Friendship Day Giveaway!

What a great day it is today. I awoke early, a to do list on my mind, and sun shining in the window. After pawing around for my glasses I arose to make coffee - a new fair trade blend I am enjoying. I have been thinking a great deal about friends lately. My dear, dear dear friend, Penny, extended a business trip a couple of days this past week and drove up from Dallas just to spend some time with me. We have been friends since our first day of Kindergarten. We have been friends for 41 years. We have shared so much together. We have cried. We have laughed. We have shared birthdays; although, Penny is quick to point out that I am two weeks, to the day, older than her. She is my sister.

Today is International Friendship Day - a holiday established in 1935 by the United States Congress. I may not know why this day, the first Sunday of August, was established, but I am so glad that it was and that we are reminded each year of how much our friends touch and shape our lives.

I have made so many wonderful friends, here, through the computer. When you began to read my blog and gift me with your comments and amazing generosity, I knew that I had found a place of kindred spirits. I follow so many of you, it is difficult to keep up, but I try. Comments often touch my heart and I thank you for your time and your thoughtfulness - each comment a hug I never take for granted.

John encouraged me to keep writing this past year and to keep sharing. I am so glad that I did. You began to follow and I was so surprised. I wondered why you would read me? Why would you care what we were having for dinner on Monday, or what challenges I was meeting in my classroom.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated that,

"A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud."

I want to thank you for allowing me to think aloud here on (un)Deniably Domestic. You have encouraged me and supported me and I thank you. I want to give your a gift to commemorate our friendship.


On August 15, I will throw the names of all of my followers (friends) into a hat and draw one friend's name to receive this beautiful shawl pin from Nicholas and Felice.

I know that you will love it as much as I enjoyed choosing it for Jody's Shawl. If you are new to my blog and would like to read the story of Jody's Hug Shawl, click on the following links.

The Beginning
Giving Hugs - part 1
Giving Hugs - part 2
Giving Hugs - part 3
Giving Hugs - part 4
Giving Hugs - part 5