Purpose of this Blog...

You may have noticed that not all books are equal in capturing children's imaginations and in cultivating those innocent, tender souls. My goal is to help you find the ones that do!
(Painting by Mary Cassatt: "Mrs Cassatt Reading to her Grandchildren" -1888)




Monday, May 18, 2015

My FIVE Year Blog-iversary Adventure (and Giveaway: 5 Years, 5 Gifts, 5 Winners!)

"Would you like an adventure now?
Or would you like to have your tea first?"
- Peter Pan
Wendy said "tea first", quickly.

What were you doing five years ago? It's hard to believe that in May 2010, just before Mother's Day, I became "WendyLady@Good Books" and started this blog ADVENTURE!  I'm so happy that 703 posts later - even after a "Bookish" shop endeavor and two grandchildren - I'm still here, blogging away!

And an added piece of fun news - today I was surprised to discover that Good Books For Young Souls is on the OrthodoxWiki "Orthodox Blogs" page under the Children and Education heading. Be sure and visit the page - there are lots of great Orthodox blogs linked there. I was so excited I took a screen shot of the page from my phone! I feel very honored to be included.

source

Three important people were the inspiration for this blog: David, Mary, and Jonny - my own children, who are now all grown up! Years of reading aloud and homeschooling gave us quite a large look into the world of literature...we enjoyed discovering stories that were captivating, characters that were endearing, and words that were transporting.

Mother's Day 2015, with my kids.

These days I enjoy sharing and exchanging old favorites with other parents, grandparents, teachers...in person, through my blog, and on Facebook and Pinterest.

And with the help of my daughter, I'm constantly discovering new books for my grandchildren at local libraries and bookstores.

With my grandson and goddaughter at my favorite Orange County
children's bookstore,Once Upon a Storybook.

FIVE YEARS, FIVE GIFTS, FIVE WINNERS
Please join me in celebrating these past five years of books and blogging.  My little "Bookish" shop is gone (read my "farewell" here), but I've been saving some items for my readers for just such an occasion...today I've got 5 gifts for 5 winners!  Leave a comment by Sunday, May 24, 2015 at midnight to enter the giveaway.

But wait! Tea First!  The first twelve (12) commenters will receive a "Tea for Two" greeting card (Cavallini & Co.), along with some tasty tea bags. 

Rules:
  • Leave a comment here on this blog post to enter the giveaway.
  • Please specify which gift(s) you'd like to enter to win (i.e. Gift #1 and #3).  If you don't specify, you'll be entered for Gifts #1-5 (but you will be randomly picked to win only one of them).
  • 5 Gifts/5 Different Winners
  • Please comment only once (but remember, you can specify more then one gift when you comment.)
  • First 12 commenters will receive a "Tea for Two" greeting card and some tasty tea bags! 
  • Comments must be entered by Sunday, May 24, 2015, no later than midnight PST.
  • Winners announced on Monday, May 25, 2015.

GIFT #1:  Bookish Pendant
"So many books, so little time" pendant,
bronze, on a 27" chain.  

GIFT #2:  Bookplates
 Cavallini & Co. "My Book" Bookplates (two packs of 18)

GIFT #3:  Vintage ABC rubber stamps from Cavallini & Co.
Lowercase Alphabet mounted rubber stamps.

GIFT #4:  Sticky Memo Pads (2 packs of 3)
1 set of Vintage Office sticky memo pads, 
1 set of Vintage Cats

GIFT #5:  Orthodox Children's Book
A Child's Guide to the Divine Liturgy
New from Ancient Faith publishing - reviewed here.

Rules (one more time):
  • Leave a comment here on this blog post to enter the giveaway.
  • Please specify which gift(s) you'd like to enter to win (i.e. Gift #1 and #3).  If you don't specify, you'll be entered for Gifts #1-5 (but you will be randomly picked to win only one of them).
  • 5 Gifts/5 Different Winners
  • Please comment only once (but remember, you can specify more then one gift when you comment.)
  • First 12 commenters will receive a "Tea for Two" greeting card and some tasty tea bags! 
  • Comments must be entered by Sunday, May 24, 2015, no later than midnight PST.
  • Winners announced on Monday, May 25, 2015.

53 comments:

  1. Congratulations for hitting the OrthodoxWiki page! The tea cards are dar-ling! (And I'd love a copy of "A Child's Guide to the Divine Liturgy")! :)

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    1. Good luck, Caitlin - thanks for the sweet comment!

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    2. Congrats - I'll be sending you a Tea for Two card.

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  2. I've been getting feedback that comments are not working on mobile devices - sorry! I'm not sure how to fix that...comments work fine from home computers. I'll see what I can do!

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  3. Mommy I'm so proud of you and your beautiful blog and I know it has helped so many families!! Love it! Can't believe you've written over 700 posts. So much has changed in 5 years, and I'm more grateful than ever to have your blog to reference since two of those changes have been my own sweet baby boys! :) Love you! And PS - I want ALL the prizes!

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    1. Haha - thanks, Mares! And Happy Birthday, dear daughter!!!!!!!!!!

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    2. You'll be getting some tea and a notecard!

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  4. Congrats, Wendy! #1,3 and 5 :)
    -Tay

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    1. Hi, Tay! So happy you stopped by!

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    2. I'll send you your tea and a notecard as soon as I get your mailing address.

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  5. All the gifts look wonderful but gift # 5 A Child's Guide to Divine Liturgy would be such a blessing for us! We have wondered in and out of Orthodoxy but have recently decided that Orthodoxy is where God wants us. The #5 book would be wonderful not only for my 5 year old son but for me & my husband. God Bless!

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    1. Aw - thanks for sharing that, Hannah! God Bless your continued Journey!

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    2. Thanks for being one of my first 12 commenters - you've got tea and a notecard coming. Be sure and send me your mailing address!

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  6. Congratulations on such a great blog! The book plates and the Child's Guide to The Divine Liturgy would be welcome additions in our home.

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    Replies
    1. You're entered for both - I'll have to get your name.

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    2. I still need your name so I can send you your tea and notecard...

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  7. Hooray! Congratulations on the five-year anniversary!

    I would very much enjoy gift number three (stamps). :)

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    Replies
    1. You're one of my first 12 comment leavers - tea and a notecard coming your way. :)

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  8. Congratulations on five years!!! Entering for 1 and 3. ;)

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    1. Send me your address. I'll get you your tea and notecard in the mail!

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  9. Happy blog-i-versary, Wendy!! Where did five years go so fast? God bless your faithfulness. I love this blog so much.

    Oh, those rubber stamps!!!! But even more (I can't believe I'm saying) that pendant. Definitely #1 or #3 would make my heart soar.

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    1. Okay, Michele - thanks, and I'm so glad you enjoy the blog!

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    2. Tea and a notecard coming your way! Thanks for commenting. :)

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  10. Happy FIVE years! I've loved reading your blog :)

    I would love to win #1 and #5 :)

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    Replies
    1. Please send me your address - I'll mail out your tea and notecard right away!

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  11. Happy blogiversary! I've loved reading your blog since having Ellie!

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    1. You're #12 in the comments, so you'll be getting some tea and a notecard -- AND you won gift #1. Congrats!

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  12. Congratulations! Five years is a long time.I homeschool my kids and look forward to reading more of your blog. I'd love to win #1 or #5. Thank you!

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    1. I'm so happy to have you following my blog, Jessica. You're entered!

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  13. Congratulations! Five years is fantastic; I pray you have many more. I'd love to be entered for #1 & #5. Thanks so much!

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  14. Thank you for your useful blog. Your efforts save many of us from trial and error. I would love gift #5.

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    Replies
    1. I'm learning too, as I find resources and good books to share! :)

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  15. Congrats on your 5-year-anniversary! I am an Orthodox missionary mom living in Africa and your blog provides great resources for raising "all" my children :). I would be happy to win any of the gifts. Thanks & God bless!

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  16. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY I would like gift #1,2 and 5
    Marion

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  17. Congratulations on your 5 year anniversary. I would like gift #1,2 and 5
    Joan

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    1. You're entered, Joan. Thank you so much for the congrats!

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    2. Joan - your name was chosen for gift #5 - send me your address, and I'll get it in the mail to you. congratulations!

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  18. WOW! 5 years ,where did the time go? Wishing you another 5 years of Good Books For Young Souls. Congratulations. I would like to win gift # 1,2 and 5
    Thank you for the giveaway.
    Marilyn

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  19. What fun! Gifts 1,2 and 5 are my choice. I have so enjoyed your blog!

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  20. Five years really is a milestone...I'll enter for 1, 2, and 3.

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    1. Your name was picked for gift #3! Please send me your mailing address. :)

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