Friday 31 August 2018

Eighth Blog Anniversary Giveaway And A Little Getaway

It's my big birthday on Monday, the big 5 0. I'm not one for parties, being the centre of attention or grand gestures, but I decided that I'd like to celebrate this birthday with my family around me, so Mick's organised a little getaway for a few days.

Daniel has been living and working in Surrey for the past couple of years and I haven't seen much of him. He's in the process of moving to Essex so that he can live with his girlfriend. He still has to work some days each week in Surrey but the rest of the time he's able to work in London, so he'll have to commute but he thinks it's worth it rather than seeing his girlfriend just on the weekends. It's hard living apart when you're young and in love!

So tomorrow we're heading down to spend a few days on the Essex coast. Eleanor hasn't gone back to university yet and Daniel and his girlfriend have taken a few days off work so it will be nice to spend a few days over my birthday with my family around me. Such a treat.

Tomorrow is the eighth anniversary of when I started this blog so, as is now a tradition on my blog anniversaries, I'm having a little giveaway. Meteorological autumn begins on the 1st of September so I've put a little prize together which will help you while away the autumn evenings as the nights draw in and the heating is needed once again.


A ball of Stylecraft Head Over Heels in the Eiger colourway. This yarn is durable enough for socks but it's also fine and light enough for shawls. There's lots of lovely sock patterns to be found on Ravelry and also shawl patterns which only take one skein so the choice is yours.


I love to cosy up and read when the evenings draw in so I've popped a book in the parcel. I've chosen a book which I haven't read myself but one which is on my list of books to read, The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. I've read some good reviews of this book so I hope it's an enjoyable read. If the winner has already read this book then I'll choose a different one to pop in the parcel and keep this one myself, I really don't mind as it's one that I want to read anyway.


Something I love doing in autumn is planting bulbs ready for the spring. I'm not a lover of winter so seeing those shoots poking through the soil lets me know that spring is on the way and makes the coldest months of the year a little more bearable. I've included a pack of tulip bulbs, and also a Yankee Candle votive in the Winter Morning scent. I do love burning scented candles when the nights start to draw in.


There's also a selection of yummy treats and hot drinks for you to enjoy.


The giveaway is open to all readers of this blog, old and new, near and far. You don't have to be a follower but it would be lovely if you would click on the link in the sidebar or follow on Bloglovin'. Please leave a comment on this post by midday on Tuesday the 11th of September 2018, after which, a winner will be drawn at random.

All that's left to be said is Thank You. Thank you for visiting my blog, thank you for all the lovely comments you leave and thank you for the friendship. I really do appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my ramblings, especially those who leave comments so that we're able to build up friendships. I think I say this every year but the blogging community really is the best.

See you soon (on the other side of 50, eek!).

42 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate a special time. Birthday congrats both for you and the blog. I always enjoy
    Your words and makes but have only just been able to comment! I'm more comfortable with needle or hook than technology☺ happy days away.

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  2. Other side of 50 is fine, it's when you get the wrong side of 60 you have to worry!!
    Have a wonderful birthday with your family and congrats on all the years of blogging and I have to say thats an amazing giveaway!

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  3. A very Happy Birthday for Monday Jo. 🎂 Your family getaway sounds like the perfect way to celebrate and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.
    Congratulations on your blog anniversary too. Gosh, didn't that seem to come around quickly this time. I always look forward to reading your posts and seeing your lovely makes, and yes, the blogging community is pretty great. X

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  4. I guess I will be the first to post and wish you a very Happy Birthday! Wishing you everything you would wish yourself.
    A very generous giveaway for your blogs anniversary too. Just right to enjoy as the nights draw in. I would love to win.

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  5. Wishing you a very happy birthday, I can't think of a better way to celebrate than having time with your family! I think your giveaway is very generous and anyone would be delighted to be the lucky person to receive it.

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  6. Happy Birthday Jo!! I hope you have a wonderful time with your family, it sounds just the best way to celebrate. Thanks for all the fun on your blog and for your kind comments on mine. x

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  7. Happy birthday Jo, have a fab time with your family. Lovely giveaway, but please don't add my name, all those chocolates would only go to my hips, and I would not be able to resist. As always love your blog.

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  8. Happy birthday Jo, I do hope you have a lovely day and time away. Congratulations on your blog-anniversary. I always enjoy reading your blog and seeing how Archie is getting on. I've read this book for the book club, if you get chance to read it I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I vaguely remember a dog in the story too.
    I think I'm over the shock now of turning 50 in July. It's still not fair but when years fly by so quickly, it's not so surprising. Enjoy all that you do Jo. Cathy x

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  9. Happy birthday with your family-that sounds a lovely plan for celebration. I like knitting with Head Over Heels yarn but haven’t used that colourway yet. I found the book very enjoyable. Lots of treats there for the longer evenings. Hope the weather is fine and someone else does the cooking!

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  10. I hope you have a wonderful birthday Jo, it's not so bad being 50, lol. Have a great time away, fingers crossed that the weather is kind to you too, i'm sure it will be. I look forward to reading your posts and seeing what you have been your knitting. Your giveaway is very very generous, I'd love to be included in the draw, (although I have read the book and can highly recommend it). Have a great birthday weekend. x

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  11. Happy birthday Jo. What a wonderful way to celebrate with your family and a little get away. As they say age is just a number, I´m sure we all feel 18 in our heads. Eight years blogging, wow congratulations and what a very generous giveaway. I enjoy reading your posts and your reviews and yarn recommendations. Good luck to everyone xcx

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  12. Happy Birthday but please don’t pop my name in the draw. I’m one of those rare people who don’t knit or eat lots of chocolate :-)

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  13. Congratulations on your 50th! Enjoy the weekend with your family, it sounds great, to have them all together. And I can ashore you, it doesn't feel any different on the other side of 50, I know, I'll turn 53 on September 9th. Your give-away is most generous! Lucky one who will win this price (hopefully me hihi). Lots of love, Anja

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  14. Happy Birthday Jo, but 50 is still just a baby. Love reading your blog x

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  15. Have a great birthday with your family. 50 isn't bad, when you realise that you could be my daughter (giggle). A lovely bundle of goodies, but can't be sent my way with tulip bulbs, as it would be confiscated at the sorting office as everything is scanned. Are Virgos all chocolate lovers? Take care & lots of huggles from us to you.

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  16. Hurray! Welcome to the 5-0 club! I too am not one for parties or fuss - a little getaway with the family will be such a lovely way to celebrate. So how much of a dent did you make in your 50 before 50??? Or will you save that for an upcoming post ;)

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  17. Happy Birthday!!!!!

    Only 50....?!?!?! Gracious! Sooooo young!!!!!!

    Hope you have a lovely holiday with family. No wonder you are not pushing Autumn. You want Summer, for this weekend. :-)

    "The Keeper Of Lost Things" That sounds familiar, so perhaps I have read it.

    Congratulations on your Blog Ann. also!

    But not being a knitter, I don't want to be entered in your give-away. This is for knitters, who will enjoy/use your gift.

    Again, Happy Birthday! You *Youngin'* you!!!!!!! :-)

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  18. Happy birthday, enjoy the weekend. Happy blog anniversary, but please don't include me in the giveaway. That's a most enjoyable book to read so even if you do give it away do get another copy.
    Thanks for the thanks, reading and commenting here is always a pleasure. xx

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  19. Happy 8th Blog-o-versary!!! You've made a lovely blog home here.

    Happy 50th too ---- I can tell you from experience, the OTHER side of 50 is not so bad. ;-) Hope you have a wonderful visit with your family!!!

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  20. Enjoy your birthday, being with family is the best gift of all.

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  21. Happy Birthday!! You're so very sweet to offer a giveaway when people should be showering you with gifts.

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  22. Where did my comment of earlier today go?! Well, again (lol) I wish you a very nice birthday and great weekend with all the family around you! Congratulations on your 50th, and believe me, it makes NO difference at all (I know, because I'll turn 53 on September the 9th). I think your give-away is very, very generous, lucky one who will win this! (yes, I do hope I'll win). Love, Anja

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  23. Happy birthday and cherish your family time.Photos please of the weekend.Barbarax

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  24. i hope you have a great birthday, love your blog

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  25. Happy birthday for Monday, Jo. Enjoy your time with all your family. Oh and happy blog-birthday too! :o)

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  26. Many Happy 50th birthday wishes, enjoy your special day and your time away.

    Happy blog anniversary too, but please don't include me in the giveaway.

    I always enjoy my visits to your blog.

    All the best Jan

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  27. Happy Birthday wishes to you dear Jo, I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating your special big 50 with your nearest and dearest.
    I've read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it as did the ladies at the book group.
    xx

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  28. Happy Birthday, and many more of them. I'm on the wrong side of 72, so you're still a 'baby'. I bought 'The Keeper Of Lost Things' some time ago. It's absolutely delightful, so please keep it for yourself. You'll love it! Blessings

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  29. Wishing you a very happy 'special' birthday, Jo! And congratulations on your 8th blog-o-versary. I guess that means we've been friends for about 8 years now. Wow! You are right that reading postings and leaving comments build friendships. Enjoy your celebrations! Love, Pam x

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  30. Happy Birthday Joy. Enjoy your birthday with your family making memories. Xx

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  31. Happy birthday Jo! Have a wonderful time with your family!! Also happy blog anniversary. Eight years of blogging - that's special! I've enjoyed meeting up with you along the way, hearing all your family news and reading about your crafting, gardening and other interests. All the best to you and the family - Daniel with his new move and Eleanor with her uni studies when she returns for a new year.

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  32. Happy 50th, it's not so bad, I'm 2 years in now and enjoying my 50s. As an Essex girl I'd like to welcome your son and his girlfriend to this part of the world. x

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  33. Dear Jo
    Happy Birthday! As someone who has beaten you to the big 50 and come out the other side, let me welcome you to the club! Have a wonderful time!
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  34. Hope you have a lovely time
    with your family Jo and a
    very Happy Birthday on Monday x

    Please do not enter me for your kind giveaway.

    Good Luck everyone x



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  35. Happy Birthday! It's not so bad on the other side of 50 or even 60!!!!

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  36. you are welcome! I am thrilled to get to enter your contest!

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  37. Wishing you many happy returns of the day. Sounds like the perfect birthday celebration to me - just the right amount of "fuss". ! I'm a year behind. And happy blogging anniversary too.

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  38. Happy Birthday Jo. Hope you've had a fab time away with your family. Don't enter me into the giveaway as I am reading that book at the moment, and have that ball of wool (it's such a gorgeous colour) if I ever pluck up the courage to give sock knitting a go!

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  39. I hope you had a lovely Birthday! A few days away sounds like the perfect way to celebrate.
    I do refuse to think of it as Autumn yet though, the sun is still shining so I'm still in summer mode for a while yet.
    What a super batch of prizes - the book is lovely I read it this summer, I think you'll really enjoy it.
    xx

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  40. Happy, happy birthday Jo, welcome to the 50 club. Sounds like a lovely way to celebrate with your family around you. What a lovely giveaway, I’ll keep my fingers crossed xx

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  41. Oh, all the very best for your birthday! Congratulations on your blog anniversary too. xxx

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  42. Belated birthday greetings! - and also belated blog anniversary wishes :) xx

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