Your Favourite Song - a Giveaway!

Yes, it's true. I'm having a giveaway.

The other day, the generous folks over at CSN Stores approached me to provide an item of my choice either for review and to keep, or to offer up as a gift to one of my loyal visitors by hosting a giveaway.

A review was out of the question. It's just not the kind of thing I'd like to do with my blog, but I thought it might be fun to be able to offer a gift to my readers, as a thank you for their many visits and warm comments.

Having never done this sort of thing before, I still wasn't sure. I hemmed and hawed and badgered their representative with a lot of questions, and finally decided to go for it.

I pored over a few pages of options for my giveaway. I saw cookware, dinnerware, wine_racks and gadgets. I was instructed to select something for up to $75 and eventually, I settled on an item which I hope my readers will like.

It's the Euroquest 3 quart stoneware casserole pictured below. You can read more details about it here.



Unfortunately for my many wonderful overseas visitors, this giveaway can only be shipped to Canadian and American addresses. I'm sorry about that restriction but if you can provide me with the Canadian or U.S. mailing address of a relative or friend (excluding yours truly), there's no reason why you can't be included.

Once the contest closes, I'll select one name by random draw.

Here's how to enter:

• The deadline for this contest is Wednesday, December 16 at midnight, Eastern Standard Time. You have until then to enter for this draw.

• Before the deadline, simply leave a comment on this post telling me the name of your all-time favourite song.

• Be sure to leave me your email address so that I can contact you if you should win. If you do win, please be prepared to provide me with a mailing address in Canada or the U.S. via email.

• If all goes as planned, the winner will be announced on or before the weekend.

• If I don't receive an email and/or comment reply from the winner within 7 days after that announcement, I'll redraw, and award it to the next name drawn.

The casserole will be sent out to the winner by the good people at CSN Stores.

Good luck to all who enter.

Now tell me.. what's your favourite song?

Scene of the Crime

Yesterday, we were hit with the season's first snow-rain-snow storm. High winds and wet conditions kept me from taking my camera along for an outing but the day before that was dry. I decided to head up to a park which is about a 15 to 20 minutes walk from home. To my utter shock and horror, I came upon a crime scene, and it wasn't pretty. Come join me as I retrace my steps.

It started off just fine. A cold but pleasant enough day. I filled my pockets with peanuts, grabbed a camera for each shoulder and headed out along the path.



My local pond was partially covered with a thin layer of ice, allowing these ducks to walk on water. (please click to enlarge)





Different in appearance and attitude from the Mallards, this Wood Duck opted to find the open water. Doesn't he have such beautiful colours? All still seemed peaceful on this morning. Nobody could know the carnage which lurked ahead... (please click to enlarge)





I arrived at my destination, happy to photograph some of the bare bones of the foliage which remained. (please click to enlarge)





The dock, with its welcoming benches is usually bustling in summer. Folks sit, bird-watch, fish and simply enjoy the day. Today, the cold air made these benches much less inviting, and I moved on. (please click to enlarge)





I liked how these dead, leafy stalks dipped elegantly toward the water. The day still felt so innocent and tranquil at this time... (please click to enlarge)





I continued along and noticed this tiny leaf clinging tenuously to these burrs. (please click to enlarge)





As I rounded a curve in the path, I realized how populated this park was compared to the one closer to home. Squirrels began approaching me from every direction. Either they were very used to folks feeding them in this location or they could smell the peanuts in my pocket. In any event, they were quite bold. I offered nuts to a few eager cuties and they fearlessly took them directly from my hand. As I continued along, a man called to me from behind, suggesting that I turn around. Apparently the little guy pictured above never got his peanut and had begun following me, remaining close to my heels with each step I took. I turned and rewarded him for his efforts. As I bent to give him his peanut and snap a photo, another squirrel began climbing my leg, intent upon finding the stash in my pocket. Did I mention that they were bold? I moved along tossing peanuts to demanding critters as I went. (please click to enlarge)





These "dolls' eyes" caught my own eye. They're quite bright and inviting against their russet background but don't be fooled by them. They're highly toxic for living creatures to ingest - but not as toxic as the scene I was about to happen upon.... (please click to enlarge)





My first hint of trouble ahead was the look of extreme terror on this craggy face*. He was completely frozen with fear. I wrestled with myself as to whether I should turn to look or just run. I followed his fixed and frightened stare, and saw the scene which will haunt me forever. (please click to enlarge)

If you have small children in the room with you, please send them away before you scroll down lest the image traumatize and scar them for life.

Please steel yourself for the image you are about to see.

It's heartbreaking.

Particularly at this time of year.

I warn you, it's ugly.

If you're ready though, hold on to a loved one's hand and scroll down to see this shocker...





THEY'VE KILLED SANTA! And his little penguin elves too. (please click to enlarge)

If anyone has any information that might help us learn who would do such a thing, please call your local police department where you might also be able to obtain information to help you to break this sad news to your children. Oh the humanity.

When you raise the next glass of eggnog to your lips, please remember our dear, chubby friend and say a silent "ho ho ho" for him.

May the holiday cheer be with you.

*A nod to Rain whose blog often shows us some wonderful tree faces. She's a master at finding them. And Frank whose recent post is full of wonderful tree photos, including one of my favourites.

Posts of the Week

The icon/award to the left here is yours for the taking if your blog post has been named as a Post of the Week - either as top post or as a runner up, today or in past weeks.

This week's top Post of the Week is:

The Christmas Gift... A Mama Story
By Sandi
Holding Patterns

Other wonderful posts in no particular order are:

Lighten Up, Candide, It'll Be Okay
by Shimp
at Land of Shimp

Muddy Feet
by Life With Kaishon
at Life With Kaishon


Our Little Garage
by Jane
at Gaston Studio


Kids Write the Funniest Things, Don't They?
by Lady Fi
at On A Quirky Quest With Lady Fi


O Canada!
by Blog Princess
at Blog Princess G


Love Affair
by Michelle
at Surly Writer


101 Gifts Under $10
by Steph
at Incurable Insomniac


For two posts: Little Hands and Finding Aphrodite
by Cabo
at Hey, Cabo


Love is: Building a Door in a Brick Wall Just for Me
by Sandra
at Add Humor and Faith

Reader's Choices:

Recommended by Jinsky:

Lightness of Being
by SweetMango
at SweetMangoLove


Recommended by Blunoz:

Chesty
by Alice Band
at Life of a Naval Wife



Recommended by Mr. London Street:

Alone V. Lonely
by Hannah Meit
at My Soul is a Butterfly

Please drop by their blogs for a visit and leave a kind comment if you have the time. Also, please feel free to add your own choices (for any blog except this one) for a specific blog post in the comments section below, where others can see them. Thank you.