Monday, April 26, 2010

Blogaversary Week Giveaway [updated]

As I mentioned in an earlier post today, I'd like to make this week a giveaway week in gratitude for five years of blogging here at Studeo. I know things have gotten quieter on and off, but this blog and those I've encountered through it (and in a surprising number of situations, actually met in person!) mean a great deal to me. I think it's also the case that, though additional teaching, activities, and general hub-bub have reduced the quantity of blogging here, that without this blog, Love2learn Moments and lot of my conference talks and other projects wouldn't exist. This has always been my sort of quiet thinking spot and I've found it to be a tremendous resource in both organizing my thoughts and favorite quotes and looking back later to find ideas and things I've worked on in the past and want to include in the radio spots or talks or whatever.

Anyway, I'll be including all of the prizes in this one post, so please leave a comment here if you'd like to be in the drawing. The drawing will take place on Friday, April 30th. Also check back during the week as I'm expecting to be adding more goodies here throughout the week.

P.S. Just wanted to mention that the collection of goodies coming directly from our family are slightly random - many are ones that I picked up on sale in various places and thought were fun and appropriate to this giveaway.

Also, I was originally planning these as gifts of gratitude for the good that has come to me through this outlet. I was surprised and humbled that people were interested in donating items for this giveaway. Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like to be included in some way.



1. Subscriptions to mater et magistra magazine: (3 copies)

I'll be giving away three subscriptions to the one Catholic homeschool magazine in print. I think it's a lovely magazine and a lot of people put a lot of effort into making it a beautiful and encouraging magazine for all Catholic homeschoolers. However, it's fair to say that I might be biased because I'm the reviews editor and write for it occasionally in other ways too. :)

For those who may be interested, I've been helping out with this magazine since its previous existence as Heart and Mind Magazine. One of the interesting projects that came out of that one (though it hasn't been updated in awhile) and actually started out as a unit study for Heart and Mind is our family's Architecture for Kids blog.

And on a funny side note: Some of the students at Latin Convention call their female teachers "magistra" and so my daughter Ria has taken to calling me "mater et magistra" on occasion. ;)

2. I Remember Mama - Irene Dunne, 1948 (3 copies)

I'll be giving away three copies of this hilarious classic film that means a lot to me and my family. Both of my grandmothers grew up in or near San Francisco (both were 1906 earthquake survivors - including one still in utero) and I found out just a few years ago that my Grandma Lawless, who died several years before I was born, especially loved this movie.

3. Christmas in Connecticut - Barbara Stanwyck, 1945 (3 copies)

Though the classic Christmas story on this DVD is fun (and quite a bit silly), our family particularly fell in love with the Oscar winning short, Star in the Night, contained in the special features. It's delightful, hilarious, and rather Chestertonian in spirit. I think I forgot to post about it here on Studeo, but we had to have 4 or 5 showings of it at our big Christmas Day party last year to accomodate all those at the party who wanted to see it. There are three copies of this movie as well.

4. Books by Melissa Wiley (3 books) [UPDATED]

The Far Side of the Loch by Melissa Wiley (1 copy) - This is a beautiful hardcover (unabridged and out-of-print) I just happened to find used (but in nearly perfect shape) today.

Across the Puddingstone Dam by Melissa Wiley (2 copies) - This is one of the unabridged Little House prequels that sadly went out of print a few years ago. I decided to pick them up from Old World Wisconsin awhile ago, thinking someone might enjoy them.

Not only are they great stories, but Melissa is one the many friends I've made via the blogosphere (and hers is one of the handful of Catholic homeschool mom blogs that predates mine!).


5. The Kitchen Madonna by Rumer Godden (1 copy)

When I was a child, I generally didn't enjoy being read aloud to as I'm very much NOT an auditory learner. But there were two books my mom read aloud to us during my homeschool years, despite the fact that I was a teenager at that point and I REALLY enjoyed both of them: The Kitchen Madonna and Alice in Wonderland. I'm thrilled that it's been reprinted by Bethlehem Books to be enjoyed by new generations of homeschoolers and non-auditory learners. ;)



6. The Rosary: Keeping Company with Jesus and Mary by Karen Edmisten (1 copy)

My dear friend Karen, who I also met through the blogosphere (I think I found both hers and Melissa's blogs through Danielle Beans' blog), has kindly donated a copy of her lovely book on the Rosary for our drawing. Thanks much Karen! By the way, I stole the lovely image above from my dear friend Alice's blog.




7. The Catholic Homeschool Companion, edited by Maureen Wittmann and Rachel Mackson (1 copy)

Maureen Wittmann, a long time friend from the Catholic homeschool online world (honestly, I don't even remember how we met anymore!) has generously donated a copy of the Catholic Homeschool Companion for this giveaway. I've known her long enough to have contributed an essay on apologetics for teens. Thanks Maureen!

8. Homeschool Connections Subscription Service (1 month free subscription)

Maureen has also donated a one-month subscription to Homeschool Connections' Subscription Service. If you're not yet familiar with Homeschool Connections, you should definitely take a look. We know many people who have enjoyed, and been extremely pleased with, online classees for Catholic homeschoolers through this great organization. They also offer a number of free webinars (that can still be viewed online) about Catholic homeschooling, including one I did last year on Choosing Worthwhile Homeschool Materials. Thanks much Maureen!

9. Two Books by G.K. Chesterton

A giveaway here really wouldn't be complete without something by Chesterton, and I've decided on two of my person favorites - The Man Who Was Thursday and St. Francis of Assisi. (1 copy of each)

The blogosphere has been a terrific place for me to fall more in love with Chesterton and had a particular strong effect on my children. I'm particularly grateful to my friends Nancy Brown and to Dr. Thursday and also to the American Chesterton Society on the whole who have been wonderful Chestertonian mentors to our family.



10. Two Pairs of Earrings from Singing Ladybug Jewelry

My sweet friend Maria has kindly donated two pairs of earrings from her Etsy shop, Singing Ladybug Jewelry, for our giveaway. One pair is the "Really Cute, Sweet and Sassy" and the other is the "Subtle Sophistication." Thanks Maria! :)

62 comments:

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful prizes! Happy blogoversary, mine 5th year was in March. It's nice to be in such good company.

Christine said...

Happy 5th blogoversary! Thank you for wanting to celebrate with everyone. I have been thankful to get to know you via your blog and hope to meet you in person one day. All of the giveaways have actually been on my wishlist. Have a wonderful week!

Christine said...

Oops, I failed to mention that we already own Melissa's wonderful book, Across the Puddingstone Dam (along with all of her others).

Moira Elizabeth said...

Yea! Happy "blog anniversary" Aunt Alicia!

Jenny said...

Congratulations on five years! Thank you for all of these beautiful prizes. Please enter me!

Gardenia said...

wonderful gifts. thanks for doing this awesome giveaway. coutn me in!

Angie said...

Happy Blogoversary! Please count me in for giveaways!! I always enjoy reading your posts.

Jennifer Gregory Miller said...

Alicia, your contributions and ideas have just been goldmines for me. Thank you! Happy blogoversary!

I'd love to be in the drawing -- I especially like the movies! Those are some of my all-time favorites! Some of the goodies I already have, and am pleased to say they are such great reference and reading!

Simple Faith and Life said...

So much wonderful content for five years and prizes to boot! We should be giving you the gifts. :) But...I would be happy to be included in the drawing. God bless you, Alicia, for all you do and share.

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogoversary! Your words have been such an inspiration to me. I'd love to win any of the giveaways!

Celeste said...

Happy blogoversary! I have loved following your blog ever since I stumbled upon it a few years ago.

Kelly said...

Yea! Happy Blogaversary! Please enter me in the drawing.

Thank you and God bless!

Anonymous said...

happy five years! what a wonderful collection of gifts...thanks for the opportunity to enjoy one!

Lynn B said...

Congrats on 5 years! I have enjoyed reading Studeo - on and off as well :) How sweet to give gifts on your own anniversary!

fadfd said...

Wonderul...Happy Blogoversary! Thank you for sharing it with everyone!

Annie Louise said...

Happy Blogaversary! I love my subscription to Mater et Magistra--it is the most useful homeschooling magazine I receive. Thanks for sharing Studeo with the world!

Christie said...

I'm here from Melissa Wiley's blog... Congratulations on five years of blogging!

Sara said...

Congratulations on your blogoversary! What neat prizes you have, especially Melissa's books.

Mary G said...

Alicia! Congrats on FIVE YEARS of Studeo ... I think I've been reading it since the inception ... how cool is that?

I love the prize choices: I Remember Mama is special to me too since I grew up in SF and altho my family is French and Irish, Irene Dunne is just like how my grandma was and my mom was from a big family just like the characters!

And Melissa's books are wonderful -- I own the set and the kids (esp my Maggie) love them.

Christmas in Connecticutt is a favorite here ... altho the kids want to practice flipping pancakes whenever we watch it.

The Kitchen Madonna is wonderful (and I don't own that) as well as most of the others I don't have ... so if you want to pull my name ... YEAH!
God bless and again congrats!

Mike's Wife said...

Oh, yes, please enter me!

cmurryoung said...

Happy BDay!

Lindsay said...

Happy blogoversary!

Nicole Bradica said...

Happy Blogversary! What a wonderful way to celebrate:) Please enter our family in your drawing. Lovely prizes!

kim said...

Happy anniversary...I don't have any of those books...yet!

Genevieve P said...

Happy blogoversary! I've been an occasional reader for years now--thanks so much for your blog.

Robert Gotcher said...

Hi,
Put me down as well. Kathy would especially enjoy the Mater et Magistra.

Robert Gotcher said...

By the way, while everyone is praising the blog, I especially like the banner pictures. The one with the lion was great.

Party of Eleven said...

Happy BlogaAnniversary :) What wonderful giveaway choices! Thank you!

kdfash said...

Thanks so much for offering such wonderful prizes.

MBCW said...

Congrats! Thanks for including us all in your celebration!

Dane said...

Happy Blogaversary, and Thank You for taking time to inspire those who need it!

Entropy said...

Congratulations!

Unknown said...

Happy Blogaversary...Thank you for your fabulous blog.

Unknown said...

Happy Blogaversary...Thank you for your fabulous blog.

Mom2boys said...

Congratulations! How generous of you to give away so many lovely prizes!

Tobins said...

Happy Blogaversary, Alicia! I've enjoyed your blog very much. Thanks for celebrating by giving your readers even more gifts!

Julia said...

Hooray for a give away! Hooray for a blogaversary!
Hope to see you around for another five years!

melanie said...

fun fun! I love giveaways :-) Happy anniversary! God bless you and your family

Natalia said...

Happy Anniversary!

I would love to enter the give away

Caroline said...

Happy blogoversary! I'd love to be entered into the drawing!

angie said...

How exciting--5 years. Happy blogoversary!!! Count me in on the prizes thanks.

Unknown said...

Been following the Love2Learn recommendations for years. Thanks.Congratulations on your anniversary.

Beth said...

Happy blogoversary from a grateful Anglican homeschooler who has learned and gleaned so much from the Catholic homeschooling blogosphere. These prizes all look wonderful!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! Neat prizes. Please enter my name.

Diane said...

What a generous list of gifts, you sweetie. Thank you too for sharing your thoughts here with us for the past five years. We've been blessed!

Sarah Reinhard said...

Yowzah! What a great giveaway!

Happy blogaversary! Thanks for sharing it with such generosity. :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your blogging anniversary...looking forward to 5 more years :)

Megan said...

Happy Anniversary! I remember when you started your blog, Michelle G. posted to the ATL homeschool group about it, who would have though all these years later we'd be neighbors (well kind-of) and getting to hang out with you in person every once in a while! You are a true blessing to the Catholic home school community here in WI and in the blog world as well!

Go ahead and enter me please, there a few things I would love to have. If I happen to win something I already own I guess I'll have to do a give away on my blog! ;o)

Jamie said...

Happy 5th Blogoversary! I just found you, so you are all new to me! I am going to run off and read a bit!

Robynn said...

Happy 5th blogoversary! What a fun way to celebrate.

Malia said...

Congratulations! You're an inspiration to all of us, and thanks for the lovely gifts in your give-away.

Unknown said...

Congratulations! I've enjoyed your writings.

-Anne Marie

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary!
Blessings to you and the family!
Mary

Karen Edmisten said...

Alicia, what a fun collection of giveaways. (By the way, don't enter me. I've already read my book.)

:)

Happy five years! I will be five in September!

Unknown said...

How fun. I loved hearing about your grandmas and earthquake.

Ann

Grace said...

What inspiration!!! How simply (well, at least for those of us on this end!!) fun!!!
Cheers from wigleasons!

I can't donate a physical item, but would "give" an hour of Adoration that focuses on the recipient's particular intentions!

Grace

Heather said...

Happy Anniversary! I haven't commented before, but I do enjoy your blog, as a new mother and future homeschooler/homeschool graduate!

Sarah said...

I just found you from Karen's blog! Congrats on 5 years. That's amazing!

Please enter me in this awesome giveaway! Thank you!

Shawna said...

Happy Blogoversary. Thank you for sharing so generously.

In Pursuit said...

Congratulations, and thanks for the super giveaway!

EmilyC said...

Happy Blogoversary! What a great bunch of prizes!!

Frances said...

I would like to win either Karen Edmisten's Rosary book or the Catholic Homeschooling book. :)