Random Friday: Apple Picking

We picked the apples in our tree last weekend. This was the results of about 10 minutes of picking. The tree is still about 1/2 full but we won't be able to reach too many more. I think I'm going to make crockpot apple butter this weekend.

I don't usually blog about giveaways for an extra entry, but this blog is giving away a $200 Best Buy gift certificate. We have been without a microwave for 3 months, at least. We've mostly learned to work around it, but with the cold weather it would be really nice to be able to heat up a bowl of soup quickly. Or defrost meat.

Melanie has started a brand new blog about a Southern girl moving North, go say hello and welcome her to blogging.

How do you keep track of bookmarks? I have all these sewing links and tutorials that I have been emailing to myself and filing them away, but it's not a good way to do it. I tried del.icio.us (or whatever it is) but I am not a total fan. Seems like I'm always having to log into it and I'm usually too impatient. Prior to that I used Google bookmarks and I'm thinking I might go back to them. If I had all the money in the world for printer ink I'd print them all out and store them in binders. Some of them are such great inspiration and you don't get that from looking at a link.

So the FTC has decided that ARCs and other freebies are compensation for a review and that bloggers should disclose where the book comes from. Um. Ok. I'd prefer that bloggers did anway. If you're worried about the tax implications, the logical solution would be: DON'T ACCEPT ARCs. No? I know a lot of people put a lot of time and effort into their blog (I do too!) and that ARCs and blog tours are a huge part of what they do. I realize that this (might) make them reconsider what they do, but if you're that worried talk to your tax preparer and make the disclosure. Of don't accept free stuff. Myself, I'll continue to accept ARCs at the rate I currently do, which is about 1 every 6 months, and hey, I'll say where I got it on my post. Perhaps I am oversimplifying the issue, but I do think that some people are making it into a much bigger deal than it is.

Are these boots as cool as I think or really wierd? I'd go with the black if I were buying, but you can see them better in the olive. Ok, I prefer the olive, but the black would fill a hole in my wardrobe.

I'm trying to do a weekly craft roundup over at the madebylisah blog. This week's is a little thin, but you can see my most recent quilt block there. Forgive the poor quality photo, it was a last minute, late at night, gotta get this done shot. I need to make myself a little button to post with both that weekly post and Random Friday. Or find a volunteer to do it for me.

Weekly Shop Update: Nothing new posted this week. I was a busy bee though, making up and sending out another tailgating banner (War Eagle baby!) and finishing up a nice sized batch of notepads. I have two more backpacks in the works, but lighting conditions haven't inspired me to photograph them yet.