1st Friday Fun Kicks off!

/ Ev Bishop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello and happy Friday – the 1st Friday of a new month to be exact!

To celebrate the march of March, I thought it would be fun to kick off a brand new, super fun tradition here at evbishop.com, so I’m announcing – *Drum roll, please!* – 1st Friday Fun!

What is 1st Friday Fun you ask?

Every 1st Friday of the month I’ll put together some form of themed giveaway, sometimes related to my books, sometimes fitting with River’s Sigh B & B themes, sometimes something more generic (but still super fun!). 🙂 🙂

All you have to do is show up and follow the “comment suggestion” on the Giveaway’s thread and you’ll be entered for a chance to win. Each giveaway will be open until the 15th of the month, then a winner will be chosen at random and contacted for his/her mailing address and the goodies will go in the post.

Super simple and super fun, hey?  I hope you’ll play and I hope you’ll spread the word/share so more people can get in on the fun.

TODAY’S GIVEAWAY: A small painting to lose yourself in and remind you to relax, ahhhh… A signed proof copy of SILVER BELLS, River’s Sigh B & B book charms and minty lip-soothing balm from yours truly!

COMMENT SUGGESTION: Can you build your own campfire or do you prefer to have someone else do it for you? (And, of course, you can say anything else you want, so long as it’s appropriate for all ages. 🙂 🙂 )

 

Good luck! I look forward to hearing all about your fire building prowess – or failures!

Wishing you a very fun Friday,

🙂 Ev

P.S. Sadly, cupcakes, especially ones as deliciously decadent as the one in the Friday Fun picture above, don’t travel well in the mail. Or that’s my excuse for hoarding those types of goodies for myself, anyway. 😉 You’ll have to buy your own sweets.  🙂

***March 16, 2018 Update*** WE HAVE A WINNER!

Lucky Michelle Pierce will be receiving our March 1st Friday Fun goodies in the mail very soon!

It was super fun to have so many of you come out and share whether you have mad fire building skills (or the opposite of that, LOL!) Please join us for April’s 1st Friday Fun on April 6th, for a chance to win another super fun T.B.A. prize!

120 thoughts on “1st Friday Fun Kicks off!”

  1. I suppose if I really had to I could get a campfire going . Last time I camped was almost 4 years ago at several sites on the Oregon Coast . It was beautiful but cold .

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  2. Thanks for commenting, Kerry–and good to know you can be counted on in a pinch, LOL. Driving–and camping along–the Oregon Coast is on my dream trip list, but I live in a cold place. I want to hit at the height of summer (and even then I think it’ll be what I’m used to, not anything spectacular temperature wise). 🙂

    Good luck and have a fun Friday night!

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    • Go you, Kathleen! It’s a handy skill! 🙂 I wasn’t a Girl Scout, but I was a Pioneer Girl–sort of similar and I earned a lot of fun badges.

      P.S. I wish I had a fireplace. We used to have wood heat as our sole heat source, so warm and cosy, but we moved and our new place is natural gas. Blah. 😉

      Thanks for coming by and good luck and have a very fun Friday!

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  4. Not much of a camper, so I’ve never built a campfire by myself. I use to get a fire going in the wood heater, so push come to shove, I might could handle it.

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    • Thanks for popping by Judy! And yeah, if you can get a wood stove going, you could probably handle campfire. 🙂 Not much of a camper . . . because you don’t enjoy it or because you don’t live in a place that lends very well to outdoor life?

      Either way, have a cozy weekend and a fun Friday! 🙂

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    • LOL, because that’s just smart, Marie. My husband and I taught our kids to light fires early for the same reason. 🙂 Thanks for coming by and have a very fun night. Good luck in the draw!

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    • I’m a huge fan of delegation–nothing wrong with that, Michelle. 🙂 🙂 (And yeah, if the guy you get to light your fire just happens to be hot too–extra bonus! 🙂 Thanks so much for playing and have a fun Friday! Good luck in the draw. 🙂

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    • Thanks for coming by, Laura–and it’s good to know what you like to do and what you don’t. 🙂 (I’ll happily light a fire, but sure wish I could get out of the dishes. 😉 ) Have a great Friday and best of luck in the draw on the 15th!

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    • Thanks for coming by, Jenny C! And I so hope you do get a chance to learn to build a fire and sit around it chatting and dreaming late into the night . . . Fingers crossed, indeed. 🙂

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    • You’re a woman after my own heart, Tracy! Whoohoo! 🙂 (It really is one of the nicest ways to get to grow up, I think.) Thanks so much for coming by, have a fabulous Friday and best of luck in the draw on the 15th!

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  16. I’m not much of a camper, only when my son wants to go. But I’ve learned to build my own campfires just in case, but if my husband is there I leave it to him so he can feel useful. Lol!

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    • LOL, yes, we should always let our husbands feel useful. 🙂 It’s nice that you go camping with your son, Maria–especially if it’s not your favorite thing. 🙂 And kudos for you for learning how to build campfires *just in case.* It is a good skill to have. Thanks for popping by and best of luck in the draw on the 15th!

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    • Thanks for coming by, Sandy–and yes, it’s great to know you can start a fire if needed, but even more fun to be with a romantic guy who’ll do it for you. 🙂 ❤

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    • LOL re: letting him do manly things, Bridget. The menfolk do like that all right. 😉 😉 I’m also picky about keeping the fire fed! 😀 Have a great weekend and thanks for coming by. 🙂

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    • Smart, Stefani. 🙂 My son (who’s a bit of survivalist) always recommends people carry cotton balls soaked in vaseline with them. They’ll light in any condition, any time–and will stay burning until the rest of your fuel can catch. 🙂 (Bet you weren’t expecting a fire building lesson, LOL!) Best of luck in the draw on the 15th–and have a great weekend!

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  21. Dang, looking at that gorgeous cupcake, I drooled all over my keyboard!! While it dries, I’ll go scout the kitchen for something sweet until I remember what I was coming here to write . . . yep, sweets can be very distracting when covered in chocolate!

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    • LOL re: that cupcake, Emily. I KNOW, right?! 😀 😀 I hope you found the sweets you were after–and that you have a sweet weekend! Lots of luck in the draw on the 15th! 🙂

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  23. I’m almost certain that I could build a camp fire. However, I would much prefer someone do it for me….better yet, a lovely hotel with room service and soft fluffy pillows, huge tub full of bubble and a bottle of bubbly to top it off.

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    • Okay, Amanda . . . I admit your lovely fantasy appeals to me too. I’m a weird mix. I love camping and roughing it in the outdoors–AND I adore being pampered, fine dining, and extravagance. 🙂 Thanks for popping by–and I hope your weekend has some fun indulgences. 🙂

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    • Thanks for popping by, Mary–and I agree: it’s nice to let people who really enjoy something, or have special skills, have the fun. 🙂 Have a great Friday and best of luck in the draw on the 15th!

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    • Thanks for popping by, Jeanna (pretty name, btw! :)). And I’m sure you’d be able to get someone to build you a fire if needed. Like I would if I was around. 🙂 Best of luck in the draw on the 15th!

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  29. I can start a fire, bait a hook, and if I really had to I could set up the tent too. I just haven’t been camping in a long time and haven’t done any of those things for a really long time.

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    • Thanks for coming by, Jackie–and I agree, if there’s someone with nice muscles to watch, let them work! 🙂 🙂 Have a fun weekend and good luck in the draw on the 15th!

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    • LOL re: your hubby liking to be in your camper by dark–but it’s night around the fire that’s sooooo fun. 🙂 🙂 🙂 And I’m sure you could get a fire going–but then again, cuddling inside a camper has its merits too. Thanks for coming by and good luck in the draw on the 15th!

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  33. My idea of camping out is an hotel room. At my age camping is way out of reach. So no I don’t know how to make my own fire and I’m sure I will not be learning how.

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    • Thanks for visiting, Pat! I love hotel rooms too (especially nice ones, LOL), and you’re right: you don’t need to learn how to light a fire if that’s your preferred way to travel. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. Hotel managers frown on campfires in the room, I’m pretty sure. 😀 😀

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  35. I can build my own 🔥 campfire, my dad taught me how when I was about 9-10. He said ya never know when you’re gonna get stranded out in the boonies and need to build a fire to send me smoke signals to come and rescue you ! Lol he was quite the character . Have to admit though I always let my husband do it now. .

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    • How come I KNEW you’d be able to, Caroline? ‘Cause we’re kindred souls and had good dads, that’s why. 🙂 🙂 It’s kind of you to let your hubby do it now though . . . 😉

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  36. When I was 12 my family went to Yellowstone. When we got there it was starting to get dark, so my dad wanted to get a fire started before anything else to be able to see. Well my dad was not paying much attention because earlier he filled his gas lantern on a log behind our van and of course spilled some. Not thinking about the spilt gas he wen to light thefire and the log caught fire and nearly caught our van and only vehicle on fire. My dad bearly fell over runningto move the van before it blew up. Sad to say he was closely watched from then on when making the fire the rest of the time.

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    • Your poor dad, Tara! If you guys were anything like my family, he never got to live it down. 🙂 🙂 (But isn’t it funny how the mistakes and things that go wrong on trips become some of the best or funniest memories? :D) Thanks for coming by. I’m so glad you weren’t blown up all those years ago! 😉

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  37. Although I don’t remember ever building my own fire I’m pretty sure I could do it if I had the necessary “equipment”. But IMO camping isn’t a solitary activity so hopefully whoever is with me would have more skill than I do… I mean, someone needs to get the fire going for ‘smores. 😉

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    • LOL, yes, ‘smores are exactly why campfires were invented! 🙂 🙂 I totally agree camping isn’t is a solitary activity; it so fun to go as a group. That said, I’m actually thinking of going out for a couple days alone (well, with my dogs). We’ll see. I have a big garden too, so that wars for my attention. 🙂 Good luck in the draw and thanks for coming by!

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  38. Yup can totally get a fire going, without newspaper 😊 Best part about camping is the fire, or early morning coffee, bundled in the fresh air ❤️ Summer here yet?

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    • I totally agree with you, Cathy. The fire really is the best part of camping. And nooooo summer yet. Don’t even mention it, LOL–we still have three feet of snow. 😉

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  39. I am very sure I could build a good campfire. I have started many. But my husband and children think i will hurt myself and always come and take over. It is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. Sitting watching the flames, let your mind go wherever it takes you and cuddle together to keep warm. It makes me tha happiest to have my family sitting around with me and to have a little game of I REMEMBER. Lots of laughs and love.

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    • Dear Wanita, you summed up *exactly* why I love campfires so much. 🙂 🙂 >>>Sitting watching the flames, let your mind go wherever it takes you and cuddle together to keep warm. It makes me tha happiest to have my family sitting around with me and to have a little game of I REMEMBER. Lots of laughs and love.<<< So lovely. 🙂 Thanks for coming by–and good luck in the draw!

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    • Being able to explain to someone else how to do something is a skill in itself, Deborah! (And depending on who you’re telling can be a real laugh–or a real pain, LOL). Thanks for coming by and best of luck in the draw! 🙂

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  41. I can start a campfire, no worries. I have also lit one in a fireplace and a pot-bellied stove. I don’t have a partner to cuddle up with, so if I want one, I do it myself.

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    • Someone to cuddle with is lovely–but it’s important to be able to take care of ourselves. 🙂 ❤ Thanks so much for coming by, Jenny–and best of luck in the draw!

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  42. I learned a long time ago how to make a camp fire and my husband used to get frustrated because I was much better at doing it than he was so in his words … he was in charge of setting up the camper & I was the fire queen ha ha ha

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    • “Fire Queen” is awesome! And it’s funny but true: anyone can learn to build a fire, but some people have a special knack. Thanks for coming by and best of luck in the draw!

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    • Yep, relaxing in front of the fire is the whole point, so if you’re lucky enough to have someone else to do the work–do it. 🙂 Thanks for popping by and good luck in the draw! 🙂

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  44. My husband, Reid and I used to go camping all the time. We had a 1970 Volkswagen camper and did it up right. We would set up camp and then go hiking or walking or swimming in the river, whatever. At night he would get a campfire going, I would get the sticks and the marshmallows and we would sit there and chill out enjoying the peace and quiet and listen to the outside noises and look at the stars, it was wonderful.

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    • Thanks so much for sharing your sweet memories. Your camping trips sound totally _wonderful_. (And a Volkswagen camper van was my dream vehicle for many years! These days I’m coveting one of those little teardrop trailers.) My hubby likes to set up camp, very snuggly and thoroughly, before we do anything else. It really does make for lovely, easy camping times. 🙂 Good luck in the draw on the 15th and thanks for coming by!

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    • Every weekend all summer long, Kelly L? You are my hero! (And sooo lucky–as is your hubby to have you keeping the campfire burning for when he can join you. 🙂 🙂 Thanks for coming by and best of luck in the draw!

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  47. It’s probably been at least 20 years since we’ve been camping; I could probably get a fire going. But it’s not going to happen, we’re too old and health problems would hold us back! But we did enjoy it when we were going, we camped with a lot of family and friends. Always had several campers and tents an had a lot of times! Thanks for the chance.

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    • You’re welcome for the chance, Kathy–and good luck! 🙂 Times do change, don’t they? My hubby and I still camp, but we don’t rough it the way we used to, as in he definitely wants a mattress of some kind now. No more sleeping bags on a bare tent floor! I’m so glad you came by–and happy you can keep adventuring through River’s Sigh B & B. 🙂

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  49. I can build my own campfire, better than my ex.
    I can also repair plumbing issues, hook up a gas stove basically everything except electrical. That stuff scared me.
    My ex was useless, he would tell me what was broken, then go out.

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  50. I can build a great camp fire, fire in a fireplace and grill.
    I can also repair everything that goes wrong in my home, except for wiring.
    Electric scares me. My ex was totally useless. The idiot would tell me what needed to be fixed and then go out. I had to teach the moron how to change a tire.
    Thank you for this wonderful giveaway

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    • You’re so welcome, Deborah! You sound like someone I want in my corner–very handy! 🙂 Thanks for coming by and good luck in the draw. Also, good job in making your ex an _ex_. 😉

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  52. Of course I can build my own. I was raised by a Wood Badge scout leader and stayed in Girl Scouts until I graduated from high school, but it’s always nice to have someone else build it so the s’mores can start coming.

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  54. I definitely build my own fire. *cue slow evil smile* As a former girl scout, I’ve been told I get a little too….enthusiastic at the prospect of a campfire.

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    • Aahahahahahahahaha, Jennifer D. I was wondering when our first pyromaniac, er, I mean . . . enthusiastic fire builder . . . would weigh in. 😀 😀 Thanks for coming by and for not lighting things up. 😉 😉

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  58. If I had to build a fire, and there was wood and twigs around, and I had a lighter or some good wood matches, I think I would be able to do it. But, if I had to do the rub two sticks together… nah. Not happening. Of course, it would be easier to let someone else do it.

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  59. No, I always let the men play with fire. I eat the hot dogs & marshmellows on the stick. I love the warmth of the fire & friends around the camp fire. Always heard some good stories.

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  61. It’s been years since I built any kind of fire. I’d need matches and lots of kindling. 🙂

    I’d sure love to win a signed copy of your book. ❤

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