Friday, September 10, 2010

Three is a magic number: blogoversary & giveaway





Today, this blog turns three. Three is a magic number: it is how many children I have, the amount of years we struggled to conceive them, and the times I call DH during the day to ask when he's coming home from work.

It's impossible not to think about all the changes that have happened in three years. In September 2007, I was pregnant with Bean and we lived in St. Louis. In September 2008, we were raising a 6-month-old Bean in Seattle, and I was finally getting into the groove of motherhood. And last year in September 2009, I was coming to terms with a new twin pregnancy. Now look at us: a happy, if overwhelmed, family of five seven (can't forget to count my parents!).

It's a small little blog, but it means a lot to me and it makes me happy. To celebrate and thank everyone who has clicked on "Sunny in Seattle" to share support, advice, or empathy -- both in leaving comments or just in silent prayer -- I pulled together a little collection of treats from the Evergreen State (and surrounding) that I'm going to give away. Sorry international folk, I decided to limit this to the U.S. There are some perishables and I'm not sure how long it would take (or how expensive it would be) to ship to you. I recently ordered a couple of necklaces from a lady in Toronto via Etsy, and based on the postage date, they took a full month to arrive after getting caught up in customs. So in turn my gift was completely late for my brother's girlfriend's 30th birthday! But I digress.

I'm probably more excited about this giveaway than you are because my "love language" is Receiving Gifts, so this is my currency of affection. Unfortunately for my DH, this is the worst love language for your wife to have, for many obvious reasons. In this case, it would have saved him $35 plus shipping if it was Words of Affirmation. But it could be worse, if it was Physical Touch he'd have to spring for an airline ticket so I could give you a hug in person. Although I'm guessing if he got to pick my love language, that would be it. But again, I digress.

So here's what I have for you:



Chocolate Death Bar by Seattle's Favorite Gourmet Cookies & Dessert Co.

Falls Country Buttermilk Pancake Mix from Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls (the lodge featured in Twin Peaks)

"Mostly Sunny" All Natural Oatmeal with dried fruits from the Northwest, by Umpqua Oats

Smoked Salmon Chowder by Seabear Wild Salmon

"Rainy Day Roast" coffee, roasted in Seattle by Dustin Creach

Assorted cocktail chocolate from Seattle Chocolates (appletini, lemon drop, margarita, and mimosa)

Northwest Breakfast Tea by MarketSpice


All you have to do is leave me a comment below and tell me what local favorite (of any kind) that you would include in a gift from wherever you call home. And yes, you can still enter if you live here in Seattle -- tell me what I'm missing from my giveaway! I'm going to pick a winner at 12 noon Pacific Time on Friday, September 17 using RANDOM.ORG. Be sure to include your email address if it's not on your profile so I can contact you if you win. Good luck!


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23 comments:

Hilary said...

I love your blog! You were the first I subscribed to. I know you are super busy with all those mens, but I get so happy when I see that you have a new post. Congrats on 3 years.
Hilary

sarah rose said...

Heggy's chocolates are the best!

Mrs. Gamgee said...

Congrats on your blogoversary!!! It has been so great following along your journey!

Sadly, there aren't any really great local treats from around here... maybe a side of beef? :)

(I know I can't enter, but that looks like a great prize pack! Whoever gets it is going to be a very happy camper.)

Misc Momma said...

There sure aren't a bunch of things, but the few things we do have are pretty good. Tony Packo's anything - but mostly the hotdog sauce and Garlic Expressions salad dressing.
~Tara

Stef said...

happy 3 to you!! What a fun giveaway idea! I love all the stuff you chose. I'd make a joke about adding an umbrella, but people around here don't seem the least bit afraid to get wet! :)

Jen said...

Happy Blogversary!!!

I would enter, but seeing as I live like 5 miles away from you that seems kind of silly. Besides you already know of my love of a good Trophy cupcake.

Kristin @ Intrepid Murmurings said...

Congrats on 3 years! Isn't is amazing what can change in a few short years??? I am blown away here, as well. Love that video!!!

I'm local but am still going to enter, ha! Looks delish! My addition would be a Fair Scone mix (and raspberry jam). Mmmmm....

Kristina P. said...

This is awesome! Happy blogiversary!

I would include fry sauce. It's a Utah thing. It's basically mayo and ketchup mixed together. It's to die for.

Lori Lavender Luz said...

Rocky Mountain Oysters!

Happy blogoversary, Sunny!

Anonymous said...

yay!! happy blogiversary!

i'd have to include something from zingermans. ;) or stucchi's!

Jennifer said...

Oh We have too many ideas at our house! How about apples from WA state or Puyallup fair scones! Best if you can get them nice and hot but I like the mix too!!

Coffeegrljp said...

Congratulations! 3 years! I'm not entering (so I can let someone else win these tasty local treats!) but I'm going to add a treat from my hometown Mike's Hot Dogs: http://www.city-data.com/picfilesv/picv16288.php
Seriously - the best "loaded" dog you can get from a place that you'd never think to stop at. But there's a reason they've been in business for over 50 years! Those hot dogs with sauce are the BOMB! I eat at least 2 every time I go home (usually 2/multiple visits!!).

Susie said...

Hey Sunny,
I'm delurking...of course for a giveaway that includes chocolate, ha! I've enjoyed reading your journey and am so happy that all has turned out well for you and your family. The breastfeeding posts have been great (I've got a 2 mo. old)! Happy blogoversary :)

p.s. I lived in WI until last year...so I'd send some cheese curds and beer :)

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

Happy 3rd Blogaversary to you, Sunshine and your little rays of joy!
Hmm, what would you like from SoCal? Wine, clothes, produce, tchokes?

Denise said...

Happy 3 years! You just made me realize I'm only 2 months away from 3 years myself. Crazy.

I don't think it would travel well, but I would include Beau Jo's pizza.

Jenny Guttormson said...

Love your blog - happy 3 years!

From here in Austin TX, we love our food! Although it won't travel well, I would probably have to send some great breakfast tacos with barbacoa - yummy!

Courtney said...

Aw, three really is a good number for you. :)

Most of the stuff I was thinking of to add to this package is perishable. Let's face it, we have some seriously awesome food in this region. Like cheesecake truffles from The Confectional. *drool* Oh! Maybe some spices from the spice shop Alton Brown visited. That's pretty cool.
Though I thought of something non-perishable from our region that represents it very well. Something either Seahawks or Sounders. Even when they lose, we support our teams pretty heavy. So much so, visiting teams complain about our noise levels at the stadiums. Which is pretty awesome.

Sarah said...

Salmon Chowder, sounds awesome! I love me some Omega 3!!! Yummy! (and I'm serious...) Seafood isn't our specialty here so I'd say Peaches, boiled peanuts (although yuck), and Stevia sweetened ice tea! Congratulations on three years! I've loved every minute! Even though we are on opposite sides of the country, I am so happy to still be "part" of your lives! (still, it would be nice if you lived next door...I miss my friends)... Love you! Sarah

Melissa@TheHappierHomemaker said...

I love your blog, the only one I follow! We're a military family so we move a lot...I'm originally from the mid Atlantic so I'd have offer some Virginia Peanuts and some South Carolina Grits!

AJ said...

Happy blogoversary! 3 is a great number!

From Cleveland - definitely need malley's chocolates in a gift basket. And probably something from the rock n roll hall of fame.

Lisa said...

Happy blogoversary! Been reading since the beginning ;-)

Ummm, I would def send some tex mex, Yum-o!!

Ludicrous Mama said...

Hmmm... I live close too, but I love free chocolate sumpthin' fierce, so I'll enter!
I'd say Boehm's chocolates, but that first tour went so abysmally poor, I hate to give them too many props.
Ooooo Frost donuts, from Mill Creek! The bacon maplebar!

Mary said...

Ack, you just had to post this while I was on vacay ;).

So much to say but really shoddy internet connection right now but you know how much I love you and I'll be back next week to officially catch up!