The "Get Ready for Your Wedding" Contest!--Contest Extended to July 15th!

Is your wedding around the corner and would you like to win over $350 in wonderful prizes? 

Here's a contest geared just for you or for your friend or loved one who is preparing to "tie the knot"!

Here's all you need to do to enter the contest: 

1. Subscribe to my blog at http://celticharpmusic.blogspot.com

2. Post a comment on any one of the articles that live there

Do this before July 15th, and you'll automatically be entered into my raffle. In addition, when you post the following on Twitter and/or Facebook (you need to friend me on Facebook so that I see your comment in the newsfeed), your name will be entered into the drawing twice, increasing your chances to win. 


Wondering how to follow to this blog? Simply scroll down and click "follow" on the right hand column of this blog.

RT: Brides, win over $350 in prizes by subscribing to http://j.mp/66I0Rs and leaving a comment there. Good luck, @anneroos

Here are the prizes:

10 lucky subscribers will be awarded:

- A free copy of my latest book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable” , published by Hal Leonard Books ($20 value)

5 very lucky subscribers will be awarded:

- A free copy of my latest book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable” , published by Hal Leonard Books ($20 value)

- My Celtic wedding music CD, "Haste to the Wedding" ($18 value)

1 exceptionally lucky subscriber will receive the Grand Prize:

- A free copy of my latest book, "The Bride's Guide to Musicians: Live Wedding Music Made Easy and Affordable” , published by Hal Leonard Books ($20 value)

- My Celtic wedding music CD, "Haste to the Wedding" ($18 value)

- Hand-made Celtic-style earrings ($24 value)

- Relaxing Heart Rock herbal bath gift set ($20 value)

- My soothing "Through the Mist" CD, filled with environmental sounds ($16 value)

- A Beachbody workout kit, including DVDs and a diet and exercise book containing simple guidelines to get you in shape for your wedding day and keep you in shape long thereafter ($129 value)

- A one-months supply of Xocai Healthy Chocolate High-Antioxidant Protein Meal Replacement Shake to enjoy while you are shaping up for your big day ($165 value)

Winners will be chosen at random from among followers to this blog who add a comment to any article on this blog between June 7th and July 14th. People who subscribe and tweet the above message will be entered into the drawing twice. Winners will be announced July 15th right here at http://celticharpmusic.blogspot.com. If you already happen to follow my blog,  no worries… simply post a comment on the blog and you can take part in the raffle as well.

The Contest is open only to men and women who: (a) are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States, Washington, DC, and at least eighteen (18) years of age) at the time of entry; and (b) possess a valid e-mail address.  Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. P.D.T., July 14, 2011. 

One entry per blog follow who adds a comment on the blog. A bonus entry is added for that follower who also posts the specified verbiage above on the Facebook newsfeed, and/or Twitter newsfeed. 

My Magical House Concert Experience

Last Saturday, I performed at a private house concert with 8th generation bagpiper Seán Cummings, and it was an amazing experience. Sure, it was my first house concert performance, but we had a full house, guests were treated to luscious home-baked chocolate cheesecake, and they watched the snow fall in the windows behind us as we performed. Magical!

What's a house concert? You can find out all about house concerts and how to host them. They are really no difficult to host than a well-planned party. And it costs you very little money...Check out concertsinyourhome.com. And you only have a very small space you can host a mini-house concert--visit dinnerandsong.com for more about that. I actually performed at a "Dessert and Song". And there will be many more...Can't wait to play at my next house concert!

Here is just one video clip from my latest house concert:

Feel free to contact me if you'd like me to play the harp for your own concert! If you've had any personal experiences attending or hosting a concert, please share them below....

Wedding Traditions--Their Origins and Meanings, Part 3

Here it is, June, the big wedding month. And finally, three more wedding traditions and their origins:

• At one time, weddings were week-long celebrations. In today's harried times, the rehearsal dinner creates perhaps the only chance for the couple's families to socialize.

• The word "bridal" comes from an old English custom. The bride brewed a strong "bride-ale" which was sold to friends after the wedding to help start the couple off.

• June became the month for weddings, because it was considered good luck to marry during the month named after Juno, the goddess of marriage and family.

Coming soon: Be sure to check back here for the chance to win valuable wedding prizes!