Contest: Definitely Not the Same Blog Celebration
Posted on 20. Sep, 2008 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in House
This post is about celebration!
A lot of good things have been happening to us lately, so we’ve decided to pass on the love by giving a $25 Chapters/Indigo/Coles gift card to one of you! Details on this below, but, first, some background.
What are we celebrating?
We are celebrating a variety of milestones:
1. Whimfield’s new layout, including weekly features: Inspiration Mondays, Outdoor Thursdays and Contest Saturdays!
2. Laura-Jane was recently invited to do a short piece for her favourite national CBC Radio program, the witty/quirky/wonderful Definitely Not the Opera (DNTO). This was Laura-Jane’s first time on radio, and she almost exploded with excitement from the moment she first heard about the possibility of being on the show.
Laura-Jane’s Radio Piece
From DNTO’s website:
On the show this week: Hop into the DNTO-mobile with host Sook-Yin Lee as she tries to figure out what the heck we’re actually using our cars for. Cars are more than driving machines – they’re relationship builders, creativity boosters and delivery rooms!
The show will air across Canada today–Saturday, September 20th–on CBC Radio One. Check your local listings. (Or listen to the abbreviated podcast here.)
On the show, Laura-Jane recounts the tale of how she and Cameron drove across Canada in the middle of Winter and slept in their car for 28 nights in very, very, very cold temperatures.
You can also read the blog version of this story (with lots of photos) here:
Part 1: Preparing to Drive Across the Entire Country and Sleep in the Car Along the Way
Part 2: Leaving Western Canada
Part 3: Driving Through Central Canada
Part 4: Arriving on the East Coast
What About This Free Stuff?
What about this contest, you ask? Right, sorry!
Here’s how it works.
Tell us something about yourself in the little comment box below. (Like what you had for breakfast, how you got here, whether you’ve ever been on a road trip, whether you’ve ever been on the radio, whatever!)
Then, we’ll randomly select a comment and mail the winner the gift card. Yep. It’s that simple.
For fairness’ sake, please only submit one entry per person. Your entry can be really short, but you’ve got to share something about yourself–no matter how minor. That’s it!
Oh, and this isn’t a scam. (Would we do that to you?!) It’s just good plain fun!
We will accept entries until end of day on Friday, September 26, 2008, at which point we’ll “close” the comments (which means that it will be impossible to write in the box below). We’ll announce the winner on Saturday, September 27th.
If you’d like more info, check out the contests page.
Martin
Sep 20th, 2008
How I got here.. The year was 1990.. give or take.. I was running a computer Bulletin Board System (BBS) in Qualicum Beach, BC on an Intel 80286 based PC clone with 1MB of RAM and a 40MB hard drive. The software was, I think, RBBS.. free, open-source code written in QuickBasic. One day this punk kid logged on and started talking trash about his new IBM PS/2 and how he wanted to start his own BBS. We talked for a while.. I may have even tried to sell him the free RBBS. That kid was Cameron. A lot has happened between then and now, some of which will best… uhh… remain unwritten. But that’s the first chapter of how I got here today.
Andrea >> Become a Consultant
Sep 20th, 2008
Oh, weird. I think I used to chat with Martin (above) on that BBS back in the day. I got on to all sorts of BBSes for free because I was a *girl*. LOL.
Anyway, I had 1 tbsp of organic crunchy peanut butter, 1 tsp of becel, 2 tsp of high fibre omega-3-enriched whole grain toast and 2/3 of a small banana and two cups of coffee for breakfast. (I’m tracking this stuff right now. LOL.)
I have been on multiple road trips…to Vegas, Calgary, Kelowna, Kingston (ON) via Ottawa, and to California (stopping at San Quentin, nearly being mugged and running into all sorts of adventures).
I’ve been on the radio several times, but my favourites were all on CBC. I love CBC.
Oh, and how I got here. Well, when a mommy and daddy love each other very much…..Oh, did you mean the website? I’ve been following Laura-Jane’s blog for a few years, ever since I thought she should give up her boring government job and become a writer. More recently, I hired her to write, because she finally got the message. And her blog is so cool.
Schulster
Sep 20th, 2008
I got here by google searching steep roofs.
Samantha G.
Sep 20th, 2008
For breakfast I always have lots toast and jam and some type of juice.
I like your new layout.
I hope I win!
Derek
Sep 20th, 2008
>Tell us something about yourself in the little comment box below.
I’m Derek, and I like to read blogs. Back in 2004, I built a website called PEIBlogs.com, where I aggregate blogs about PEI. I built it primarily for my own use, but get around 100 visits per day from people interested in PEI. I currently list around 760 blogs that have something to do with PEI.
> how you got here
I like the Whimfield blog, as it is well written and has a great layout. I can appreciate the work they are doing on their house, having recently renovated the basement of our house in Stratford PEI. We contracted out much of the work, though, and I’m glad we did! Although we are Islanders and didn’t come here from BC, we enjoy the west coast lifestyle right here with our BC red cedar house complete with hot tub and pool, overlooking the water. The only thing missing is a view of the Rockies and a larger ski hill!
>whether you’ve ever been on a road trip
Along with my partner and son, we often take road trips, but not of the scope mentioned here!
Our favorite times for road trips are spring and fall, where we can travel without having to plan accommodations in advance, or wait in lineups.
Favorite destinations include Cape Cod, Kennebunkport ME, Newport RI, Virginia Beach, and the New Hampshire liquor store!
A couple of Septembers ago, we flew to Calgary and toured the `near west` by car, including Regina, Saskatoon, Hanna (home of Nickelback) and Tabor AB, Leroy and Kindersley SK (I got to combine grain!), Coeur d’Alene Idaho, and Cranbrook BC (where my sister lives).
> whether you’ve ever been on the radio, whatever!
I worked my way through university doing both on-air work and news, and worked full-time in the field for eight months after graduating with a BA in English, but left to study computer programming. I have worked in one of those “boring government jobs” for 27 years, and will retire in four, when I plan to invent part-time work that will combine my interests in writing and programming (ideas wanted!). I am currently experimenting with WordPress, learning how to customize themes and plug-ins, and find that this is a great package.
> what you had for breakfast
gluten-free pancakes, real maple syrup, bacon, fruit cocktail, lotsa coffee.
Radio listener
Sep 20th, 2008
Heard you on the radio so came here. sounds like a great trip across canada. congratulations.
amy
Sep 20th, 2008
As I was preparing my lunch on this sunny Toronto afternoon I was listening to CBC and caught Laura-Jane’s piece on the radio. Not only was I interested in the fascinating story, but when I heard Sook-Yin say “Laura-Jane” I was also curious to know if it could possibly be the same Laura-Jane I knew growing up in Nanaimo BC. Sure enough! I remember you well from “Fiddle Kids” and the Kiwanis festival. I am a few years older and played cello, which I now do as a profession in Toronto. I know nothing about blogs, which is a bit of an anomaly in these days but I will certainly spend some time looking at all the interesting stuff here. Congratulations on your beautiful home and the fantastic path you have chosen! warmest wishes,
Amy Laing
Natalie Campbell
Sep 20th, 2008
I had bacon, eggs, mushrooms, red peppers, toast and leftover mashed potatoes for breakfast! My husband just heard you on DNTO and looked up your blog. We’ve lived on an 86-acre farm for the past year in eastern Ontario and love it.
Your farm is lovely, and I’m impressed at all the work you are doing with your own bare hands. Enjoy!
Amber
Sep 20th, 2008
Awesome Blog! Congrats on the radio spot! Sounds like fun!!
Ok now for my entry!!
- Saturday breakfast – Fresh waffles with apples lightly sprinkled with cinnamon sugar at the Summerside Farmers Market.
- Where I found you – PEI Talk forum
- Road Trip – Latest and greatest was this past week.. Grand Manan, NB.. gorgeous Island arrived at via Ferry from Blacks Harbour – 40 min south of St. John, NB. Short road trip but a week spent in a wonderful yurt overlooking the beautiful Castalia Marsh on Grand Manan. just google Castalia Marsh Retreat… spectacular whale watching tour as well. . I love GM almost as much as I love my PEI.. : )
- Radio – Nada.. TV – yes
Best of luck to everyone! Great idea!!! keep up the good work!
N&M
Sep 20th, 2008
I listened to my sister’s radio debut while sitting in my parked car, slurping soup and sipping tea.
Naomi
Sep 20th, 2008
Today for breakfast I had cereal, of course!
Andy Collier
Sep 20th, 2008
Congrats on the awesome radio story on you guys! I was mixing a batch of stucco for the house listening to DNTO from my truck radio when your story came on this afternoon! I thought “Hey, I know that couple!” It’s funny how you can feel you know someone you haven’t actually met, but such is the age we live in I guess.
(I exclude myself from your gift card give-away BTW, someone else needs it more than I! I just wanted to comment on hearing the piece on the radio today.)
G
Sep 21st, 2008
My contest entry: I have never been on TV or radio. My family and I drove to Disneyland when I was about ten, but other than that no large roads trips. For breakfast I don’t really eat a lot. Toast or fruit or something small. Thanks.
RazorFamilyFarms.com
Sep 21st, 2008
I arrived from Future House Farm and REALLY like the site. Why haven’t I been here before??? I have certainly been missing out.
Congratulations on your success. You deserve it!!!
Blessings!
Lacy
RazorFamilyFarms.com
christy
Sep 21st, 2008
something about me: it’s my first time visiting this blog and i CANNOT wait to read about the roadtrip across canada!! i’ve never really been to real canada (other than niagra falls) so i am looking forward to seeing all your pics. we road triped throughout alaska for our honeymoon sleeping at random pullouts and only taking 3 showers in 15 days.
Vicki
Sep 21st, 2008
I found my way here because I am Cam’s Mom!! Road Trips..well the very best one I had was way back 33 years ago. I went to Europe and travelled in our VW van complete with bed for 5 months. I didn’t have to brave the cold like you guys did. It was the best thing I have ever done. Well besides being a Mom. Don’t you think everyone should travel & live in their vehicle? For breakfast I was bad. I went to McDonald’s and enjoyed it! Tomorrow protein shakes!! Since I am related I will opt out of the competition. Good Luck everyone!
SmilingJudy
Sep 21st, 2008
I had no breakfast today (other than two cups of tea, english style) as I had to rush around to get ready….for installing tile alllll day! ugh. I think I will go have some cereal now.
New format looks good.
Suzy
Sep 22nd, 2008
Heard you on DNTO and was immediately intrigued. Spent quite some time reading your blog Saturday evening, showing it to my significant other. We are inspired by your love (of life and each other) and sense of adventure! Saturday was my first visit to your blog, but I will visit often. Thought I should return and enter the contest! Usually breakfast is yogurt, cereal and fruit. I love breakfast. When I was a child my family went on a road trip from San Diego to Costa Rica, travelling through Mexico and Central America, sleeping in home made bunk beds in the back of a Ford pick-up, towing a Ford Pinto containing our belongings. Good luck with the renovations – can relate to that!
Jeff
Sep 23rd, 2008
Just had Oatmeal Crisp with apples in it for breakfast; not fresh apples, but the kind that are dehydrated & placed in cereal packaging. They always seem slightly weird, kinda like dismembered apple doll bits.
Nicole
Sep 23rd, 2008
My husband spends way too much time on the internet…
Marlene
Sep 23rd, 2008
I’m a morning person … I can never sleep in!!!!
Laurie W.
Sep 23rd, 2008
Hmmm…I got here from a sweepstakes site. I haven’t had breakfast yet…just coffee so far. Haven’t been on a roadtrip in forever…pretty boring, eh? Never been on radio either. Now I’m just depressed and really need to win to make me feel better.
Wanda
Sep 23rd, 2008
For breakfast I had a coffee and muffin, pretty unhealthy and lacking in nutrients.
Laura
Sep 23rd, 2008
I haven’t eaten bread for a month.
Tammy
Sep 23rd, 2008
I’ve been chasing my dogs around the house for days, as one is a puppy and hasn’t been fixed! Guess what they keep doing??? The puppy has now earned a trip to the vets’ so that the rest of our family can finally get some rest and stop being (as my daughter says) so grossed out over the whole matter.
Katie
Sep 23rd, 2008
I moved across the country to live with your brother after only spending 17 days in person with him. I’ve never been happier. Quitting your job and starting fresh is a great feeling – though we’re not doing this on an acreage in PEI but rather in a high-rise in a major city.
There’s something about your family that ignites adventure and spontaneity in me. I’m so excited to be a part of it.
Greg and I are looking forward very much to visiting you in PEI. Being land locked doesn’t suit us well and East Coast living comes quite naturally to me.
Take care!
Laura
Sep 23rd, 2008
I am a very proud mother of a beautiful 2 year old daughter Alaina Jasmine. My husband is in the military and currently training away from us, so it’s just the two of us girls waiting for our favorite man to come home.
Kajsa
Sep 23rd, 2008
Well, good afternoon. I had a sesame bagel with peanut butter for breakfast and am about to tuck in to a pot of black tea. I did write a radio play, and it did indeed end up on the radio. Fancy that. I like road trips too… Thanks for offering the contest!
Patti
Sep 23rd, 2008
a friend told me about this blog – checked it out – wholla here I am – and a contest to boot! Thanks
Francine
Sep 23rd, 2008
Breakfast was 2 different types of toast (country grain with Greaves grape jelly and Honey challah with butter) and coffee. Did the road trips as a kid with the family, don’t think I could do it now! I’ve been on radio, been interviewed for newspaper, and have a video of me on a corporate website.
I love to read, and Indigo is one of my favourite stores!
Holly
Sep 23rd, 2008
Breakfast was a bowl of Life Cinnamon cereal (mmmmm). I’ve been on TONS of road trips. most of them to british columbia, and mostly to the vancouver area. but once when i was in grade 9, i went with my family to the east coast (you know, PEI, New Brunswick, the whole bit). Spent entirely too much time driving though. I was quite excited because i got to drive across the confederation bridge (federation bridge?) all by myself, even though i only had my learners!
Maureen
Sep 23rd, 2008
For breakfast I had bagels and eggs. For lunch I had bagels and eggs. I’ll probably have bagels and eggs for supper. You might say I’m in a rut. Unemployed, in a funk, I’d love to go on a road trip. In fact, I’d love to see Toronto receding in my rear view mirror, and go some place where the sky is big and star filled and where the cashier at the grocery store says “hi” back to me.
Edith
Sep 23rd, 2008
I’d really like to win…so here is something about myself…I’m 63 years old and am happier than I’ve ever been…Though I’ve had a hard life, times have finally changed and now I’m enjoying my life (in simple ways). What more can anyone want?
Alison Malfara
Sep 23rd, 2008
I love contests, especially winning them. It beats cleaning for a living, which I do. Anyone need their house or office cleaned?
athena910
Sep 23rd, 2008
Road trip. Well, I’m leaving for Greece next week. I’m going to meet up with a friend who is also going independently. That’s for a few days. The rest of the time I’m not sure what I’m going to do. It’s very unusual for me to do something that’s not completely programmed, but hey, you’ve got to try something new once in a while.
justin
Sep 23rd, 2008
How I got here, not really sure. I was surfing around and found your interesting place. An unique place this really is. As for road trips, nope haven’t had one in years. Would love to go, but like everyone else the big “R” word like “responsibilities” keeps us typing and working. Thanks, and your site is great!
Erin Stanford
Sep 23rd, 2008
I love road trips! I’m thankful that we live in such a beautiful country, that road trips are always enjoyable and full of fun adventure.
Caroline Morin
Sep 24th, 2008
I went to Japan for two weeks. It was a life-changing experience, something I’d recommend to anyone who has an open mind. Travel is definitely one of the top things I enjoy doing, it’s extremely meaningful.
SusanC
Sep 24th, 2008
I am the mother of three boys, and I am a rubber stamper.
Angela
Sep 24th, 2008
Well I just joined field hockey 2 weeks ago for my school’s senior team because I didn’t make the volleyball team. And it’s been going really well, i’ve already scored a goal and our team is 2-0! I’m really excited for the rest of the season
Catherine
Sep 24th, 2008
I am a mom of 4 boys and one girl and I have started reading blogs in my spare time (I have lots of free time – NOT) but I do sneak in some blog reading and look forward to checking out this one!
jypsy
Sep 24th, 2008
Second time commenting, my first (some days ago, would have been #17) never showed up… Breakfast: grapefruit & coffee (my first comment was a better read…)
SuzyQ
Sep 24th, 2008
I got here by the PEI forum…i never eat breakfast…i keep peacocks for a hobby, my favorites being Charlie who is a blue shoulder, and Princess Gracie who is a white peahen…Charlie likes to kick cars and other shiny things, lol, I hitch hiked across Canada and back in my younger years , now i just try to win contests for excitement..and i read anything and everything, think i would panic if i didnt have a books stockpiled to read…
Don McLachlan
Sep 24th, 2008
I love to have french toast with ketchup for breakfast.
Bonny Dixon MacIsaac
Sep 25th, 2008
How I got here..Heard your radio piece. It was great. Love road trips. Always depends who you are with of course. A friend once told me if you ever want to get to know someone – travel with them. So true. Yes, I have been on radio several times CBC in fact. I am celebrating a couple of milestones thsi year. Early retirement which means more time to take road trips and I am going to be a grandmother for the first time. I’m excited! It’s late and I’m going to bed thinking about what I will spend my g/c card on! : ) I’ll mull it over some more in the morning at breakfast while eating my oatmeal with blueberries. Like your site by the way. much luck with it all and keep celebrating!
Liz
Sep 25th, 2008
I got here surfin’ around looking for contests. It’s my hobby, and doesn’t cost me anything. It’s a lot of fun, and keeps me feeling connected to people as I’m a stay-at-home mom. Thanks for the contest!
Madonna Byrne
Sep 25th, 2008
I am presently enjoying a nice cup of green tea.
Rose
Sep 25th, 2008
count me in
Casey
Sep 25th, 2008
I had oatmeal and some juice..now onto the bad stuff..COFFEE!!
Kris
Sep 25th, 2008
I went on a road trip form coast to coast – East to West. And took a bus from Toronto-Vancouver, and years later from Victoria to Toronto.
I like road trips!
And your blog is cool.