, would love to win. God bless
You have all sorts of delightful ideas, Sherri! Too bad there aren’t many rings for under $20, but this is all in fun. Thanks for writing and bless you. Good luck in the giveaway!
books are always a welcome gift. I love the quillow, by the way.
You’ll get no arguments from me, Nancy! A reader can never have too many books! Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
I love you PIF gift & would love to win. My gift would be a small boy Amish doll since our puppy ate ours hat part way off & our girl is getting lonely. A signed book of yours would be great too. Love reading Amish Christian Romances! Also love learning about the Amish life style “Plain & Simple”. Merry Christmas & God Bless!
Your poor little boy Amish doll, Lola! Puppies can be that way; we have gnawed base-board in the kitchen to prove it. I should give away a set of dolls again one of these days. So glad to hear you enjoy reading Amish romances and hope you get a chance to read one of mine. Good luck in the giveaway!
Christmas blessings to you and your family Kate. The qwillow is beautiful. Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity. Merry Christmas!
Thank you for entering the giveaway, Myrtle! Good luck and Merry Christmas to you!
books and chocolate are a female’s best friend any hour of the day. Oh and add a large sweet tea to that, too 🙂
I couldn’t agree with you more, Tina! Fortunately, Santa left me several chocolate bars. Yum! But they can’t compare to a good book. Thanks for writing and good luck!
We would love this Quillow. A gift smaller than a breadbox would be a great book. Love to read a good book and would love one of yours. Merry Christmas and God Bless!
Thanks for writing, Nora! I’d love you to read one of my books. Good luck in the giveaway!
I have never seen or heard of this but it is simply beautiful.
I’m glad you like it, Susan! Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway. Good Luck!
I would love anything handmade…..a gift from the heart.This qwillow and your book would be perfect.Thanks for the chance to win it,Merry Christmas!
Thanks for writing, Jackie, and Merry Christmas to you! A handmade gift from the heart sounds wonderful, be it from the oven, sewing machine, or drawing board. I’m sitting in our living room surrounded by works of art created by my mother and sons. Hard to beat! Good luck in the giveaway.
The best gifts are made with love and baked in the oven. The second best gift is taking it to a friend who is home-bound.
You sound like a sweet, generous, caring person, Janet! And you like to bake too! I’m guessing your friends know how lucky they are to have you in their life. Good luck in the giveaway!
I like to give and recieve gift cards. They are perfect gifts for me.
It’s hard to go wrong with gift card, Virginia! Thank you for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Love these kind of stories/books
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Lois! Good luck!
Well, I was really hoping that we would have enough money for my hubby to get me a Kindle Fire, but with car expenses, it just hasn’t turned out that way this year. You know what? That is ok. We are going to be alone for Christmas (we never had any children), but the weekend after New Years we will drive up to see my sister and her family and celebrate my mothers 87th birthday. I think that family is more important than things. I would love to win that Amish made Quillow! Thanks for the cance to win.
Debbie Clark
I totally agree with you, Debbie! How wonderful that your mother is still living. 87 is younger than several of my friends. May your mother enjoy good health and a clear mind. Thanks for writing and good luck!
I would love a chance to win
You are officially entered, Valerie! Good luck!
Love the pillow love your books would love to win Thanks
Thanks for writing, Martha! Good luck in the giveaway!
Hi Kate!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! 😀 If I was to receive an item smaller than a breadbox and under $20; I’d like to have some lined, neon/brightly colored index cards (for attaching to my boxes and totes to get more organized) or I’d like a colored USB drive for as many MB or GB or whatever one can get for under $20. 🙂
Both sound like great ideas, Mippy! I am forever trying to get more organized. And backing up your material is essential. Good luck in the contest!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I’d love to receive an Amazon gift card to be able to buy Amish books. Right now I am thankful for those that are free! I’d love to win the quill ow as I’ve never seen one in this design. As a kid, I used to draw these types of stars! Love your books!
Just finished reading 4 christmas books , so i am ready to begin reading some more,, good all year
Thank you
Thanks for writing, Sherry! You must have been very artistic as a child and probably still are. Good luck in the giveaway!
Love the quillow, a rather unique creation. Something smaller than a breadbox, I would wish for a box filled with hugs and kisses from all those that love me. A box filled with little snippets of what loving me means to others. Pictures of those that mean the world to me, so that when I start to feel blue I can just reach into the box and create a world full of sunshine, love and laughter , starting the day with warm hugs and kisses. This is what I would wish for….
If you find a way to manufacture those boxes, please let me know, Lori! A great idea! Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
would love to win.
Thanks for entering, Angela!
My answer is a Christmas Photo Album filled with Christmas 2014 photos of my children and grandchildren on Christmas Day 2014. My children and grandchildren live in California and Colorado and we live in Pennsylvania. I am disabled and unable to fly. So miss seeing and experiencing Christmas with them.
That sounds like a fabulous gift, Sandy! As I wrote above in my post, life is not always what we expected. I pray that whatever your health issue is it improves. Thanks so much for writing and I wish you good luck in the giveaway!
Merry Christmas! Cute quillow! A gift card would be my answer 🙂
I think what I would love to have is another Amish Christmas book, I love reading about the Amish, especially the Christmas stories. Merry Christmas. Kate.
A girl can never have too many gift cards, Kimberly! Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway!
Merry Christmas, Ruth, and thanks for entering! Good luck! (Not sure why I can’t get replies in correct spot.)
I guess it all depends on how well I know a person. If I knew them well, I would get a book or a picture of the two of us in a nice frame. Maybe a coffee card, if I know the person loves coffee and just needs a few minutes to relax and enjoy. So much you can do! Thanks for having the contest!
Tina
sweeps4us at gmail dot com
I heard on the news a couple days ago that coffee cards are a very popular present, Tina! On the other hand, I was delighted to receive framed photos of our grandkids for Christmas. Thanks for entering the contest!
Chocolate ,book,dish towel,pot holder Iwould love to win if iI had 20 I would give to a needy family
Santa left me four bars of chocolate, Missy! Thanks for leaving a comment and good luck in the giveaway!
A gift certificate to my favorite used book store which I didn’t get because I do not receive gifts anymore.
Time to head to that used bookstore yourself, Kaylee! Happy reading and good luck in the giveaway!
Hello Kate and Vannetta. Enjoyed reading this post. I would love to have the third book in your series and or is Material Witness by Vannetta. Have tried so many times to win them. But a gift card would work. The pillow is very pretty. In answer to Vannetta’s is I used to sew a lot and have crocheted. Once I made dolls for my granddaughters and dress for them and their doll alike. Another year I made Rabbit dolls for all of the grandkids. Dress the ones for the boy’s in overalls with the puffy tail showing. For the girls they were in dresses. I would love to be lucky and be your winner. Hope you both had a great Christmas. And may GOD bless you in the coming year. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
Hi Maxie! Aren’t you a sweetheart for sewing dolls and matching dresses, and rabbit dolls. They sound so cute. Thanks for entering the giveaway and may God bless you this coming year.
I think it would be a gift card to a fast food place to take my 2 girls to lunch’