Kreativ Blogger Award

You know, this blogging community rocks! Isn’t it incredible that we can find and become part of such a supportive and nurturing community when we haven’t actually met its residents? One of those awesome residents, Alpha B., has awarded me with this Kreativ Blogger Award! Thank you so much, Alpha B.!! I do so enjoy your visits here and am happy you received this award because your blogs are fantastic!

With this award, I'm asked to tell you about seven of my favorite things.

With a previous award, I spoke of seven things I love and listed my husband, son, family, pets, etc., so I'll create a different type of favorites list here.

1. I enjoy early mornings when everyone is sleeping and I can write, read and surf online to my heart's content, usually with coffee nearby.

2. I enjoy staring into a fire, especially outdoors, while new age type music plays in the background. Visions and ideas come so easily then.

3. Autumn is my favorite time of year. Cool brisk air...sweaters...school...turning leaves...apple orchards...baking...anticipation...Halloween!

4. Being accepted by a kitten or cat...or at least tolerated.

5. Chocolate. Wait, why isn't this number one? I must be slipping.

6. I love lilacs. Not only do I love their scent and pretty little petals, but they always bring me back to lighter, more innocent times, my parents' home, and gathering bunches and bunches to bring as gifts for my school teachers.

7. Studying other cultures. I don't know if or when we'll be able to take a big trip but until that day happens, I can soak up as much knowledge as I can about the world around us.

I'd like to send this Kreativ Blogger award to the following seven creative blogger friends:

1. Tabitha at http://knittingjourneymanredux.blogspot.com/

2. Sara at http://mama-craft.blogspot.com/

3. Lors at http://threepupperonis.blogspot.com/

4. Sema at http://affirmart.blogspot.com/

5. Roxanne at http://never-shower-in-high-heels.blogspot.com/

6. Brandi at http://brandireynolds.blogspot.com/

7. Melba at http://www.melbamcmullin.com/

Thank you again, Alpha B.!

Queen of the Blogs! Me?

Talk about fantastic blog friends, the ever warm and wonderful Gypsy, from Confessions of a Kitchen Witch, has awarded me my second award this week: the Queen of Blogs Award! While it's unlikely I could live up to that title, I do appreciate Gypsy's thoughtfulness. :)

At Confessions of a Kitchen Witch, Gypsy shares some excellent recipes and home and hearth information, including Old Thyme Rituals and Tradition. Go check it out; you'll be glad you stopped by!

Now, I would like to pass this Queen of the Blogs award on to some fantastic bloggers:

1. Mel @ melsdream - Thoughts For The Day, plenty of wisdom and humor;

2. Tracy @ Seaside Enchantment - Stories of home and family, wonder and gratitude;

3. Kazari @ On The End Of My Rope - Writings on life, adventure and wishcrafting; and

4. Joanna @ Little Faerie Tales - Artistic endeavors and inspiration & Celtic Mythcraft - Spiritual artifacts and alchemy.

I strongly suggest you visit their blogs as I know you're in for a treat! :) Thank you again, Gypsy!

Lemons to Lemonade

I was having a difficult few days and didn't have any words to share when I sat down to get caught up on a few bloggy things and what did I find? A beautiful gift from a beautiful person!

I'd like to give thanks to Sema for gifting me with the Lemonade Award!

A Lemonade Award is given to bloggers that show a positive attitude, gratitude,and a willingness to share their ideas, support and online friendship. In other words, people who make lemonade when they get lemons!

Sema shares her amazing mantra cards and beautiful thoughts at her blog AffirmArt. Isn't that a fantastic name? She's also a fellow participant in Wishcasting Wednesdays and her wishes are always an inspiration to me. Thank you so much for this award, Sema!

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 7 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.
3. Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.

The following 7 blogs have blessed me and helped me in my journey and I would love to thank them for it.

1. Tabitha @ ♥I Choose Bliss♥

2. Tara @ Uphill Idealist

3. Genie Sea @ Reality Insanity

4. Rachelle @ Magpie Girl

5. Claudia @ On a Limb with Claudia

6. Sarah @ Cottage Garden Studio

7. Tabitha @ The Knitting Journeyman Redux

I'm considering this my article for Simply Kind Tuesdays because I want to celebrate the generosity and support I've found here in this blogging community. The building of spirit and kindness shown is a beautiful thing to witness and experience. Thank you all for your warmth and wisdom.

Find other Simply Kind Tuesdays participants here.

Awards!!

I'm SO excited! Gypsy from Creative Soul Explosion has just awarded me my first individual award! I am so honored to receive it and want to thank Gypsy from the bottom of my heart. I have been having so much fun at this blog and am meeting so many wonderful people. I realize that I don't know all of you very well but I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.

It's funny how we can feel an almost immediate connection with people we meet online. We read their words and they make us laugh, cry, thrill and commiserate. From Gypsy's comments, reading her profile and her blogs, I feel a certain kinship with her as we seem like sisters of the heart. Thank you, Gypsy, for your gift and encouragement!

I would like to tag and nominate the following incredibly creative and talented people for this award. I wish I could tag you all as I have received gifts of beauty and inspiration from so many!

1. Mel at Melsdream

2. Genie Sea at Realty-Insanity

3. Molly at Her Speak

4. Jamie Ridler at Jamie Ridler Studios and Starshyne Productions

5. Mary-LUE at Life, the Universe and Everything

6. Jennlui at A Trinket Treasury

Now, to name 7 Things I Love:

1. My God. I've had an up and down relationship with my God over the years and I pray that will mature with time. I've never blamed Him for anything or turned my back completely but I haven't always felt close. This is my doing, of course, and I'm grateful His arms are always open for this prodigal daughter.

2. My husband. He is the most supportive husband in the world and I am oh, so lucky he's mine! We get each other. He took a chance, moved many miles and away from his family just to be with my son and me. He's handsome, intelligent and creative, gives the best hand, foot and back rubs in the universe and even thinks I'm sexy in my mismatched jammies with mismatched socks, medusa hair and no make-up! Thank you, honey, for sharing your life with me.

3. My son. For many years, it was just the two of us and I know it was difficult for him when my husband entered the picture, but he's developed a good relationship with my husband and for that I am thankful. My son's imagination blows me away and he'll sneak a funny line in now and again that will double me over. :D I am humbled by his bravery and love him beyond measure. I look forward to watching you continue to grow in your adult years, punkin'. I guess you'll want me to stop calling you that, eh?

4. My family. My brothers, sister and I, along with our spouses, kids and their kids experienced the loss of both of my parents in the last year and a half. We've always been fairly close and made sure we got together for holidays and such and I wondered if that would change once my parents were no longer here. It was difficult doing all the things you have to do when someone passes but we got through it okay and still get together on occasion. If it's at all possible, I feel even more love for them now than before and I pray we will always make time for each other.

5. My friends. I love that feeling when you're with your friends and gabbing about something and you start to laugh, then get on a roll and just can't stop! Tears are streaming down your face and your gut starts to hurt. I'm so thankful I have friends who can share those times with me and who have also stayed with me through the not so laughable times.

6. My kitties. Devi and Kali are so much fun and I just love them like crazy! They have such different personalities: Devi is our little catdog as she likes to play fetch and have her tummy rubbed. She also loves to snuggle. Kali is the wild one and her antics, while often naughty, are quite funny and are good for a story at the watercooler. She's also very sweet and will sleep on your face if you'll let her.

7. My writing and art. For many years, I pushed them aside and I'm still getting used to exploring that side of me again. It's a wonderful feeling, although sometimes frustrating, and with the help of many of you and your wonderful blogs, I'm excited about the endless ideas there are to explore and projects to try out. Thank you.

Please stop over at my group blog, Texty Ladies, as we were awarded there as well! :D