Bug Sculptures and a day at the botanical garden

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is a great place to spend the day. I kept telling myself that I wanted to go and see the bug sculpture exhibit that was there through the 3rd of this month and I finally went on the last day. I'm really glad I did because you can tell how much work went into each of these sculptures and the thought that went into putting each one in the right setting. I'm told they are all made from natural materials (wood, etc.). Enjoy the photos, it was a lot of fun.

Miniature Garden

I have been collecting things to make a miniature (fairy garden) for awhile and finally decided to put it together. Hopefully I can post the pictures correctly so that you see what I started with first and the final product last. The container was purchased at Lowe's and the things I collected from the craft store, some from Ebay and some from thrift stores. I think it turned out really cute and I have stuff left over to make another one in the future.

Winner!!!!

The winner of the vintage angel fabric pincushion is Laura P. of Ohio. Congratulations Laura, your prize will be on the way to you shortly!!!

GIVEAWAY!!!!!

I'm so excited to be doing a few giveaways this holiday season. Since I am going with the theme "My Favorite Things" I thought I would start with one of the simple pleasures. I know a lot of you bloggers out there like to sew and do crafts etc. Recently I was putting together a sewing box for myself and needed a pincushion. I came across this wonderful seller on Ebay (Bluebird*Mountain). Sooo, for my giveaway I am giving to one lucky winner one of her great pincushions. A lot of them are made with vintage fabrics and buttons and this adorable angel fabric one is no exception. I will choose the winner on Sunday at noon. Simply respond to this post and pick a number between 1 and 100, and also a number between 1 and 1,000 (in the event I get over 100 entries). I have my numbers written down already and the winner will be the person who comes closest without going over. Also, leave a way for me to get ahold of you in case you are the winner. Good luck, and please tell everyone you know in blog land.. I will be doing more of my favorite things givewaways over the next couple of weeks. Oh, and a big thank you to Janice at Bluebird*Mountain on Ebay for making these wonderful pincushions. Note: Prize will be shipped directly to winner from Bluebird*Mountain.

Lost Maples State Park

Took a day trip to Lost Maples State Park. It is located in Vanderpool, Texas, or about 90 miles from where I am in San Antonio. According to the website the leaves changing are about at peak season and if you go on weekends you can expect a 21/2 to 3 hr. wait just to get into the park! Yikes!!! I managed to get a few pictures and have a little picnic. I know some of you in the big leaf changing states this won't seem like much, but this is good fall color for us here in Texas!

Birthday Surprises!!!

It's my birthday this month and I had signed up for a site called birthdayregister.com (sorry, but I think it's local to San Antonio. Well, since they start sending out gift certificates early in the month I got 3 today! What great surprises too.. 2 free passes to the movies, a $10 gc to Zios Italian kitchen, and $10 to a Mexican restaurant. If it is anything like last year I will probably get tons more before the month is over. Anyone in the San Antonio area make sure you sign up and you can customize what type of certificates you want. These are all no purchase necessary, or no minimum purchase necessary. Oh, and I almost forgot.. I get my nieces pajamas every year for Christmas and at Disney.com the deal of the day is character pajamas for $5 each, regular price $16.50. What a great day!

Blog Contest Winner

The winner of the $25 Piperlime gift certificate is Tracey C. Tracey has a great blog full of money saving ideas, so check it out if you get a chance http://www.frugalchallenge2009.blogspot.com

Sorry I wasn't better organized for this giveaway. It was a last minute decision, but I am happy that someone will get good use out of the gc. Anyways, check back for my next giveaway sometime later this month. It's my birthday month so as a present to myself I'm going to give away a couple of my favorite things (not my own actual things, but new ones of things that I really like). Good luck to all. I'll be providing a sneek peek sometime soon of some of my favorite things that I use almost everyday!