Blogger Awards

I was recently honored to be nominated for two blogger awards. Yay!

Both of these awards were formed by Bloggers, for Bloggers.  To receive them, you must be a blogger who is nominated by another blogger. The purpose of these awards is to highlight other bloggers and give them a chance to shine and to create a presence in the blogging world.

The first award is the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award! from JcCee Watkins Barney at Journey to a Healthy Me. Thank you JcCee! I’ve had my blog for a few years now but in the last few months it has grown thanks to a wonderful networking group I joined called The Creative Bloggers Network. This group has been so supportive and has helped me find my way through the sometimes intimidating world of social media. Thank you bloggers for helping me to find a place for myself in the blogosphere and for giving me the support I need!

Here are the requirements to accept this award:

• Acknowledge and thank the blog who nominated you
• Display the banner or logo of the award on your blog
• Spread love through nominating between 4 or 5 others
• Tell a little bit about yourself when you accept the award

Thanks again JcCee! In accepting this award, I’d like to say a little bit about me. I blog about fun crafts, family activities, writing tips and news about my adventures as a children’s book author. I had my first children’s book published in 2008, but I started way back in ’93 after I finished college. Suddenly the creative bug bit me and I started writing every day. Over the years I had several short stories, articles and crafts published in various magazines. Then, finally my dreams of book publication came true when the editor at Cornell Maritime Press accepted my manuscript about a little oyster cleaning the Chesapeake Bay. I have been over the moon ever since with three more books published and plans for more on the way. It has been exciting learning every aspect of the book industry, from editing to marketing to school visits. And throughout my family has been there supporting me.

This blog has been a great creative outlet for me to not only talk about all the fun things going on in my life, but to connect with other  bloggers with different interests and creative talents and amazing support.

So without further ado, I’d like to nominate five amazing bloggers for this award:

Jillian at Jillianastasia

Ashleigh at Simply Wright

Brandi at Super Girl Savings

Gunjan at Kiipfit

Tirralan at Tinseltown Mom

Congratulations ladies. I hope you decide to accept this award!

The second award is similar in name but has a few different requirements, the Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award from Jane at Limeade Gal. Thank you so much Jane!

Here are the requirements to accept this award:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you (link back to their site)
• Answer the 10 questions sent to you
• Make up 10 new questions for your nominees to answer
• Nominate 8 fellow bloggers, link them in your post and let them know

So, without further ado, here are my answers to the questions presented to me by Jane at Limeade Gal!

1.  Why & when did you start blogging?

I started blogging several years ago because I had just celebrated my first children’s book being published and I wanted to have a place to announce my news and events. My very first blog entry, however, was all about my family vacation! I found myself wanting to talk about family projects and my latest craft activities instead of author news. So, after going through several blog formats, I found a design that works for me where I can showcase several categories and include my latest crafts, family activities as well as author news and writing tips. Now that I have things formatted the way I want, and I have a great networking group (The Creative Bloggers Network), I’m finding it hard to keep up! Which is a good thing. I’m loving it!

2.  Who inspires you to write/blog, and why?

I’m definitely inspired by my kids. Everything I do is about my family and my kids. They are my world.

3.  Name five fun facts about you!

• I love old movies.
• My cat, Frisky, sits on my lap whenever I’m writing (including now:)
• I love crab-cakes (a true Marylander:)
• Chocolate covered peanuts are my downfall.
• If I could live at the beach all year round, I would!

4.  What is one food you cannot live without?

This might sound strange but, lemons. Lemon water is so calming and refreshing. I drink it every day.

5.  If you had to jump out of a plane, in order to win a million dollars, would you do it?

No, I’m too much of a safety person, and I know that money doesn’t bring happiness.

6.  Describe yourself, in five words!

Pragmatic, Sentimental, Thoughtful, Nurturing, Creative

7.  You have to give up one of these items listed, which will it be!  Chocolate, Coffee, or Cheese?

I have had to give up all three of these at various times for health issues. But, surprisingly, cheese is the hardest to give up. I can drink tea instead of coffee and vanilla instead of chocolate, but what can replace cheese?

8.  Dream vacation…  Ready, Set, Go!

My dream vacation is where I go every year, the Outer Banks in North Carolina. I went there as a kid, and being there makes me feel relaxed and happy.

9.  What hobbies, activities do you enjoy? (Besides Blogging!)

I love crafts, gardening, watching old movies and riding my bike.

10.  If you could take a peek into the future, would you go?  To what year and why?  If you dare not, why?

I would take a peek to see the innovations in technology and to see how things change. I think part of why I love old movies is because I love to see how things have changed over the years.

Now I’d like to nominate 8 fabulous bloggers for this award!  The nominees are:

Jackie at DIY Design Mom

April at The Uncookie Cutter

Janice at Janice Knauss Art

Kelly at The OK Momma

Holly at The Coconut Head’s Survival Guide

Allison at Fun Family Vacations

Lyndee at A Thousand Country Roads

Yanique at Kiddie Matters

And, here are my questions for the new nominees:

1. What do you love most about blogging?
2. What do you enjoy writing about the most?
3. What is your favorite social media platform and why?
4. What is your favorite Pinterest category?
5. Do you have any tips to share for managing your time?
6. What do you do to stay healthy?
7. What are your hobbies when you are not blogging?
8. Do you have a favorite pet?
9. What is your favorite childhood memory?
10. What is your favorite dessert?

Congratulations to the new nominees, and thanks again to JcCee and Jane for these awards.  I’m so glad to have met you both through the Creative Bloggers Network!