Monday, January 31, 2011

One World One Heart 2011


Welcome to the 5th and final One World One Heart blog hop! The point of this blog hop is to hopefully discover some great new blogs and introduce your own blog to others. This blog hop will run January 30th - February 17th. Learn more about the blog hop on our host's blog The Whimsical Bohemian.

This is my third year participating in OWOH. Last year I was very lucky and won several times. I posted two of my winnings back on this post as a thank you (a third winning I never received), but the last winning I never posted, as I just received it a few months ago. So I wanted to take a moment here to post a little thank you and show everyone what I received.

Organic Odysseys promised me a piece of artwork, but wanted time to "get to know me" and do something specific to me. What I wound up with was this...



I thought this was so great, as it showed that she really did spend time getting to know me. She learned that my motto is "To thine ownself be true" and made me this bracelet depicting that motto. Absolutely awesome! So I wanted to take this opportunity to say "Thank You" to Kate for her very thoughtful gift and show everyone what she made me!

A quick introduction before the giveaway. My name is Heather, and this is just one of my many blogs (many of which are being neglected). If you like books, be sure to check out my other blog Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World.

I'm a divorced woman with no kids but a whole slew of animals. You can meet most of the ZooCrew here, and you can meet the latest addition Zucchini in my latest post about him. I enjoy a quiet life of family, animals, nature, music, TV, books and cooking (I am now a vegetarian/pescatarian, but I still have some great meat recipes listed on the blog. Check out my recipe for slow-cooked Short Ribs!). I blog here about all of these things except the books. That area of my life is usually covered over there at Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World, plus over at Snoop Dogg Adventures I cover any of my small adventures in life (camping trips, festivals and the like).

For my OWOH giveaway, I'm doing something a little different. I am a big fan of Kiva, which allows average people like you and me to make micro-loans to entrepreneurs around the world to give them a shot at bettering their own lives. You put up as little as $25 and allow an individual that you select to use that money (along with money loaned by others like you) to expand their businesses or begin a new business. Learn more here. I am currently loaning money to a woman selling cosmetics in Bolivia, a Bolivian man trying to fix up his home, a woman who sells in the food market in South Sudan and an electrician in Ecuador. I've also had three other loans successfully paid back. So you loan money out, they pay it back, and you loan it back out to someone else. The same money can help countless people. Kiva has even been listed by Oprah as one of her favorite things.

So what I'm proposing is this: I will buy the winner of my OWOH giveaway a $25 virtual gift card to Kiva for the winner to loan out to help someone else. We all need to count our blessings and try to help those in this world who are less fortunate. And I'd like to introduce someone else to this outstanding group!

So just complete the form below for your chance to become a Kiva lender! A winner will be drawn using Random.org on 2/18/11.

NOTE: If you aren't sure how to navigate through the form, just use your Tab key on your keyboard to go from field to field. For some reason the scroll bar disappeared.



Thanks for stopping by! I hope to "see" you again sometime, and I will be visiting as many blogs as possible myself. Have a great trip around blogland!

62 comments:

lori said...

that is so great of you. for a birthday party my son went to one year, they asked insteadd of presents you give to KIVA. i'd actually forgotten about that. you can visit my blog at #49-lori diane

laura said...

I think this is wonderful. I myself would not be doing what I am today if not for the support and generosity of so many others. I would consdier an honor to be chosen.
Laura
http://laura-comito.blogspot.com/

Nancy said...

What a wonderful giveaway.

Melody said...

What a super, super idea for a OWOH giveaway - just brilliant! Thank you for trying to make the lives of individuals better by giving them a chance to work for themselves.
Melody
www.allchainedup.wordpress.com

Sara said...

This is a really awesome idea for a giveaway. Kudos to you, seriously.

Cameron said...

We all get to know eachother a bit better and help the world out in the process! I think Lisa is smiling :)

Count me in!

My best,
Cameron #83

Tumbleweed Trails said...

Hope you have oodles of fun during OWOH. I've enjoyed it so much over the years. Thanks for your generosity and participation in the event. Count me in please. (I can't get the form sized correctly to fill it out. So Sorry.)
Jody
visionquest2020 AT msn DOT com

Aimee Jeffries said...

I really thought that glass spider on your hand was real eeek! Hehe.

Happy OWOH! Nice to meet you :)

http://MistyMoonCreations.blogspot.com

Jingle said...

This is such a great idea! I haven't done KIVA yet, but we've thought about it.

Terri Steffes said...

Wonderful idea!

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Cheryl said...

Greetings from Fresno, California :-)
Please enter me in your drawing for your lovely give-away gift.
~Cheryl over @ Artsy Fartsy
cheryl-comfort.blogspot.com

Sunshineshelle said...

Never heard of this before, great idea!
http://sunshineshelles.blogspot.com/

Shawkl said...

What a great idea!
Kathy
www.shawkl.com

Sigrid said...

Great! A wonderful Giveaway and very nice blog.
Also I have a Giveaway. Show, nevertheless, sometimes past OWOH#646

Greetings
Sigrid

Healing Woman said...

Very different. Please count me in. Also, come on over to number 92 if you get time.

Stace said...

This is a generous giveaway. You must have a good heart!

bub said...

I have enjoyed visiting your blog. The glass spider is AWESOME

Thanks for participating in
One World One Heart

check out my blog
www.hoopiesart.blogspot.com

Micki said...

That bracelet is right up my alley...I love it. Please visit me at Irish Muses #678
Micki

Kim Mailhot said...

This is a brilliant giveaway ! You and your animal family are so sweet.
Thanks for the chance to win a gift that can keep on giving.
Enjoy the OWOH adventure !

julie said...

Heather...what a gift you are...I am very touched by your involvement in Kivi...and no, I had not heard of it before, but I will check it out...I'm laughing right now because I read the Kivi blip and have forgotten what you giveaway is..lol..awwww...it's a beautiful and thoughtful cuff...please ad my name..would love to have some of your energy...enjoy the journey...julie #565

Antonella said...

Ciao! I am so happy to meet you today on the wings of OWOH! Thanks for visiting me and giving me a chance to share with others!!
Hugs, ♥ ♥ ♥ Antonella ♥ ♥ ♥
wing stop #153, snowy New Jersey

Georgina said...

Heather, what a great friggin' giveaway!! I love it!!! When I went to your blogsite, I was a bit overwhelmed by which one I should hit to find the OWOH...of course, I zoomed into your Cebebral Girl Living in a Redneck World....just too hilarious!! So I read that one and was directed here. Hey, I feel your pain!! hahahahahahaha!!!

Anyway, keep in touch...you sound like my kind of lady.

Georgina
lloronaarts.blogspot.com

Craftymoose Crafts said...

That is such a nice giveaway--Thanks for a chance to be part of the giving!

CathyH said...

Very thoughtful Heather! It's through the kindness/support of others that I haven't gone belly up pursuing my career as a full time artist and music instructor.
cathyguitarteacer-77 at yahoo.com
http://www.cathyhorner.blogspot.com

Digital Misfit said...

What a wonderful and kind gesture that is truly in the spirit of One World One Heart. You are awesome!
hugs,
Heidi, blog #51

Teresa said...

What a terrific idea! I'm a long time Kiva lender and most of my family lend as well! I love, love, love your handblown glass spider!

Dianne said...

This is a nice idea.
Please enter me in your draw and come on over to my blog #348 and toss your name in the hat if you wish. Thanks!
www.diadsie.wordpress.com

rochambeau said...

What a fabulously thoughtful gift!
Love it! Thanks for being YOU Heather!

xox
Constance

Nancy Markosky said...

great idea- we all need to give more and get less!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

This is the BEST idea around. And just think what even a small amount of money can mean to others less fortunate. I'm number 11 and hope you drop by.

Gale said...

Hello from Oregon! Thanks for inviting me to peek around in your blog and enter your giveaway! what a great idea to help others.
Feel free to come to my blog, look around and enter my giveaway for some homemade cards.
:) Gale
http://galevarland.blogspot.com
gizmo01@charter.net

artbeckons said...

Isn’t this fun? I just love OWOH! If you get a chance, I hope you’ll visit me too (if you haven’t already).

Beckie =)
artbeckons at hotmail dot com
San Diego, California, USA

OWOH #119 http://artbeckons.blogspot.com
OWOH #132 http://papertraders-art.blogspot.com/search/label/Home

Wendy said...

It is so wonderful to meet you and visit your little part of Blogland. I absolutely adore your giveaway and would love the opportunity to be a part of it. Happy OWOH. Please do drop in during your journey.
Wishes and Whimsy
Wendy from Wonderland

http://candydelane.typepad.com/curiosities

HeARTworks said...

Wonderful idea! Do come by and see if you'd like to win my prize! Patsy.paterno (at) gmail.com from
HeARTworks

Willnnabel said...

Wow what a lovely giveaway! Please add me to the list !Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Willnnabel@catel.net

Monique Kleinhans said...

How fantastic! Thank you for introducing me to Kiva too! I don't watch television, so I don't know how I would have heard about it otherwise. ;)
Please swing by and visit my site when you get the chance.
www.thelightifind.blogspot.com
(#535)

Jona Panesa said...

yours was the most unique gift ever. continue to be a blessing to others!!! happy Owoh!

Budget Traveler said...

Hello from Thailand! I'm so glad I came by!

Here's my OWOH post..please click here.. :)

laetriciajaniel (at) gmail (dot) com

Teri said...

Very nice bracelet ! Please include me in your giveaway.
Come visit me at http://designforty-8.blogspot.com

Thanks Teri abella4@att.net

Maggi said...

Flying in from One World One Heart! :)

So nice to meet you! That was awesome of Kate to get to know you first, looks like she nailed it! I've never heard of Kiva before, I'm going to check it out!

If you haven't already, you're welcome to visit my OWOH post anytime!

Happy Blog Discovery!

Deedra said...

This is adorable!!! Please count me in!

Deborah said...

This is such a great idea. I put my name in and hope I win. Please add me to your giveaway and come over and visit me too. I am No. 229 on the list.

Cindy said...

Great idea! Loving your encouragement to eat local and homesteading type links as I perused your other blogs...

Blessings,
Cindy

Stitchety Grub said...

please include me and do come and visit my blog and enter mine too –if you haven’t already – I am #139 - I will be back for a more leisurely look around your blog after the event :-) – Cheers Britt in Australia

donnalouiserodgers said...

I love your blog and your ethics, but my money goes to Amnesty International, so if my name is picked out please could you donate to them instead? many thanks. and,

thank you for coming by my OWOH post, this is my return visit
Doone x

peggy aplSEEDS said...

a wonderful idea! thanks so much for the chance to win your giveaway. i hope you can drop by my blog at http://peggyapl.blogspot.com/ (#544) and join my OWOH giveaway. blessings!

Unknown said...

Hi Heather! Of the hundreds of OWOH giveaways I've visited, this is the best one yet that gives true meaning to "one world one heart". Thanks for the inspiration!

Just Jenn Designz said...

Oh wow! What a great idea... to loan people in other countries money to help get them started in a small business or a new business of their own.

I would love for you to hop on over to my blog for a visit as well. I am #78 on the OWOH participant list.
*hugs*,
Jenn
justjenndesignz.blogspot.com
justjenndesignz@gmail.com

Shariyah said...

Beautiful- I love your bracelet!!! I'd love to enter for a chance to win ~ and if you haven't already, please stop by my blog where I'm giving away an original painting (by me of course!) :-) I hope to see you there!
Peace & Love from New Zealand!
Shariyah

www.shariyahgarner.blogspot.com

Mickey said...

Hi, it's wonderful to meet you through this lovely event. This is such an awesome idea. You are so kind for your giving heart. I've never heard of this organization before but it sounds so wonderful. I had to sign my name to the form for sure. Thank you for this wonderful giveway. :-) I'm off now to look at more of your blog!

Michelle
http://dasmauspad.blogspot.com
mouse1996@gmail.com

Barbara Olivo Cagle said...

Hi Heather, I would love to win your beautifully handcrafted bracelet. How sweet! Please visit my blog, too. I am the author of "16 x MOM: A Mastery of Motherhood." I am giving away my book and a couple of laminated 4 leaf clovers.
#844
barbara@barbaracagle.com
http://blog.barbaracagle.com

Caroline said...

Greetings Heather from a fellow blogger/nature lover in the UK.

Wow.. what an amazing idea to come up with as a give-away. I would be honoured to with this. You are a very special person!

Thank you for visiting me and for being part of this wonderful journey of happiness.

Caroline #613

SusanLotus said...

I love your bracelet! And I feel it speaks directly to my heart :)

Please come and visit my blog too if you didn´t do it already! Thank you :)

Warm regards
Susan, nr 471

susanlotus@gmail.com

Gracey is not my name.... said...

That is a fabulous prize. I have heard of Kiva and looked into them, but then got busy and kinda forgot...thanks for reminding me..

Tracy Verdugo said...

I love Kiva!!! Already have 2 loans going..would love to win the voucher for another
Tracy x

Lisa said...

What a BEAUTIFUL, beautiful giveaway. Seriously. I got hooked by your banner image and am smitten with the rest!!

I definitely will look around some more, but thank you for the opportunity to win something to share with others.

A deep Namaste,
Lisa
#17 on OWOH - www.lifeunity.com

Carmen said...

I'd never heard of it but what a great idea. Thank you for introducing me to the scheme.

Can I just say an OMG at that spider in the sidebar - did you make it? SO realistic!

Please feel free to drop by my OWOH post too :)

Whoopidoo[at]btinternet[dot]com
OWOH #365

Anna Circo said...

Greetings from southern California. Love your amazing giveaway. Please add me to your hat. I'm flying in during the final hours of OWOH. Thank you and cheers!http://sewingthroughthemuck.blogspot.com/

Leslie A. Hawkins said...

Loving this OWOH and meeting everyone. Come by for a visit www.beckoningoflife.blogspot.com Leslie

Helen Campbell said...

I've enjoyed browsing your blog, and am so impressed with your "giveaway"! I'm glad I stopped by. There's still a bit of time to visit me at #769.
Cheers!
Helen
http://hhcampbell.blogspot.com/

Kelli Russell Agodon - Book of Kells said...

Such a perfect word-- TRUE! Thanks for such a generous giveaway!

And Greetings from the Northwest where I am sliding in at the last moment to say yes, please include me as well!

I'm a writer who blogs at Book of Kells: www.ofkells.blogspot.com

thanks so much for offering this! I'd love to win!

all best and wishing you all good things,
Kelli

Susan said...

this really great of you! please come visit #209
Thanks, Susan
(Pieces of Fate)