We have a Winner - And a New Giveaway!

We have a Winner!
Picked by random generator - the winner of the Mistflower Photo giveaway is...
Amy of WhisperWood Cottage and Junkologie said...
I'm drawn to the architectural photo! Beautiful!!

Woo! Hoo!
Amy, that will be on it's way to you shortly!

If you weren't a winner this time - there's a new giveaway in progress!

Good luck!

Featured Artist Friday: (GIVEAWAY!) Meet Candice from Jackson of All Trades!

Welcome to our next installment of...

Featured Artist Friday!
Do we have a giveaway for you!
Today our artist is Candice Jackson, of "Jackson of all Trades" (isn't that the cutest name?) hand-pours her soy candles. And, not just ANY soy candles. She puts them in vintage tins!

Candice sent me a darling Maxwell House candle so I could take a closer look. (She took a stab in the dark -pardon the pun!- that I might like this tin - and BOY was she right!)

When you buy a candle, you choose your and your scent.
Since I have allergies, I wanted to take it easy - I went with Warm Vanilla Sugar.
Wow - it's so lovely. Light, gentle - didn't make my nose get all tingly like some commercial products can.
There's 'round 20 scents to choose from. She has unscented, too.

Cute, eh?
They even come with their own book of matches!

Isn't that adorable? Dining Car Coffee. I can imagine traveling by train, sipping my coffee and seeing a porter heading to the kitchen with a tin like this tucked under his arm. Ooh, and there's a Hazelnut Coffee scent available...and a Cappuccino Brule, too!

How 1950's Mad Men! I love the little stars over the sailboat and it's declaration..."For Frying Or Stewing!" (With the Extra Capital Letters Thrown In for Free!) Wouldn't this be cute in your kitchen? Then you have the tin once the candle is burned away. Fill it with crayons and it can live in your son's nautical themed bedroom!

Now, I'm not a fan of smoking, but I'll surely condone cuteness!
And, this tin just oozes character! Maybe fill this one with Apple Jack scent? Yum. I can picture this in the garage or tool shed.Fill it with screwdrivers, wrenches, paint brushes, or even your loose screws!

Planning a "Rustic Wedding?"How about a vintage tin candle burning on each of your reception tables!
Invited to a Spring wedding?I can tell you this much, I would have swooned over this Bliss candle for a shower gift.

Wow, what a great anniversary present this could be! (Are you listening, honey?) Maybe try something lighter for this one - lemon lavender scent or honeysuckle?

Perhaps your home has a Touch of France?
Cute, non?!

Okay I could do this all day, but there are over 60 candles in her shop - and HUNDREDS more tins on her shelves waiting for you! She can match practically any event to a tin - just ask her.

GIVEAWAY!
Yep, Candice is giving away YOUR CHOICE of any candle in her shop!
You pick the tin, you pick the scent (or unscented.)Don't see the one you are looking for? Candice has offered to let the winner look at her private catalog of unlisted vintage tins!

TO ENTER:
Simply leave us a comment below telling us which is your favorite candle.
I've given you just a glimpse into her shop
but you'll want to check out the rest of HER STORE HERE!

This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE! (Candice will ship directly to you) Contest runs through Friday, April 1st, 2011 at 8 p.m. (Central)
Winner will be randomly chosen.
We'll have a new giveaway next Friday!
For up to 5 additional entries:

1. Twitter - "Vintage Collectible Tin Candle - GIVEAWAY! http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/03/featured-artist-friday-giveaway-meet.html"
2. Facebook status - "Vintage Collectible Tin Candle - GIVEAWAY! http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/03/featured-artist-friday-giveaway-meet.html"
3. "Like" - our Cooking At Cafe D Facebook page
4. "Follow" - our Cooking at Cafe D's blogon Google Friend Connect

5. "Heart" Candice's Shop on Etsy -
Jackson of All Trades
Leave a separate comment below for each entry.
Please be sure to either leave your e-mail address...
Or, be sure your e-mail is easily found if I click on your comment.

So, check out her store, then come back and tell us!
Which will it be?

Last Chance to Enter - Mistflower Photo Giveaway!

 

If you need a little pick me up, click-y up.
Okay, that was bad...but the giveaway is good!

  The Mistflower Photo giveaway ends Friday 8 p.m. Central.
And, TOMORROW!?
Well, a new Featured Artist with a new giveaway, of course!
So, "follow" us and we'll see you then!

Take a Moment...To Be Still.

You do so much for others.       Do you make time for yourself?

Today.
Can you find fifteen minutes...to be...still?

To look. To listen...

To rest.

If you enjoy these peaceful photographs, you can enter to win your choice.

Today, I wish you, peace.

On the Level - Getting it Straight (and a GIVEAWAY!)

First, an important message!

There's also a Buy one/Get one Deal you don't want to miss.

It's a Monday, so I'll let you sort of gently coast into the week - with a quick tip.
Do you ever get frustrated while hanging picture frames?
You know just where you want it.
You pound in the nail and darn if the frame isn't off just a bit.
Lather, rinse, repeat.

Here's a handy tip. Use toothpaste.
Put a dot on the center of the sawtooth hanger on the back of the picture frame.
Place the frame where you want it and press it up against the wall.
Then simply put the nail through the tiny toothpaste dot.

Leaves your walls minty-fresh, too!

Now, off you go...
To enter this week's GIVEAWAY!

Featured Artist Friday: BOGO Sale and Giveaway - From Mistflower Photo!

Welcome to anther wonderful week of Featured Artist Friday!
Today our artist is, Valerie Fuqua of Mistflower Photo!
We have a BOGO - Buy one/Get one Deal - exclusively for our readers!
Plus, a GIVEAWAY!

Some choices are easy to make.
If my family asks me to pick a restaurant for my birthday - easy.
Greek Islands.

But, then ask me what I'd like to order...and I stare at the menu.
I can't choose.
Each dish is different - and each...is my favorite!

THAT'S my dilemma in selecting photographs to show you from a shop I love - Mistflower Photo!

We met this artist previously back when we interviewed her a few years ago.
I've grown to love her work even more.

Isn't that gorgeous? I'm so ready for Spring!

Seems like only last week there was snow on the ground.
Wait - there was!

She has an artist's eye seeing beauty in so many things.

I love carnivals, how 'bout you?

It makes my want to lay down on a bench and look up at the sky.

So much texture. Such a keen eye.

Talk about a sense of humor!

Now, these last few have special meaning for me...
Last fall, I was married in a state park under a canopy of golden trees.

And, my wedding bouquet was blue hydrangeas.
(This isn't my bouquet, though.)

My house is filled with purchases from Valerie's store and I treasure each one. Yet, Valerie is even more beautiful than her art. She's passionate about helping the homeless - both 2 legged and 4 legged. And, she's an inspiration to those who know her.

WIN YOUR CHOICE of one 8x10 or one 8x8.

To Enter:
Simply leave us a comment below telling us which is your favorite photo.
I've given you just a glimpse...
but you'll want to see all that's available in her full store.
*********

This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Contest runs through Friday, March 25th,2011 at 8 p.m. (Central)
We'll have a new giveaway NEXT Friday!

For up to 5 additional entries:

1. Twitter "BOGO fine art photography sale! http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/03/featured-artist-friday-bogo-sale-and.html
2. Twitter "Fine Art Photography Giveaway!" http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/03/featured-artist-friday-bogo-sale-and.html
3. "Like" our Cooking At CafeD Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooking-at-Caf%C3%A9-D/313769131121
4. Facebook post "BOGO fine art photography sale! http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/03/featured-artist-friday-bogo-sale-and.html
5. Facebook post "Fine Art Photography Giveaway!" http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/03/featured-artist-friday-bogo-sale-and.html

Leave a separate comment for each entry. Please be sure to either leave your e-mail address or be sure your e-mail is easily found if I click on your comment.

We're all winners! Yep, Valerie is offering a BOGO Sale right now - exclusively for our readers.

Here's how to take advantage of this special offer.
Head to Mistflower Photo and purchase your first photo. Then in the "Notes to Seller" section, tell Valerie your choice for a free photo of equal or lesser size.

Want to win our giveaway? So, what's your favorite?
Tell us below.
And, you could win your choice!

The Story of the Mexican Lion

First, if you missed Darcy's story in Featured Artist Friday,
go ahead and take a look.
With an interview and a 40% off coupon code - it's worth checking out.
And, stop back tomorrow, for our next Featured Artist!
******************************************

According to the wonderful world of e-mail:
This is the true story of the owner of a car repair shop in New Mexico who gave his dog a haircut.

The owner was sick and tired of thugs breaking into his garage to steal tools, supplies, etc.  So he came up with this idea.

He put the word out that he had a new Mexican Lion!  And the lion would attack anyone that would break in or climb his fence.
Would-be thieves saw the "Lion" from a distance and fled the scene.


"Have you seen my bone?!"

Do you know someone who needs a laugh today?Pass it on!

A 60 Second Trip Down Route 66

First, if you missed Darcy's story in Featured Artist Friday,
go ahead and take a look.
With an interview and a 40% off coupon code - it's worth checking out.
******************************************

Okay ladies and gents! Off we go on the trip of a lifetime.
60 Second Trip down Route 66. And, the best part?
If you love one of these items, just click for purchase info.

So, let's hop in our Airstream trailer...

And, like Lucy in "The Long, Long Trailer" we might need an apron...

We don't have long, so while Desi drives,
We'll whip up something quick in our lovely pyrex bowls...

*Rumble, rumble*
Ah, we're slowing down...

Time to stretch our legs.
Oh, Mary Lou's kids will love this postcard!
No time to dilly-dally, though. We're off again...

Flagstaff was very nice. (Though after seeing the Grand Canyon, the Meteor Crater was kind dinky.)
It's ok, there's so much we've seen we haven't even mentioned...

*Bump, bump*
I think we're home!
Are we early?

Right on time-ish.
I really could use a nap. Or, maybe read a book.

I thought I left my glasses on the bed side table, or maybe...

Could they be on the coffee table?
Ah, well, who needs to read anyway...

Honestly, I wouldn't mind a drink.
Something fruity and frosty would be great.
Nothing strong - little Billy and Suzie are coming over later...

And, you just KNOW the'll want to play Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots again.
But, one thing's for sure!

No matter how much they beg...
I'm NOT getting on those skates again!
******************

Hope you enjoyed our little trip down memory lane.
If this story tickled your funny bone, or if anything tickled your fancy...

They are all available through Etsy.
(Just click on any pic above and it will take you to the seller's shop.)

What's your dream road trip?

Or, have you take a road trip that brings back strong memories?