Friday, May 7, 2010

300 Posts Giveaways, Favorites and Sightseeing Nearby

I thought I was late but Beverly just emailed me and said I can still link with Pink Saturday so here I am. Please visit our gracious host, Beverly, at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/



Last Saturday, I reached my 300th post and I promised a giveaway. And what a coincidence! CSN contacted me to see if I was interested to do a give away for them through my blog. To see more of what they market, please go to sofa. So now, I will pick 2 winners. One can choose either a set of pretty pillows from CSN. Aren't they just adorable?
Do you see the pink here? Isn't that a pretty pink flower applique? or a waffle maker, also from CSN. Sorry, but you can only pick one.


Go to http://www.allmodern.com/ to see more of their wonderful stuff!
The second winner will get what I have put together below, a bunny S & P shaker, a pair of black and silver mercury votive candle holders, a cute little basket, a box of Whittard of Chelsea green tea and some sweet animal figurines. Since this is only a consolation price, it is not as good as the first 2. :-(


You get an entry for leaving a comment on this post

If you are a follower, let me know and you get another entry

If you post about the giveaway, I will throw your name in the bucket again.

Good luck!


I will pick the winners on May 15th!

I have a new favorite and I am so excited! Laurie at http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/ is hosting "A Few of My Favorite Things" every Saturday. This is a chance to showcase your favorites and share it with us so c'mon and join us! Be sure you check out her blog and see her favorites and those of her participants.


I have been wanting to have lamp posts for our deck. Two weekends ago, John and I went to Lowe's and finally bought 3 of them. One single and two with 3 lamps. I really like them especially at night so now I can see when I water the garden at night and we can party out there longer. This particular one is standing on the left corner of the deck.
This one is at the other corner, not exactly at the very end because we plan to put a jacuzzi at the far end.
In the first picture of the mosaic below, you will see that the lamp post was not installed yet. Do you see John just relaxing out there? That's his favorite chaise to lounge and read.


The pic below shows the lamp post but not John.



We placed the third one with a single lamp by the bathroom entry door. Do you see it? You know, we got this particular one only for $9.99. It was on clearance and it matches the other 2 perfectly, same style and all. Unfortunately they only had one left. The other 2 were more expensive.



It's Sightseeing time!


We did not go far this time. I have heard people say that the best fried chicken can be found in an old country store in Lorman, which is only about 1/2 hr. drive away from here. Then someone told me that it was featured on the Food Network. Hey! That really roused my curiosity. I definitely need to try this fried chicken!


So, one day, my friend and I went and sure enough, their fried chicken was scrumptious! The dessert was good too and as we left, a tour bus pulled in carrying a bus load of people to try the fried chicken too. It's a good thing we came in a little sooner, lol. My daughter who is visiting me with her 2 babies at the end of this month cannot wait for me to take her there.


I have taken you to Windsor Ruins in the past but my friend who tried the fried chicken with me has not seen it yet. So we went there next. Besides, we just heard that there is a ghost who appears sometimes in a period civil war costume. That made my friend even more interested to go but I was scared. I am afraid of ghosts but she is not. I was praying along the way that he better not show himself to me, lol.


This is a fascinating story. The mansion survived the civil war but it was destroyed by fire started by a guest's cigarette. Read the history below.

We did not see the ghost!! Yipee!

If you have seen Raintree Country (or it is County?) starring Elizabeth Taylor, you would have seen this.







We drove to Alcorn University next to see the original iron steps of the mansion which were donated there and are being used in the chapel.



Beautiful steps! Look at all that ironwork!

I hope you enjoyed this tour right in our own state.



Thank you all for joining me and thanks, Laurie for hosting and allowing me to show some of my favorite things.

49 comments:

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

What a fun post today C/X...love your lamps girl too cool for school..and YES I see John relaxing by the pool ha ha!! May you have a GREAT Mother's day my dear friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Blondie's Journal said...

Loved your sightseeing tour. Sometimes the best places are right outside our back door. The fried chicken looks awesome. It must be good if they have people coming by the busload. Wonder what the secret ingredient is!!

Your giveaway sounds wonderful. Congrats on 300 posts!! Please enter me!! I have never heard of the store but I love the gifts. Al's waffle maker at the lake just broke so I have my fingers crossed!!

Happy Mother's Day!! :-)

xoxo
Janie

susan said...

Christine-Your pool and plants are looking gorgeous! I know you will enjoy the lamps at night for entertaining. The Windsor ruins are so beautiful as are the homes there. Can't believe you have done 300 posts! Great giveaway. Hope you have a happy Mother's Day! oh yes, please throw my name in the hat :)

Sonny G said...

I loved all the photos but the pool actually made me feel cooler just looking at it. 90 in NC here at the first of may.. What a great giveaway, Christine.. Love the pillows ..

Hugs
Sonny

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Christine, your new lamps are just wonderful. They really do make such a difference in the yard at night. You always have the most interesting places to visit too. I always enjoy tagging along by way of your photos. Great giveaway, so throw my name in the hat if you would. Have a Blessed Mother's Day. Hugs, Marty

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Such a fun post Christine and congrats on 300 posts!! Your pool area is soo amazing and I always get an urge to take a dip after I come visit! The giveaway is awesome but so is the one you put together, I love it! Enter me please dear!
Hugs,
Cindy

Susan said...

Hello there! I just found your blog!! I just became a follower!! Please enter me in your give away!!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

What a great post!! Filled with so many lovely things!! I adore your new lamp posts!!
Yes, I already am a follower and would love to be entered in your giveaway!
I am also having a giveaway. Please stop by and take a peek!
Debbie

Sarah said...

Christine, what a fun idea to have a lamp post out by the pool. Thanks for sharing the sights.
Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Sarah said...

Christine, I'm a follower! :-)

Lady Katherine said...

Wow, 300 posts! That is wonderful! OK, I want to be in this hat! lol Great give away! I love it all! I love all you done to your outdoors it is so pretty! You have been really working! I love Windsor Ruins, last time I was there it was around midnight. lol Saw no ghost. lol I was at a camp in Rocky Springs, now go there, they say a ghost is there near the church, I was in daylight and I was scared to death! Now why would a ghost be at the church???? They say all the people died in that area, not sure think it was some kind of disease that took the whole area of people out. Love this post, it was so much fun reading!

The Charm of Home said...

I love your lamp post! Now your backyard is just awesome! The ruins were also so amazing. You always have the greatest sightseeing.

Regina said...

Gorgeous home Christine. Love the scenes and captures.
Happy Mother's Day
and A Wonderful Pink Saturday!
Enjoy your weekend.

Diann said...

The new lighting looks great!

Looks like you had a lot of fun on your recent adventure!

Please throw my name in the hat for this giveaway! Also I am follower!

Natasha in Oz said...

Wow, this post was fabulous! I love those new lights-they look fanatstic at night don't they!

I love your tour pictures too...anything with fried chicken is a winner in my books!

Happy Mother's day!

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Julie said...

Happy Pink Saturday! Love your backyard!

Jacalyn @ rmebathproducts.com said...

What a great give-a-way and wonderful tour! I am now following you!

Hugs,
Jacalyn

Cass @ That Old House said...

What a neat post ... love the travelogue! (And Christine, I've been a follower for awhile!)

Happy Weekend!
Blessings ... Cass

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Christine, your lamp posts are so pretty. I love that style, and now you can party by the pool all night long! Yours is the second blog I've seen today that had pictures of fried chicken. My mouth is watering, and I may have to fry some tonight. What a nice give-away, and of course, I am a follower. laurie

Valrie said...

Christine your sight seeing pics are wonderful! Congrats on your 300th post! I wold love those pillows! Hope you come by and enter my giveaway before tomorrow at midnight!

Valrie http://poemsmyway-valrie.blogspot.com

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Christine, I would be out there lounging in a chair to if I had time. Count me in for the giveaway. CSN had been doing a lot of these. I have shopped with them before for my bathroom fixtures and lights. Have a great mother's day.

Tara said...

The mansion looks like it would have been awesome in it's time! The ironwork is stunning. Ruins always have a sadness about them though.
Whatever that dessert was you had with your chicken looked delicious, I could definitely go for some right about now! Love the new lights, very classy and your giveaways are wonderful. Love the colorful pillows!
happy Pink Christine and Happy Mother's day!

Unseen India Tours said...

Wow what a beautiful Blog you have !!These are some really fantastic and lovely shots !!I am amazed by your photos !!Great post !!Unseen Rajasthan

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Diann said...

Just stopping by to wish you a Happy Mother's Day!

My name is Riet said...

What a lovely post Christine. I love your outside lamps. So nice to eb able to sit outside in the eveniung if you don';t get eaten by the mosketoes. :))
Happy Mothers day

Kathleen said...

Great tour! The lights are great, and the chicken looks delicious..
Your pool is beautiful!
Don't be afraid of ghosts, Christine..QVC had a good sale on Ghostbusters! :)

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Love those pillows, really cute! Your lamp posts are beautiful. Your yard is a dream come true and a great place to hang all summer long. The chicken sounds wonderful. Congratulations on 300 posts. Happy Mother's Day

Sue said...

Love the formality of the poolside lamp posts, Christine! They add so much to an evening gathering. I've seen them at the store and have often wished I had them. Thanks for sharing the ruins with us. That area is so pretty. Congrats on your milestone of 300 posts. I follow you and your give-away is on my blog! hugs, Sue

aimee said...

the lamps are perfect! i would love to read my paper by the pool too. what a view. what a great giveaway!
blessings,
aimee

Cindy J. said...

Oh Christine, the lamps are gorgeous! I gained 5 lbs just looking at that delicious looking meal!!! I would love to see those ruins..but it makes me so sad the home isn't there any more.. I always think it would be so fun to be so wealthy to be able to rebuild something that wonderful. You know I am a follower!!!! Love, Cindy

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Christine! I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day! Your pool looks so nice with the addition of the lamp posts! And I think you must have more fun making little side trips and going on wonderful vacations than anyone else in bloglnd! lol I have fun enjoying them through your eyes! Please enter me in your giveaway. I would love the waffle iron for when my grandson visits...he loves waffles! And of course I am a follower! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

Anonymous said...

Christine,
Wow! 300 post! Again..you have been busy girl...Love all the pretty lamps you got...Love your home...and it's breathtaking. Put my name in the hats...Love the pillow...so cute...love the waffle girfts ideas...and all your treasures gifts...love it all...I am your follower...will not miss seeing all your blog. I always love to visit you. I want to post your giveaway...I will let you know when I do...Congrats on 330 posts...you have a great blog...and you are so special to me. Have a great week..katherinellen

Sue said...

You have such a beautiful home. I love the lamp posts. I don't think I'd ever want to leave the pool area!

It was great to "travel" someplace else I will never see. You really are a great tour guide. That chicken dinner looks so good.

Did you ever dream you would write 300 posts? I love your giveaway prizes. Of course I'm a follower!

Debbiedoos said...

Hi Christine, thanks for letting me know about the giveaway. I am a happy follower. I love those giveaways.

Beth said...

Hi Christine, So glad to hear about your two giveaways! Both are great! Thanks for doing them! Please enter me twice, as I am a follower of your blog.
Love that Old Country Store mosaic - the food looks excellent (and pretty too). Enjoyed seeing your tour of Lorman and also John relaxing by the pool. What a beautiful setting for R & R!
Beth

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Chritine, thanks for reminding me about the giveaway! For sure, please enter me! I would love to win either your gifts or the CSN? Both are wonderful, I am already a follower so that's 2 entries, then throw in another cause I'm adding yours to my blog! That makes 3 entries for me. Wooohoo! Thanks!

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Hi Christine, I love your pool and all your beautiful plantings. Everything looks so lovely. Congratulations on 300 posts, that is amazing, yay, for you! You are having a great giveaway and I would love to be entered to win. I am a new follower and I am going to do a post on your give away today. Thank you for telling me about it, I would have missed out!
Hugz,
Kim

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Hi Christine, I just finished the post on my blog for your lovely give away. You can view it here if you wish: http://flowershopgurl.blogspot.com/2010/05/give-away-at-christines-home-and-travel.html

Hugz,
Kim

April White said...

Joined through my sister in law Kim @Flowergurlshop Love your site will post on my FB Page that will give me 3 entries for the contest Thank You ....

Kelly and Sara said...

Loved the tour! Can't wait to continue following your blog!

Theresa said...

Thanks for inviting me to your 300 post giveaway! Love the pillows their as cute as your blogs and all the things you share!!
All my best, Theresa

Dolores said...

Hi Christine,
Thanks for the fabulous tour.... you're such a good hostess!

Please enter me in your give away.....
Hugs,
Dolores

Donna said...

Hi, Christine,
I love all the prizes. Please sign me up.
I love to visit Windsor Ruins. Thanks for all the great pics.
See you soon.
D

Wehaf said...

That's some impressive ironwork!

urchiken at gmail dot com

Lyndee said...

Hi! Thanks for the hint in my comments. I just got back from a short trip to Door County. I will be posting on my blog on Friday so you can see what we saw and did! I am not too late to enter the giveaway so here I am commenting!
I also became a follower so give me a 2nd chance!
I love how you fixed up your porch area. Very nice!

Kat said...

Wow Christine, what a great give a way! And I can't believe that you've already hit 300 posts, that's amazing. Sorry I've been MIA lately, but it's been crazy busy around here. I'm short 2 people at work, DH and I are starting our own business and Cait is graduating Saturday! Congratulations on your milestone! Kathy

lvroftiques said...

Christine can I move into that beautiful backyard of yours? *winks* I mean really you won't mind me at all....I just need a few snacks and frosty beverages hehe! I can't believe it's already been 300 posts for you??!! Where did the time go? Great new lights! And great deal on that third one! Also please enter me in the giveaway! I'm a follower of course *winks* And that fried chicken is killing me!! Lol! Vanna

Lemon Lane Studio said...

What a beautiful blog and home you have. With a backyard as gorgeous as yours there's no need to go anywhere.

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