Sacred Heart Books & Gifts Giveaway

/

It's Small Business Saturday and we are celebrating big here at In the Heart of my Home. I'm shining the spotlight on a new sponsor almost every waking hour today and offering you a chance to win with every post. I want you to get to know my kind sponsors and I think you'll be glad for the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping in these small shops. The giveaways will remain open until Tuesday at noon and then all the winners will be announced in the original posts.

First up is a lady who has been the biggest cheerleader for Real Learning since it was published more than ten years ago. I'm so grateful to Linda Nelson and her family for their support. Linda has a book and gift shop with an extensive selection of carefully chosen wares. I've asked her a few questions so that you can get to know her better and then you'll be thrilled to see the basket of books she's giving away.

How did your shop come to be?  Through prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.  The idea came to me that we could have a business serving the homeschool community and Catholic families and be able to offer discounts.  We understood what it is like to be a one income family.  
~
 
Is yours a family business?  Yes
~
 
How do combine your work and your family life?  When our business began in 1997 I still was homeschooling our three sons.  They were 17, 15 and 13.  So we started very slow.  Family was and is still first.  After the youngest graduated from homeschooling then we become more active with the business.  Now that our sons are grown we still put family first.  I'm thankful that our business is out of our home because I am able to go and help my parents, other family members and friends when I am needed.
~
 
What inspires you?  My faith.
~
 
What's the product you are most excited about in your shop right now?Clare's Costly Cookie.  Even though the book is for children it blessed me when I read it.  It's a great reminder to us as adults to take ourselves away and BE with God.
CCCbook-2
 
What's your favorite Advent tradition? Favorite, I'm not sure if one really stands out except that Advent brings our family together through our traditions.  Whether it is the Advent Wreath, Jesse Tree, the various blessings given during Advent or getting our tree they are all memorable. A memory I enjoy is when our sons were home they would put any money they received from altar serving and any tithing money in a jar throughout the year.  When December came they used the money for gifts for needy children.  Our sons did the shopping and then we delivered it.  We have a Rudolph costume.  For years our sons took turns being Rudolph at the nursing home, youth center and at a food kitchen.  The joy found on the faces of the elderly due to the hug from Rudolph was priceless.  But even more priceless were the homeless of all ages wanting to hug Rudolph.  The homeless wouldn't hug one of the workers, but Rudolph they could.  The Advent season brought our family closer together. 
 
Another favorite started when a friend got our family into painting plaster paris Christmas ornaments when our sons were young teens.  When they were young adults they weren't into it much.  My oldest son, Kenny said I need to continue our traditions, so now I borrow my friends children for Ornament Painting Day.  I've been doing it for at least a dozen years or so.  I look forward to it just as much as the children do.  Sometimes I may have 12 children and other times it's over 20.  Painting, food and games makes a wonderful fun day with lots of laughter all around.

I plan to continue many of our traditions with our grandchildren.  Right now I have a 2 year old grandson.

Dvd-brother-francis-king-born
 
Any plans for your shop for the new year that you'd like to share? We know God has more planned for us, but at this time we are just working hard to get new products added.
 
46599_ConsolingHeartJesus
Linda has bundled these wonderful books for the giveaway. Just visit Sacred Heart Books & Gifts and browse around awhile. Come back here and leave a comment with a link to something that caught your eye--a favorite picture book, a book you'd like to read, a devotional, a video, or an educational toy--whatever you'd like to tell us about. One lucky winner will win this basket of goodies:
The winner is Katie from She Laughs at the Days to Come who wrote, 

Yay for small and local businesses! I really like the 5 way Motherhood pendant. http://www.sacredheartbooksandgifts.com/index.php?m=4&s=0&mc=27&sc=564&pd=5708GF_24G Thanks for the chance to win!

Katie, please contact me at intheheartofmyhome AT gmail DOT com with your snail mail address.