Blogger Party and More
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Good afternoon, bloggers!
I really hope that the SISBP happens! That’s “Sippin’ in Sonoma Bloggers Party,” for those of you joining us regulars. My corn and heirloom tomato salad is the recipe my friends most often request and is unbelievably simple. It will be perfect after a trip to the lovely Sonoma Farmer’s Market or during your own summer picnic. (I think I got the recipe from a Williams-Sonoma cookbook, so it’s a fitting recipe, considering the company was established in Sonoma!)
3 cups fresh white or yellow corn cut from about 6 ears of cooked corn (I just boil the ears for a few minutes.)
1 large heirloom tomato cut into bite-size pieces (or 20 cherry tomatoes, halved)
2 tablespoons finely chopped basil
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar
Salt and pepper, to taste
Mix all ingredients together in your favorite serving bowl; cover. Serve at room temperature.
Now, on to some of those questions:
•Several of you asked how interior designer Linda Woodrum created that fabulous master bedroom canopy. She worked with experts at Ethan Allen to design and assemble the canopy, but you can easily recreate the look by following the instructions posted by HGTV Dream Home fan Katine. She posted photos of her HGTV Dream Home look-alike bedroom on Rate My Space. Check it out – amazing, don’t you think?
•The Chandelier in the master bedroom is the Eight Arm Bell Chandelier by Ethan Allen.
•Lastly, a lawn mower is not included in this year’s giveaway. Put one on your “need to purchase” list. Make sure it is a push mower – you may need the exercise after lounging the day away in your new HGTV Dream Home master bathtub. (At least I would.)
Your Super Fan,
Gail
Thanks, Jenny D, for your thoughtful wishes on my trip. So glad to hear you have experienced some of Thailand. I have much more territory to explore there, and Koh Samui is one of the areas I’ve yet to visit. Perhaps once the condo is put together, and I return for a longer stay, I’ll hop over to Koh Samui, but I suspect that a cottage on the beach will run more than $70 a week these days! And I ALWAYS look forward to the food.
And now (oh, parting is such sweet sorrow) I will head off to Dream Home entry-land for my very last 2009 sweepstakes entry. Signed, sealed, delivered; will it be mine? I can’t think of any other time when I have so looked forward to being “ambushed”.
It has been an incredible time to dream BIG in Sonoma!! You all have done a spectacular job and deserve all our applause! It’s not just a home it’s an atmosphere filled with exciting things to do and new neighbors to connect with. It’s so lovely. How can you not stop to dream about it throughout your day?!? I realized how much people desire a place to call home….especially after Katrina. I traveled to New Orleans in 2006 and to see home after home completely destroyed and abandoned. You get it….a home is roots and a connection to a community of people you grow with throughout your years. Sonoma is truely an incredible site for this years dream home. What an incredible giveaway. You all are so dedicated to making some American families dream come true year after year. You all think of everything that makes a house a home. It’s tremendous! Thank you and keep up the good work everybody at HGTV!
Good Luck Everyone! I have so enjoyed the whole “Dream Home” event. Like all of you, my fingers and toes are crossed and breath held in anticipation of calling this beautiful home my own. I have envisioned each room with my own personal touches and my family laughing and enjoying the wonderful selection of wine while I cook dinner in the in “dream” kitchen.
So now the end draws near ….. So exciting and sad at the same time.
Now that my last entry has been submitted, I am ready to get the show on the road. I am ready to find out the winner. I know the turn around is already pretty quick, but here is to wishing it was quicker..
DBCoop- If I am very quiet and good, can I stow away in your luggage? Ill go on a diet so I don’t weigh too much at claims….
OK…the final day to enter is upon us…will
a blogger win ??? I hope so ! I remember
talking to someone from HGTV when they first
started to build the Sonoma DH, and they said that they were expecting 60 million
entries…WOW…that will be one lucky person! BoBo and I will welcome them with a
wag and a big smile. Ingrid from Sonoma
Dear Shayda and Andrea, I will be praying for your specific health problems. God Bless You!!!
God’s blessings to all !!!!!
60 Million? Wow! Oh well, just the tour this weekend for me will be fun and to think that I had a part in what HGTV wanted to accomplish is good enough for me.
HGTV brought people together in a postive way and their talented and creative spirits are still at work.
The money to go on the DH tour is going to a wonderful cause and that’s important. It just adds to our love of Sonoma.
We all have to hold on to our dreams and hopes of having good things happen to us through our journey of life. If it’s not this round, then next, it will find you.
Jenny D
California
Sadly enough, i just put in my last entry…It has been a journey all the dreams i have been having lately, i wake up in the morning smelling the wine country, and then realize; hey! Thats just the grape juice im having with my breakfast! Im planning on donating to the ASPCA with my winnings, i know they are in a time of need and i have always dreampt of giving them all that i can, and this will be my big opportunity! Good Luck to EVERYONE,Carpe Diem. Good night bloggers! Sweet Dreams to all. Cant wait for the AMBUSH!
Wow…can’t miss much time from here without getting behind in the many blogs!!
Well, the Saturday get together is really turning out to be a special day
! Bonnie, it will be great to meet you there too! I am just so excited!!
Just to answer a few questions..
Shar — there are TV’s in the living room in the cabinet, and of course the one in the family room, and a bigger one in the master bedroom. And there are PLENTY of towels.
Carole — the small closet in the study is full of STUFF — like the extra pillow and picture design for the family room (remember there was three) and extra candle holders and such.
Jenny D, the “Castle” is actually Steve Ledson’s winery, a few miles out. My husband and I may drive out there after our tour.
Gina, you are so right about the ‘La Salete’ resturant. It is one of my faviorits too.
Gina, I wonder if I know you?
Were you a Flight Attendant for a airline and was a language speaker?
I was a Flight Attendant who use to fly to Brazil a lot, and also commuted fron San Francisco to Newark. And I remember a very special young lady who communted there too, who was from Brazil, but lived in San Francisco.
If it is you, I will be blown away, as we lost touch, but we really liked each other.
But if not, that is OK, as I would love to meet you and I will definatly be going to your resturant.
Anybody else having trouble entering the Dream Home giveaway??? Have not been able to enter for 2 days now! Tried customer service for an answer to the screwed up screen and got a computer generated “we will get back to you”. That will be so tooo late to win the Home In Sonoma!
Hi All! I just entered for the last time! I was looking for a quote when I noticed that Catmagic quoted ME from my website! :blush: I'm glad you posted it, I was at a very happy point in my life when I wrote it and I think I really needed to re-read it. Thank you! Shoot, if Katydid publishes the quotes, I will be in print! haha
I spent yesterday preparing for the ambush~! I weeded and cleaned out my flower beds and then my little one and I when to pick out fresh new plants! Today I'm putting them in the ground! (i also have a serious case of spring fever!)
I just entered for my final time. It was exciting each day to enter to be in the running for such an incredible opportunity considering the hard times many people feel. Thanks for the excitement and giving people a chance at something magical!
Angie W.
I am DONE! Last entry and my fingers are crossed! I will be walking around in the clouds today wondering, thinking if 2009 is our lucky year. What would my reaction be? Lots or jumping, laughing and most likely shaking from the shear excitement of it all. It would be so amazing though to find out if one of you regular bloggers wins it, then we can get our plans together for the SISP, yipee! That in itself would be sooo fun.
I can't wait to visit Sonoma this Saturday and see the home.
Lovely kitty- Is there a particular place and time confirmed where you are meeting JandV mom? I would really love to meet up. Our tour is 4pm and we will be having lunch at either The Girl and the Fig or ‘La Salete’.
Jenny D
EDH, CA
Good morning to all on our last entry day. It is a bit bitter sweet, isn't it though. What an adventure it has all been. I hope it truly is an adventure for the lucky winner as well.
I found my thought for the day…
"Amidst the rush of worldly comings and goings,
I observe how all endings become beginnings."
This has been so much fun to listen to everyone share with excitment and hope. I will miss it. Best of times to all and to the winner, May you live in and enjoy this magnificent home. I wish that It will help to enrich you life and the lives of your loved ones for many years to follow.
My card is all ready addressed and ready to be sent out for the winner. Yeah!!
With all of this said, I would like to be the lucky winner and hope there is no need to mail this card!!!
Have a great day everyone.
To new and exciting beginnings!!
Well one good thing will come of this being the last day to enter…..I will have a lot more time for work…I found myself on this site five to ten time a day, just day dreaming. I feel it…the person who wins this house will love it as much as we all do. This year we all will figure out a way for the winner to stay!! WE WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!! WE WILL NOT LET THE DREAM END!! BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately, I’ve been flying above 30,000ft during most of this blog (
Work..Work..Work) ; however, I am super-excited, because I just put my last entry in & soon the lucky winner will be announced. The highly anticipated HGTV AMBUSH, SISBP, and all the wonderful people here, let the fun BEGIN!
(RING!….RING!…RING!)…Hello?
……YYYYYAAAAAAHHHHHHHOOOOO!
(HGTV’s Announcer) ……Is this the “Deryck” who’s entered the DH 2009 Sweepstakes?
(Me)….Ummm…..YEAH!
(HGTV’s Announcer)……YOU’RE THE DH2009 WINNER!
(Me)…..
(BALLOONS RISING UP….CONFETTI FALLING)
It’d probably be something like that, right?
Still dreaming here…..
All I can say is PLEASE GOD LET ME WIN!!!!! Good luck to all!!!!
i’m just wondering, why are they doing the drawing and then waiting till march to announce the winner.. its so frustrating.. i just want to know who is winning.. i hope i win.. my husband is in the army and i would love to have this home for him to come back to from any of his trips.i could just amagine him walking up the walkway and kissing me on the front porch or that beautiful home in ca, omg that would be so amazing.. well ttyl and please let me know why they make me wait… lata
This is it……..DREAMIN will become reality for one lucky person!! I can’t stand the waiting! I want to know who the winner is!! I guess I better start looking over my shoulder!Haha! Well if anything I got excitement and something to look forward to daily……..now what?? 2009 Green Home!? GOOD LUCK ALL!!
Last entry for me too!
They blocked the HGTV.com site at my work so I have been waking up early to submit my entry from home! Well, good luck to me haha and good luck to everyone! Fingers crossed…
The Boomers really need this one. If not me, I pray that a Boomer wins.
Yeah I said it. Don’t be hatin’
Although I haven’t posted many comments, I have looked forward to reading every single post. The negative ones I ignore, but I have truly been inspired by such enthusiam and positive energy from the others. I’m sorry but I forget who posted the poem–”Your presence is a gift to the world….” I will have to go back and find out to give them credit. I reprinted it in script on scrapbook paper and it is now hanging framed in my office to read daily. I just keep thinking …all these bloggers with such great ideas and positive attitudes. If everyone else came together in the same way we could move mountains and fix so many world problems. Thanks to HGTV and all the wonderful people involved for creating the opportunity for so many people to “share”, and of course for building the magnificent, perfect Sonoma Dream Home. I too am getting ready to enter for the final time. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!
oh and P.S.–I love to plan parties so you are all welcome when I win (smile) Got to get to work….
Every year I dream about winning, but I hope that this year it will become a reality!!!!!! I love love love this house!!!! Good Luck to all!!!!! Keep dreaming and dream big!!!!!!! IML
Hello, I’m Eunicia. I guess this is the last day to enter the sweepstakes. I am so excited and can not wait to here the winner. I have become a HGTV watcher everyday for the past year. This is the only show I can watch all day. I would not move until I see that a project is finished. I wish everyone well and good luck. Thanks HGTV. The house is gorgeous and breathtaking. Someone will enjoy it.
Gail, didn’t you mention that you would be following the selection process for the winner? Also, what’s up with the camera crew and security guards?? HMMM sounds like something is up. I’ve entered for the last time this year. Sad, Sad. For all those meeting this weekend I hope you post and add pictures from your trip for those of us who aren’t lucky enough to visit the amazing Sonoma. Make sure to work on the SiSBP when you are together. I have decided to pack the family up and drive out for the party! Maybe we can find jobs while we are out there!
)
Here’s one of my favorite poems-hope you love it! It makes me believe when I awake the world is new and full of wonderful surprises!
From dewy dreams, my soul, arise,
From love’s deep slumber and from death,
For lo! the trees are full of sighs
Whose leaves the morn admonisheth.
Eastward the gradual dawn prevails
Where softly-burning fires appear,
Making to tremble all those veils
Of grey and golden gossamer.
While sweetly, gently, secretly,
The flowery bells of morn are stirred
And the wise choirs of faery
Begin (innumerous!) to be heard.
by James Joyce
I am really going to miss reading all of the blogs. If I win I’m going to have a big sign ready. Letting the bloggers know that one of us did win. There will be balloons hanging everywhere. I will be jumping up and down waving to everyone. If I win I’m going to make an annoucement to the bloggers. We’re having a party.
Hi All!
I can not believe I’m blogging before my sons annual biopsy, One year since his Heart transplant. Hope and pray for many more annuals. And a new home would be great, good luck every one,and hope to see you all soon.
many blessings to u 2.
Like the rest of you “early birds”, I just entered online for the last time. Sigh! Now our fates are in the hands of the random number generator or however the winner is picked.
Welcome back, Marie Miller! Life is good again with you on the blogs. I am also a huge fan of Amy Tan, and I got to hear her speak a few months ago in Jackson Hole, which is about an hour from where I live.
Brenda — glad you are feeling better. It wouldn’t be February without my annual cold, even though I am retired and not around kid germs from working in a school anymore!
Have fun in Thailand, DBCoop! I haven’t been there for 40 years — I lived in Laos with my grandparents when I was a child, and we visited Thailand a few times while living there.
Katydid — you are funny about the losing T-shirts. I would prefer that people aren’t called losers, though. Perhaps “nonwinners” or “tied for second place”?
Happy dreaming, everyone!
First time posting but I’ve been keeping up with everyone’s comments. So I tried the recipie with my family and the loved it! Unfortunately, there’s none left for leftovers and the greedy bunch left only a little bit for me! LOL!
I noticed some people told their personal stories and hope that someone from the blog wins the home. My hopes are a little different. I hope that whoever wins has a unique personal story- one that we haven’t all heard about.
So here’s my personal story to add to the bunch. In recent years, I was both raped and sexually assaulted and diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (you probably have heard of PTSD as it relates to War veterans). Because of the PTSD, I was discriminated against and unceremoniously kicked out of my law school. Around the same time, my parents and extended family have lost jobs, been forced to retire, have had health and marital issues. I put all my money into pursuing a legal action against the law school first representing myself and then hiring an attorney. Because of it, I have had to move back in with my parents- which they love because I cook and help out. I have since written a book concerning my rape (as well as a law school guide)and sent it off to a publisher who has shown some interest [so please keep your fingers and toes crossed that I get it published soon]. I am actually grateful to HGTV for giving me something to hope for again. If I won I would not sell the home but it would be such a help to my family and I would feel like I benefitted my family instead of being a burden.
THIS IS IT
This is it, last day to submit
It’s only who’s in it, can win it
Bloggers render their submission
Awaiting March 15th with great anticipation
Will they be ambushed, who could that winner be?
Waiting for the surprise, among the multitude there’s me
Bloggers opened up a lot,
Giving it just all they’ve got
Some got spin right off their axis
Worrying mostly about the taxes
Super fan chat with Kim Miles
Bringing out our inner child
Mr Dream Home, what a hunk
Show the world he is no punk
The scoop from the decorator Linda
Really made our hearts grow fonder
Must see features top the rent
From the photo gallery event
Super fan did tour the study
222 bottles of wine, quite perdy
In those drawers are things you see
Stored to make the winner happy
The dream home neighborhood, quite a site
I’ll roam it in my dream at night
Fellow Bloggers here’s the deal
You really might just hear me squeal
Or maybe I might see you win
But please know I’ll be all tuned in
Ready to extend congrats
For I know winning means a lot
So there fore lets live with hope
Let’s not sit around and mope
To the finish is all it takes
Please don’t let your spirit break
For if this leaves us in despair
Look at the bright side,
THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR
Esla Sinclair NY
PS
Please fee free to read and rate my poems at Poetry.com
Search for poet: Esla S
I use both surnames: Sinclair and Stapleton
Esla
Hello to all, I too have entered for my last chance to win the house of my dreams. I so would love to meet the neighbors and have the guest of this dream team around me,In my dreams, with good food and good wine. This home has been such an inspiration to me, with the farm likeness style and the incorporation of the vitorian decals of the layout, I am in love!!! So excited with anticipation of the ambush! I love gardening of my veggies and remember the grapevines of my great grandmothers on the farm. Hydrandra plants and flowers of all types, beautiful oaks, nature in all it’s glory. Thank you for this opportunity to be a part of something so special. I’m also looking over my shoulder for you and hope that if picked you can find me with my busy work scheldule. Love you all!!!
Esla how amazing!!! you are so talented i wish i could write as well as you. God bless!!!! and good luck fellow bloggers… in esla’s words “this is it”!!!! i wil miss you all and hope to have you at my SIS party!!!!!!
Isn’t it an odd feeling entering for the last time, it’s both happy and sad. In these times of such economic woes, it gave me a sense of escaping from the worlds problems and dreaming like everyone else what it would be like to live in the HGTV dream home. The stark beauty of Sonoma Valley and all the excitement the area has to offer! I live on the Maine coast so it would offer a totally different lifestyle.
Good Luckto everyone! It has been fun reading your blogs. Did Gail ever explain the selection process? It would be fun to know! God Bless! Steve B
Hello,
I entered this contest late (early February)on a lark. I’ve come to the realization that although I don’t view my own home as a ‘dream home’ there are a lot of people out there that would as they have never had a home of their own. I certainly hope that the winner is among this group of individuals – what a great celebration that would be!
I also believe that you bloggers will walk away from this experience far richer people than the rest of the 59.99 million people who don’t win as you have had the opportunity to share your dreams, your heartaches and your souls with each other.
Good luck to everyone and enjoy life.
Gail the blogger, not Gail the Gail
DBCoop…..007 duties sure come with a price. Hope you enjoy another vacation…OR is it possibly an “Excellent Blogger Award Vacation”, paid for & sponsored by HGTV?? Have a Great Trip either way.
Esla….you ought to consider changing you blogger ID to “Ms/Mrs Incredile”. Thanks for sharing your poetry, very cool!
I gotta buzz for now….Work…Work..Work
Wow! I would love to win this! California – here I come!
Elsa: I LOVED reading your poem and will check out your site!! GREAT JOB!!
Sorry I meant ESLA
Good luck all! Isn’t it amazing how we’ve all become so emotionally invested in this dream house? We’ve even speculated on which items we’d bring from home, where the SIS party will take place, and what we should be wearing on or about March 15.
Again, best of luck to us all.
Good Morning Bloggers Good Luck TO All!!Stay Postive, DREAM BIG. Dream Dream.Yippee!! I,am jumping up and down with Happeness (: SISBP !!
…beyond your wildest dreams……….
it felt so good to get out in my precious garden yesterday. I know I’m losing my house (the first house we ever got to own), after having it such a short time.. (divorce is a bitch) but being out there with my baby doll playing in the dirt made me so happy that I can now see that moving on with him is the most important thing, house or no house!
Hello All Again!
I have gotten into the habit of reading these wonderful blogs. Everyone’s so excited and got me too anxious to see who the winners is. Last Sunday, I was given a big basket of nice toiletries from the women’s department at my church. They were actually giving out three of them. I was thinking that I would not get one until they announce that the last basket would go to me. The way they announced my name made me think of the this HGTVDH sweepstakes. I was so surprised and I had a rush to my head. I thought is this the way I am going to feel when I when this gift? Wow, what a wonderful feeling. I have never in my life won a gift so large as this one and would like to be “the one” as I know you all do too. Whomever, it may be, I hope you can feel that rush I felt too.
Put in my final entry today.
Good Luck to everybody, especially me
I have the picture of the house pasted to my computer as I visualize it as a quiet retreat house called Circle of Strength where women with special pampering needs are invited to come and stay. The Sonoma area is contemplative, good for the soul, the house is warm and inviting and the back yard would host some wonderful discussions around a great meal. Yes…I can feel my presence in this house and sharing it as in my vision!
JoAnne Funch
Circle of Strength
Strenthening Women & Strengthening Communities
Just want to wish everyone goodluck, I have been entering every day (as I am sure you all have). I am so happy that I found the blogs, its been fun lurking
To: Coop, Katydid, Bonnie, Ingrid (& BoBo), Brenda, lovelykitty, 4dewdrops, Deryck, Katherine, Michelle, Bonnie B, Jennie D., Deryck, Elsa, JeanIsDreamin & so many other wonderful blogging members of this HGTV Dream Land…GOOD LUCK…I know that we have all entered for the last time today..hard to believe the time has gone by as quickly as it has. Now we just sit and wait, but can you imagine the buzz going on at HGTV right now…preparing someone to jump into that huge cage with 50 billion names twisting around in mid air…hold your breath…it could be your name picked out of thin air!
Hey Deryck!! You are flying high, but the dream feels real & told with over-flowing enthusiasm! I wish you much luck…I guess I would just settle for a knock on the door, with my preference of seeing Jack on the other side holding a sign up high that says, SURPRISE!!!!!
Dear 007..oops I really do mean Coop!! You may have a chance to view the DH2009 in Sonoma permanently, should you win!!! And, if fate should have it that I win, you will have a standing invitation to visit when ever you have a down time from your international travels. It would be nice to sit quietly with a glass of Mr. Ledson’s delicate vino, and hear of all your traveling experiences!! Thank you for signing off today with a Carl Sandburg quote…very appropriate & ever so uplifting! GOOD LUCK!!!
EslaSinclair: EXCELLENT!! Loved your poem & you’re right…THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR!! Hope is kept alive with the faith of another tomorrow!!
JeanIsDreamin: How wonderful & what a nice treat to hear Amy Tan speak!! Also, since she is a great friend of Amy Tan, have you ever heard of Maxine Hong? She wrote, among many other novels, “Tripmaster Monkey?”
JanetD: I will add your son to my “prayer list!!” The Power of Prayer cannot be denied.
It seems that we are creating a pattern of sharing sign-off poems, so I really do want to share one of my favorite Dickinson’s poem regarding HOPE today:
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune–without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me!
GOOD LUCK to all of you as you enter this contest to make one DREAM come true!!!!
Well, the dreaming is over. atleast this one. But there are more to come.Good luck to all of us. we each have a deserving story. i wish the homes were less elaborate, so the could do more. GOD knows we need them.my best wishes to the winner. love u all
Uh Oooo, I just read the rules and learned after entering daily that the surprise is schedued for March 15…thats spring break week for most of us (in Texas at least), and that means getting out of town for the week. So does that really mean tuff luck if you are picked!!! or do they call you. Hopeful, Jeanne