It got so that my brain made a limerick of everything I did, even at the most inappropriate and serious times my brain would suddenly come up with a limerick!
The other day I found a package awaiting me and this is what was inside - my prizes from Knatolee!
A beautiful hardback book, delightfully illustrated by Knatolee. Young Harry and I have read it twice already. It is set to become a firm favourite. Only one problem, Harry is not at all happy that we don't have rattlesnakes in Owl Wood.
There was also a lovely selection of handmade cards by Knatolee - featuring her ducklings and hens. All wonderful stuff.
Thank you Knatolee. It was fun and your book is stunning!
Check out her wonderful blog here.
Isn't it fun to win something! Enjoy and congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHello Lynne, It is fun - and particularly wonderful because I can share the prize with Harry and Francesca. I may never write another limerick though, they become addictive.
DeleteCongrats Elaine! The video of choosing the winner was hilarious!
ReplyDeleteJane x
Jane, I think the best part of these contest for me is the judging evenings. :) Just add wine! LOL
DeleteHello Jane, It is a funny video - although it took a long time to view because of our slow connection - I think they had a merry time!
DeleteElaine, Brilliant - lots of congratulations. I was trying to write a limerick in comment but failed dismally. PS - I have just sown a couple of margarine tubs of Hispi cabbage and All the year round Caulies. They seem to overwinter well and are usually ready to plant out in the tunnel by Dec/Jan. They're usually ready in May when there's very little green veg about. The bonus is - is that they are ready before the cabbage white butterflies attack.
ReplyDeleteHello Molly, That is my limerick writing career over and done with though!
DeleteThank you so much for the tips - funnily enough George has been wondering what would be best to put in the polytunnel for the winter. I'll pass that along to him and we'll get sowing those seeds. Any other hints or tips are always gratefully received.x
It looks like a wonderful book that my grands would love! I know what you mean when you get something in your head; I've been counting petal pieces for classes I'm teaching next week and I literally feel like Rain Man, counting in my sleep, counting on my toes and feet, counting when I tweet...OMG! now you have me doing it--LOL!! Have a lovely weekend. XOXO
ReplyDeleteHello Susan, It is a really wonderful book, a really good mix of story and information, balanced beautifully with the lovely illustrations. I hope you have got enough petal pieces now and that the need for counting has diminished. I bought a copy of one of your books, Susan, and I have to say your creations are exquisite. Enjoy taking the classes, the students are in the hands of an expert.xx
DeleteCongrats. I ordered this book from Natalie last year for my grand-daughter who at the time was only one. She will enjoy it soon, I'm sure. Isn't she talented, that Natalie. I love her blog and visit her often. We only live about two hours from each other and have to meet someday soon. Deb
ReplyDeleteI love the way that bloggers duck and weave and send each other gifts and prizes!
Deletenot that I ever win much!
sniff sniff!
Oh John, I have another contest in the works. There is hope for you yet!
DeleteAnd Ronna and I still want to do a road trip to visit Deb. I will take her honey!
DeleteHello Deb, The book is wonderful - and although snakes are not my thing I was instantly drawn into this story and the illustrations. Harry and I both enjoy poring over it. Natalie is very talented indeed - and so is Ronna with her cakes! Lucky you if they pay you a visit!
DeleteHello John, Aah...but did you enter it? I seem to remember that during my limerick phase I wrote one about you... As Natlie says, she does have another competition in the pipe-line, so get ready to enter that one.xx
DeleteYou are too sweet! Thank you for this lovely post and I'm glad the book is being enjoyed. YOu still owe me a duck name. ;) Pick a boy or girl name (or androgynous!) and I will assign it to a duckling once I'm sure of its sex. Or I can name one Elaine! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Natalie, Thank you for the book, it is delightful and is set to bring a lot of pleasure and information to our family for a long time to come. Thanks for the reminder about the name, I'll let you know by the end of the week.
DeleteOne more comment: for those who would like to hear a reading of Elaine's masterpiece, here's the video:
ReplyDeletehttp://knatolee.blogspot.ca/2012/07/duck-limerick-contest-video.html
Congratulations! I will need to go back and look for your limericks. It is always fun to have a new favorite book, but please assure Harry not having rattlesnakes is a really good thing.
ReplyDeleteHello Bonnie, I couldn't agree more about the snake thing. I fear Owl Wood, which is already home to bears, dragons and hungry wolves will probably be populated (occasionally) by rattlesnakes - and doubtless many more things. Imagination is a wonderful thing. I wonder what young Francesca will choose to populate it when she is a little older.
DeleteI'm glad to see Elaine won the contest because she really put forth a valiant effort! I'm sure that being able to read to Harry just puts the icing on the cake!
ReplyDeleteHello Ms Sparrow, You are very kind...I fear it was just that my brain became addicted to them. I know now that I must keep away from them..because otherwise everything gets re-written as a limerick, no effort required. Harry and I both know a lot more about rattlesnakes now, it is a wonderful book.
DeleteCongrats and lucky you, some nice prizes. She's not only a great illustrator, but also a great photographer.
ReplyDeleteHello Cro, Natalie is very talented, and a very nice person to boot. I think it would be highly entertaining to watch her at work with the camera because she gets some amazing shots - and I can only imagine the crazy positions she must get in to take them!
Deletewhat fun, I must look up your limericks.
ReplyDeleteHello Linda, I came across reams of them recently, I hesitated for just a moment before tearing them up - I couldn't risk getting my head contaminated again! Once that rhythm gets into your mind it is difficult to erase it.
DeleteHello Elaine:
ReplyDeleteWhat fun it is to win something, especially if one has long forgotten about it. And then, a surprise package in the post, full of wonderful goodies. What can be better?
Hello Jane and Lance, It really was a marvellous surprise, like lots of children Harry is fascinated by snakes, lizards, spiders, etc. so we are having a wonderful time poring over the book together, we are both learning a lot.
DeleteThe author of the sweet Pear Tree Log.
ReplyDeleteGave her old bean a big, terrible jog.
To write limerics of ducks,
Inspired by hundreds of books.
Her prize; a new read, for the littlest sprog.
Yep, writing limericks aren't easy, that taxed my brain as much as a clue in this weekends cryptic (she washes clothes at an American cities strip (9)). I hope it sits in some tribute to your competition win.
p.s. The answer was LA-undress, if you were interested.
Hello Gavin, Gran and the second-littlest sprog are having great fun reading the book! You were asking about Jonny...he called on Skype today, first time in a couple of weeks, so we had a lovely chat. He is keeping well, it was Mingming's birthday yesterday - they had some friends round for a celebration. He begins work at the new university next week - much of the rest of the conversation was about the ongoing work around this place. Love to Julia and Olive.xxx
DeleteThanks for the update. I will have to try him again some time soon.
DeleteNice to see he still wants to add his input on what is going on back home.
Wow. Just from your photo, I can see that Knatolee is a major talent. Can't wait to get the book for my great-nieces!
ReplyDeleteHello Mitch, It really is a fascinating book, I recommend it. Natalie is very good indeed.
Deletecongrats honey, and well deserved although PLEASE no more of the smutty stuff!
ReplyDeleteDominic! I don't know what you mean.x
DeleteLovely surprise and well deserved. You were in your limerick phase when I chanced on your blog. It drew me in. Glad I stayed.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Hello Janet, Oh my word, those limericks! My brain was on fire. I'm so glad they caught your attention and that we have 'met' through the magic of blog!
DeleteHow exciting! It is always fun to be a winner! Especially when you'd let time pass and had forgotten about the contest. Your prizes are wonderful! Little Harry needs to be VERY glad there are no rattlesnakes in Owl Wood! :-) But, that's the little boy in him, loving those creepy crawlies! :-) The notecards look lovely as well as the book!
ReplyDeleteHello Marie, You are right, little boys and creepy crawlies! I do my best not to let him see that I do not share his delight in them. It really was a fabulous prize which will give pleasure for a long time to come.
Delete