Weekend Roundup: Generosity, Your Vote Counts & Recession-Proof Alpacas!

Today's a day for Cleaning out the Cyber-Cobwebs. From my Blog. From My E-mail. From my Mind.

• First of all, Congrats to Tara R., Rhonda and Becky, the winners of Thursday's Pay It Forward Holiday Fest. These Three will be receiving a Very Special Prize that Aunt Julie and Veggie Mom cooked up Just. For. Them! And thanks so much to everyone else who has decided to Play Along and Pay It Forward on their own Blogs. What a simple way to Share the Holiday Spirit! Like to point out that Liz was actually the 3rd Commenter (Commentator?) in the Contest. When I E-mailed her yesterday, however, she demured, saying, "I'd rather the prize go to the next person on the list or someone you know...I love winning things but really would rather pay it forward!!" I think it's a Special Sign that Liz's Blog is named Gratitude and Good Deeds. It bodes for a Holly, Jolly Holiday, I'd say!

• Secondly, I'd like to Give a Plug to my Bloggy Friend Melissa B., who is a Finalist for a Special Blog Award. Those of you who know The Scholastic Scribe know that she's a teacher, and a Darn Good One! Well, Melissa B. Made the Cut in EduBlog's Prestigious "Eddies" Confab. She's been nominated for Best Individual Blog. So, let's demonstrate the Solidarity of Cyberspace by getting out there and VOTING! Click Here to Make Melissa B. a Winner!
  
• The Third thing on my mind is Alpacas. Yup, the cute little (well, not really so petite!) furry critters whose wool is Super Soft and used in Yummy Sweaters. You might remember Julie Eliz's Alpaca Snaps Here and also Here and Here. Well, meet Atticus, who also resides in Southwestern Wisconsin! Saw a story on the news the other night about Alpaca Farming. Seems that these Beautiful Beasts are Recession-Proof! So, if things aren't Going Well for you at Work, think about putting a couple of Alpacas under your tree this Christmas. I hear they also make wonderful stocking stuffers...

Does it Bug You?

Mark and Jan, the owners of the Alpacas down in Southwestern Wisconsin, got married last weekend. Aunt Julie, Uncle Lynn and The Pop'rs Cousins were in attendance. Here's Julie Eliz's Report:

"Not even an infestation of Asian Beetles could dampen the mood," Julie says. "I was stressed about the bugs falling into the chocolate fountain, but the Relaxed Bride said, 'People pay a lot of money for chocolate-coated bugs.' So we put an umbrella over the fountain."

A lovely time was had by all. Speaking of which, you'll have a blast your own self if you Play Along With Candid Carrie's Friday Foto Fiesta Finish! I'm certainly glad I did!

Nice Hair!

Alpacas

Alpacas are cool,

They have really warm wool,

Their favorite treat is grain,

But they don't like the rain,

They make a weird sound,

When something bad is going around,

They're so cute and cuddly,

Just like a baby puppy,

I love alpacas,

They are really cool.

~Cassandra (age 12)~

Borrowed from a site dedicated to Children's Poems About Alpacas. Another one of Aunt Julie's photos from Mark & Jan's place in Southwestern Wisconsin. You may recall the recent post that featured Mark and one of his Alpaca Buddies down on the farm. Or last Friday's F x 4 pic, of Big Bear and his Wooly Friend.

Speaking of Candid Carrie, we're part of her Friday Foto Fiesta Finish. Come along and join the fun!

And the Hits Just Keep on Comin'...

Thanks so much again to Tiffany and Heather over at The Secret is in the Sauce...I'll be getting back to all of you SITStas who left such lovely messages of support at My Place Yesterday. Hope you found something you loved over here, and that you all will be back again soon!

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If ya wanna know more about the Goats on the Roof from yesterday's post, click here. Al Johnson, who calls himself "chief cook and bottle-washer," says there are 5-7 goats on the roof of his restaurant in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, from May through October. Al has names for the goats and everything! He says he put his first goat, Oscar, on the roof in 1973.

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Thanks also to Amanda, who runs a blog that features Giveaways and lots of other Really Cool Stuff. She's hosting a Pop'rs Giveaway over at her place. Yes, Dear Friends, another Great Opportunity to win some Pop'rs, that Good-For-You and Fun seasoning that really encourages everyone to Eat Their Veggies! Amanda's Pop'rs Giveaway ends October 15, so get crackin!

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Also, please check out Melissa B's interview with Hot Tub Lizzy over at The Scholastic Scribe. This is the third Tuesday that Melissa B. has hosted Lizzy, in a Presidential Forum of sorts. Melissa and Lizzy intend to continue this "dialogue," if that's what you wanna call it, until Election Day. Many of you already know that Lizzy, a Blogger Par Excellence, is running for Prez as a member of The Plaid Party. Funny Stuff!

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Finally, can't get away without leaving you with another of Aunt Julie's Priceless Photos! As you may recall, Julie Eliz shot that Perfectly HighLARious Pic of Big Bear and the Alpaca for Candid Carrie's Friday Foto Fiesta Finish. Well, we've got yet another sweet Aunt Julie shot for ya today. This is Mark, one of the owners of the 10 Alpacas out in Southwestern Wisconsin, gettin' a little Critter Love down on the farm. Mark and his wife, Jan, are teachers who raise Alpacas on the side. Alpaca wool, apparently, makes really Soft and Comfy Sweaters. Gotta bundle up--the Wisconsin Winter is almost upon us!