Saturday, April 25, 2009

Sweet!

I finally finished bottling the results of our first syrup adventure, chronicled here and here.


I've already shipped out quite a few bottle, so now the rest are occupying space on my countertop, waiting to be boxed and shipped to their respective destinations.

I didn't use the fancy bottles for my own syrup, but rather sealed all that into canning jars. I'm absolutely loving having my own syrup. Usually, I use it somewhat sparingly to make sure the small amount that I buy lasts the whole year. But now I have plenty of my own syrup and we're putting it on and in everything. It's wonderful!

I love it so much, in fact, that I'm can't wait to share it!

You see, I have this cute little pint bottle of dark, sweet maple syrup, just waiting for someone to love. Er... love it. I mean... someone to savor every delicious drop!



And for all you know, that "someone" could be you!

Because it's finally spring, and we're having 80 degree days (!), and the grass is green, and the birds are singing, my garden is even growing and I'm just so very thankful that winter is over... And I have a NEED to focus on my blessings today...

I'm hosting my first-ever giveaway!

Here's how you can enter:

1. Leave a comment and tell me what you're thankful for! (Hey, it's in my blood! My Grandma used to play this game after Thanksgiving dinner-- going around the table and making us all say what we were thankful for. She was a game-queen and a "Polyanna" if there ever was one and she was an expert on focusing on her blessings!)

2. If you would like an additional chance to enter, post about this contest on your own blog or website with a link. Then come back to this post and leave another comment linking to your post. I'll check it out and enter you for another chance to win.

BONUS: I might be persuaded to pick a second winner. If we reach a certain number of entries, which number I shall not disclose at this time, I will pick another winner for another pint of sweet, yummy, Michigan maple syrup. (Read: according to my whim, I might double the stakes!)

So, I'll let this contest run for... um... how about a week? So Friday, May 1 (May Day!)... at.... uh... Noon! My time. (That's Eastern Standard Time. With daylight savings. I won't make you calculate Amish time into that. Because I caved like a total lemming and changed my clocks, so I'm not actually on Amish time.) I won't count any entries after 12:00 noon on Friday, May 1. I'll link this post in my sidebar so that it doesn't get buried under other posts.

ETA: I forgot to mention that the winner(s) will be chosen at random using the Random Integer Generator at random.org.

Can't wait to hear what you're thankful for! Good luck!

13 comments:

  1. Thankful for work. Not too many have that these days. Blessing from God for sure.

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  2. Wow - what a sweet gift you're giving away!

    I am thankful for my health. I have Crohn's Disease and am currently in remission. I don't take feeling good for granted anymore. Health is definitely a gift, not a "given"!

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  3. Thankful for healthy, happy children, a loving spouse, a green garden, a cozy home, a full tummy, a gracious God, chickens that lay eggs and new kittens.

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  4. I am thankful that Michael was not injured when we fell last week, and that I am almost better. Also, that he is gaining weight again. I am also thankful that my husband has a job and we have a home to live in. And I am most thankful that God is so faithful and guards and protects us when we are so busy that we forget to pay attention!

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  5. Oops! There goes my pregnant brain! Of COURSE I am very thankful for all of my happy, healthy children, and this new one that is making all my clothing shrink so fast! LOL

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  6. Thankful for friends and family, and the chance to make my life right.

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  7. What a wonderful gift. I did not realize this was going to be a business venture. Cool labels!
    I am thankful for a lot, my husband and family, my job, the good people I work with, our home and the garden. I am most thankful for my relationship with Jesus that he knows me, loves me has forgiven me and is making a place for me.
    I am thankful to meet people like you thru blogging. Bloggin is totally cool. so many stories and lives, it sure beats TV.
    So are you selling to companies, individuals or what? How much is it?

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  8. Found you through hot belly mama! Syrup looks lovely! I am thankful for the spring flowers. After a long and snow filled deep freeze of a winter (which was lovely), I have been waiting 9waiting waiting waiting) for those blossoms to pop! What a joy to follow the seasons. Ahhhhhh. It's here!

    earthmama

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  9. I posted about this at my blog but I don't know how to link back.

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  10. Oh Maple syrup - love it. I am thankful for running water in my house. Our pump went out and for 2 days had none. I am so thankful I live in this time in history so that its an item most all have. Thank you God.

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  11. Oh man! C'mon, I want better chances than just a random integer generator. I deserve more than that ;)
    My mom always made us tell what we were thankful for at Thanksgiving too, though we did it right after the food passing, while people were first digging in.
    Right now I'm thankful for lots of things - the car that miraculously appeared when I asked everyone I knew if they had one to sell cheap, the lovely lovely spring weather, the veggies growing and growing in my little garden, my great friends. But foremost in my mind is my gratitude for the financial security that I do have. It's not a very secure security (I'm in major budgeting mode this pay period - cash only.. ugh!) but I make enough to pay the rent, pay the bills and buy enough food for three squares a day. No, it's not enough for drinks and fancy food and all the things I wish I had, but it is enough. Amen.
    It would be better with a big jug of Michigan maple syrup though!!! :)

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  12. I am thankful for my salvation and I would like to be able to spread the GOOD News about Jesus Christ to all that I can--whether I win anything or not! I will blog about you on my own website, knitpickingit.blogspot.com!

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