Award

The Versatile Blogger Award

I am very thankful to be nominated by PetersFoodAdventures for my first Versatile Blogger Award! Peter has an amazing blog with as ethnically diverse recipes as Peter himself. He was born to Russian parents (who were born and raised in China). He was raised in Canada where he met his now wife on holiday from Australia; which is where they currently reside with their two sons. And I am envious of his garden. Thank you Peter!

Rules for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. Show the award on your blog
2. Thank the person that has nominated you
3. Share 7 different facts about yourself
4. Nominate 15 blogs of your choice
5. Link your nominees and let them know of your nomination.

Seven facts about myself:

I am concerned that after Peter’s introduction nothing I say will be interesting.
Sometimes I think I could be a playwright.
I used to dream in French. (But I haven’t spoken it in over 15 years!)
My first and favorite paying job was as a dock hand at my family’s marina.
I regularly find myself buying every unusual pantry item at the grocery store, and realize I have actually bought nothing to make for dinner.
I was a flight attendant.
I want to live near a lake on a self sustaining farm in the country side, like in a Jane Austin novel.

And now for my nominations:

WordPress Cooking Challenge and My Third Liebster Award!

A blogger friend of mine, Healthy in all Hues, recently started a brilliant challenge: to pick 5-7 recipes from various bloggers and make their dish! It’s a great way to showcase our fellow foodies and those who take the time to share their love from the kitchen. (And ensure I get to taste some of the great food I’ve been reading about!) I think it’s such a good idea that I may start making it a monthly feature on my blog! (At least one dish!)

The concept of this challenge is simple: Pick seven dishes (actually limiting it to seven was difficult); Notify them that you are making their dish and challenge them to participate; Share an original link back to their site; Then do a brief write up on their dish including taste, difficulty following instructions, and your experience at large. (Keeping in mind that this is a positive thing, encouraging and appreciating fellow bloggers!)

The dishes I am selecting are (in no particular order, because I am not that organized):

Cottage Cheese Oatmeal Pancake from The Richmond Avenue
Chicken Divan by Lynz Real Cooking
Natascha’s Palace‘s Easy Honey Cake
Quick and Easy Curry from What’s Bec Cooking
Life Bellissima‘s Triple Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate Mousse by Sweetima
Simple Jammy Muffins from Paintbox Mum
Quirky and Wonderful‘s Broccoli Potato Casserole

I had to pick eight because these are all things I’ve wanted to make lately. And I’ve already learned something about myself! (Besides I can’t follow instructions.) For as much as I want to challenge myself (and fully intend to), I gravitate toward meals and food that I think will be not overly difficult, family friendly, and those which I will most likely have ingredients on hand. (Of course big time producers such as Food Network and Pioneer Woman have been capitalizing on this for a long time. It should come at no surprise that I fit the mold, but I still found it interesting- to myself.) I am giving myself 2 weeks to complete the challenge… I’m so excited to try your food!

Secondly, I would like to thank Swatti of Light at the End of the Tunnel for my third Liebster nomination! I am so appreciative and grateful for your recognition. Your blog allows me to explore a different culture and customs with still a similar perspective, as a woman who appreciates my mother and my best friend (aka my husband). Thank you!

The “Swatiilicious Questionnaire:”

How reading can enhance?
Growing up I loved that reading could allow you to imagine the way a character or setting should look. I like the way stories allow you to transcend places and time. I have very little time for leisure reading now; most of my reading (aside from the Bible) is instructional… And I prefer pictures! For example, I want to know what my food is supposed to look like.

The importance of writing?
On a basic level I believe writing is important for educational purposes. At this point in my life I use writing as an personal outlet, self expression and all that jazz.

Love has varied definitions. Why?
Without trying to get too deep: I think love has as many meanings as there are people in the world. It is different things to different people based on their own experiences- and still universally relatable; such as a commitment to your spouse, caring for children, helping your neighbor, etc.

How do see yourself as a blogger?
I wish I was really creative and I saw myself more as an artist sharing my unique perspective… But in reality I just very literally share my day to day.

Any blogs you would like to recommend?
I find out about new blogs on a daily basis that I think the world should know about! I just heard about foodbabe.com, a blogger making a difference in the food industry that I think is amazing.

Another Liebster Award!

Thank you to Healthy in All Hues for nominating me! I love your idea for sharing the good things you want to do in life. And I want to hang out with you at the beach having a “Low Country Boil” and building sand castles!
The Liebster award is a promotional award from bloggers to bloggers aimed at recognizing blogs having less than 200 followers. I am so thankful to be nominated by Healthy in All Hues and I happy to share great blogs I’ve come to appreciate in hopes that more will enjoy them too!
Here’s how the award works:
• Link back to the person who nominated you
• Answer the 11 questions given to you by the nominator
• Display the Liebster award logo in your post
• Nominate up to 11 other bloggers with less than 200 followers
• Create 11 questions for the nominees
• Notify all nominees via social media/blogs
Here are my answers for the questions I was given:
1. How did you get started on your blog?
I have been a stay at home mom for 9 years, my youngest being almost 9 months old now. I really wanted a creative outlet!
2. What is the hardest thing you’ve found about blogging?
Time to do it. My life is so busy, I still have two in diapers! (Working on that…)
3. What is your favorite blog post?
That’s an interesting question. Probably the one about my grandma on the 4th of July. I loved going through those photographs and thinking about her.
4. If you had one day left to live, what would you do?
Yikes! I would probably say a prayer something like this “Thank you God for giving me a wonderful life. What do You want me to do?”
5. Sweet or savory?
Savory… And then sweet. Lol.
6. What is your favorite passion or hobby?
Baking/Cooking. (and blogging about it)
7. What is a motto or quote you live by?
“Love your neighbor as yourself. Love yourself.” There is so much wisdom in that!
8. Name one person that has inspired you.
My sister. She naturally makes great food. And she has an amazing way of thinking up over-the-top ideas for a party and actually making them happen.
9. What is a guilty pleasure of yours?
Chocolate and good coffee. (But I really don’t feel that guilty.)
10. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
I pick manicotti, it just sounds really good right now.
Here are my 4 nominations:
What’s Bec Cooking, my sister from Oz?

Life Bellissima, so glad to find your blog?

The Richmond Avenue, I want to work in your restaurant?

Quirky and Wonderful, yes you are!?
Congrats to you blogs! I’m giving you the same ten questions I had to answer plus:

11. Your spouse’s boss has heard you cook and invited himself to dinner… What are you making?

Liebster Award

Thank you very much Bec of What’s Bec Cooking for nominating me for the Liebster Award! Bec currently lives in Australia, the land down under. She has an amazing blog and can cook anything from homemade bread and chicken curry to boutique-worthy cupcakes and chocolate mousse.
The Liebster Award is an award of recognition and appreciation given to bloggers from bloggers. It’s passed to encourage connection and support within the blogging community and to aid in the discovery of new and upcoming bloggers. I am very appreciative!

Rules:
1 Thank the blogger who nominated you with a link back to his/her blog.
2 Answer the questions asked by the nominator.
3 Nominate 5 – 11 bloggers with fewer than 500 followers.
4 Answer the questions from the blogger who nominated you.
5 Create 11 questions for your nominees.

My questions from Bec are:
1 What’s been your proudest moment in life?
•Probably holding each of my babies after delivery. There is nothing like it; the moment you’ve been waiting for arrived, the pain behind, and baby in arms. My last baby weighed 12 lbs 2 oz!
2 What would be your dream job?
•This changes daily. Today I’d like to be a coffee roaster.
3 What’s your worst cooking disaster in the kitchen?
•Where do I start? Sometimes experimenting becomes a disaster. I can only remember one time when it was too bad to eat… but I can’t remember what it was!
4 What do you love about blogging?
•The illusion of having a professional career.
5 What do you dislike about blogging?
•Sometimes my real job (being mom) keeps me from being as creative as I’d like to be.
6 What could you not live without?
•A personal relationship with my savior.
7 If you were a superhero, what would be your super power? 🙂
•Without question, I would fly.
8 What’s your fondest childhood memory?
•I’ve had a great life and picturesque childhood full of perfect holidays, birthdays, and week days; I can’t pick one. Thank you mom and dad!
9 What’s your favourite food?
•Food.
10 What’s your favourite recipe?
•Sorry to say, it is at a chain restaurant; I love the Spicy Cashew Chicken at the Cheesecake Factory, every time.
11 Who’s your hero?
•Hmmm, let’s have some fun… I love Captain America’s sense of duty and commitment to his moral standards. But I recently saw Antman and he was surprisingly likable.

Thank you Bec! I love your blog and thank you for your support of mine.

My nominees are:
Old Orchard Chronicles, I love your transparency
Smiling Notes, thank you for your regular encouragement
Indfused, your creativity is inspiring
Old Country Girl, everything you make looks delicious
Low Carb Simple, I appreciate your niche

My questions for my nominees are:
Would you prefer a night at the opera or at a ball game?
Who is your biggest social media influence?
What would be your perfect evening?
What is your favorite season and why?
You just were awarded dinner for two at a 5 star restaurant, who do you bring?
Are you a big breakfast person?
Where was your last vacation?
If you could have any one talent what would it be?
What is your favorite holiday?
What is the best dessert you ever ate?
It’s your birthday and you can celebrate anywhere in the world, where are you going?

Another Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award!

My second Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award nomination! Thank you so much Linda Creation! I love the diverse ethnicity in your food. I don’t think you are afraid to cook anything.

The Rules:
1. Thank the blogger who nominated you, including a link back to their site.

2. Put the award logo on your blog.

3. Answer the ten questions the blogger has sent you.

4. Create ten new questions for your nominees to answer.

5. Nominate ten people of your own. (You can notify them to make them aware)
My Questions & Answers:
1. Blogging to you is a real or virtual world?
Both: It’s personal and real in that sense. But the vast amount of information seems endless and hard to fathom, almost unrealistic.

2. You would call yourself an introvert or an extrovert?
Can I say both again? Mostly extrovert, an extroverted homebody.

3. Top 3 things in your to-do list..
I like Linda’s answers: Family, Blog & Photography.

4. Your role model and why?
It would have to be Jesus. He went around doing good, healing the sick and speaking life.

5. What do you enjoy most about blogging?
I love the typing, writing, photography, planning posts, etc. It’s perfect for me, and an excellent diversion from my daily life (which I also love, but in a different way.)

6. Sisterhood to your means..
I have a sister, and friends that are like sisters; the relationships are priceless. It’s selfless and giving, trusting and a meaningful connection.

7. Do you enjoy nominations?
Yes!!! I am so thankful that fellow bloggers appreciate what I’m doing!

8. Your Favourite drink..
Coffee.

8. Any addictions?
Literally, I hope there is not a habit in my life I couldn’t leave behind in an instant. But if I don’t drink a cup of coffee in the morning, I will get a headache.

9. What do you want to earn more money or fame?
Money? It would be nice to take my family on vacation.

10. Free-be! Thanks again Linda!!

My Nominations:

1. Natascha’s Palace

2. How Mummy Flowers does it

3. Cooking With a Wallflower

4. theantiramen

5. Smiling Notes

6. Darie’s Daily Dish

7. With All My Affection

8. Aromatic Essence

9. Farm Raised Cooking

10. The View From Bridge Street

Your Questions:

1. What is your favorite activity (aside from blogging)?

2. Who is your biggest blogging inspiration?

3. Is there a dish you are intimidated to try to make?

4. What did you eat for breakfast?

5. Where is your dream destination?

6. If you had 1 more hour in a day, how would you use it?

7. For traveling do you prefer boat, plane, train or automobile?

8. Skiing in the Alps or bumming it on the beach?

9. Have you ever done karaoke?

10. What’s your favorite form of pampering?

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award and Post A Quote Challenge

A sincere thank you to Smiling Notes for your nomination of the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! I have been overwhelmed with the amount of support and friendship in the blogging community. Smiling Notes, you have a great blog and I am honored by your recognition. I am also excited to participate in your 3 day Post A Quote Challenge!

Firstly, to answer the questions for your nominees:
1 How did you decide your blog name? Is there any story behind it?

When I decided to start a blog, I knew I was going to share about my daily life. I think my mom came up with the suggestion.
2 Comedy, horror or chick flick? Which type of movie do you generally prefer?

I like to laugh, so I would say comedy, except in reality I always pick chick flicks; Romantic comedies.
3 What is your best memory till date?

I can hardly remember yesterday!
4 Heels or Flats? Which is your go to style?

Definitely flats. I gave up heels during my first pregnancy, and never looked back.
5 Favorite Pizza Topping?

Can I pick two? Feta & onion… If just one, I guess onion.
6 What did you want to be when you were little? It could be any random/ funny thing.

In first grade I did a report on this… I was going to be a singer.
7 Is there any movie which you can watch over and over and not get bored with it?

You’ve Got Mail
8 Have you ever gone to a live concert? If yes, which was the last one that you attended?

Yes. Jack Johnson? That was a while ago!
9 Do you like applying make-up? If yes, what is your make-up must have?

I want to be good at doing make up, I really do, but I’m not. If I had to pick one thing… mascara
10 Favorite Dessert?

This is subject to change, but right now I could go for some chocolate layer cake!

Recently, I was recommended by a friend to read the cookbook Momofuku. In it was this quote:

“Despite a lack of natural ability, I did have the one element necessary to all early creativity: naïveté, that fabulous quality that keeps you from knowing just how unsuited you are for what you are about to do.”

Steve Martin

That sentiment resonates with me, probably with most people. It’s easier to look back at what you’ve done and think “I didn’t know anything!” But not knowing and thinking you could is probably what allowed you to go through with it in the first place! I’m learning all of the time.

Thanks again Smiling Notes!

The Creative Blogger Award

I am so honored to be the recipient of two awards! I love the idea of bloggers supporting bloggers. As a busy mom my time to read is limited. When I do get the time, I am astounded at the amount of talent out there. These awards shed light on individuals I may have never found otherwise.

There are always going to be more talented people than me; people who captivate readers with a single sentence, and take on meaningful subjects I don’t want to touch. There are those whose photography blow my shots of dinner out of the water! I never am going to have the life of an adventurer sharing some trek in the Congo. I don’t want to be a 5 star chef, I just want to feed my family good food. I am content in life; I am raising four beautiful children; I am a dedicated wife; I am a follower of Christ. I’m not trying to be something I’m not, and sharing that with you has been unexpectedly fulfilling.

Thank you stephysweetbakes for appreciating what I do. Your creativity is astounding, I aspire to make my pies look like yours!

Rules of the Award

1. Nominate 15-20 blogs and notify the nominees.
2. Post the link of the blog that nominated you.
3. Share five random facts about yourself.

My Five Random Facts:

1. I prefer my deodorant and baking powder aluminum free

2. I have no business having a hobby that requires knowledge of social media

3. I don’t have a natural love of fish or seafood, I coerce myself

4. I love thunderstorms

5. I loathe sharing french fries, I’d much rather buy you your own

My Nominees (in no particular order):

1. Emerging Adult Eats

2. Savory Stalks