Category Archives: Contests

Contests, Randonymity, Reading

Mayhem meets Chappy!

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Jen’s having a contest to help her friend choose kitchen cabinet hardware. Weigh in with your opinion by 8 am EST, February 29, and you could win some kitchen cotton.

Reading Update
Housekeeping vs. the Dirt by Nick Hornby. Really, I can’t believe how much I’ve enjoyed Hornby’s books about reading. Hornby is very, very funny and most of his insights are spot on. This was a particular favorite: “But please, if you’re reading a book that’s killing you, put it down and read something else, just as you would reach for the remote if you weren’t enjoying a TV program.”
Unshapely Things and Unquiet Dreams by Mark del Franco. A promising new urban fantasy/mystery series set in Boston about Connor Grey, a druid who lost most of his powers in an accident.
Three in Death by J.D. Robb. This book contains three Eve Dallas/Roarke novellas that have been published elsewhere: “Interlude in Death,” “Midnight in Death,” and “Haunted in Death.”

Recently, I won a contest over at Chappysmom. Deb sent me some gorgeous purple Zephyr and one of her cute Chappy cards – thank you, Deb!

“That Chappy kitty has a very long nose and ears! What do you mean, he’s not a kitty? What else is there?!!” -Mayhem

“Oh! Laceweight yarn! My favorite!” -Mayhem

“I’m sure Mom won’t even notice if I steal a ball or two of this. It’s not like she’s knitted any lace that I can remember.” -Mayhem

Contests, Those Cats

Wild evening at Casa de Chaos y Mayhem

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Craftylilly Jennifer is celebrating her third blogiversary with a trivia contest – she posted the first trivia question Monday, will post the second on Wednesday, and then the third on Friday.

Chaos and May hanging out on a typical wild evening around here…

“Dum de dum de dum de dum…” -Chaos

“What? Cat carrier?! What cat carrier?!?? This is a spiffy kitty bed. You and your notions, Mom.” -Mayhem

Here’s a closer look at Mayhem in the, um, “kitty bed.” This photo was taken with a flash, and features May’s speedy squint reflex.

“So bright! Why do you always try to blind me, Mom?” -Mayhem

Without flash… sure, you can’t see her body at all, but you do get a much better idea of how very, very wide her eyes are.

“Much better without the blinding light. Why don’t you always take pictures this way?” -Mayhem

Contests, Reading, Those Cats, Viewing

In which Mayhem is revealed to be a sink kitty, part 1

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Deb’s celebrating her second blogiversary with a contest! Leave her a comment by February 15 and you could win some goodies – she promises it won’t be anything that’s been in the secret kitty lair.

Kmkat has a photo that sums up the weekend experience in our part of the Upper Midwest. Is it any wonder that I stayed in and hibernated yesterday?!

Remember my experiment with responding to comments in the comments, triggered by Chappysmom’s post? One of the authors of the article that inspired Chappysmom has written about his experience participating in our conversations.

Over the weekend, I had a lot of trouble with the email address that my comments are sent to – no idea if things will be better today. I will respond to comment emails when they arrive… whenever that may be. Don’t worry if it isn’t in as timely a fashion as usual. Thanks!

Reading Update
The Royal Treatment, The Royal Pain, and The Royal Mess by Mary Janice Davidson. The premise is that the US never purchased Alaska; instead, it’s an independent monarchy. The result is more trashy fun from Minneapolis author Davidson.
The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby. (“A hilarious and true account of one man’s struggle with the monthly tide of the books he’s bought and the books he’s been meaning to read.”) This line from one of Hornby’s essays about his reading really summarizes an important aspect of my own reading: “A couple of months ago, I became depressed by the realization that I’d forgotten pretty much everything I’ve ever read. I have, however, bounced back: I am now cheered by the realization that if I’ve forgotten everything I’ve ever read, then I can read some of my favorite books again as if for the first time.” Exactly my strategy!
Songbook by Nick Hornby (with included 11-song cd). The short essays in this book all revolve around songs that have been important to Hornby, ranging from Led Zeppelin to Rufus Wainwright.

Viewing Update
24-Hour Party People. This film is about the Manchester music scene from the mid-1970s through the late 1990s, focusing on Tony Wilson and Factory Records and featuring Joy Division/New Order, the Happy Mondays, and more.

“What? Lots of kitties like to hang out in sinks.” -Mayhem

“The wet sweater that I found draining in here just makes the sink extra comfy!” -Mayhem

“…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…” -Mayhem

Contests, Those Cats

In which Mayhem gets very, very excited

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Wendy’s giving away a copy of Twelve Months of Knitting by Joanne Yordanou. Send her an email by 4 pm EST, February 7, to be included in the random drawing.

Is it usual for there to be hundreds and hundreds of people at a caucus?! Wow. I’m glad I had a book with me last night, because that was one slow line.

“Ohmigosh! Big kitty! It’s a bird! It’s a bird!” – Mayhem

“Mwmph! Mwmph! I got it, big kitty! No kitty food for us tonight!” – Mayhem

Contests, Reading, Viewing

In which I ‘fess up to not spending all of Sunday in my PJs

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Sarah-Hope is celebrating her blogiversary by holding the First Annual What If Knits Save-the-Cats (and Other Animals) Blogiversary Raffle – by donating to any one of an assortment of animal rescue organizations by February 14, you’ll be entered in a prize raffle. First prize is a gorgeous Swallowtail Shawl!

Reading Update
My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon edited by P.N. Elrod. I didn’t enjoy this collection as much as My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding, but there is nice Harry Dresden story by Jim Butcher.
Long Hot Summoning (The Keeper’s Chronicles #3) by Tanya Huff. Much better than the second book, plus it has a completely fabulous fifth line on page 161.
The Book of Old Houses by Sarah Graves. The latest in the Home Repair is Homicide series, this book continues a thread started in the previous book (Trap Door). I’ve loved the rest of the series, but the last two books have only been “meh.”

Viewing Update
Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix. Whoa. Talk about breakneck speed – if you haven’t read/listened to the books, you won’t have any clue what’s going on!
Grosse Pointe Blank. Black comedy starring John Cusack as hitman Marty Blank, back in town for his high school reunion. I can’t believe I don’t already own the soundtrack for this one.
High Fidelity. What can I say? I was in a John Cusack mood this weekend. 🙂 Another good soundtrack, although very different than that of Grosse Pointe Blank.

‘Tis true, ’tis true… although I spent all day Saturday in my PJs, I actually got dressed and left the house on Super International Pajama Day! What can I say? It was sunny and warmer than it’s been and I just needed to get out and go for a walk. I did get back into PJs as soon as I got home.

“For shame, Mom! I spent all day in my pajamas. What, you’ve never heard of the cat’s pajamas?” – Mayhem

Contests, Knitting

Examples of poorly composed photos

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Stop by and wish Carole a happy blogiversary! If you leave a comment on her blogiversary post by 8 pm EST, February 1, you could win brownies.

Kerry nicely summed up our local weather right now. We aren’t getting the blizzards that other parts of the state are getting, but the windchill is -41°F as I type this. As Kerry noted, when your home goes from the +41°F of Monday to this, it makes very startling booming noises as it contracts.

I’ve been working on another pair of Kristi’s Flatiron Socks from Great Adirondack Silky Sock (color Nightshades). Please ignore that furry bit wandering through my first photo. It wasn’t there when I started taking the shot… This sock was going better (as in I was turning the heel) before I took these photos and realized the sock is a bit too short for my foot – and now the sock is a bit shorter, waiting for me to reknit the foot back to the heel!

“What random furry bit?! That’s me! Hmph.” -Chaos

“I’ll random furry bit you!” -Chaos

“Hey, this is a new needle flavor, not the usual Addi flavor…” -Chaos

Contests, Randonymity

Look! Over there! Tummy!

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KathyMarie is having a contest to celebrate her birthday. Leave her a comment with your favorite birthday memory and you could win some prizes. Contest closes midnight CST, January 31.

Shelly’s fluffy black kitty Bailey recently celebrated his birthday, and Shelly’s having Bailey’s Birthday Challenge in his honor. Check out the details on her blog – you have until February 29 to complete the challenge.

Heh – really, Chaos and May shouldn’t complain… Kmkat’s poor black kitty Hannibal had to model eight different preemie hats in one modeling session!

Don’t forget that Super International Pajama Day is this Sunday! Celia’s provided some helpful tips for making your SIPD a success.

Many, many thanks to all of you who’ve nominated this blog as being excellent, or as one that makes your day!! 🙂

Last week, Chaos developed a very odd fixation. Yup, you’re seeing that right. He became fixated on the Nora Roberts novel Key of Light, which Jeanne had just returned. She swears she didn’t soak it in nip or cat pheromones…

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mom. What book?” -Chaos

He spent two days lying on that book, holding that book, rubbing that book on his face… and all I got were these two lousy pictures. D’oh!

“Really, I don’t see a book. Have you been hitting the nip?” -Chaos

Can anyone spot Chaos’s bellybutton in the picture above?

Contests, Reading, Tales of the Neighborhood

4Paws gives cause to pause…

33 Comments

Last week, I mentioned that Maryse was collecting afghan squares for an afghan for Elisa’s dad. Now Maryse is having a contest – anyone who sends her an afghan square by February 14 will be included in a prize drawing!

Ha – you think Chaos and May have had it bad with the bibs?! They shouldn’t complain – they could be wearing petal bibs.

Well, my experiment on Friday got a little out of hand, but it was a lot of fun – thanks to everyone who participated in the discussion! I’m definitely sticking with email responses to comments, but I will try to remember to also respond in the comments when appropriate.

Reading Update
Summon the Keeper by Tanya Huff. Hard to beat the tagline: “They were supposed to be saving the world, not running a B&B where Hell was one of the guests…”
The Second Summoning (The Keeper’s Chronicles #2) by Tanya Huff. Still a good read, but not as over-the-top good as Summon the Keeper.
Gate of Darkness, Circle of Light by Tanya Huff. More well-written urban fantasy (set in Toronto) from Canadian Tanya Huff.
Sorcery and the Single Girl by Mindy Klasky. Librarian and novice witch Jane Madison returns in another enjoyable novel of paranormal chick lit.

Surreality Update
I apologize in advance for the blurry pictures you are about to view. Dim lighting and no tripod conspired to create a more surreal effect than I’d planned… Yesterday I happened to be in Calhoun Square before it opened and noticed 4Paws Boutique (no website that I found), which is a store for “the pampered pet.” I’d say!

“But did she bring any goodies home for us?! Nope. Hmph.” -Chaos

Don’t you think he’d be grateful that I didn’t bring him home a leopard print cat jacket with pink trim?!

Contests, Those Cats

Shouldn’t she be weaned by now?!?

30 Comments

Holly’s having a destashing contest –leave her a comment about your favorite fictional or autobiographical book and you could win some lovely laceweight mohair. Contest closes midnight PST, January 27.

Sallee’s having a contest to celebrate her blogiversary – leave her a comment explaining why you think she should select a particular color combination for a fair isle hat and you could win. Contest closes 5 pm EST, January 27.

Emily’s having her first baby and you can participate in the baby pool! Send your guess by February 8, 2008. Do not despair, you non-knitters out there – prizes will be “Regular” (for non-knitters) or “Extra Fiber” (for knitters). (And thanks to Emily for the link that proves there really is a kids’ book for everything!)

Maryse sent up the bat signal because Elisa needs our help. Her dad’s recuperating from a stroke in a VA hospital, with very little support from his family. Maryse is collecting 8″ afghan squares for an afghan to let Elisa’s dad know he hasn’t been forgotten.

Mayhem will be two years old at the end of May. Shouldn’t she be weaned by now?!

*purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr* -Mayhem

Let’s not even get into the biological impediments here…

“Let’s not. I love my kitten! Well, usually at least. Her teeth can be awfully sharp sometimes.” -Chaos

Contests, Knitting

In which I finish a pair of socks, bitter cold notwithstanding

33 Comments

‘Tis the season for destashing! Wanda’s having a multipart yarn stash sale. Mouse is also starting a multipart stash sale – yesterday was fiber and novelty yarns.

It must also be the season for contests! Brace yourselves…

To celebrate her birthday, the Knit Witch is collecting embarassing stories – share your embarassing story with her by midnight EST, January 23, and you could win yarn or a yarn bowl.

Guess how many baby socks Diane knitted in the first 20 days of January and you could win some sock yarn! Contest closes at noon EST, January 25.

Ambermoggie’s having a contest to brighten up the dark winter days and to thank everyone for their good thoughts during Mr. Mogs’s cancer woes. Leave a comment about why you’re looking forward to spring and you could win some goodies (orange yarn, stitch markers, and an elemental figure). Contest closes January 26.

Phyl’s having a pet foot contest (The Central Park Footie) – send her a picture of your pet’s foot by 6 pm EST, January 27, and you could be eligible for sock yarn.

Whew!

Knitting Update
I know, I know – probably poor Marina’s fallen over in shock. 😉 I finally finished my plain old socks! The yarn is Wisdom Yarns, Marathon Socks – Boston (color 212), knit on 2mm needles. I love this colorway! Stripey blue, purple, and black – life is good.

“What? What do you mean, I’m not the subject of this photo?!” -Mayhem

“Fine, be that way. But I’m sure everyone will like the other photo better!” -Mayhem