LAST DAY to enter-- Plus New Contest!

Books, Books, Books

The winner of the "Just Ten Things Giveaway II" will be chosen after midnight, tonight. Have you left a comment to be entered in the drawing? It's not too late!

Once this contest closes, it's time for a new one! I'm stepping it up a little by giving away not one, but five great books by popular Christian authors this week. Two of the books are hardcovers with dustjackets. One is a brand new release. All are by authors you'll love (especially, ahem, the author of that last title. You'll love her the most. I know it.) 

You'll have until  Thursday, November 8th, to enter so the winner can be announced on Friday's blog.  

This Week's Woman of Faith Contest Winner (Sorry, US only) will get: 

1. Flight of Fancy- Laurie Alice Eakes
2. The Red Siren--MaryLu Tyndall
3. A Simple Winter (Hardcover with dustjacket)--Rosalind Lauer
4. The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter--Teresa Slack
5. The House in Grosvenor Square (Hardcover with dustjacket)--Linore Burkard  Autographed by moi, of course. 

My iPad camera is on the blink so I couldn't post photos of the books--hopefully I'll be able to do that before the contest closes. I've given links to the Amazon page for these books so you can see what they look like. Just click on the title you want to see, above, if you're interested.

The Contest

I like the focus we've had on counting our blessings; on thankfulness. With Thanksgiving coming up next month, I'd like to keep things focused on the blessings in our lives: family, friends, freedom of worship-- food!
There we have four categories, one of which we'll highlight each week for the next four weeks.

How to Enter

Help me get to know you a little better. 
Leave a comment here at the blog telling me you've entered the giveaway.  

But to enter, click to my facebook Author page and share a photo that shows the blessing of family. Not just any family, but YOUR family!  You could leave a cheery full-family photo, a snapshot of your family doing something it loves, or just a special picture of one member of the bunch, and why this photo is special. That's it! 

When  you leave your comment to tell me you've entered, please leave an email address where I can notify you if you win. I'll also announce the winner on this blog, so be sure to check the posts.Leave your email like this: Linore (at) LinoreBurkard (dot) com.

I'm kicking things off with a few pics of my family, drawn from some I have handy on my pc. (No need to jump through hoops, here!) If you have any Autumn-themed photos, all the better, but not necessary. And, even though I'm sharing a few, you need only submit ONE.
 

                            

 This Week's Theme:  FAMILY
Here are a few photos of mine: 

 

As you can see, my focus for Easter that year wasn't on the beauty of the "baskets."  Family is what makes any holiday special, not the accoutrements--though they can be important traditions. Some years, I have had pretty baskets for everyone, but others, if I've been strapped for time I'll  use ANYTHING that works! You can see by the smiles that kids don't really care how fancy the package is: They just love getting whatever's inside it! 

 My three oldest: We all went to visit my daughter at Grace College, in Indiana, one fall. (No, that upside-down guy is not one of the family!)  

O, happy day! My oldest daughter had said (during the pregnancy), "I think our family is big enough. We don't need another baby." I said, "As soon as you see her, you'll fall in love." She was skeptical. After the birth? "Oh, mom, she's soooooo precious! You're right. I love her."  

Two of my guys (I needed to get my hubby on the page) NEXT MONTH we're getting a family portrait done in time for Christmas cards. I look forward to having one of ALL of us. 

 Here's my crew again in Michigan visiting Aunt Alice (on the left.)

Now it's your turn.

Go to my facebook page and upload a photo to the wall, of YOUR family. 

I'll choose a winner on November 8th .

Again, here's the list of books in the "Basket" you can win:

(One winner takes all!)

1. Flight of Fancy- Laurie Alice Eakes
2. The Red Siren--MaryLu Tyndall
3. A Simple Winter (Hardcover with dustjacket!)--Rosalind Lauer
4. The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter--Teresa Slack
5. The House in Grosvenor Square (Hardcover with dustjacket!)--Linore Burkard  Autographed by moi, of course. 

Enter today. I can't wait to "meet" you!

                                       And Now: A word from our sponsor--(Just kidding!)

Speaking of Autumn, in case you're new here, be sure not to miss my FREE pdf: Autumn Print-Outs

This free resource has printable gift-tags, bookmarks, post-it notes, note holders and stationery, and clip-art graphics.

Get your copy HERE. It's free, and all you need is a pair of scissors and some thick paper or card-stock and glue to make some special things.

Autumn Blessings

(And a free gift for you!)

One of the simplest ways to stand apart from the world as believers is to acknowledge the God of Creation, and there is certainly no lack of reason to do so during Autumn.

I've been away a lot the past few months, but to inaugurate my "return to the blog" I'd like to give you a gift that is in keeping with this wonderful season. Stay Tuned--the download link is at the bottom of today's post.  

Recently as I walked my little doggie in the early morning it was raining leaves. They wafted around me and wisped about, only to fall to the ground in the end, silent as snowflakes, pretty as butterfly wings.   

Thank You, Lord, for the beauty of leaves! Even in death, they show forth Your Glory.

My neighbor's huge oak stood tall and majestic in the morning light, and that rare phenomenon, when  honey-yellow leaves begin glittering as though edged in actual gold-leaf, happened: I took a deep breath and inhaled the sight. 

Thank You, Lord, for Autumn blessings!

 

I had a light jacket over my jeans and sneakers, and enjoyed the sweet crisp air as well as the crunch and crackle of leaves underfoot. No mosquitoes, not even a stray spider-web obstructed my path.

Thank You, Lord, for the beauty and wisdom of changing seasons!

God has promised not to allow the change of seasons to cease; not until the end of time. Isn't that good to know? And how easy it is to thank Him for the beauty of the natural order He placed in our world. 

What Autumn blessing are you most thankful for, today? 

Share your thoughts and then go and download a free gift from my website: A collection of printable AUTUMN-themed goodies you'll enjoy! 

All you need is a color printer, scissors and glue, and card-stock--you'll have pretty Autumnal 

bookmarks

gift tags

post-it note holders

stationery

and clip-art graphics.

For the stationery, you don't need to do anything but PRINT. 

Pick up the download here:

http://www.linoreburkard.com/AutumnPrint-Outs.pdf

Enjoy!

PS: Are you new to my blog or mailing list? I have other downloadable resources for you, which you'll enjoy if you like historical and PICTORIAL fun. As an author of historical romance, I sometimes create free pdfs just for the sheer joy of it. Check them out (and help yourself!) here. 


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Take Five for this Celtic Woman--Roma Downey's--"Irish Blessing"

This beautiful little masterpiece of pictures and music, with narration by Roma Downey is one of the most worthwhile "view this" emails I've ever received. It's better than a "YouTube" video because it comes with no obnoxious ads or distracting side bars. Furthermore, it's a blessing to both eye and spirit!

Special thanks to my reader-turned-friend Lois for sending it to me (It's beautiful, Lois, just as you said--thank you!) which I now take great pleasure in sharing with you.

Take five from your hectic life and prepare to de-stress.
Be sure to have your sound/speakers on.



I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Once again, click here and be blessed!

Until next time,

Linore
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Weekend's Over--Unwind With This

Saw this through Pinterest--a beautiful rendition of "Doxology" by those vocal
acrobats, the Martins. My personal favorite by them is their version of the Lord's Prayer, but this is still a lovely way to spend two to three minutes and enjoy your God.

I've had a child home sick for almost a week--after THREE visits to the doctor, one prescription and two other OTCs, she is finally back to school today. I always enjoy watching her sprint to the school bus after the driver stops and beeps her presence at the curb, but today was extra sweet. Seeing a little one up and about after days of listlessness and fever is just special. I'm grateful she's over the illness.

What about you? Listen to the song below and pick something to thank God for. There's more around you than you think for which to be grateful.

Source: youtube.com via Joyce on Pinterest

Happy Thanksgiving

I love this time of year, don't you? Scroll down to enjoy my way of wishing everyone, whether you live here in the US and celebrate Thanksgiving or not, a
joyful season.

See you soon,
(But not tomorrow--I'll be eating turkey and enjoying family and guests! Hope you'll be doing the same.)

Warmest Blessings,

Linore
ENJOY THE GRAPHICS!