Thanks and a Giveaway!

Thanks to all of you who have prayed, emailed, called, sent cards, and showed your care for us over my father-in-law's funeral. I have been overwhelmed by all the ways people have blessed us! Some of you stood in the viewing line for an hour, or two, or more! I was inundated with offers of help with everything from babysitting to laundry! I haven't cooked all week as food has appeared in our van, at our doorstep, and in the fridge! Warm apple pies, homemade bread, luscious desserts, and full meals! I don't recall ever taking someone food when there was a death in the family, but I sure will now! I've found first hand how wonderful it is to not worry about what you'll fix for the family to eat, especially when I totally lacked an appetite myself. We have felt so much loving support in practical ways. Like one friend said, "It is a good time to be a Mennonite!" :)

I had no idea that a funeral could be so emotionally and physically draining. I don't think I could have pulled together a proper meal if I had to. Add a painfully close brush with an infection (totally self induced from being away from my baby too long at the viewing) and a two year old that just broke out with the chicken pox, and the strain on my brain cells means there probably won't be anything of substance written here for some time to come!

So, while I find some sort of "normal" again, and just to thank all you wonderful readers, I'm holding a giveaway! This week will also mark the one year anniversary of the Home Joys blog! Where does time go? I can't believe a whole year has passed since that afternoon that I decided to sit down and see how hard it would be to start a blog. I was shocked to find it dummy proof enough for even computer illiterates like me! Maybe I've been even more surprised how I've enjoyed blogging!

The Giveaway? What else but a cookbook! I found a new copy of one of my favorite bread cookbooks at a local library book sale the other week. I couldn't let it there, not for the asking price of 50 cents! I figured I'd find a friend to give it to, but I can't decide who, so if you would like to add a new cookbook to your collection, just leave a comment or email (walkingbymyside (at) gmail (dot) com) me this week. Give me some way to contact you and I'll draw a name on Oct 28. (I'd rather not pay international postage so I apologize for asking only US addresses only.)



Oops. I guess I still haven't told you what book. (One more evidence of lost brain cells.) Recipes from the Old Mill by Sarah E. Myers and Mary Beth Lind is where many of my favorite bread recipes are found. Many of the recipes use whole grains and there is even sections for grains other then wheat such as rye and corn. I love all the extra tips that the sisters share. If you think you'd enjoy it as well, please drop me a line this week!

And thanks again for visiting here at Home Joys!