Thursday, August 4, 2011

A Dare and a Giveaway


The Dare

Ever been double dog dared? I have, just this week, actually, by none other than Jennifer Brown Banks of Pen and ProsperJennifer used trifling-ness in this post and asked if it was a word. I responded in the comments saying yes, I thought it was a word, (well, why not? :) and that maybe I would use it in a future post. 

Another commenter, Janette Dolores, said that if I used it in a post, then she would too. Jennifer responded and double dog dared us to use it. Yes, we are all adults here. For real. :P

So there you go, Jennifer, I used trifling-ness in a post. I must say though, I think the word fit into your topic better than mine...

The Giveaway

I have almost reached the 300 follower mark! Thank you, faithful followers, for supporting me. You are a blessing. I've gained so much from our wonderful blogging community.



To mark this special occasion, I am offering a small token of thanks to one of my followers. The giveaway includes a copy of A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell (read my review here). If the weather cooperates with cooler temperatures, I might even pop a bit of chocolate into the package.

Giveaway Details

• You must be a follower and leave a comment that includes your email address.

• Gain a bonus entry by posting this on Facebook, your blog, &/or Twitter. Please include link w/comment.

• Open to residents of the United States only.

• Deadline to enter is midnight EST, Friday, August 12, 2011. Winner will be announced Saturday, August 13 and notified via email, and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.


What criteria do you use when choosing to follow a blog? How has the blogging community helped you?


Happy weekend,
Karen

 Bouquet photo credit: Stock Exchange

50 comments :

  1. yay for gathering such a following!
    not entering .. I'm in Aus. xx

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  2. Congrats! Yes, please enter me in your contest (a book AND chocolate...oh, yeah, baby!) writinginthebuff(at)hotmail(dot)com. I'll mention this on my Friday post, which means it will automatically post on my Facebook page as well. I'll be back to let you know when it goes up. Congrats again on the 300!

    The blogging community of writers is so supportive...I've become long distance friends with so many. Everyone wants to help and encourage each other; I've yet to see any meanness or put-downs. This begs the question: is it bloggers in general who are nice, or writers? :)

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  3. Congrats on 300 follower.

    My husband used to speak a lot and he had a group of college students that he was mentoring that travelled with him.

    Your double dog dare reminded me of something funny they did.

    Just as my husband was being introduced . . . the kids would give Dave a word. (like circumlocution). If he used it properly in his talk. . . they had to buy Dave lunch. If he didn't, he had to buy them lunch.

    Fondly,
    Glenda
    dvs3girls(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. You are indeed a woman of your word, Karen. And not trifling at all. :-) lol

    Congrats on your growing followers. You deserve it!

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  5. Hi Karen,
    I FB'd at facebook.com/alexandercarolj,I tweeted at @homewithcarol, I'm already a follower, and now for my comment! For me, a blog has to have something to offer. I just don't have the time to spend reading the trifling-ness of what you and your kids do all day and look at pictures of them playing in the mud...if you get what I mean. Not that I don't think those types of blogs serve a purpose, it's just not for me. Unless, of course, someday God blesses us with a grandchild who might be the subject of one of those blogs. Then that would be a different story entirely.

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  6. Karen,
    You fit the word into your post just fine, if you ask me! And thanks for the shout out. I'm smiling from ear to ear.

    Now it's my turn to step up to the double dog dare for my next blog post. I'll have to find a way to make the word fit. ;-)

    Congrats on the expanding following! Very exciting.

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  7. Michelle,
    Thanks so much! Sorry, will have to do an overseas giveaway one of these times. :)

    Lisa,
    It is a great community of writers/bloggers. :) Got your entry noted, thanks for spreading the word!

    Glenda,
    Thank you! Great story, I know I'd be working the word into my lecture for a free lunch! :) Added your name to the list.

    Jennifer,
    Thought you might like the post. :P I'm all for meeting a challenge. Thanks a bunch!

    Carol,
    Thanks for sharing the giveaway, I appreciate it! I know what you mean about other types of blogs - I really enjoy many of them but only have so much time to spare.

    Janette,
    Well, you were in on the dare, so I wanted to include you. :) Fun stuff, I'm thinking we're just big kids, what do you think?

    Happy Thursday all,
    Karen

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  8. Not entering to win, just wanted to say congratulations!

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  9. Nah, we're just good humored. Makes life sweeter. :-)

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  10. Haha, never heard of that word, but now I have :]
    I love blogging. My main criteria for reading/following blogs: short posts, encouraging!

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  11. Seems like such an easy way to gain a good book and a chocolate. I love good books and I'm particularly fond of chocolate. Life is good.

    cluculzwriter(at)yahoo(dot)ca

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  12. Congratulations Karen on reaching over 300 followers, that's quite a accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself for that. Folks like what you do, which is the greatest compliment of all !. Richard from Amish Stories.

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  13. How wonderful to reach such a milestone. Congratulations!

    I would love to win a copy of the book. The cover is lovely.

    My e-mail is dvolkenannt (at) charter (dot) net

    I will post a link on my blog early next week.

    What attracts me to someone's blog? When the blogger is welcoming, shares interesting information, has fresh content, and visits my blog occasionally and leaves comments.

    Donna V.
    http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com

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  14. Karen:
    I have added the information about your giveaway to my post for tomorrow. FB will also post the entry tomorrow.
    cll4him(AT)sbcglobal(DOT)net

    I've been the poster child for triflingness with this heat and a few other issues in my life. I read blogs where I can learn about the craft of writing or about Christianity.

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  15. Alex,
    Thanks so much. I appreciate your support!

    Janette,
    This is true! :)

    Marja,
    Well, I aim to inform! :) I'm with you on the short posts.

    Joylene,
    You have a point. Yes, it is a winning combo!

    Richard,
    Thank you! I am nearly there! Thanks too, for your kind words. :)

    Donna,
    Thank you so much! Yes, I agree on that criteria. Thanks for spreading the word!

    Cecelia,
    Thank you very much! :) So you are the poster child for triflingness - thanks for taking the job! :)

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  16. Congrats on the growing stalker list, we all need stalkers. :)

    Now can I get a definition on that word? Just kidding, I liked the sound of it.

    And OH my heavens yes, this is the most human community I have ever been a part of. My criteria for following... real emotion.
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  17. There is certainly adequate amounts of trifling-ness in your post, LOL!

    Congrats on nearly 300 followers!! Hooray!

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  18. Count me in! I am praying for cooler weather!!!

    Alisa
    faithimagined@yahoo.com

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  19. Trifling-ness...Is that like having a trifle too many truffles? :)

    I would love to enter the giveaway! Congrats on the following!

    sarah (at) sarahforgrave (dot) com

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  20. Any word is a word that we writers say is a word. Love it!

    On my way to the hospital with Christopher and just wanted to say, "You are so cool and so precious to all of us. We'd follow you anywhere!"

    (((hugs)))

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  21. Hi Karen,
    I mentioned your contest on my blog today--and added a link to your blog.
    http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com
    dvolkenannt (at) charter (dot) net

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  22. Thanks for the blog visit again Karen. And i trust that your vacation was a relaxing one i hope. Since your orig from the Lancaster area, i just posted a diner review of a place called Jennies Diner. Its in Ronks,Pa in Lancaster county off of route 30. Im sure some of your readers have either passed it by or maybe have gone there for some classic American diner food. I not like some of the experts who would do a restaurant review but i gave it a shot and tried my best.Please everyone give it a look and post your comments on some of your own favorite places to eat in the Lancaster area. Thanks folks. Richard from Amish Stories.

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  23. Hi Karen...just wanted to say congratulations. Have a great weekend.

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  24. My wife would love this book. I'm a follower. bald (at) pld (dot) com.

    Criteria for choosing a blog - Pretty much what Marja said. But others - I've starting following some financial blogs (some good ones out there!) and cooking blogs, since I'm starting to do a little more of that.

    Good post.

    wb

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  25. I choose a blog considering the information provide, the tone. Often times I'll check the bio and if I share books, movies, hobbies with the author I'll follow.

    I'm always in for a good read. sdlbishop2(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. You're only 4 away!

    Reaching 300 followers is not a triflingness.

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  27. Jules,
    Yes, these are the good kind! I think the definition is pretty open to personal interpretation, so feel free to fill in the blanks!

    Lydia,
    Thanks a bunch! Maybe I'll try and use it again sometime...:)

    Alisa,
    You've been counted! Yes, cooler weather would be nice here too.

    Sarah,
    You know, that could be one of the meanings. Hey why not!

    Robyn,
    Yes, I agree. You are correct! Will be praying for you and Christopher.

    Donna,
    Thanks a bunch for the shout out!

    Richard,
    I'll have to hop over again and see your post, thanks. Trying to think of the places we've been. Enjoyed The Gathering Place in Mount Joy (or thereabouts) and went to the Clearview Diner in Elizabethtown as distant cousins were the owners. Been to one of the family style places down the road from Sight and Sound, the name escapes me now. :)

    Rachna,
    Thanks so much for coming by!

    Warren,
    Got you on the list! Yes, I have to agree with Marja too. Good content is the main thing.

    Sally,
    Yes, the tone is a good point, and things in common as well. Added you to the list!

    Theresa,
    Thanks so much! I think fireworks go off when I hit 300, don't they? :)

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  28. Lovely. Congrats! Off to tweet and facebook. ;)

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  29. Oh how I'd love to compete for that book and chocolates...:) But I'm not a resident of USA :( Anyway, I'm not going to let such trifling-ness bog me down...this post is fun and I like your blog, so hope you have fun picking the winner!

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  30. Hi Karen -

    Have the book. Loved it. Does that mean I can't enter for the chocolate? :)

    I have a general policy of following those who follow me (unless I have a major problem with their content). I'll also Follow the blogs of new Facebook friends if I like their content.

    Unfortunately, I've had a few Spammers try to get onboard. Those folks get blocked.

    Blessings,
    Susan

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  31. Forgot to leave my email.

    susanjreinhardt AT gmail DOT com

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  32. So who said we can't add words to the dictionary anyway???

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  33. Great job nearing 300! You were actually one of the first people I started following when I began blogging!

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  34. Laura,
    Thanks for passing it on! :)

    Joy,
    I am sorry, will have to do an overseas giveaway one of these times!

    Susan,
    Your policy sounds like mine. :) Have had a few spammers try and get on board too.

    Sandie,
    I agree! I'm with you! :)

    Shanda,
    Thanks so much! I am flattered that I was one of your early choices. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  35. Congratulations on so many followers! I'd love to win this book. My email is jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com. Thank you so much!

    My criteria for following? Usually if someone follows me, I reciprocate, unless I'm offended by the content of their blog. But that has not happened a lot.

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  36. Congratulations! I just became follower #297 - almost there. I follow blogs that blog about my interests and ones that follow me. My email is wvsmarties(at)yahoo(dot)com
    Thanks for the give a way.

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  37. I am a follower and glad to be one!

    I love the blogging community and I have gotten so many blessings from the blogging community!

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  38. Congratulations on reaching 300 followers! I agree that the blogging community is awesome, and I'm so glad I'm a part of it now.

    I follow blogs that seem interesting to me and have a unique voice. I love humor. That always gets my attention, but humor is subjective, isn't it? I also like blogs that don't have super long posts. I'm a slow reader and just can't keep up if the posts are too long.

    lynkelwoohoo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  39. Jen,
    Thank you! Got you on the list. Your criteria sounds like mine. :)

    Janet,
    Thanks so much! It's great to meet you! Enjoyed my stop over at your blog. :)

    Cathie,
    And I am glad to have you along! :)

    Lyn,
    Got you on the list! Thanks so much, and thanks for your input too!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  40. Hi Karen,

    I'm always up for a contest, especially when there's chocolate involved (and I'm a follower). I follow blogs for a variety of reasons--content, friends, humor, payback. But I read regularly those blogs that come up on my Facebook feed (it's a convenience thing) or blogs that I've added to one of my blogrolls (also a convenience thing, I suppose). And when someone comments, I always think, "Oh! What's he/she been up to?" Then I dash over to the blog.

    And BIG congrats on your mega followers!

    cathyhall55 at hotmail dot com

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  41. Thanks, Cathy! Added you to the list! :)

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  42. I'm going to share this on Facebook. Don't enter me to win.

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  43. Theresa,
    Thanks for sharing this on FB! You're a peach! :)
    Happy Wednesday,
    Karen

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  44. Hi Karen! I thought I'd already entered your contest, but it doesn't look like it. I'm in! And I've been a follower for...ever!
    Writergal53 at gmail dot com

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  45. Glad you made it in time, Becky! :)

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  46. I think I just might be #300! What an honor!

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  47. Geralyn,
    You are! Congratulations! And thank you so much for following! It is greatly appreciated. I'm glad we met through Jen's blog.
    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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  48. Oooo I snuck into the contest just in time!!! Siri Mitchell has been on my list to read for a long time, I've heard good things!

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  49. I'm already a follower, but I'll leave a comment (looks like you hit 300 already anyway - congrats!). I mostly follow blogs about writing, as that's what I'm passionate about and try to blog about on my own blog. I like someone who writes short, meaty posts -- something I can read quickly but still have lots to think about. :)

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  50. Margo,
    Great to see you! Yes, Siri is a talented writer, that's for sure.

    Bonnie,
    Good to see you too! I am with you - short and sweet are generally my favorites!

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

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