Been baking on convection. (Ick) Been giving (Yay)
Well, it’s November, which means I’ve been writing this blog for one full year! 110 posts, and lots of fun. It’s been a year of changes, of learning, of hopefully growing. If anything, I’ve baked a lot of bread, and given quite a few loaves away.
One of my very favorite giving days was when a whole host of women came to my home and we baked bread en masse. After our time together, they each took their own loaf of bread into the community to give away, and many were struck by the experience. I was struck by the experience, and just a day later I reflected on why I even started this blog. Giving changes you. And I know you–you beautiful readers–you are givers who do it without thinking… without blinking… I appreciate how you’ve encouraged me this last year.
There will be a sale coming up in mid-November. SALE! St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press is putting both The Man and the Vine, and The Woman and the Wheat on sale for just three days. (November 16-18. $15 each) If you’ve been hoping to add one or both of these books to your collection, your time is almost here! Spread the news.
But… before we get there, I’ll be giving away a copy of each of the books here on the blog. The Man and the Vine is first up, since it’s the first I wrote, and all you have to do is comment on this post and I’ll put you in the drawing. Comments will close this Sunday, November 7th, at midnight! (Hi all, comments are now closed…)
Lastly, I’m a gal who has learned to take criticism. You can’t be an author and not listen to advice… If you have any thoughts on how to make this blog better–on how to broaden the scope, or narrow it–on reaching more people, or how to post in a more timely fashion, or about different subject matter you’d like to see posted, I’d love to hear. I’m all ears…
The Woman and the Wheat 
Jane, you never cease to amaze me! You are so talented in all that you do! Thank you for sharing with us, your readers! And congrats on your first year!
Oh Jane, I love your blog. And I love your books. We have both and are actually giving both to a sweet little friend turning 3 tomorrow. But put me in the drawing because I would be happy to give another away!
Hi there:
Please drop my name in the hat 😉
What a great act of thanks to make.
-Alyson
We love this book, and are looking forward to reading The Woman and the Wheat, too! Put our name in the hat, please!
Sweet Jane – you are a blessing and encouragement! May your blog continue to be blessed! Happy Anniversary!
~Barbi
I’ve been looking at these books for a while now, but I didn’t even know you had a blog!
Put my name in the hat please!
I got a chance to read through your book at a wonderful local Orthodox bookstore. I really enjoyed it, but haven’t been able to purchase the book yet. Please enter me into your drawing.
Also, the idea of getting together, baking bread and distributing the loaves is inspiring! Love that idea!
I saw your post on the Orthodox homeschooling blog. I’ve heard great things about these books, but don’t own them. I’d love to add this one to our growing library! Thanks!
Thanks for all that you’re doing to help our children embrace the Faith!!!
Hi! I am very excited about your book. Please put my name in your proverbial hat.
Jane you are so inspiring! When I see a new blog in my email from The Woman in the Wheat I can’t wait to sit down and read!! I love the great photos that go along with your stories too! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
We love both books! But my neices don’t have them, and both birthdays are in December! How appropriate to the spirit of giving!
Include me, too, please. My children would love them.
Happy Anniversary!
Yes, please include me in the drawing – and thank you!
I was just reading The Man and the Vine to Lydia (her favorite book) last night thinking I really need to get The Woman and the Wheat too and then you post this today 🙂 PLEASE put me in the drawing.
Thanks!!!
Your blog is great! It is inspiring and keeps me baking. I have both the books for the family and love to give them as gifts. It is so fun to actually know the author. You are truly a wonderful and beautiful person. Love ya! Throw me in the hat.
put my name in too, please! Sara Monge
Thank you for your blog. It’s a blessing. I can’t think of improvements except to post more of your recipes (and of course I’d always prefer more posts, but I know what that involves). I’m in Australia so put me in the draw if I’m eligible! I have your books on my Amazon wishlist…
Selena
Count me in! Many blessings upon your work.
Thanks for the website, it’s great!
You are truly an inspiration, Jane! I’ve been intending to give both books to my godkids. I still hope to learn to bake bread someday…!
Party on! Count me in!
Please put our name in the drawing my girls would love to read this book. We are always looking for good books for the children. Thank you.
My daughter adores your St. Brigid book. These are on our list, but we haven’t got them yet! Thanks for creating these beautiful resources for our children!
congratulations! please put me in your hat! we love woman and the wheat!
Thanks for posting on the homescool yahoo group.
Thanks for the offer. I’d love to put my name in the hat.
This is the first time I’ve seen your blog, but I’ve admired your books from the catalogs before. Thank you for hosting a give-away. I’ll be sure to check out the rest of your blog now too.
Thanks for the heads up on the post. I would love to be entered in the giveaway. I enjoy reading your blog and am a devoted follower. I like the way that you set up your posts and, of course, you have such a way with words. Just keep doing what you’re doing 🙂
You know, I’ve heard so much about both of these, but never gotten to a church bookstore that actually carries them… and I really like to hold a book in my hands before I buy it. But since they’re going on sale, maybe I can convince myself!
Has it already been a whole year? Time flies when you’re reading something fun! I truly love your blog, Jane, and always read it (that’s saying something because I am always looking for ways to streamline my email reading).
You do a fabulous job with photos and making it fun, interesting and always, always inspiring. I hope you will continue on and just wish I had a wonderful idea to broaden the scope of readership because it is a blessing!
God bless you, dear friend!!!!
What an exciting way to learn about your blog! Such a beautiful book – I’m delighted to learn of it! Please put my name in the hat!
I love your blog, Jane!
I especially love the videos you throw in occasionally. You are incredibly talented as an author, blogger, and photographer but you are best at being a mommy,wife and friend. 🙂 Keep up the good work!
Congratulations on your year of blogging! Please put us in the hat for the giveaway. Your books are wonderful and we really enjoy them.
Great giveaway! I look forward to reading your books whether we win the giveaway or not!
I’ve really enjoyed visiting here on occasion and you are a great encouragement. Sharing bread is a very lovely idea.
I would love to have a chance to win one of your books.
Thanks,
Jody
Hi!
I’d love a chance to win one of your books. Congrats on blogging for a year. I can hardly make it a week.
Hugs!
Marla
New convert here, and while we have been loading up on orthodox books for us, it would be awesome to have some Orthodox books for the kids. Thanks!
Thank you, please add me.
Wonderful giveaway for a wonderful book.
By the way, our sweet little Brigid was baptized this evening. We thank you for introducing us to this saint through your book. :>
Can you add me to the draw ?
If successful, I would of course pay for the full costs of shipping to the UK 🙂
Greetings, Jane! Thank you for this fun opportunity. I have nearly every Children’s Orthodox book ever written, but we don’t have this one yet! We are so looking forward to reading it… especially because we just visited a monastery and our children got to help the nuns cut the grapes off of the vines! It was their harvesting week when we were there, and even our FIVE year old got to do it! The sister said the children could lean down and cut at such low places, that it was such a blessing to them… and it has blessed our little one’s hearts FOREVER! They make their own wine, also, for the Eucharist… and it is such a blessing to think about has we receive communion now! They also squeezed some grapes for us to try it… it was SO incredible… like freshly squeezed orange juice… that we never imagined could be that good! email me off line, and let me know where you live! maybe your family could visit this monastery some day and help them during this week… if you live near there? Blessings and i look forward to reading your blog, more!+ love in Christ, georgia
My girls love books! Please put my name in the hat. These books look lovely!
Please add my family to your book drawing. I am very thankful.
Blessing God for your charity,
Emily Harju
Count me in too! I have lovely little friends of my good long time friends who I would love to read this too… 🙂
Congrads on your blog anniversary! 🙂
This book looks lovely, and it’s always so good to have books that reinforce our kids’ faith. Put my name in the hat!
Carrie
This book looks great!
Oh I would SO love to get this book for my 2 little ones ! PLease enter me into your drawing !
Recently found your blog – Love it. Thank you for sharing !
Jane, I’ve really enjoyed reading along this past year. I think of you and your giving whenever I happen to glance at our copy of The Woman and the Wheat. Keep up the good work!
How lovely! If I don’t win, I’ll take advantage of the sale.
Jane,
I have enjoyed your blog. My sister is Rebekah Johnson and my mom got me your book last year. I’d love to have another for one of my godkids.
Thanks, Anna
Good luck to ME! 🙂
Thank you Jane! Elpinike loves “The Woman and The Wheat” so much that she has it memorized!
Keep up the great work, I love that your books are so easy for children to understand. Elpinike loves explaining to others how we get the flour we use for our Prosphoro Bread at church!
This is my first visit to your blog and we would love to be entered in your drawing! I will be visiting regularly now ~ love it! Thank you and God bless!
Oooh…how I’d like to win your giveaway!!!
Wendy, a friend, told me about your blog. This is the first I’ve heard of your site. Please enter me–I ‘ve got you on my Favorites list now. I’ve been baking bread for a long time, but with bread there’s always a new twist on things 🙂 Keep up the fun!!
I’m glad a friend forwarded your offer to me, because now I know about your blog. Thanks for being so generous!