In Which Phyllis Bestows Prizes For Her Birthday Bonanza Winners!

Although it is neither George Washington's nor Abraham Lincoln's birthday today, we are nonetheless celebrating President's Day.

I'm sure this makes sense to someone.

Possibly the person who thought up the plan to celebrate the birthdays of two presidents on a day that was no one's birthday.

We don't care though, because around here we're just always glad of an excuse for a day off from school and/or work, and also of an excuse for cake!

Because I think George and Abe would like us to have some cake in their honor, don't you?  Phyllis picked this one, very Abe and George!

[okay, so my internet is being very persnickety and won't upload a photo tonight, so imagine, if you will, a luscious lemon layer cake with blueberry lavender buttercream icing in a vivid shade of purple that would definitely be right up George and Abe's alley - and if you follow the link below you can see it!  Phyllis and I are thinking Spring!]

Lemon Layer Cake with Blueberry Lavender Buttercream http://thewholesomepursuit.com/2014/04/23/lemon-layer-cake-with-blueberry-lavender-buttercream/

Go ahead!  Dig in!

It is not Phyllis's birthday either, although she is hoping that when she becomes President her birthday, which is also not on this day, will be included with George's and Abe's.  Phyllis feels that a little marmot in the White House would be a good thing, and I can't disagree :)

So even though it is no one's birthday today, we are having cake and celebrating the selection of the prize winners from Phyllis's Birthday Bonanza!

Are you ready?

Let me start by saying that it was not easy to choose winners.

For starters, all the entries were amazing and marvelous and enrapturing.  In addition, Phyllis felt strongly that all 19 should receive 1st Prize.

"You can't give 19 people first prize," I said.

"Maybe YOU can't," said Phyllis, "but I can!"

"No, what I mean is that if you make a 19-way tie for first place then it's like no one won!"

"No, it's like 19 people won."

"19 people can't win!"

"Yes they CAN!"

"No they CAN'T!"

"I say they can and I'm giving them all the Punxsutawney Phyllis Pancake of Awesomeness!"

"Oh, well who wouldn't want to win a Pancake of Awesomeness?!"

"No one," said Phyllis smugly.  "That's why it's the perfect prize."

Therefore let it be known on this 16th Day of February 2015 (which is not anyone's birthday) that Julie A, Karen, Sarah C, Jilanne, Kathy, Stacy, Catherine, Julie R-Z, Wendy, Michelle, Heather, Erik & Josie, Donna, the Hoeft Family, Linda, Vivian, Suzy, Robyn, Sarah M, and Christie all get a pancake from Phyllis.

I'm not really sure what to say about that.

I hope you like it?!

"Now that we've got that pancake business out of the way," I said to Phyllis, "who were really your favorites?  There must have been some among that talented pack that really stood out to you."

"Well, now that you mention it," said Phyllis, "there were a few!"

So, without further ado, here are Phyllis's selections for top placement in her Birthday Bonanza!  She is uncomfortable labeling them 1st, 2nd, etc. because she loved them all so much!

The Hoeft Family - for their beautifully written, illustrated, performed, and videoed Happy Birthday Wish.

Stacy - for her amazing quilling which Phyllis had never heard of before but thinks made her look beautiful and also was fabulously videoed.

Robyn - because Mr. Ed said, "you mean the world to me Phyll" in such an endearing way and had a whole Phyllis wall of wonder in his stall - what's not to love about a video with a horse in it?!

Julie A - for her amazing poem that included not only Phyllis but all her literary brothers and sisters... and trains and airplanes.

Erik & Josie - for their awesome video which included singing AND costumes and was just an all-out funkadellic performance - and Phyllis wants it to be known that she is Super Funky!

So Bekah, Stacy, Robyn, Julie A, and Erik & Josie, please Email Me to sort out your prizes.

Up for grabs are:

 - a generously donated signed copy of SUBSTITUTE GROUNDHOG by Pat Miller along with an audio recording!

 - a signed copy of PUNXSUTAWNEY PHYLLIS (should there happen to be anyone among you who wants one and doesn't already have one)

 - any picture book of your choice (recent titles I have enjoyed and would recommend include Blue On Blue, The Most Magnificent Thing, and Gaston.)

 - any MG or YA book of your choice should you happen to be a winner who would find something more at your reading and interest level more to your liking :)

Congratulations to all our entrants!  You all did such a wonderful job, and Phyllis and I enjoyed your efforts SO MUCH!!!  Thank you ALL for making Phyllis's birthday and 10th Anniversary SO MUCH FUN!!!

Have a marvelous Monday, everyone!  And those of you who have the day off - celebrate like no one's watching! :)