A Big Thank you!

“The Very Inspiring Blogger Award”…thank you, thank you, thank you to Sarah at Sarah’s Kitchen, Skd at Aromas and Flavors, Nimmi at Adorable Life, Kristen at The Peanut Butter Jar, Ahila at A Taste of Sri Lankan Cuisine, Michelle at Giraffes Can Bake, and Martina at Make, Shake and Bake! I appreciate each one of you and have so enjoyed getting to know you! It is so amazing to me how we all come from different parts of the world and yet something as simple as food has brought us all together! Love it!

I feel encouraged that you would find my blog to be “inspiring!” Truly, I do! Big smiles over here! 😀

Here are the Rules:

1. Thank and link to the person who nominated you.

2.List the rules and display the award.

3.Share seven facts about yourself

4.Nominate 15 other blogs and let them know they have been nominated.

5.Proudly display the logo on your blog and follow the bloggers who nominated you

7 facts about me that I haven’t already told you: 

1. I LOVE “short legger dogs”….that’s what I call them anyway. 🙂 Particularly Corgies! Anyone have one?
2. Sometimes I make up words and use them as though they really existed 😉
3. If I didn’t have to carry a purse, I wouldn’t…not a fan
4. I no longer have a gallbladder
5. I have been to at least 7 different countries
6. I have real wooden shoes from Holland that I wore when I was a kid
7. I love, love, love big trampolines!!

I always feel  honored when one of you sends an award my way. But I think my most favorite part of awards is getting to bestow them on others, in the hopes of encouraging them, and introducing you all to some wonderful blogs that you may not be following yet.

And now to my favorite part:

First let me say that there are many of you beyond this list who have inspired me! So grateful for all of you!

For those of you listed below, know that you have each touched my life in a different way. Some of you I have known since I first began blogging, and others of you are new friends. I am blessed to know each one of you!

1. Emily from Light the Lie
2. Emily at Lovingly Pressed
3. Apsara at Eating Well Diary
4. Nancy at Feasting with Friends
5. Jhuls at The Not So Creative Cook
6. Sarah at Sarah ‘n Spice
7. Kari at Cooking with Toddlers 
8. Sonal at Simply Vegetarian
9. Malar at Malar’s Kitchen
10. Vidya at Traditionally Modern Food
11. Chitra at Chitra’s Healthy Kitchen
12. Chef Julianna at Foodie on Board
13. Farianti at My Simple Delights
14. Joanna at Food Gurly 
15. Linda at La Petite Paniere

You can also find me here on Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram.

Dragon’s Loyalty Award From Some Very Loyal People Themselves!

Dear Sarah and Chitra- I apologize for taking so long to write this post. I want you to know that your giving me the Dragon’s Loyalty Award means a lot and that I definitely haven’t forgotten about it!

I love this award because it is about community. It is about caring for one another and encouraging one another as we visit each others blogs, leaving likes and comments. I am honored that you, Sarah & Chitra, consider me as one of these people.

Sarah @ Sarah’s Kitchen. Sarah is sweet. She is excitable. She uses a lot of smiley faces…I love that. She is brave in the kitchen…check out her first time at baking bread. She is so friendly. She has a passion for cakes. Isn’t this one so creative?!

Chitra @ Chitra’s Healthy Kitchen. She makes me smile. She introduces me to new food. Kale falafel…I want to try this! She is full of kind words. Did I mention she makes me smile?! Big smiles too. 😀 Her own creativity spurs my own. Almond and curry leaves chutney…yes, I feel spurred on!

A big thanks Sarah and Chitra!!!

The rules for this award are simple…give 7 facts about yourself, thank the person(s) who nominated you, nominate bloggers, and let them know you nominated them. I can do that! 😉

Facts about Me:

1. I grew up in the country
2. I’ve read almost every Hardy Boy book
3. Roses are my least favorite flowers
4. I know how to flip a 200+ pound guy
5. I love anything that is fleece
6. I walk around with a 50 ounce mug of water and drink several a day
7. I really wish our cat would let us get a dog 😉

For my nominations, I want to choose some newer blog followers who have been so faithful to come and read my blog, comment, like, encourage, etc. I am grateful for each of you. If you aren’t familiar with these blogs, please check them out!

• Emily at Light the Lie
• Julie at Hostess at Heart
• Andy at acbistro
• Sarah at Sarah ‘n Spice
• Kim at The Lemon Daisy 

You can also find me here on Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram.

Out of the Mouths of My Mom & Nephew :-)

Have you ever heard of someone doing a guest post for an award? Well, now you have! 😉 I thought it would be fun for you to hear my mom and nephew’s take on me…who am I kidding, I was interested in hearing it too! 😀 Hehehe! 

I love these two, and as you can tell from the picture they really love each other as well! They both bring much laughter and joy into my life! Look at this cute picture I just came across today of my nephew when he was a tiny little guy… ❤ it!!

But before you hear from them, I want to say a big thanks to a fellow foodie blogger. I was so honored to get the Quintet of Radiance Award from Jess at Sprinkles and sugarplums! This is one very talented woman! At the age of 17 she not only loves to bake and cook, but she is a ballet dancer! (Jess, when I was your age I didn’t know how to or even want to cook! I’m impressed! And as far as dancing….I still can’t do that! 😉 )

If you are interested in drooling for a little bit, check out these awesome Pineapple Pancakes Jess just made! What a fantastic combination of flavors! Or how about her Strawberry Lemon cake?! Can you say, “Yummy?!”  

Thanks Jess for the encouragement you have brought me in passing this award my way! Smiling over here!

 

Okay, here are the rules:

1. Display the logo in a post.
2. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back
3. Using the alphabet, describe yourself in a word or phrase.
4. Nominate a few Bloggers

And now it is time for you to hear from my mom and nephew! I promise I didn’t pay them to write these nice things about me… 😉 (Mom and J-man….you guys were so sweet to do this and thanks for all the super sweet things you said! Love you bunches! ❤ ) 

 

When Lori asked me to write about her, I was delighted and honored. She has come such a long way in the kitchen in such a short time. Her Dad and I are so proud of her. While she and her hubby visited us in June we were able to try some of her creations and WOW!!!!  I recruited Lori’s nephew Jadon, (my grandson) to help me and this is what we came up with – words that describe Lori.

 

A – artist

B – bouncy

C – creative

D – dedicated

E – entertaining

F – fabulous

G – grateful

H – hopeful

I – incredible

J – joyful

K – knowledgeable

L – loveable

M – marvelous

N – Naive

O – out-going

P – positive

Q – Quality

R – respectful

S – singer

T – talented

U – unique

V – valuable

W – wonderful

X – xenodochial

Y – youthful

Z – zealous

 

Jadon and I have enjoyed being able to write about Lori. We hope you will enjoy the words that we have used for her for this Quintet of Radiance Award.

Here are my nominees…

• Nancy at Alzheimer’s Wife– I actually just started following this precious woman’s blog and I was so impacted by her that I am giving her this award. I love her love for her husband and her writing is just beautiful! 
• Mac at Gluten Free Treats – In the short time I have known Mac I have quickly realized what a fun, dedicated, creative family man he is! He and his daughter Rachel often have me laughing out loud! These two are an amazing pair!
• Hannah at Pocketful of motherhood– I love her passion for Jesus and her realness and vulnerability about her journey in life.
• Sue at Birgerbird– I have been loving getting to know this fun loving woman who is a fabulous cook!

Congrats to you all!

Awe….love being part of the family!

*Please Note: This was a pre-scheduled post, as my hubby and I are enjoying some much needed rest and relaxation for a couple of weeks. Please do stop by and comment…just know that I won’t be able to reply for a while. I appreciate you all!*

Sweet Malar @ Malar’s Kitchen nominated me for this lovely award! Malar has quickly become a dear blogger friend! I look forward to seeing her on here, chatting with her, and seeing what she has cooking in her kitchen!

I meant what I said in my title….I ❤ being part of the wordpress family! I had no idea when I started this blog that there was actually a “family” to even be a part of here! You all have embraced me so quickly into the foodie world…I feel so blessed! I really never would have imagined this! You have encouraged me, given me tips, laughed with me, taught me about new foods, and been a part of my journey of learning to love creating beauty in the kitchen! Thank you!

I want to thank each and every one of you! Truly, you have been a blessing!

My Nominees: 

• Nimmi @ Adorable Life
• Vidya @ The Traditionally Modern Cook
• Nancy @ Feasting with Friends 
• Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
• Skd @ Aromas and Flavors  
• Chitra @ Chitra’s Healthy Kitchen
• Sonal @ Simply Vegetarian 
• Arl @ Arl’s World 
• Nell @ Deliciously Nell
• Linda @ La Petite Paniere
• Ngan @ Ngan Made it
• Julianna @ Foodie on Board
• Joanna @ Food Gurly 
• Apsara @ Eating Well Diary   

*Please note that because this was pre-scheduled I won’t be able to go to your blogs and let you know about your nomination until I am back by a computer. Hopefully some of you will see this before then! 🙂 *

Liebster Love!

*Please Note: This was a pre-scheduled post, as my hubby and I are enjoying some much needed rest and relaxation for a couple of weeks. Please do stop by and comment…just know that I won’t be able to reply for a while. I appreciate you all!*

I feel showered with encouragement and affirmation! Thanks to Malar @ Malar’s Kitchen, Karen @ My Skinny Sweet Tooth, Linda @ La Petite Paniere, Sarah @ Sarah’s Kitchen, Jess @ Sprinkles and Sugarplums, and Wu @ Miss Wu Kitchen for nominating me for the Liebster Award! So sweet of you all to think of me and pass this my way!

The Rules:

1. Acknowledge the blogger who nominated you and display the award.
2. Answer eleven questions the blogger gives you.
3. Give eleven random facts about yourself.
4. Nominate eleven blogs you think are worthy of the award…it is meant to encourage newer bloggers
5. Let the bloggers know you nominated them.
6. Give them eleven questions to answer.

Eleven facts about me: 

1. When I was younger my favorite color was black 🙂
2. I used to LOVE scary movies, but no longer like them
3. I have been known to read a whole book in one day
4. I just started decoupaging
5. I absolutely LOVE Corgies (type of dog)!
6. I love the sound of frogs….could listen to them all day long!
7. Laying in a hammock on a sunny day…one of my favorite things!
8. My new favorite flower: Rhododendrons
9. I would love to learn how to build and design webpages.
10. I love the beach
11. I love the mountains

Because I had so many nominations and don’t think I could answer over 60 questions :-), I am being flex on the rules and answering two questions from each of you 🙂 …..

• (from Malar) Who is your favorite Actor/Actress ? I have several, but I will say Reese Witherspoon. 
• (From Malar) Weekends what do you do? Sometimes go to the movies, hang out with friends, housework on Saturday, read, and go to church on Sundays. 
• (From Karen) What magazine subscriptions do you currently have? Better Homes and Gardens. 
• (From Karen)  What is your biggest pet peeve? When People talk all the time and never listen to others. 
• (From Linda)Name the three herbs/spices you can’t live without? Garlic, Cilantro, Basil 
• (From Linda) Cinnamon or vanilla: which flavor rocks? Cinnamon 
• (From Sarah) What is your profession or study? I am currently a homemaker
• (From Sarah) Favourite movie? I love a lot of movies, but I will say Leap Year….so funny! 
• (From Jess) Who has influenced you the most and why? My hubby….for so many reasons! He has shown me so much unconditional love and grace, reflecting Christ’s heart for me! His love for God, his compassion and love for me….has impacted my life and changed it forever! 
• (From Jess) Do you collect anything? If yes, what? Socks, scarves, toads 
• (From Wu) Which dish did you like most as a kid? Tabouli. 
• (From Wu) Which cuisine do you prefer the most ? Mexican

I have nominated many of you, my dear followers, before….so I am going to try to nominate some newer blogs (at least newer in the sense that I more recently came across them.) Congrats to each one of you! I am enjoying following your blogs and seeing your creations!

• Jenn @ Gingerbread Jenn
• Ahila @ A Taste of Sri Lankan Cuisine 
• Shannu @ Food Passion and Love
• One Bowl Brownies
• Delish Thoughts
• Deepika @ Taste for Tongue
• Skinny Sweet Treats
• Charanya @ Yes! I’m Vegan!
• Emma @ NY Kitchen Mama
• Juliet Juliet’s Sweets 
• Alexandra @ Healthy Cooking Jar 

Questions for you to answer (If you have several nominations at once, feel free to do like I did and not answer all my questions):

1. What is your favorite thing to do (Besides cooking)?
2. What did you want to be when you grew up?
3. What has been your favorite age so far, and why?
4. Would you rather watch a movie or read a book?
5. Would you rather be inside or outside?
6. If you could use one word to describe your home, what would it be?
7. What is your favorite type of music?
8. What is your favorite song?
9. Where is the farthest you have ever traveled?
10. Why do you like cooking?
11. Sunrise or sunset?

*Please note that because this was pre-scheduled I won’t be able to go to your blogs and let you know about your nomination until I am back by a computer. Hopefully some of you will see this before then! 🙂 *

Another BIG thank you!

So sweet of Chitra from Chitra’s Healthy Kitchen to nominate me for some awards! Chitra is a newer bloggy friend of mine, but right from the start she has been such a faithful reader, and full of encouragement! I love that her focus is “recipes for healthy living!” And she is always introducing me to new and delicious looking foods like her Cornmeal Upma! Thank you so much Chitra! And if it wasn’t sweet enough already that she gave me The Versatile Blogger award, she also blessed me with The Wonderful Team Member Readership Award! I am glad to be considered a part of your team Chitra, as one of your faithful bloggy followers!

 

Just for fun, I looked up the word “versatile” and here were some synonyms I found…

• Resourceful
• Adaptable
• Skilled
• Talented
• Varied

So now that you know that ;-), here are the rules:

• Put the Versatile picture in your post
• Link to the blogger who nominated you
• Give 7 facts about yourself
• Nominate 15 people

7 more facts about me?! I suppose you would like them to be new things as well, huh? 🙂 Fasten your seat belts, here we go…

1. Though I can’t drink it any longer, one of my favorite drinks ever is sweet tea! And I’m talking about the kind that you brew with the sugar in it for hours!
2. I was a tomboy growing up
3. I have wanted to get a nose ring for years
4. One of my favorite colors to paint my toenails is black, though they are currently dark grey 🙂
5. I love going to plays
6. I used to love the smell of gasoline….weird, I know.
7. I tend to be very rulesy….which is why I feel a bit bad about the rule I am about to break. 😉

Because I have gotten this award before, rather than giving it to 15 other people, I am going to give it to a few particular bloggers who challenge me to be versatile. These ladies I have listed below have introduced me to so many new things that I am so grateful for! They have opened my eyes to foods and spices that I didn’t even know existed! Thanks ladies!

My Nominees:

• Malar at Malar’s Kitchen
• nimmiafzal  at Adorable Life 
• Priya at Sugarfree Sweetheart 
• Vidya at Traditionally Modern Food
• My Kitchen Moments

When I think of what it means to be a team member some of the first thoughts that come to mind are: supportive, encouraging, and someone who stands by you. A team wouldn’t be a team without all of its members!

The rules are simple!

1. Just give the award to all the people you wish to (at least 14)
2. Mention the person who gave it to you, and
3. Don’t forget to include a picture of the Award

I recently gave many of you this award….I am so grateful for all of you!  This time I am going to pick a few new people who have started following my blog and have jumped right in: reading, commenting, and liking.

My nominees:

• Suzanne at A Pug in the Kitchen
• Gayatri at The Desserted Girl
• Karen at My Skinny Sweet Tooth
• Cathy at Food Radical
• Kristen at The Peanut Butter Jar 

Congrats to all of you! As I often say, may these awards encourage you as you continue on your blogging adventures!

 

Passing Some Encouragement On….

I was so super humbled, honored, and surprised when my sweet bloggy friend, Jhuls, gave me this award….or awards….what do you even call it? I feel very encouraged my friend! If you don’t know Jhuls at The Not So Creative Cook, you will want to! First off, she really is creative! Look at her Chicken Empanadas or these Bars of Gooey-ness! Yum!!

There is so much I appreciate about this woman…I love how much of an encouragement she is to fellow bloggers, including newbies on the block. For instance, she weekly introduces new blogs! What a sweetheart!

And her sense of humor?! She always has me laughing! Love it!

Okay, here are the rules:

1. Display the logo in a post.
2. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back
3. Using the alphabet, describe yourself in a word or phrase.
4. Nominate few Bloggers

It is harder than it might seem to use the alphabet to describe myself.  I started doing it but kept getting stuck. I am pretty sure I would still be stuck if it wasn’t for my family whom I recruited to help! 🙂 I made sure to note when it was one of them answering…some of their answers made me laugh, some made me blush, and others gave me warm fuzzies. 🙂

• A: Adorable (according to my mom…she’s not biased or anything! 😉 )
• B: Broken and in need of God’s grace
• C: Compassionate
• D: Deep
• E: Emotional
• F: Fun (According to my sweet nephew)
• G:Giggly
• H: Helpful (According to my sweet nephew)
• I: Introvert
• J: Jolly (According to my sweet nephew)
• K: Kind
• L: Lover of Christ
• M: Messy
• N:Noticeable –“because of my messes”, says my nephew 😉
• O:Organized
• P: Playful…yes, I am like a big little kid as you can tell from this playful picture here… 
• Q:Quirky (according to my hubby and my mom)
• R: Real
• S: Silly 
• T: Trustworthy
• U:Understanding (According to my mom)
• V: Vivacious (according to my hubby)
• W:Well Loved (according to my nephew)…well he did, after all, have this awesome card waiting for us when we got to their home:
• X:Xenodochial (meaning….fiendly to strangers)…had my whole family looking for one for X…this one is thanks to my nephew!
• Y:Youthful (according to my nephew)…”Because I stay in the fun zone,” says my nephew. Love it!! 🙂 Must be because of these sorts of things:
• Z: Zoo lover….love me some animals!!

I would love to give this to so many of you, including all of the ladies Jhuls already gave it to! 😉 My nominees…

• Sonal at Simply Vegetarian
• Linda at La Petite Paniere
• Anjana at The Corner of Happy and Harried
• Apsara at Eating Well Diary
• Joanna at Food Gurly
• Chitra at Chitra’s Healthy Kitchen
• Lina at Strictly Delicious

Congrats to you all! May this be as much of an encouragement to you as it has been to me!