Holiday Wreath Giveaway!

Today's my birthday, and that makes it a great day to kick off a holiday giveaway, don't you think?

I'm celebrating my birthday on the blog this year with a giveaway sponsored by P. Allen Smith's Holiday Collection, with this beautiful, fragrant wreath from Allen's new Lodge Collection.  The Collection is inspired by National Parks lodges from the turn of the 20th century, and honors American craftsmanship and artistry.  

The 20" wreath is made from fresh, sustainably-harvested, hand-tied Noble Fir and pine, with pinecone, birch and  snowflake accents, and can be used either indoors or outdoors.

The giveaway is open to US residents, and here's how it works:  Leave a comment on this post telling me where you'll use the wreath if you're the winner, or alternatively, share your favorite holiday memory, or your favorite holiday recipe - one entry per person.  

For a bonus chance to win, leave a comment on my facebook page and tell me how you spell the cone of a pine tree - pinecone, or pine cone, or share any fun holiday anecdote you wish!  Inquiring minds want to know! (Or is that enquiring minds?)  Have fun, and be as creative as you like.

I'll need to be able to reach the winner, so be sure your email address is easy to find, either through your blogger profile, on your blog, or linked through your comment.  I'll need to hear back from the winner within 48 hours after emailing you.  If I can't track you down, or if you don't respond in time, an alternate winner will be selected.

The winning entry will be selected on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Central Standard Time, via Random.org.  Once the winner is selected,  I'll update this post.  

Update 9/16/12:  Congratulations, Thea - you won the wreath!  I wasn't able to find your email address so I contacted you both through your facebook, and google+ page.  Please contact me with your email address asap - no later than within 48 hours, or I'll need to select an alternate winner.

Flora Mirabilis - And the Winner is . . .

Thanks so much to all who participated in the drawing for a copy of Flora Mirabilis, the new National Geographic book on plants.

To assure the drawing was fair and unbiased, my spouse, a/k/a Lawn Man, drew the winning entry.

And the winner is. . .




Carolyn!


Congratulations Carolyn! I'm sure you'll love this beautiful book.

Thank you to everyone who entered the drawing. I'm confident you'll all enjoy this terrific book. It's worth owning for the rare, never-before-published illustrations alone, and the narrative is utterly absorbing as well. A quote from the book jacket expresses its value well: "Flora Mirabilis is as much a tale of adventure as it is a fascinating celebration of botanical discovery and delight." I encourage you to check it out.

Flora Mirabilis - A Book Giveaway!

Flora (noun, Latin) 1. A treatise on or list of the plants of an area or period.
Mirabilis (adjective, Latin) 1. wondrous, extraordinary.

National Geographic was a staple in our home as the girls grew up, with a subscription to the magazine an annual Christmas gift from their paternal grandmother. The Society's books have been welcomed into our home, eagerly read, and referred to often as school reports and term papers were written. Some still grace the shelves of our home library, while others went with the girls as they moved out on their own.

I'm fascinated by the history of plants, and have always loved botanical illustrations. Imagine the thrill being offered a free review copy of the new National Geographic/Missouri Botanic Garden collaborative book Flora Mirabilis - How Plants Have Shaped World Knowledge, Health, Wealth, and Beauty - An Illustrated Timeline; authored by Catherine Herbert Howell.

This is a gorgeous volume, printed on heavy stock and filled with over 200 rare botanical prints from the MOBOT collection. Examples can be seen in this gallery of top ten plants that shaped the world.

With a forward by the president of Missouri Botanic Garden and an introduction by the director of its library, the book contains a wealth of information on how plant explorations and botanical passions have shaped human history and culture. Flora Mirabilis would make a wonderful addition to your own library, or a thoughtful gift for any plant lover on your holiday list. It's available through booksellers everywhere.

I'm excited to offer a giveaway copy, complements of National Geographic. For an opportunity to win Flora Mirabilis, please leave a comment on this post. This drawing will be open to United States residents today through Saturday, November 7th at 9 p.m. Central Time. (One entry per person.) The winner's name will be drawn Saturday evening, and announced here on Sunday, November 8th.

After the announcement the winner can provide their mailing address to me via email. Flora Mirabilis will be sent directly from National Geographic. Good luck everyone, and remember to check back on Sunday!