UPDATE: The winner is…Rita!
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I know you have your calendars marked. But in case you needed a reminder, I have the puzzle for you! Solve it, then tell me whether the thing that happens tonight at midnight affects you for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card! Happy Saturday!

Open Contests

1. Story Cubes — Tell me a story (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Mermaid in Love — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Sunday Tarot (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
4. Gabbi Powell: Another penname?!?!?! (Contest + FREE Read) — Win an Amazon gift card! PLUS, pick up your FREE book!
5. Squishmallow Day Puzzle! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Some suggestions for Silver Soldiers…? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Kandi!
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The 9-year-old tells me it’s a national holiday! So what if I didn’t find it when I googled.

Maybe I should start with—what are Squishmallows? They are very huggable, plush toys. My granddaughter has been collecting them “forever”—her claim. Whenever someone is stuck for a gift idea, get her a Squishmallow. When she comes for sleepovers with me, she brings at least three of her little friends and uses them for pillows. If you want an idea for how many she has collected, solve the puzzle! No, she’s not the least bit spoiled.

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, what toys did you collect when you were a kid? For me, it was Barbie clothes for my doll. She had quite the wardrobe—most of them hand-sewn by my mother.

UPDATE: The winner is…Cindy!
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I bought this little brainstorming tool years ago at some writers’ conference. “Story Cubes” is a brainstorming game. You roll the dice and whatever pictures appear, face-up, are the ones you use to riff off a story.

To make this fun, I’ll offer a prize—a $5 Amazon gift card—good for purchasing one or two stories…

Have fun with this! Don’t overthink! Here’s the roll… (Ignore the gray hair! 🙂 )

UPDATE: The winner is…Cindy!
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I know some of y’all are still dealing with freezing temperatures and snow on the ground, but we’re getting 70-degree weather this week, so our family’s thoughts are turning to Spring Cleaning!

I thought it might be fun to list the things that pop into my mind which constitute Spring Cleaning here on our little farm. We have to get the pool cleaned up, pressure wash the mold and “green stuff” off the outside of buildings, finish preparing the chicken coop for the chicks we’ve been raising—so far, all 18 are thriving! Plus, all the yard and housework that has to be done.

Maybe I left something off the list. Maybe you have other chores you incorporate into your springtime routine. For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me if any of the things I listed fit your routine or if you have items you need to add to the list! Enjoy the puzzle!

UPDATE: The winner is…Sara DoMoe!
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It’s Saturday! I’m taking a break from work today to head to the flea market with the girls (my daughter and two granddaughters). We love our “treasure hunts.”

While I’m flitting about, I have a puzzle for you!

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, solve the puzzle, then tell me why she is leaving. Have fun!

Also, take a peek at yesterday’s art challenge! I know, I know, I shouldn’t share these every day, but I’m having so much fun!

UPDATE: The winner is…Becky Byers!
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I’m coping with the hand. I’ve been doing a ton of edits. Yesterday, I finished another chapter of Mica! So, while I’m slow, I’m also steadily getting the work done.

I also decided not to throw in the towel for the #The100DayProject—that annual art challenge I so love. I decided my weakened, hobbled right hand could be an asset and tried this…

They are “twinchies”—two-inch squares—and used a dip pen (plus a blower bulb on the second one) and acrylic ink to draw these squiggly, shaky flowers. So, Day 1 is done! Woot!

I decided I’d give another kind of puzzle a try. Just to switch things up. And it’s easy-ish to operate, but challenging like a Rubik’s cube to move the puzzle pieces to the right places. See the grayed square? If you tap on any regular square around it, those two pieces will change places. The numbers tell you the order the pieces should be in. So, good luck. I got three in place before I had to take a break. I’m leaving that screen open so I can come back to it and not start all over again!!

So, today’s contest? Play with the puzzle. Then in the comments, 1) tell me how many pieces you got into the right place before you threw up your hands, and 2) whether you want me to give you this kind of puzzle again sometime. I’ll choose a random commenter to win a $5 Amazon gift card! Have fun!

UPDATE: The winner is…Eileen Airey!
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Don’t know what a pangolin is? It’s a medium-sized mammal that looks like an anteater wearing armor. They live in Asian and Sub-Sahara Africa. Why do they have a day all to themselves? Their numbers are dwindling, and conservationists want to shine a light on these homely little creatures. Don’t know what one looks like? Solve the puzzle!

Solve the puzzle then tell me how you’re going to spend this very special day for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift certificate!