Happy New Year and a Giveaway!

new-year-snowAs a New Year’s resolution, I’m determined to get a little more writing done. With that intention, I’ll be blogging less frequently this month. I still intend to moderate comments (your chance to win a prize) and I look forward to hearing from you. As for 2017, I’ve already thought up many fun ideas for upcoming posts. I can’t wait to share them with you.

But for now, below are five of my most popular blog posts from the past year. Also, you might like to check out some of the other menu tabs, such as Spotlights or Recipes & Crafts.

Five Popular Posts from 2016

New Picture Books, click here! What’s your favorite?
pb-oct-groupJane Yolen’s Picture Book Boot Camp, click here!
jane & marcia ovalLittle Free Libraries, click here! Any near you?
lfb3-sideVintage Paper Dolls, click here! Paper dolls old & new.
dolls with hair

Raymond’s Fire Engine, click here! (Although there weren’t quite as many comments on this post as on the other four, the day Raymond’s Fire Engine ran still shows more views than any other day in the history of this blog.)truck-on-blueAnd now for my contest giveaway! Two people who leave comments on this post will win a free book (signed plus swag). Either Call Me Amy or Amy’s Choice, your choice. All names will be put into a hat and then my daughter will pull out two and present me with the winners (to be announced at the end of January).amy-doubleI’m looking forward to hearing from you and in return, sending wishes for much joy, peace, and good health. Thanks for continuing to be a part of this blog!
new-year-clipart

88 Responses to “Happy New Year and a Giveaway!”

  1. Michele

    Happy New Year! Looking forward to another year of reading, and waiting for what you have coming next!

    Reply
  2. Joyce Ray

    Marcia, I remember each of those posts, especially The one about your dad. Happy New Year to you and kudos for trading blogging time for writing time!

    Reply
  3. Louise Pryor

    Well, Marcia, you know I can’t resist a contest! So, though I read all your blogs when you first posted them, I want you to know I’m still enjoying them. Happy New Year, and good luck with more writing!

    Reply
  4. Anne Mehrling

    You are a truly professional blogger! I applaud your decision to write more, even if it cuts into blog time. I’m looking forward to whatever posts you produce.

    Reply
  5. viviankirkfield

    Stepping forward into 2017 with enthusiasm…and glad to have your posts to keep me company, Marcia! Wishing you a happy and healthy and productive New Year. 🙂

    Reply
  6. agatharodi

    Happy New Year with Joy and Creativity! I love the library little house, I am trying to make free room in my school to have one so that i urge my students to read more! Here in Greece, kids avoid books and now with the recession think books aren’t necessary .Best wishes for you Marcia!

    Reply
  7. Jennie

    Hi, Marcia. Your post about your father, Raymond’s Fire Engine, was your #1 and needs to become a book (hint, hint). Picture Book Camp and Little Free Libraries were absolute favorites, as was your trip on the ferry to the island in Maine (not on this post). I dearly love all that you write- thank you! I’m glad to hear that you will be doing more writing this year. I think my favorite picture book is The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles. Best to you and Happy New Year, my friend.

    Reply
    • Marcia Strykowski

      Thanks so much, Jennie! Uncorker of Ocean Bottles is definitely one of my top favorites of the year, as well. Wishing you and your students a wonderful year full of fun and meaningful experiences (as I’m sure they’ll have with you in charge)!

      Reply
    • Marcia Strykowski

      Yes, location makes all the difference which is probably why I haven’t pushed to make my dream of having one a reality yet. I live on rather a quiet street. Thanks for visiting, Meghan!

      Reply
  8. Barbara

    Hello Marcia, that all sounds really exciting! I can’t wait to see all the fun posts you have in store. I had a hard job picking my favourite posts from your blog because I enjoyed them all, and I’ve enjoyed revisiting them today. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. Wishing you the very best New Year, thanks for being such a wonderful friend. Barbara. xx

    Reply
    • Marcia Strykowski

      Hi Barbara! Your posts are all equally wonderful, as well–love all the vintage books and places you visit. Funny how we both did a 5 favs of the past year (and I hadn’t even peeked at your full post yet!). Hope you’re starting off your best year yet with many fun experiences ahead. Thanks for your friendship! 🙂 xx

      Reply
      • Barbara

        Hi Marcia, I smiled when I saw we had both done a similar thing. I’m sure I saw the idea on someone else’s blog, but I don’t remember where it was! 🙂 I’m sharing my five favourite blogs from around the web (including yours) next week. I intended to do it this week but then Terry did such a lovely post, and I was desperate to share it.
        Thank you for your good wishes and your friendship which I treasure. xx

        Reply
        • Marcia Strykowski

          That’s for sure, <3 Terry's post! Thanks again for including me in your next one. The internet's an amazing resource. So happy to have connected with you through blogging even though we live thousands of miles apart. Take care, Barbara! xx

          Reply
  9. Rhonda Sittig

    HI Marcia– I remember all these posts! I think my favorite are your posts of kid’s books recommendations! You’re so much more in touch with what is coming out– really worthwhile books. And also love your travel/outing posts– with places you’ve been on the east coast. Always so interesting, makes me want to travel east! I’m curious on what you’ll be writing! Hope it’s a continuation on your books. Hope your 2017 ahead is a wonderful year, friend. Thanks for all the thoughtful, fascinating writing you send out. hugs hugs.

    Reply
    • Marcia Strykowski

      Thanks, Rhonda. I always appreciate your comments and I’m looking forward to seeing what delicious meals/desserts you create during 2017. So glad to hear you enjoy reading about places I visit on the east coast. As for writing, I’m working on a new kids novel (unrelated to the Amy books) and several picture books. Have an amazing new year! xo

      Reply
        • Marcia Strykowski

          Oh, I will! Although coming up with ideas and revising many many drafts is the easy part. The submission process itself can take forever and sometimes having a publisher choose your manuscript out of thousands of others can be as tricky as winning the lottery. We shall see!

          Reply
          • Rhonda Sittig

            It does sound like a hugs project to me Marcia– like people who write symphonies or build rockets– how can you possibly put all those parts together?? Praying it all goes well and smoothly through the whole involved process. Can’t wait to hear more down the road… xo

  10. Jess Fairday's Blog

    Fun to see your most popular posts! Wishing you the best of luck getting more writing done in January. I am trying to get more writing done this month too. I have a deadline to meet and am hoping I make it. 🙂

    Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway. I would love to win a copy of either book. I will pick Call Me Amy though. 🙂

    Wishing you the happiest of new years! 🙂

    Reply
    • Marcia Strykowski

      Good luck to you, too, not always easy to squeeze in more time, but we can do it. Thanks for your interest in the giveaway, you’re in the hat! 🙂 Happy New Year!

      Reply
  11. Ashley

    I enjoy all of your posts, these and others are favorites too. I remember the Chihuly glass one and another about a giant sunflower field. Your photography skills bring all these far places to life for me. Love your books, too!!

    Reply
  12. Bette Norton

    It is fun to revisit some of your top blog posts! I look forward to reading more of them this year! They are always filled with fascinating details on varied subjects with wonderful pictures! Best of luck in your writing endeavors! Enjoy your writing! Happy New Year! :)..

    Reply
  13. littlelilly

    Hi Marcia! I really like this post and the sunflower field, and thanks for sharing all of these with us. Happy New Year and all the best in 2017! xoxo

    Reply
  14. Sharon Wilfong

    We have free libraries around my town. I can never resist peeping in to see if there is anything I would like. Sometimes I find something.

    Very nice photos.

    Reply
  15. Deborah Nolan

    Dear Marcia I came from visiting Barbara’s blog. Your paper doll post was wonderful. I so relate to the old catalogs and cutting up clothing. Had forgotten about Betsy McCall – how could I? Paper dolls were my favorite thing and your post brought back the loveliest memories. Thank you so much for sharing and visiting me. Signed up to get your posts in my email. Will be looking forward to many more visits. Have a lovely start to 2017.

    Reply
    • Marcia Strykowski

      Hi Deborah! Fun to find another Betsy McCall fan. Thanks so much for your ‘follow’. I look forward to reading more of your posts, as well. Happy New Year! 🙂

      Reply
  16. 1sojournal

    I also like the idea of little free libraries. My friends and family know they are welcome to explore my book shelves and do so quite frequently.

    Elizabeth

    Reply
  17. ClaudineGueh@CarryUsOffBooks

    Happy New Year, Marcia! I remember all these posts, especially the one on your dad. I also love your post on taking a steam train (the one where you could post a letter from the top of the mountains, was it?). Thanks to you, I read a terrific PB that I’m sharing this week on my blog. Your posts are always such a treat and I can’t wait to discover more this year.

    Reply
  18. leandrajwallace

    My frequency of blogging has gone down lately too, and I have a feeling will be sticking around for this year too. Life has just gotten so busy lately !

    Reply
  19. Barbara

    Hello Marcia, I hope your writing is going well, thank you for taking time out to visit my blog. I appreciate it, Barbara. (Please don’t spend time replying to this I know you are busy) 🙂

    Reply
  20. Colleen

    Wonderful that you are writing! No need to reply, write instead. I love that you visit my blog-i really enjoy your comments. i look forward to reading about your new project.

    Reply
  21. Kaitlyn

    I’d love to win one of your books!! I’ve already read both from the library a couple of years ago, loved them. Happy new year and happy writing!!

    Reply
  22. Daal

    thanks much for visiting my blog – am especially glad its led me to your lovely site 🙂 wishing you the best with your writing. also want to mention that I looooove libraries! have posted several times about the Los Angeles system as well as the heroic efforts of librarians to bring public libraries to U.S. – so glad you’re one of the champions 🙂

    Reply
  23. skyblueseagreen

    I’m excited for you Marcia! You have so much writing talent and I look forward to your new creations. I love the eye-candy of your blog and the topics you post that give so much joy!

    Reply

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