Every once in a while, a cause comes along that is so worthy of recognition you can't help but share it with everyone you know. Allow me to first share how and why this certain cause is so close to my heart.
Some of you may know I was diagnosed with PCOS a month after our wedding. Gene was deployed and I cried for a week. We knew that I may never be able to have children, but this seemed a definite death sentence and my husband wasn't there to help me get back on my feet after hearing the news. I don't like to dwell on it, and have come to the philosophy of "it is what it is". I have given it to God (for the most part) and we have discussed our options in great depth.
One of the things we discussed was adoption. Even before learning of the diagnosis I would dream of adopting a child approaching the tweens and teens. The children left in the system that nobody wanted, because every one wanted a baby.
We went back and forth praying about adoption in the future and if we wanted to start saving for it in the event we chose that path. We ultimately decided against it. For several reasons that are neither here nor there.
Then I came across a story on Jess's blog Jessica Lynn Writes. It was about her brother and sister-in-law and their journey to adopt! You can read here story here!
They are selling Vanilla Extract in their Etsy shop Extracts For Ethiopia!
Here's the deal friends: I just bought 5 bottles. One for myself, one for a dear friend, one for the gal teaching my cake decorating class, one as a door prize at my Wives of Faith Girl's Night Out and one to have on hand for a hostess gift or in case I REALLY get into baking. The arrived packaged so nicely! They were safe and secure and bubble wrapped beyond belief. I opened the lid and the smell was intoxicating! You get a 4oz. bottle and the Vanilla Extract is 100% homemade using pure Bourbon Madagascar "Noire" Vanilla Beans and triple distilled premium Vodka. I seriously just wanted to drink it from the bottle.
One reader will win a bottle of this vanilla extract. I will purchase the bottle and have it shipped to you instead of me. It's that easy! Well... you do have to enter so here it goes:
1: How would you use your vanilla? I've got some baking to do and need recipes!
2: Follow @TheYoungRetiree on twitter
3: Tweet about this giveaway (include link from tweet in comment. Available once per day. Please tag @TheYoungRetiree).
4: Like The Torres 2 Plus 1 on facebook
5: Like The Young Retiree on facebook
6: Share The Torres 2 Plus 1 on facebook with your friends!
7: Please, please, please: blog about this shop! You don't have to share your personal story, or if there is any way you can relate to what this couple is going through- but please, please, please- help get their story out there! (This one is worth FIVE entries - leave FIVE comments with the link to your blog!)
*FINE PRINT: This giveaway will end on Wednesday, Feb 22nd, 2012, 8pm (PST).
You do not need to be a blogger to enter this giveaway! Just make sure I have a way to reach you if you win (twitter handle, e-mail address, or if I know you in real life and can contact you via facebook!)
This giveaway is not endorsed, requested, or even made know to the Torres'. This is a product and a cause I believe in! If there were ever a cause worthy of attention and support- bringing a child into a warm and welcoming home is one! The product is AH-MAZING and I know you will love it! Get to entering, and if you don't win I highly recommend purchasing and supporting this family! I consider it $10 so very well spent!
Cheers!
Elizabeth
17 comments:
First of all, I think you rock for doing this.
Well, I plan on making this http://lilluna.com/snickerdoodle-bread/ soon, so real vanilla instead of my 99 cent imitation stuff would be awesome. :)
I follow you on Twitter.
I like you on Facebook.
I tweeted, tagged you, and included the link.
I know you are probably using the comments to figure out who wins, so please feel free to delete this—I don't want to be included in the drawing—I want someone else to have the opportunity to win. Elizabeth, you are simply amazing. We don't know each other (in real live), and you don't know my brother and sister-in-law, but yet this touched you enough to not only support their cause, but tell others about it. I'm so thankful you have such a giving heart and I know Chris and Amanda are, too. Thank you, thank you!
Chocolate chip cookies are my weakness--and they taste even better if you use more vanilla than the recipe calls for...so that's probably how I'd be using it.
I follow you on Twitter.
I like you on FB.
I'd make some more white chocolate cherry cookies (if you want the recipe, let me know and I'll email it!)
I follow you on Twitter
I like the Torres 2 Plus 1 on FB
And I now like the Young Retiree on Facebook -- I thought I already did, but apparently not. I do now though! :)
I would make banana bread to use up the bananas on my counter! Or Zucchini bread to use the zucchini in my freezer:)
I follow you on Twitter
I follow TYR on Facebook
I tweeted:)
https://twitter.com/#!/Poekitten/status/172453138417201156
I liked the Torres 2 plus 1 on Facebook:)
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Thanks for taking the time out of your day, and for sharing your words of encouragement and love, friends! I try to reply to all comments via e-mail, so make sure you're not a "no-reply-blogger"! If you're asking a question, make sure I have a way to answer!