AW, SHUCKS! AWARD TIME!

I was so very honored to receive the following award from one of my favorite goat bloggers, Pricilla (The Maaaaaa of Pricilla), ...well, actually, she's the only goat blogger that I know personally, to be honest with you, but she is still one of my dearest friends (hmmm, just wondered what that says about me!), writes an awesome blog, and makes the most incredible soap I've come across in a long time! So, when dear Pricilla bestowed the Kreativ Blogger Award on me, indeed, I truly felt my day had been made ~ thanks, Pricilla! A big "MAAAA!" right back at you, girlfriend! :-)

Now in lieu of an acceptance speech, this blog award comes with rules. I am to list 7 things I like and then pass the award on to 7 people, being sure to comment on their blogs to let them know to come by here and pick up their award. And so, I begin...

7 Things I like:

1. My new granddaughter

2. Watching my daughter play soccer

3. Getting lost in bookstores

4. Reading cookbooks

5. The first few minutes of settling under the covers in bed at night before drifting off to sleep

6. Having my cell phone calls to Andrew in Tanzania get through on the first try

7. The ocean - anytime, anywhere

I pass this award on to:

Not Your Everyday Super Goddess

Deronda Designs

The minor FALL, the major LIFT

Lenox Knits

AinseLife

BeadNestDesigns

Rosevine Design

Top Droppers

Each month I want to say a "big thank you" to all my Entrecard "droppers" and give special recognition to my "top droppers."

Entrecard, as described on its site, is "a free blogging network that truly brings visitors to your blog. By joining (the) network, you can earn Entrecard credits which allows you to display an ad of your blog on other blog sites within (the) Network." It really is a great way not only to increase your blog traffic, but also to discover some great new sites yourself! If you'd like more information on the Entrecard network, check out this link.

And, I want to say a very special "thank you" to my "TOP DROPPERS" for February:
time2cre8
Beyond Feron
BeadedTail
The Fashion Lovers
Silver Sachet
At the Backroads
Indie Sista's
Simply Shiny Blog
The Maaa of Pricilla
Shopperista

LET ME EAT CAKE!

I'd like to thank the academy....oh, no, sorry, wrong notes...here we go...Brenda :-) of The Jewelry Box recently has bestowed upon me The Marie Antoinette blog award ~ isn't it beautiful? Brenda, one of my wonderful and talented friends from Artisan Beaders, creates beautiful jewelry which you can find on Etsy and at 1000 Markets.

When I received this honor, the background of this award was vague except for the rules. Naturally, I wanted to know more, including, perhaps, if I might have been getting an extra slice of cake as part of the deal...and, there was also the little concern about keeping my head. Love the dress, Marie, but still want to hold onto my hair ~ I'm sure you understand.

So, before officially accepting *wink* *wink*, I attempted to find the origin of this prestigious award and how its recipients are determined. Several clicks of the mouse showed me quickly that most past award-winners were as clueless as I was until I discovered Sheila at Ma Vie Folle.

Another Marie winner herself, Sheila also had done some digging to try to understand the essence of the award. You can read in detail what she found out about Marie Antoinette in this wonderful post, but in summary, yes, indeed, our dear Marie did more than wave a cake fork around and perhaps that is the mystery behind this intriuing award. What I take away from all this is, if you are a special woman ~ strong, out-spoken, and willing to stand up and be heard for what you believe in ~ you may see Marie gracing your blog sometime soon.

Now go, get some cake while you check out these blogs...

Now for the rules of this award. The rules are as follows...
1. Please put the logo on your blog.
2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them. And that's it!

So, without further delay....my awards go to:

1. Broken Teepee
2. The Maaaaa of Pricilla
3. BeadNestDesigns
4. Abelee's Handcrafted
5. Red Bess Bonney
6. Studio Marcy
7. Not Your Everyday Supergoddess

THANK YOU, TOP DROPPERS!

This past month I started participating in a "blog-sharing" program ~ Entrecard. According to the site, Entrecard is "a free blogging network that truly brings visitors to your blog. By joining (the) network, you can earn Entrecard credits which allows you to display an ad of your blog on other blog sites within (the) Network." This all happens by "dropping" (or clicking") on the posted Entrecard widget at each participating blog. I have really enjoyed discovering new favorite blogs as a part of this network. If you'd like more information on the Entrecard network, check out this link.

And, I want to say a special "thank you" to my "TOP DROPPERS" for January:
Search Engine Panel
The Fashion Lovers
Diet Recipes Blog
Beyond Feron
The Maaa of Pricilla
Simply Shiny Blog
Deronda
Artbeat Inspiration
Silver Sachet
Viewpoint Publication

"WANNA SEE MY ETCHINGS?" aka SHOW ME YOUR PICTURE (6X6X6)

Okay, no, I'm really not trying to invite you "upstairs" to supposedly see some phantom artwork, LOL! This is actually a blog "idea" I stumbled across the other day that I thought I would try, and then yes, (you lucky friends, you!) "tag" some more bloggers to share...here's the way we "play"...

Show Me Your Picture (6X6X6)

1. Post the 6th picture from the 6th folder in your computer's "picture" file ("my pictures").

2. Write (blog) about the picture.

3. Tag 6 new people - be sure to go to their blog, make the "tag" by leaving a comment and direct them to your blog to get the instructions.

4. Copy the permalink for your 6X6X6 entry and post it as a "comment" to your original "tagger's" 6X6X6 entry (be sure to post the permalink not just the link to your blog - get the permalink by clicking on the blog entry title and then copying that http address).

First, here's the 6th picture that was in my 6th photo folder - and no, it's not a jewelry or soccer pic, LOL!

As it turns out, my "6th" folder contains the book clips that I end up using here on the blog, and the 6th photo was the picture of a book I recently finished (at the recommendation of son Andrew), Maugham's The Razor Edge. Andrew told me that he thought it was in his "top 5 books ever" which naturally intrigued me, so I picked it up and had a go. It is indeed, a "top 5" for me, as well. A unique point of view, with the narrator not only first person, but Maugham himself, it explores such organic issues as the search for God or a universal power and the real meaning of life.

So, now let the "tagging" begin...

1. Pricilla (can't wait to see what my favorite "goat" has in her photo folders!)

2. OrionDesigns

3. AinseLife

4. Bitter Sweet Symphony

5. AbeLee's

6. StudioMarcy

PEACE IS THE WORD...

Anyone who knows me well, or well enough to have received an email from me..., knows that for several years now, I have "signed off," using "Peace" as my closing. Now, it's official -- "PEACE" is "my" word ~ at least according to the latest "blog" quiz I took tonight! The link that follows will take you to the quiz so that you can find out what your "word" is, too!

Your Word is "Peace"

You see life as precious, and you wish everyone was safe, happy, and taken care of. Social justice, human rights, and peace for all nations are all important to you. While you can't stop war, you try to be as calm and compassionate as possible in your everyday life. You promote harmony and cooperation. You're always willing to meet someone a little more than halfway.

What's Your Word?

A Little Holiday Love!

I'm afraid I've been guilty lately of 'blog-neglect,' and today of suffering from a bit of pre-holiday angst....well, both were addressed in a very special way when I logged on tonight and found a very special note from my friend Robin (sorry about the 'Bama loss, dear!) of BeadNestDesigns. Robin has "bestowed" upon me a very special honor ~ "The Spreader of Love" Award ~ a reminder that I'm "loved" :-) and that there are other very special people out there for me to "spread this love" around with! Thanks, Robin!

So here are the rules:

(1) Post a copy on your blog

(2) Mention who gave you the award.

(3) Pass the award on to 6 others.

(4) Leave a message on their blog letting them know the honor has been bestowed upon them.

And now... it's my honor to pass this loving award on to the following blogs:

Brenda of Brenda's Jewelry Box

Brandi of Brandi Girl

Vicki of Orion Designs

Patty of BrokenTeepee

Susan of Red Bess Bonney

Ainsley of AinseLife

Kristy of Simply Shiny

TAG ~ I'm It!

I've Been Tagged!

Well, another round of "Tag" is making the blogger round, a game similar to what we all played as kids. I've been tagged by Vicki, aka Orion Designs. How does the cyber-version work?

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by including links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Here we go....7 things about me....

1. I love to sing and play the piano, but just returned to playing last night after a several year hiatus! :-)
2. My children are more "travelled" than me ~ something I hope to remedy!
3. I am a magazine "junkie"...
4. So many books, so little time (is that related to the magazine problem?)
5. I changed my college major 5 times...music (voice - then realized I wanted a "life" & my high school choir teacher LIVED her job 24/7 - she was incredible!!); elementary ed. (but then the head of the dept. "hit" on me and I did what any insecure, inexperienced freshman would do - changed her major!); pre-law (but then a good friend from high school reminded me I wasn't "bitchy" enough to do that!); English (loved it, but wasn't sure what I was going to do with it)...so finally - secondary education (English) - ah, ha! The 4 1/2 year plan! And no, I'm not teaching today - go figure!
6. I have recently become a coffee "snob" - hooked on Stauf's fresh roasted coffee beans -- ahh. And, yes, I'm out.... :-(
7. I frequent a "high-end" Goodwill shop - great buys and great fashion! What can I say! Means I can afford to be a coffee snob and buy more books/magazines!! LOL!!

And, now, here's who I'm "tagging" ~ be sure, to check out their blogs to read what they share and maybe discover a new favorite blogger as well! :-)
1. http://brandi-girl.blogspot.com/
2. http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/
3. http://beadnestdesigns.blogspot.com/
4. http://derondadesigns.blogspot.com/
5. http://redbessbonney-akasusan.blogspot.com/
6. http://chickadeebeads.blogspot.com/
7. http://artworkbyandrea.blogspot.com/