A Bigger Than Usual Give-away - The Hobbit, Candles, Engraved Stones, and Vintage Teaspoons!!

Hi everyone!!

It's that time again when I give away another copy of The Hobbit as part of our Year Of The Hobbit.

But, this month, for some very special reasons, there's a few extra goodies I'm going to throw in.

First of all it's my birthday today - woohoo! And, there's nothing like giving stuff away to make you feel good, so on my birthday I'm celebrating by giving rather than just receiving.

Also, I'm super excited to think that shortly I'll have reached the milestone of 100 followers. I'd like to thank all my new and old friends who are interested in my little corner of the blog world by adding in a few things to the usual 'Hobbit' giveaway.

So.... to celebrate my 45th birthday (sheesh, am I that old already), and the impending century over there in my sidebar, the give-away this month will include...

1. A brand new copy of The Hobbit.
2. A little bag of 6 handpoured pure soy tea-light candles.
3. Two beautifully engraved stones featuring the words 'Dream' and 'Hope'.
4. A set of 6 dainty vintage spoons (great flea market find) perfect for a lazy afternoon cup of tea with friends. (They're stamped Grosvenor/Christine.... on the back).

A lovely little collection indeed - don't you think!

I've been saving these treasures to include in a fab giveaway for a while. :)

If you'd like to win this bundle of goodies, simply leave a comment below.

If you'd like extra entries, just tweet or blog about this give-away, and leave an extra comment for each thing you do!

The competition will close at midnight, next Saturday, the 11th of December (Melbourne time) and, the lucky winner will be announced on the Sunday.

Good luck all. :)

Linda. xox

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Give-away Time Again - Who Wants A Hobbit?

Woohoo! It's time for another 'Hobbit' to find its way to a new and loving home! This is the 3rd month of our 'Year Of The Hobbit', and I'm excited to see who'd like a copy for their bookshelf!

The Year Of The Hobbit began in September as my tribute to fabulous literature that's worth passing on and 'getting out there'.  I loved The Hobbit as a child, and it's one of the books that got me really started on my life-long love affair with amazing stories that engage both the mind and the heart.

You can read more about its beginnings and the reasons behind it here.

But, briefly, my hope is who-ever wins each book will enjoy it themselves and/or pass it onto someone else..... their children, a friend's children, the local school.

As a primary school teacher (amongst other things!) myself, I know how important great literature can be to the life of a child.

So, this is my small attempt to 'spread a little love', book style. Let's share these magical words around!

To win a copy of The Hobbit, just leave a comment below. The give-away is open until midnight (Melbourne time), next Saturday the 13th of November.

I'll draw the winner using random.org the next day, and post the result.

Where will November's 'Hobbit' find a comfy new home?

Good luck everyone!

Linda. xox

P.S: Here's a brief excerpt from the story....

"Very pretty!" said Gandalf. "But I have no time to blow smoke-rings this morning. I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone."

" I should think so - in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can't think what anybody sees in them," said our Mr Baggins, and stuck one thumb behind his braces, and blew out another even bigger smoke-ring."

Nasty disturbing things indeed! Fun too!

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The Year Of The Hobbit - Give-away Number 2... Plus, Blogtoberfest!

The Year Of The Hobbit began last month as my tribute to fabulous literature that's worth passing on and 'getting out there'.

You can read more about its beginnings and the reasons behind it here.

But, briefly, my hope is who-ever wins each book will enjoy it themselves and/or pass it onto someone else..... their children, a friend's children, the local school.

As a primary school teacher (amongst other things!) myself, I know how important great literature can be to the life of a child.

So, this is my small attempt to 'spread a little love', book style!

Plus, it's an extra important month this month because it's Blogtoberfest!! Blogtoberfest is a month long festival of blogging that also includes heaps of give-aways!

So this month, I'm also celebrating Blogtoberfest with this give-away. If you'd like to join in the Blogtoberfest fun, visit Tinnie Girl's blog to find out more.

To win a copy of The Hobbit, just leave a comment below! The give-away is open until midnight (Melbourne time), next Saturday the 9th of October. I'll draw the winner using random.org the next day, and post the result.

Where will October's 'Hobbit' find a home?

Good luck everyone!

Linda. xox

P.S: Here's another riddle from the book. (The first riddle is here). Do you know the answer?

'What has roots as nobody sees,
Is taller than trees
Up, up it goes,
And yet never grows?'

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A New Home For The Hobbit (Number One)...

The random number generator at Random.org has spoken, and the first book in 'The Year Of The Hobbit' give-away will be finding a new home at commentor number 9's place........ that's you.....

......Meghan!!

Meghan wrote: 

'What a great idea! I LOVE the Lord of the Rings series and have read them over and over too (I even have a copy of the Two Towers autographed by Billy Boyd). But you know what is crazy? I have never read of The Hobbit! My little brother gives me trouble about it all the time. I don't know the answer to that riddle, and I would love to read and find out :)


I wonder where those books will find their new homes? Exciting :)'

Congratulations Meghan!

If you email me at linda@heartfire.com.au with your address, I'll pop your book in the post for you. :)

Look out for the second 'Year Of The Hobbit' give-away early in October.

Thanks to everyone who entered, please come back and try again next time. :)


Linda. xox

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Look At This - A Real Life Hobbit House In Wales...

This is a 'real life' hobbit house in Wales. It was built from stone, mud, and remnant wood from nearby forests. How marvellous it is!

'The use of materials from the construction site and the way the home was designed give it that truly unique, eco-friendly character that can only be found in earthen homes.'

At a cost of only $10 per square metre, this is a hobbit house we can all afford!

More info about the house here

Speaking of hobbit houses.... don't forget to enter The Year Of The Hobbit give-away in the post below if you know someone who'd love a new book and a great read.

There's only 6 entries (yes ONLY 6) so far, so you have a really fabulous chance of winning a book for your children, friend's children, or to give as a gift to someone who loves great literature!

ENTER HERE before midnight Saturday for your chance to win.

Linda. xox

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Announcing.... The Year Of The Hobbit! An Ongoing Give-away!

I've always loved the story of The Hobbit. I first read it in around Grade 3, and have read it many times since then. I then read its 'big brother story' The Lord of The Rings for the first time in Grade 6, and have read it 12 times 'til now!

My very first copy got lost a long time ago... but I've had a special leather bound copy in one of my bookcases for the last 8 years or so (it's on the bottom shelf of this bookcase near my breakfast bar!)

The Hobbit was one of quite a few books that I believe actually helped form and mould the person I am today.

Good children's literature should do that.

I don't believe there's any better gift you can give a child than a mesmerizing book.... one full of engaging characters, moral dilemmas, great story lines, feelings, and imagination expanding adventures!

The Hobbit has something to do with my adult love for maps and globes, and drew me into another world in such a way that I believed anything was possible no matter who I was. (If a hobbit could pull off amazing feats despite such dire circumstances, then surely I could too!!)

And, as a Primary School teacher of over 20 years (the last 6 part time to make more room for my designing passion), I know only too well the power of truly good writing.

It has the power to inspire, heal, motivate, change, lead, and bring joy and comfort where other things may not.

So I've decided to create 'The Year of The Hobbit!'

I'm going to give away a brand new copy of The Hobbit every month for a year!

Here's some of them, freshly bought, waiting for their new home.

Even if you already have a copy (it's still a good book for grown-ups to read!), you can win it for your nieces or nephews, to give your children their own copy, to give to a friend's children, to donate to your nearest Primary School's library...... there's heaps of ways you could use this book to help spread a little more great 'literary stardust' around the world!

For this first give-away, all you need to do to win a copy of The Hobbit is leave a comment before midnight this Saturday (Melbourne time).

I'm so going to enjoy sharing these out one-by-one over the next 12 months, I'll feel like a little bit of 'me' is flying around the world to brighten up a child's life somewhere.

I'll announce the winner this Sunday.

Good luck everyone. :)

Linda. xox

P.S: Here's one of the 'riddles' Bilbo had to answer when trying to keep the ring from Gollum. Do  you know the answer?

'A box without hinges, keys, or lid,
Yet golden treasure inside is hid'.

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More - I think books are such an important part of any home. Do you? This post about books talks about why they're so integral, and has masses of great 'bookcase' images!

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