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Garden, Home & Party

~ My love of gardening, making home comfortable and entertaining friends and family.

Garden, Home & Party

Monthly Archives: May 2015

Winner announced and news break

20 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Family, Personal Information

≈ 57 Comments

Hi there! Happy Wednesday.

As a testament to the wonderful reviews on the web of Dear Carolina, I had lots of comments this past week.  I promise we were fair and impartial with the drawing.  {Not to sound overly cheap, but I just couldn’t bring myself to pay Rafflecopter $13 for one drawing; if I hosted giveaways with regularity I’m sure I’d feel differently}  The winner is:

Sheila, of My Kentucky Living  Congratulations!  Send me your mailing address (you can find my email at the top of the header on my blog page ‘CONTACT US’) and I’ll send you the book.

Garden, Home and Party: Must read Dear Carolina

Now on to a bit of personal business.  I’m taking a little break.  There’s been a health setback for Mr. B.  Nothing we can’t handle, it will just involve surgery and some recovery time and I want to be sure I’m focused on getting him back in the saddle, so to speak.

Garden, Home and Party: Winner and Newsbreak

Earl of Eglinton and Winton

I’m going to my happy place with positive thoughts, battling stress and worry.  I hope you won’t forget me, and that you’ll revisit in a month or so once we’re back to the new normal.

Garden, Home and Party: Winner and newsbreak

Garden, Home and Party: Winner and newsbreak

Meanwhile, I read a useful article on “40 Little Things in Daily Life that Bring Us True Happiness”.

Garden, Home and Party: winner and newsbreak

See you in a bit.  Keep my place in line, okay? 🙂

♥Karen

Reading rooms and a book giveaway

13 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 43 Comments

Hello my friends!  Happy Wednesday!  Today I am offering a copy of Dear Carolina, by Kristy Woodson Harvey.  As you may remember, I posted a review last week.

Garden, Home and Party: Reading rooms and giveaway

To add to the giveaway fun, I’m going to share some pretty rooms (indoors and out) that I consider a worthy location for a good read.  In addition to sitting to read a book, I enjoy Audible, which provides me with an unabridged version of almost any book in downloadable form. For me, that means on weekends, when I have garden work or household chores, I can listen to the book while multi-tasking.  I understand most public libraries have CD copies of books as well, if multitasking is essential in your world. 🙂

Let’s start with this French farmhouse…everything about it says “relax, stay awhile” to me.  I’d select the chair with the ottoman for a reading break, but that’s just me.

Garden, Home and Party: Reading rooms and giveaway

While we’re talking ottomans, doesn’t this corner appeal to you?  Plenty of natural light, a throw and extra pillow at your disposal.  I might fall asleep before completing one chapter in this chair! {It’s been known to happen}

Garden, Home and Party: Reading rooms, giveaway

{John Bessler Photo}

There’s nothing like a corner library to invite one to sit and read awhile.  This one is a favorite for its display, art-lighting and books.

Garden, Home and Party: Reading rooms and giveaway

{unknown}

Is that a fire in the fireplace?  I sometimes wish I lived in a colder climate where a fireplace would be required daily…like England, maybe? 🙂  This is a beautiful American Farmhouse featured some time ago by Joni over at Cote de Texas.

Garden, Home and Party: Reading rooms and giveaway

{via}

Now this is pure luxury.  Can you imagine the prunish skin you’d have after a relaxing bath and a good book here?  Still, such an elegant place to bathe and read!

Garden, Home and Party: Reading rooms and a giveaway

{via}

Since summer vacation is on the horizon, the one time when most of us can relax and catch up with one of the twenty books you’ve put on your list of “must read”.  I feel my blood pressure going down just looking at the image!

Garden, Home and Party: Reading rooms and giveaway

{Kristen O’Brien Photo}

I can’t quite resist the allure of a room with a fire in the grate.  I see myself settling in with a cup of tea and my current book.

Garden, Home and Party: Reading rooms and giveaways

{via}

This time of year, once the weather entices you to be outdoors, this setting is lush and green and fun for unwinding with your book.

Garden, Home and Party: Reading rooms and giveaway

{via}

Now for the fun part.  I have a copy of Dear Carolina to giveaway.  All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me your favorite spot to read.  Indoors, outdoors, at the beach, in a mountain cabin, whatever.  Mr. B. will be blindfolded and randomly select a winner from names in a basket.  I’ll announce the winner next week.  Good luck, Dear Carolina is a wonderful story and I think you’ll love it.  Now I can’t wait for Kristy’s second novel!

Where do you like to read?

Dear Carolina: A great read authored by a talented friend

06 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

Book Review of Dear Carolina

If you are a fellow blogger you have undoubtedly marveled at the friendships that develop across the miles.  The people one “meets” through the blog world, while seldom face to face, somehow become friends that enrich us, much like our best friends we see regularly.

This is how I feel about my friend Kristy Harvey Woodson.  She is a talented designer and now a published author.  Her book, Dear Carolina released yesterday, May 5th. I’m so happy for her success, something that until recently, she said she only dreamt of.

Garden, Home and Party: Dear Carolina-must read

I was thrilled when Kristy asked if I would read and post a review of her book. Once I started reading I was drawn not only to the storyline, but to each of the characters. The story is about two women and their journey through childbirth, family life and the love and understanding that each come to share.  Khaki, one of the two main characters, is easy for most of us who enjoy home decor to relate to.  She is a talented designer and a kind and thoughtful person.  Jodi, the second of the two main characters, is a smart woman with an unfortunate past.  Her talents are just waiting to reveal themselves with a little motivation from the right set of circumstances.  The contrast of these two women is what brings the narrative to life.

Garden, Home and Party: Must read Dear Carolina

Khaki’s story, in addition to her wishing for a second child, details her design business and the upcoming release of her much anticipated book. Kristy keeps this part of the tale as entertaining as the main story of Khaki’s juggling home life in North Carolina, a shop and thriving design business in New York, and struggles with getting pregnant.

Garden, Home and Party: Must read Dear Carolina, Kristy Woodson Harvey

Jodi’s life is much different from Khaki’s, filled with a history of trials and unfortunate personal choices.  You quickly realize she is determined and very strong and you are compelled to pray she can find her way from the very beginning. An unplanned pregnancy for Jodi becomes a blessing for both women.  Khaki and Jodi’s story is one of love, friendship and the baby that intertwines their lives will touch you and bring you to tears.

Garden, Home and Party: Must Read Dear Carolina

Kristy weaves an uplifting tale that draws you in and makes you care very much for the entire family, but especially the outcome of the two main characters.  The story is told as each woman writes to Carolina, the baby they share, journaling their thoughts and love for her. In the end the tapestry woven is complete and emotionally rewarding.

Although I have never been to North Carolina, I was drawn to the area through Kristy’s detailed and colorful descriptions of Kinston, where most of the story takes place.  The story involves the lives of a family, some by blood, some by marriage.

Garden, Home and Party: Must read Sweet Carolina

The relationship-driven story would make this a wonderful Mother’s Day present, but I believe it’s such a heartwarming story that you will want extra copies for yourself and your friends.

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the author of Dear Carolina. She blogs at Design Chic about how creating a beautiful home can be the catalyst for creating a beautiful life and loves connecting with readers at kristywoodsonharvey.com. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism and holds a Master’s in English from East Carolina University. She is a regular contributor for The Salisbury Post, Domino magazine and Houzz. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three-year-old son.
You can order Kristy’s book from your favorite bookstore:
BARNES & NOBLE • INDIEBOUND • BOOKS A MILLION • AMAZON • POWELL’S • TARGET • iTUNES • GOOGLE PLAY • KOBO
but wait, there’s more…
Garden, Home and Party: Dear Carolina
 Kristy and her mom, Beth, [Design Chic] have a shop filled with wonderful decorative treasures.  During Dear Carolina’s launch week (now) they are offering a $1,000 Shop Design Chic Shopping Spree to one lucky winner. To enter: Send proof of purchase of Dear Carolina (photos are fine!) to readdearcarolina@gmail. Every book is an extra entry!

The lucky winner will also receive a free e-copy of the Dear Carolina Companion cookbook, full of favorite Southern recipes from renowned bloggers and family members, and Dear Carolina printable quotes just for entering!

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