On this day, two years ago...

I published my first blog post.  I did go back and publish a couple things I had written earlier as well, but my real first post was December 8, 2008.

Some of you can say, "I knew you when..." but many of you are people I've met through my blog, or through other things I got into because I was blogging.  I am glad I'm doing this.  I especially love getting feedback through comments or email telling me that I've put into words things that you have been feeling.  Usually that is when I'm being brutally honest about things.  You know, homeschooling isn't a bed of roses, at least not always.  Sometimes it is a bed of thorns, and you hope to see a bloom again.  I really don't want people to feel like they are the only ones who want to tear their hair out some days, and I think that comes through in my posts.

Anyway... in honor of my blogoversary (how WOULD you spell that?) I am going to be hosting another giveaway.  I'm already giving away a copy of The Narnia Code DVD (and telling me you entered that giveaway is one way to win this one!) but this one is totally on me.

A couple of months ago, one of my very favorite stores in the world opened TWO locations in Colorado Springs.  Penzey's Spices.  Mmmmm.  I tend to be a bit of a miser (you think?) but I am willing to splurge on some things.  Quality spices is often one of those splurge items.  My "usual" breakfast includes scrambling eggs with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms... and their Greek Seasoning, and finally some feta cheese.  Mmmmm. (They are hiring part-time workers, again, and I cannot tell you how tempted I am to apply...)

They came out with some new gift packs a month or so ago, and I am going to give away not one, but TWO of them.  As soon as I saw them in the catalog, I knew I was going to do this!

The first is their Grill and Broil Mini Gift Box.  It contains four spice blends.  I love them all.  My favorite is their 4/S Seasoning Blend.  We use that on eggs all the time, and it is also amazing on popcorn.  We use it on other things too, but those are the most common.  And I love now owning a small bottle that we can bring camping!  It also contains Cajun Seasoning, which is just wonderful on meat of all kinds.  And on pasta.  BBQ 3000 is one that I don't use as much as I should, but it is fantastic (with olive oil) on grilled chicken.  Galena Street Chicken & Rib Rub is another I use when grilling chicken.

The second is their Baking Mini Gift Box.  This contains things you are probably more familiar with... Ginger, Nutmeg and two kinds of cinnamon.  Mmmmm.  Love all of these as well.

Do you want to win a box?  Since this is my blog celebration, the ways to enter are going to be all about me!  Leave a separate comment for each entry, yada, yada, yada...

• Follow me with Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs, or Blog Frog... a separate entry for each
• Be my friend on Facebook, or request me as a friend
• Comment on another post on this blog (one that is NOT a giveaway!)
• Post a recipe you like that uses Great Northern Beans.  I've got pounds and pounds of them, and would love more ideas as to how to use them.  
• Go comment on, or mark that you found helpful, one of my Amazon reviews.  I'll trust you on the helpful bit, as I can't check up on it.
• Post about this giveaway somewhere, provide a link if applicable.

I will choose two winners using random.org.  The first winner will get to choose which gift box they would like, and then I will contact the second winner.  I'd love to tell you I'll ship anywhere, but these are heavy enough I don't really want to ship internationally.  Sorry!  

Oh, and I'll keep this giveaway open through December 19, midnight Mountain Time, with the idea that I can get the packages mailed out on the 21st when I'll be by the post office already.  If I don't hear from the winners in a reasonable time, I'll pick new ones. 

Love you all!!  And thanks for reading!