Nov
29
Get Ready, Get Set …
Mark your calendars for December 1. On this day we launch our Giveaway Coming Soon section and the virtual housewarming vote. You’re invited to select gifts for the winner of HGTV Dream Home 2011 and then enter for a chance to win the exact same gift set. Sweet, right?
In the meantime, skip on over to HGTV’s sister site, FrontDoor.com, to watch a series of videos on life in Stowe, Vermont. I think I could get used to life in a sleepy ski town.
"Mechanically reproduced or hand-stamped entries or mailing labels or entries generated by script, macro or other automated means and entries by any means which subvert the entry process will not be accepted."
A little clarification please
What I understand from the official rules is that the actual entry itself must be hand written (name, address, phone, DOB) not mechanically generated by any means. Are they also saying in this clipped blurb from the official rules is that the mailing address to HGTV is to be hand written on the outside of the envelope as well?
I'm a bit perplexed ????
tania, I believe what they're saying is that you can't set up a computer program to submit multiple entries under different names/email addresses and spam the contest.
It means that everything has to be handwritten…you can't use mailing labels and you can't use the computer to print your entries or your envelopes.
It looks like they're extending the old rule to cover the actual postage part of the mailed in entry. They don't actually open all the entries that get mailed in. In the past, they only needed to open the "winner" and a few back ups in case it was found invalid for whatever reason, if a mailed in bin number was chosen from the hopper instead of an electronic one. That didn't happen, but now they'd prefer to not have anything mechanically reproduced on the visible exterior of mailed in entries. That reduces the averages persons complaint about others sending in hundreds or thousands of mailed in entries that used mechanical processes in any way.
Thanks for taking the time to clarify the rules.
And bottom line is, it only takes one entry to win…happy holidays everyone!
So Gail's facebook status this morning said there is room for "at least six Christmas trees" in the DH!
How fun is this? And then there are, I think, six trees in the front yard that would be wonderful all decked out in white lights—–this is for sure the dream home of all dream homes to decorate for Christmas.
Lets see… I think those 6 trees need a theme. For us……
1. Will be a giving tree- A tree decorated with fancy gift tags that have kind words or services for our family members (siblings, parents, sons and daughters)
2. Will be a memory tree with photo ornaments of family and friends.
3. Will be all the ornaments we've collected through the years.
4. Will be a talent and hobbies tree. Ornaments that share our talents and interests, individually and as a family.
5. Will be all our fine feathered friends.. NO not the real ones… That would be sad. Pics of birds, faux birds and bird houses.
6. Will be all about Stowe Vermont. Apples, icecream, teddybears, skis, snowflakes etc. etc.
Perfect. Six perfect Dream Home theme trimmed trees!
Here is a way to decorate an outside tree and feed the birds at the same time. Sure would be an idea for the outside DH trees. BTW we have lots and lots of Blue Jays. They are so beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWfnxR9pNcU
We have made bird seed ornaments in the past, and the birds loved them, but now I just fill my bird feeders. My outside trees are decorated with real live birds, finches of almost every wild finch color. They even space themselves out evenly on my bare tree, so it looks like I decorated the tree myself. I guess they all like their personal space…. They do tend to fight when they get too close to one another. I wish I lived by the forest, so I could see a blue jay at my feeder. Wouldn't you love to see a bright red cardinal? I'm certain I've never seen one in person. Oh well… I'll just have to wait until I win the Dream Home in Stowe Vermont.. Sighhhhh.
When you mentioned bright red cardinal I suddenly remembered seeing a bright red bird on a trip to North Bend, WA a few years ago. I looked it up and that was the bird I saw. The bird got my attention by singing a song and when I looked up how beautiful. I haven't seen a bird like that since. Soney and I have several bird houses and it is fun to watch the parents feed the baby birds.
We have learned so much about many things here. I wanted to know where Red Cardinals live. Unfortunately, with all of Soney's allergies, we can't put up bird feeders because of the seeds dropping to the ground. But we will try to find a way to do it so it won't harm Soney. We have lots of trees so I think there must be food there for the birds they seem to hangout a lot in our back yard. Here is where Red Cardinals live. http://www.ehow.com/video_4756963_where-do-cardin…
We have cardinals here in Georgia — we even have a nesting pair in the shrubs by our porch in the summer. The male cardinals stake out territories in the spring and are constantly singing and chasing each other, so we see a lot of brilliant red birds zooming around at that time of year (BTW, Georgians like to call cardinals "red birds", which is a very apt description!).
Unfortunately for us at this time of year we are in the middle of a black vulture winter roosting area — I spend a lot of time outside in the early evening chasing them away so they don't roost close to the house or barn (a tree full of a few dozen very large birds tends to create quite a mess!).
I have red cardinals here in SC all year, and over the summer i have a pair of blue jays that stay around. Blue jays like to take over so i was surprise to watch a pair of woodpeckers feeding there baby and the blue jay stay away. The baby stayed on the side of the tree and mom and dad taking seeds to him. I have never seen them do that before.
Stowe Resort has a blanket of snow this morning. http://www.erh.noaa.gov/btv/html/cams/stowe.shtml
It looks like they have a good 10 day forecast. I hope they'll have at least a foot of natural snow at the base soon. I'd love to send them my snow. ; ) All this nasty weather we've been having is making me nervous about our vacation plans.
I'm sure they are hoping for this, also. The West has certainly gotten their ski lift wish this year. I so hope this weather doesn't interfer with your Christmas plans—you have been planning this for so long. We'll all think positive thoughts for you and your family.
If our plans get stormed out, I'm not sure the kids would take it very well…. So we might be going regardless. This is our last big vacation before I go to school for the next 6 quarters straight, and my kids are coming to the age of leaving the nest soon
so go, we must- white knuckle and edge of our seat driving all the way. I hope Santa's ready, 'cause we're storming his castle up North. ; )
LOOKS LIKE A BIG SKI TERMINAL OVER ON THE RIGHT OF THAT WEBCAM PICTURE OF THE RESORT!
Ski-ChairLift or Ski-Gondola, ETC. glossary explanations:
http://www.skilifts.org/old/glossary.htm
While I'm viewing this…. I see 3 people out front of the resort. One is wearing a pink top/jacket with red sleeves. Time to go skiing?
See…now that our season is officially kicking off, I am back and anxiously awaiting. I can't wait until the online tour begins!!!
Glad to hear you'll be sticking around more. This is an exciting time of year for so many reasons. The great thing about the Dream Home is that there isn't the whole after Christmas blues, 'cause we go right into Dream Home season, then Green Home season, then Blog Cabin and Urban Oasis season. Gee, a blogger just can't catch a break around here anymore. ; ) I'm sure that's a feeling the HGTV Dream Team knows all too well. LOL.
This year the timing of when the blogs got slow coincided with having a lot going on in my life and so my focus was other places, but now….now, the Dream Home is a happy distraction!
Coop are you ok? That must have been some vacation if you're still sleeping. I suppose there may be some life to catch up on as well, after being gone for a few weeks.
Actually, I was up early this morning because I had to get the rental car turned in — I usually do one-way rentals if I'm flying in/out of LAX. It's easier and quicker than other transportation from home to the airport. Anyway, that was the start of my day. Then it was on to a myriad of other ventures. So far today I'm holding up fairly well.
Now I've got to turn my focus to holiday preparations, gift shopping, and of course, all of the great HGTV and DIY blogs. Though I'm not up to full running speed yet, it'll only take another few days before I'm back on the Dream Home trail.
I'm sure not adjusting to the cold weather since arriving home. It's a shock stepping from warm and tropical into downright cold, even in S CA, and this early in December. It's barely making it into the low 60's today, and even that's a warming trend since yesterday!
You're so funny Coop. Our warming trend is in the 30's lately. Southern Cal. downright cold?? HA!! Put on your parka and ear muffs and brave those blustery California storms, and enjoy your Christmas shopping. Just for added sympathy, be sure and let your "would be" gift receivers know how challenged you were braving the chill. ; )
Lovely housewarming gift's aren't they? very tempting right, have you guy's seen the latest pictures for the DH/11 with all the snow, ahhh it is what it is a Dream.
Seems to be Murphy's Law when it comes to the holiday season for some very odd reason! My special events today also involved a new car battery. The red convertible was not happy about being ignored for three weeks while I was away, and decided to get even…so it was AAA to the rescue, along with the new battery. Combine that with a pricey visit to the dentist for a chipped tooth, which I somehow managed to accomplish yesterday upon arriving home. On the bright side, there's the daily opportunity to vote for the Dream Home housewarming gifts….
Besides, soon the Christmas decorations will be going up to lighten the mood and lift the spirit.
Happy Ski Trails in the Snow at Stowe!
Sounds like the day I had about a month ago when I took my car in for an oil change, only to find out I needed four new shocks as well as a few other repairs. My $30 oil change jumped to over $700 — quite a shock indeed! Then on top of that I ended up getting food poisoning from the restaurant where I had an unplanned lunch, since I had to wait so much longer for my car. It was two weeks before I recovered completely! Oh well, at least I'm back to normal and my car is in fine shape, so I can concentrate on the Dream Home now!
I think Harvey was a pretty smart cat. He knew fresh running water was good for him. Of course, he should have learned how to turn on the tap himself. I find that a valuable bit of know-how, and as a result, luckily, I don't have to wait for someone to come along and turn on the water for me. I mean, think about it — if I had to wait for Show Me to do it, I'd be very, very thirsty for a long, long time….
Are there floorplans posted of the Doggie Dream Home yet? Is it an open plan with a loft? Is there perhaps even a secret room in the high sloped roof? A sauna? Heated flooring? Is it a dorm style room with doggie bunk beds? Will it have mountain ski slope views? Lodge style architecture? Interior furnishings carefully selected and perfectly placed by Linda Woodrum? I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see the latest HGTV Designer Doggie Dream Home.
Sorry I've been away so long…is there really a Doggie Dream Home? Will there be a Cat Cabana? How about a Bird Bungalow? A Reptilian Resort?
The official rules posted for the 2011 HGTV dream home giveaway noted a doggie dream home as part of the prize. I guess the rules still could be changed along the way to the official entry period if it doesn't materialize for whatever reason.
My doggie girls have requested sheepskin beds (they would prefer real, but fake will do!) and soft fleecy blankets, with someone always available to wrap them in the blankets when needed! Luckily Linda's color scheme so far complements the Dalmatians' spots and the terrier's brindle and white coat nicely!
Khaz & Simi (my kitties) have insisted on adding their two-cents worth on this subject. They are curious to know if there are trees for climbing posts, a secret stairway to a loft for bird-watching, how many fireplace hearths there are for daydreaming naps, and is there an abstract chandelier in the gathering room they can stare at, contemplate, and conjure up a plan to reach and swing from it. These are just a few of their favorite questions.
They didn't do one last year, and given the climate here, quite possibly not this year either.
The secret room would be an excellent idea for hiding doggie bones, and goodies when the ground is frozen, and unavailable for bone burying. It would also be good for doggie sleepovers. Maggie gives it the four paws up approval!
Maybe it should include a hook beside the door for hanging the dog"s little cask of brandy for cold weather rescues. It laways worked for the St. Bernard's in the Alps!
Hello everyone,
I was reading the Grand Prize Rules for the HGTV Dream Home 2011 and I notice that the winner will have an option between taking title of the house or the cash prize. This is great, but as I read on I notice that the math does not add up. They say that if the winner takes the cash prize the total is $1,151,120. Which is $650,000 for the house, $500,000 in cash, and $51,120 for the vehicle, for a total of $1,201,120. Where did they get $1,151,120 from???
They got the total right if the winner decides to take the title on the house, which they say is $1,500,000 for the house, $500,000 in cash, and $51,120 for the the vehicle, totaling $2,051,120.
Where did the $50,000 go??? That’s $1,201,120 – $1,151,120 = $50,000. I’m pretty sure the IRS would not let the winner off for missing $50,000 from the cash prize. Because the 1099 tax form will list the items won and the value for each. The IRS will see that the total does not add up.
Mary, I think your accounting department needs to correct the numbers for the cash prize value.
Just a fan of the HGTV Dream Home voicing a concern.
Guys, am I the only one that notice this?
On this page there is that very tiny picture of the Dream home garage. Looking on that (right) side of the garage…….. I see white outdoor furniture here too!
http://www.hgtv.com/dream-home/index.html
It's truly amazing!
With snow on the mountain now….. I'm thinking of Olympics.
12/02/2010
"In 2014 Russia hosts The Winter Olympics in Sochi and now Russia has got the World Cup too. A disappointed England misses out in 2018 but is magnanimous in defeat…….
In Zurich, Switzerland, though it was announced that the RUSSIAN bid had won the day."
(China…. now Russia…. Two VERY powerful world countries!)
• Russia to host 2018 World Cup
• Qatar to host 2022 World Cup http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/dec/…
Wow! First off I'd rename Frozen Flight—with Frozen F-r-i-g-h-t !! Although my college kid (grandson) would sooo pick this one to experience. I, on the other hand think I will stick to cross-country at this point in my life. Great links—thanks for sharing—how fun.
The part of the roof looks awesome!!
I'm super excited! I love in Vermont and would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this house! ahhh!
I wonder if that is another building in the reflection of the window or just a reflection of the house?
We have quite a bit of snow here in Illinois and we're supposed to get plenty more today. So I'm used to the snow & cold so when I move into my new dream home I wont have to get used to a different climate
Drove by the Dream Home last week – looks really nice! Great view of Mansfield! Question, what typically happens with past winners and the tax liability generated from the prizes. Do most end up taking the cash option or selling the property to pay the taxes?
They haven't had a cash option spelled out in the official rules until recently, so past winners have sold the dream home. One took out a loan for the income tax bill and later sold the home and furnishings. There are newer blogs to comment on at blog.hgtv.com/dreamhome
Wow! Once again another beautiful home. Can't wait to see whats in stored. Wish they build one in Branson Mo on Table Rock Lake, it'd be nice for a chance to win one there.
This house is awesome. It is in one of the best places in Vermont. Stowe is beautiful all year round. I was born in Vermont and moved when I was 19 year old. I forgot how beautiful it is. It would be great to win this. I could go back and visit my family more often.
OH.MY.GOD!!! dReAm BiG,<3<3!
I am so worried everyday that we cant make to stay our home anymore.We are facing foreclosure,5 months behind the payments.We are not making money with our small business anymore and our landlord treatin us to lock the door if we cant pay the rent.OH god,pls help us,hope the dream home 2011 will help us to save this hurdle!May the good lord choose me to win this sweepstakes! i love you lord with all my heart!