Welcome Hoppers to Carrie Ann’s Holiday Gifts of Love Blog Hop. Join over 200 bloggers celebrating the holiday season and the joy of love.
I am going to do this a little differently and focus on the love of nature. We all have one to some extent although it expresses itself so differently–a love of animals, water, hiking, starlight skies, organic foods, hanging out at the beach, or making snow angels.
Life
For me, I have been trying to build a love for nature into my life in an every day way–through pets, remembering to look at the stars, eating as close to nature as possible, talking walks to feel the sun on my face. I think the need to do this more consciously is getting more important. Jacques Cousteau may have captured this feeling best, when he said. “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”
How is a love for nature expressed in your life? For one commenter, I will adopt an endangered species in your name from the World Wildlife Fund. You get to pick which one and receive the $25.00 adoption packet.
And that’s still not all….
We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!
Good Luck. Have the happiest of holidays.
Sabrina
Over the holidays, if you are shopping for an ebook, consider my recent release Fires of Justice from Ellora’s Cave. Just the right amount of hot for a cold, wintry night.
Fires of Justice Book Blurb
Always read the fine print when swearing an eternal oath to gods and guardians…
Beholden by the sacred vows of her coven, fire witch Calista Reid agrees to temporarily mate with shifter Cullen McMahan to fulfill a mission assigned by the guardians. When tall, dark and damaged arrives on her doorstep, generating enough heat to scorch a fire witch, Calista finds herself drawn to his battle-hardened body and broken soul. His pain speaks to her own deep-rooted isolation and the intensity of his hunger slakes her passion like no other.
Cullen, scarred by a past that left him an indentured soldier to the guardians, resents yet another hump-on-command assignment…until he encounters the compassionate, fearless, incendiary redhead who detonates his body and reawakens the emotions sacrifice and loss had suppressed. But Cullen harbors a terrible secret—one that reaches back into Calista’s troubled childhood and threatens the foundation of their growing bond.
That is a beautiful gift, Sabrina
Thanks Erica. I wanted to do something that really honored the holiday season. I’m glad you dropped by.
I am not sure this counts but I love rocks. They are everywhere. I have some of window sills and some in my pockets. They always turn up at odd places.
Of course it counts Debra. Rocks are the foundation of the natural world. They must make your house look beautiful and feel so safe and grounded. Thanks for dropping by.
Oh what a wonderful prize. I love all animals. I rescued my smallest dog from a life on the streets. It took me 2weeks to catch him he was so nervous. He is a toy poodle how anyone could abandon such a sweet little boy amazes me. His coat was all matted his teeth were brown and his breath stank. Now after a lot of money and lots of love he is a well balanced loving member of our family.
p.winmill@hotmail.com
Oh Petula, thanks for sharing such a wonderful story. Its great to hear when an animal in need of love finds a home that can give him that.Thanks for dropping by.
What a wonderful idea for a prize. Several years ago my nieces girl scout troop adpoted a tiger from a cat wildlife place and every year they recieved a newsletter and a picture of her, Jewels, They absolutly loved it. Thanks for the wonderful prize.
crystaley73 at yahoo dot com
Thanks Crystal. What a great activity for a girl scout troup to undertake. I wanted to do something that really recognized the spirit of giving. Glad you came by to visit.
What a great idea! I try to take at least a moment of two every day to view things as a child would – whether watching the butterflies or counting stars, even heading out to swing on the swings. It just makes me happy. I adopt a Tiger, a Chincoteague pony and an African Elephant every year for my daughter (it’s what she always wants)… and all of our cats were rehabbed ferals or shelter kittens.
Thank you for participating and the opportunity
glhince at gmail DOT com
That is fantastic. I bet your daughter loves it. I thought about it too late to do it this year for my daughter, but I have every intention for it to top my list this year. I love Chincoteague. We live in Maryland.
I love to get close to nature by walking on the trails in the woods near our home. Of course, this time of year there is too much snow to do that! Great post! sletten at paulbunyan dot net
Thanks Deanna. I love walking in the woods. You really feel like you’ve left civliization even if you can hear the cars whizzing by.
What a great prize! Love it, and I bet my kids would too! Thanks for the giveaway
bookliaison(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Thanks Chrystina. I thought it fit the season of giving idea. Thanks for dropping by.
That’s a great quote. I had not heard it before.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I just came across it very recently. It is what influenced my blog post and giveaway for the hop.
What an AMAZING giveaway! I love it! People take nature (in all forms) for granted all the time! I love just going outside, taking a deep breath, and just looking around… Beauty is everywhere!… Thank you for pointing it out, I love that quote!
Maycee
majorsqueenbee(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks Maycee. Sometimes I do to, so I’ve been trying to more consciously keep it in my life. I stumbled over that quote recently, and it made an impression on me as well. Thanks for dropping by.
Great giveaway! I’m not one for communing with nature much… allergies, But on occasion I like dosing myself up on Claritin D and just taking a hike through the woods.It’s so peaceful!
Yet your name is such a beautiful reminder of how much nature is always in the background of our lives somehow. Thanks for dropping by.
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!!
rachelanniramos@yahoo.com
Thanks for dropping by Rachel.
My love of nature comes from surrounding my home with a beautiful landscape of trees and wildflowers! Thanks for the great giveaway and wonderful holiday gift!
kacidesigns AT yahoo DOT com
How wonderful. Thanks for dropping by Kaci.
What a fantastic prize! It’s shocking a a little sad though, looking at the World Wildlife Fund’s website, that there are SO MANY endangered species!
Happy Holidays and thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
Thanks Elizabeth. I was surprised to by how many of them there are as well. And I believe its only the tip of the iceberg–the adoptable ones. There are a lot of not so cute and cuddlies out there (e.g. jelly fish, fish, corral, etc..) that don’t even make it on our radar screen. Thanks for dropping by and have a happy holiday.
Over the years we have really tried to switch from processed foods to organic even trying my non-green thumb to gardening. This year we are making homemade gifts instead of buying packaged ones, re-using what we don’t need to make something someone else needs. My goal is to plant five new trees in our yard this year as I love sitting in the shade to read a good book, listening to wind blow. We have a dog and a cat that keep us grounded.
Thanks for the giveaway.
jung ~dot~ shari ~at~ gmail ~dot~ com
You do some pretty awesome things Shari. I try to stay away from processed foods but succeed less than I would like, but do succeed sometimes. Good luck on the five new trees. We sure could use them. I have a cat but intend to get a dog once my daughter is little older and can shoulder some of the care. Thanks for dropping by.
Awee I LOVE your gift idea. I think that says so much about who you are & I hope others make a move to help support our wildlife as well. I’ve always had a soft heart for all animals. My husband has always teased me because I’ll pick up strays anywhere. We have a local animal shelter in our parish that doesn’t get much help sadly. I like to stop in when I can. I also beg/plead for people to check with their local shelters and adopt a precious new family member instead of buying one. Those poor animals need to see love in their life too. Kill shelters absolutely break my heart. It’s not the animal’s fault that they were desserted and not cared for or the owner didn’t fix their pet.
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always said that when I retired from full-time work, I wanted to have my own rescue shelter for dogs. Maybe one of these days, that will come true.
Thanks for the amazing opportunity & also being a part of the blog hop.
kaylapshirley (at) gmail (dot com)
Thanks Kayla. I’ve also had a soft spot for animals. When I was young. the only books I took from the school library were animal related. I am betting on you that you’ll get shelter. It starts with the goal. Happy holiday and thanks for dropping by.
Due to health reasons haven’t been outside much at all and boy do Imiss it, especially since I am from Colo. I still try to enjoy it though,,even if just looking at starry nights out my window. We have many birds and we save hair and bits of material and hang in bags so birds can build nests,,also try to feed them. We also watch lots of nature shows about animlas we may never see but can still appreciate,
peach_hugs@yahoo.com
Thanks Toni. We had a bird build a nest in our gutter recently. It reminds me how much our lives intersect, and how rich the life we see from our window really is. Thanks for dropping by.
At my house we keep a garden and all kinds of plants and flowers
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com
Hi Cassandra. I have a black thumb (and a cat who eats plants) so I am envious of a house full of plants on the inside and outside. Happy Holidays.
I love to go walkinh in the hills. I also foster baby kittens for the local shelter, witch is fun and draining at the same time. Nothing like a bunch of hungry kittens to keep you grounded. I think the best is when they curl up in your lap, arms or shoulder or chest so trusting for you to keep them safe, warm and fed.
sorr forgot my e-mail addy and looks like I cant spell but honestly I can.lol
sdtigger(at)knology(net)
How wonderful to foster kittens but I hear you on the draining part, Jennifer. I have one cat and he’s a handful. And it must be hard to realize how many kittens need fostering. Thanks for dropping by and have a happy holiday.
For some reason, I’m fascinated by moss covered trees. I take my kids on walks through the nature park and everyone else is snapping pics of birds and flowers. Me – I taking pictures of gnarled wood.
t.mailhes(at)yahoo(dot)com
I can see the attraction, Vallory. Trees really give me a sense of time and wisdom and stability of age. That sense of rootedness even while they often change from season to season. Have a wonderful holiday.
Merry Christmas to you! Thank you for the giveaway!
verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com
Happy holidays. Thanks for dropping by.
Happy Happy Holidays! Thanks for the great giveaway!
What a great gift!! I love manatees and usually do an adoption donation each year!
grapeapril75(AT)gmail.com
Thanks April. Manatees are pretty neat. I love that one myth has them linked withe mermaids. Have a happy holiday season.
Happy Holidays! Great Giveaway, Thanks!
aprilnu2003@yahoo.com
And a very happy holidays to you as well. Glad you could stop by.
I used to go hiking in the woods at a nature park where I lived when I was younger, it was always so refreshing. I personally love all animals. If I was rich I would definitely have more animals than I do. We have 2 cats and a dog .
Dawna N.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
I only have a cat but am gearing up for a dog when my kid gets a little older. i want her talking some real responsibility for it. I would also like a house full of animals.
We live close to a state park and go whenever we can.
Happy Holidays!
ajcraig77@comcast.net
Great location. Being near the outdoors makes it so much easier to take advantage of it. Have a happy holidays.
I have four dachies, and well the one female her siblings were sold as Christmas presents. I made sure they went to good homes. One little one went to a newly adopted girl who always wanted a pet but her mother never got one. And her excitement of getting one of the dachies really touched the heart. They are still buddies even two years later.
Raonaid at gmail dot com
What a wonderful holiday story! Thanks for sharing. So glad you came to visit.
What an awesome giveaway you are doing. I love nature. I live in the mountains. I love looking out at the mountains every day. In the summer we hike. I haven’t gone cross country skiing yet. I like to go to a state park nearby.
Merry Christmas and may your new year be filled with books.
flip at ida dot net
Thanks Phyllis and that this one of the most wonderful new years wishes I’ve ever received. I wish you equally a year filled with books.
What an amazing giveaway. So many of our endangered animals are so close to being extinct. I am a huge animal lover so I get so excited when they are acknowledged!
Happy Holidays to you and yours,
Marlena
charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks Marlena. Its so easy to forget that there are some animals, that they make up such a part of our fables and stories (e.g. tigers, elephants) and they are dying off. I don’t want stories to be the only place to find them. Happy holidays to you and yours.
Every Christmas Eve we go out to dinner and come home to watch the movie Elf.
Thanks for the chance to win and Happy Holidays!
sqwalker2@hotmail.com
Thanks for visiting Lisa. Happy Holidays to you.
I remind myself to look at the stars specially in the spring when Mars and Venus are more visible.
bituin76 at hotmail dot com
I love to look at the stars. I live so near a big city that I cannot see them to the degree I wish to. Sometimes I walk up in the wee hours of the morning when I know shooting stars are scheduled to see those as well. Thanks for visiting.
What a wonderful gift! You must be an awesome person! Thanks so much for joining the blog hop, I’m loving meeting new authors. Have a Merry Christmas!
smoofrog@gmail.com
Thanks Tonda. I’m glad you could stop by. I’m glad you like the giveaway. I chose it because I ran over the Cousteau quote on facebook and it made me realize I could be doing more. Happy holidays.
we grow a vegie garden in the summer but we do have indore plants
kaholgate at ymail dot com
I am envious. I can’t keep houseplants alive, but I would love a house full of them. T he cat doesn’t help much either, he likes to eat them. Have an awesome holiday.
I love spening time outside and just enjoying being out there. Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
Thanks for dropping by Natasha. Have a wonderful holiday.
I live in West Virginia so I am surrounded by nature. Heck Deer are in my yard every evening & driving down the road is a nightmare at night for all the wildlife…lol We enjoy hike in the mountains, boating & Picnicking at all our lakes & rivers. And Star Gazing is astounding in this neck of the woods.
Thank you for the giveaway
missie25524 @ netzero.com
You live in a wonderful place. I’ve thought about looking to move in that area. Being in DC its easy to get there. I miss real stargazing in the night sky. In the city, the stars are too often hidden by the haze of city lights. Have a wonderful holiday.
A great idea! I love animals too! Thank you for the chance!
spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com
Thanks and thanks for dropping by.
What an awesome hop!! And a fantastic giveaway! Thank you!! Happy holidays to you all! Best wishes and many blessings!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Happy holidays to you as well. Thanks for dropping by.
Thanks for the great hop.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com
Happy holidays to you. Thanks for dropping by.
Hello, thanks for the giveaway!
skizzles_22_hju@yahoo.com
Happy holidays to you. Thanks for dropping by.
i love the christmas season cause me and my husband we watch christmas movies and we enjoy our selves angelwolfmystic@yahoo.com
Happy holidays to you. Thanks for dropping by.
I’m spending this holiday season with my family and hoping to win so I can read more romances. I don’t have an ereader. Happy Holidays! lisarayns at gmail dot com
Happy holidays to you. Thanks for dropping by.
I’m not sure how, but I know i does.
Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com
Happy holidays to you. Thanks for dropping by.
Because we home school a lot of our time is spent studying nature and attempting to see how we can fix what is broken. In our household, we are obsessive recyclers.
planterofhope at aol dot com
How wonderful. We are pretty strict on the recycling. Happy holidays to you. Thanks for dropping by.