A Place Like This......

Two More Days Left For the 19 Book Elsa Beskow Giveaway

Hurry......Don't Forget!!!!!

 

It has been the most exciting time hosting the Elsa Beskow giveaway.  I wouldn't want you to miss it. Here are the details. Do as much or as little as you like. Good Luck!

One lucky winner will receive all 19 books sent directly to their home. The contest is open to anyone, anywhere in the world, who has normal mail delivery. Here's what you have to do:

Subscribe to Jump Into A Book so you know exactly when these giveaways happen. Inbetween giveaways we have a lot of fun crafts and activities to do as well, straight from the pages of our favorite children's books. This is the only must do in the giveaway. Everything below is optional.

For 4 extra chances: Become a fan of our Jump Into a Book page on Facebook.Please leave a comment on the wall and you will be entered 4 more times.

For even 4 more extra chances: Follow us on Twitter and tweet about us.

For 10 extra chances blog about this giveaway and link back here. Be sure to place your post in Mr. Linky .   Please feel free to leave a comment as well. 

I've given you lots of ways to win. This giveaway will close on Sunday, July 31st 2011 at 8 pm. Winner to be chosen by random generator. Winner to be announced on August first 2011. Good Luck!

Here's a list of the books to be given away:

• The Sun Egg
• The Land of Long Ago
• Princess Sylvie
• Children of the Forest
• The Curious Fish
• Peter in Blueberry Land
• Emily and Daisy
• Pelle's New Suit
• Around the Year
• Woody, Hazel, and Little Pip
• The Flowers' Festival
• aunt Green, Brown, and Lavender
• Christopher's Harvest Time
• Peter's Old House
• Ollie's Ski Trip
• Peter and Lotta's Adventure
• Uncle Blue's New Boat
• Peter and Lottas Christmas
• The Tale of the Little, Little, Old Woman

 

Weekend Musings

Maybe I should call this post Reading & Movie Watching but that's what I did this weekend. Believe me when I tell you I have a myriad of deadlines looming, one of which is a book deadline and my little artistic attention went to one of the best books I've read in a long time and a great Woody Allen movie.

There's one thing you must know about me and that would be that I LOVE WOODY ALLEN MOVIES. Sorry, I'll stop shouting from the top of my lungs. His latest movie, "Midnight in Paris" is now my new favorite woodman movie. Not only do I love this movie, I wanted to live inside this movie.

Owen Wilson stars as the Allen-esque lead as a successful Hollywood screenwriter and struggling novelist vacationing in Paris with his fiance played by Rachel McAdams.  But she doesn't get him.  She doesn't understand why he wants to move to Paris (preferably in the 1920's while it's raining).  She doesn't understand why he wants to write books that mean something to him rather than bad screenplays that pay ridiculously well.  In short, she doesn't get that he's a romantic.

Paris played the part of the  beautiful muse for Woodman and the city of lights plays a major lead role in this movie. 

I love this film.  I love the setting.  I love Owen Wilson's character and performance, and really the entire cast including McAdams, Michael Sheen, Marion Cotillard, and Adrien Brody. There were parts of this movie where I was literally belly laughing and of course embarassing my daughter but hey, it's a Woody Allen movie.  And, of course, I love the music (as I do in all of Allen's films) and wish Woody Allen would put together a soundtrack for me that follows me everywhere I go.  I do realize that I'm a francophile ( someone who loves France) or should I say extreme lover of Paris and perhaps I'm extremely biased. All I can do is hope you'll forgive me and have a look at a great film for yourself.

Next on the weekend list is the book The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. I've never read any of her work but this one just grabbed me and I spent many late nights reading through this 600 page beauty of a book.

A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book—a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dockmaster and his wife and raised as their own. On her twenty-fi rst birthday, they tell her the truth, and with her sense of self shattered and very little to go on, "Nell" sets out to trace her real identity. Her quest leads her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast and the secrets of the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is not until her granddaughter, Cassandra, takes up the search after Nell’s death that all the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. A spellbinding tale of mystery and self-discovery, The Forgotten Garden will take hold of your imagination and never let go.

Here's the lovely book trailer

and if just must know more here's an interview  with the lovely Kate Morton as well as the first chapter of the book.

Last Day of the Blog Tour at Swedish House

Happy Monday Everyone!  Today is the last day of our blog tour so does it surprise anyone that we would end it in Sweden? 

If you're just landing here let me give you a little back ground. I'm of Swedish heritage and I love all things Swedish, and from Sweden. You can find me at least once a year in Sweden visiting family and friends and if I'm not physically there, I'm there in spirit.

 

Today finds us at Julie's and her blog Swedish House. Julie and I met through mutal friends in several places on the blogosphere. It was only a matter of time before we met anyway because of our love of a little Red Swedish house known as a stuga.

'The sun shines on a little cottage and in that cottage I want to live with you!

Red stugor are found everywhere in Sweden except on Gotland where my family is from. I have a great love affair with the old wooden houses and the folk culture which inhabits them. 

The minute I saw Julie's Swedish House I just wanted to move in and then there is the great love of Loppis........yard sales. Julie orignally hales from London England. Her and her family moved to Sweden a few years ago and have spent their time learning the language and culture as well as redoing and decorating their sweet little house. 

 Our friendship has grown over a love of old Swedish things, crafting, the art of drinking coffee, baking, supporting each other through parent illnesses, and creating and appreciating each and every day.

Please stop by and say "hej" pronounced hay to Julie. She's giving away one last copy of The Fox Diaries, on this round of the blog tour.

Enjoy!

Today's photos: Some are Julie's  and some are mine.

Mousy Brown's House

Here's a vision for you:

It isn't with just everyone that I sit in front of a coal lit fire in my gnome pyjamas, knitting a hat, and singing a long while I watch GLEE. But that's just the sort of friend that EM is. 

This past January I popped over to Wales to wish my dear friend Emily a happy 40th birthday. In those short 5 days we bonded the friendship that had started off as blogging comments to solidify the fact that we had a sisterly sort of friendship. We love to take photos, knit. We celebrated her birthday by learning how to crochet. We have an affinity for old and vintage. Thanks for sending my royal mugs Em.  We love gardening but most of all I think we love mothering the most.

So as the blog tour makes it's way around the world I had to stop in and visit my buddy Emily to celebrate and share this momentous occasion. Emily is the happy blogger over at Mousy Brown's House.

Emily does more with a pillowcase than anyone I know. They just aren't for sleeping anymore. She's made tablecloths, curtains, market bags, aprons, I think coasters too. Anyway if you have a pillowcase that you want to sleep on , you better hide it or it will be magically re-purposed. 

Her home is warm and welcoming with a kettle boiling and books everywhere.

She has a way of making moments magical. The time I spent with EM and her family are just precious in my mind.

Photo by Emily

(She does paper cutting to and now I'm addicted to the practice)

Please have a stop on our blog tour and meet my dear friend Emily. She has a great Etsy shop with lots of treasures. Be sure to have a look at her tutorials and her blog roll as well. There are some mighty fine people I've come to know from the sidebar. 

Emily will be having a giveaway for one copy of The Fox Diaries.

A Visit to Gypsy Forest

We became fast friends over gnomes and vintage. She is and ever will be one of my vintage swap partners and someone I check in with daily via the blogs.  Stephinie is the  author of the blog Gypsy Forest.

Stephinie and I share a great many things such as our love of cooking and just throwing things together as well as our great love of books, both for the kids and for the adults. 

photo Stephinie Miner

Today the foxes are visiting our friends in Louisiana and have received a warm Southern welcome. 

 She has been very busy sewing for her first art fair in Squam NH next month. She is really excited to be attending SAW with her mom. Stephinie lives in Louisiana and her moms lives in Alaska. "We don't see each other nearly enough. I am so happy that she will be at my side after the workshops to help me with the fair."

Also, She will be adding  organic items to her line of quilts and other handmades in her etsy shop. These items will debut at the Squam Art Fair, but her etsy shop will be pretty quiet while she prepares for Squam. 

Photo by Stephinie Miner

 After her return from New Hampshire, there will be some new items including DIY kits, project bags, home items and more that will make their first appearance over the month of June. 

photo by Stephinie Miner

So many exciting things coming down the Pike for my friend Stephinie. I'm so proud of her and all her creative endeavors.

For a chance to win a copy of the Fox Diaries, head on over to Gypsy Forest and leave a comment. Until Monday, have a great weekend everyone and thanks to Stephinie for having us over to Gypsy Forest.

Child in Harmony

Today the blog tour takes a very special stop at Child in Harmony. Marcia is passionate about teaching children and families about nature. 

Photo by Marcia Simonds

  Marcia has a wonderful earth school for children as well as having a small farm. This Spring finds her busy with her myriad of animals, I especially love her Polish Hen, and she is having earth classes for teens.

Marcia says,”You know I am passionate about connecting all people with nature, especially children….and I am really touched how much the teens love earth school. I am also continuing my A Nest In Nature once a week for parents and their children, birth to six to connect with nature, their creativity and other parents and their children and to encourage natural learning. You can have a look at Marcia’s Earth School here.

  She will be sharing her  experience with The Fox Diaries as well as hosting a giveaway of the book and a special discount code for those of you who can’t wait.

photo by Marcia Simonds

Later on in the afternoon I’ll be over at the Waldorf Connection. I’m Donna Ashton’s May Spotlight Sponsor for  her monthly call. You’ll get to hear a wonderful interview with Kaitlyn Keyt of VibesUp.

 

I’ll also be interviewed about The Fox Diaries, the creation of Audrey Press, and the rhyme and reason behind Jump Into A Book. Don’t Miss It!….but if you do there will be a replay which I’ll post here for 48 hours.

Here’s a few more details about the call this afternoon and a little more about Kaitlyn Keyt.

 Kaitlyn is passionate about bringing new awareness in
the area of eduction. She teaches on right brain genius,
refers to ADD as NBG (new Brain gift) explains why it is
important to be living our gifts,  the brilliance in the unfocused,
the importance of children being grounded and much more
in the area of children and education.
 
Today, May 11 1pm Pacific/2pm Mountain
3pm Central/4pm Eastern-
Don’t miss this opportunity to get your questions answered and
listen to this hot topic. (don’t worry if you can’t make it!
There will be a 48hr free replay)
To Listen by Phone:
Conference ID: 595926#
Primary Number: (801) 656-2240
Backup Number: (949) 333-4806
Local Numbers: http://InstantTeleseminar.com/Local/

To Listen over Internet: (Wed at 4pm EST)
http://InstantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=19649415

To Listen over Skype:
http://instantteleseminar.com/skype/
pin code# 595926

 

It's Elemental

Sterling silver, gold, bronze, oxidization, welding, metal wire and then just plain metal. These are the tools that jewelry artist Amy Ambroult uses to create her magic. Recently I had the pleasure of receiving one of her pieces. To celebrate the launch of Audrey Press Publishing, I commissioned Amy to make a silver charm bracelet. Each charm representing another experience in the author/publisher realm. It is such a thrill to wear one of Amy's pieces of art. 

Clearly it is time to celebrate!!!!

Today, live from Massachusetts, Amy, A, and the girls are hosting the first leg of The Fox Diaries Blog Tour. If a family of foxes had a fan club, Amy's girls would definitely be at the top of the list. It was because of "The Girls" that I started posting weekly on Thursdays. Every Thursday they would hurry home from school to find out what our little fox family was doing. We loved hearing their reactions and insights about our little garden visitors. 

Please head on over to Amy's blog Elemental for a glimpse into their look at the Fox Diaries as well as a chance to win a copy of your very own. Be sure to have a look at Amy's incredible jewelry while you're there. A special thank you to the Ambroult family for all of the care you've given over the last couple years and especially today. 

 

The Foxes Are Coming!!!!

                    


On Monday May 9th, the Year of the Foxes begins with a blog tour to remember. Connecting friends in places all over the world by warming the heart and adding a smile, The Fox Diaries will be visiting these wonderful people over the next two weeks.

May 9th    Elemental

May 11th   Child in Harmony

May 13th  Gypsy Forest

May 16th Lady of the Arts

May 18th By Hand At Home

May 20th Mousy Brown's House

May 23rd Swedish House

Each stop will include a book giveaway, a special look at how are friends are spending time with the foxes, and other special goodies. You won't want to miss it ! 

We would love to travel virtually or physically to every State in the US and to every continentin the world. Yes, even Antartica. If you think you would like to host the foxes and give us a peek into your part of the world drop me a note [email protected] .  Please put fox tour as your subject heading.

A very happy Mother's Day to everyone in North America. See you Monday!

 

A Mother's Wish: Create with Purpose

.......a continuation from yesterday..........

"Along with the foxes many doors have opened."

During last summer, as I was greatly missing the foxes and as people constantly were asking me about them, I realized that I wanted to hold onto those cherised moments.  "What about writing a book about them?" my husband asked

It was this specific question that led to many others and a long process of discovery that ultimately came to not only writing a book but  establishing an independent multi-media publishing house called Audrey Press as well.

Named after and in honor of my mother, I find it so fitting that The Fox Diaires is being released the day after Mother's Day.  It was my mother's wish that I create something purposeful in life to show that I was here and that I make a change for the better. " Be compassionate and loving and never forget what’s important. Loving in its purest form means having a good time and sharing it with those you love.”

Remembering her words and wishes gave me the strength and couarge to realize the journey I did want to create. I wanted to create a beautiful book that told the story of this momma fox and her babies, just the way I witnessed it. I wanted to bring the talents of many people together to create this, and I wanted to plan a creative place for future endeavors both mine and others which honors the people creating and respects the planet we live on. 

 
I'll be telling this story in more detail as well as showing how the whole project was put together on the Audrey Press blog. The easiest way to keep up to date is to Like the Audrey Press Fan page on Facebook or by subscribing to the blog itself.

Monday the blog tour starts with some of my creative blogging buddies. This year the foxes and I plan to travel the world both virtually and literally. We are trying to show up in all 50 states as well as every continent in the world. 

Tomorrow the big blog tour announcement.....!!!!!!!

 

 

 

The Day Everything Changed

Long afterwards, she was to remember that moment when her life changed direction. ~ Evelyn Anthony

 

Just over a year ago I was sitting at my desk. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed something moving in the front yard and when I turned to look I noticed  the fox I had been seeing for months.

I watched her as she walked across the yard, and that's when I saw them.

Four beautiful baby fox kits. There was nothing to do but grab my camera and from that moment on nothing has been the same.

For weeks they lived in my garden. Everyday at the same time 6:30 am, 2 pm, and 6:30 pm I would be poised with my cameras sitting in the front yard. They got use to me and I got use to them. What happened was nothing short of magical.

The veil and division I had in my mind between humans and nature quickly disappeared as I established a front row seat into the world of foxes.

Every week on Thursdays I would post about my garden visitors only to have many of you stop in and check up on them. As Spring turned into Summer my garden friends left and the absence in my life after their departure was enormous. Still to this day I look out my windows expecting to see them. 

In early Autumn, with the encouragement from many of you, I started on the journey of putting these many happy memories into a book that would be both their story while capturing the magic of that moment. 

In six days time the launch of the Fox Diaries will be here. Starting Monday I've gathered together some of my blogging friends both near and far to help us celebrate the year the foxes came to my garden.  Stay tuned tomorrow to see what doors this fox adventure opened up, as well as where we'll be going on this first leg of the blog tour. Until then have a great day and be sure to look out your window to see what magic is happening in your garden and then follow it.