Liebster Award ~ Fall 2014

Firstly and most importantly my thanks to Laura of String of Pearls for nominating me.  If you are not already a reader of String promise me that after this you will click over and have a read. Laura is kind, funny, and a wonderful writer who is about to have her second book published. She is also a mother of five grown sons and grandmother to four grands (so far) and such an encouragement to those of us in the day-to-day life of raising littles.

Now my answers to her questions:

1. Do you have a favorite saint, and what drew you to him/her?
     So many really but currently Saint Therese du Liseux because of her teaching that even little things done well matter, Saint John XXIII for his example to reflect God's goodness to all we meet and Dorothy Day who (though only currently a Servant of God) inspires me with her personal commitment to caring for others and social justice.

2. I think every Liebster questionnaire includes a question like this; but I'm crazy about books, so I just have to know: do you have a best-loved book that you've read multiple times?  (And will you probably read it again?)  Or do you always just read a book once and pass it on to others?
    I'm a HUGE rereader: Anne of Green Gables series, Crosswick Journals by Madeline l'Engle and A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer topping the list.

3. What is your family's Christmas Eve tradition?
    We are generally traveling ~ so if visiting my family then we are having Vegetable Lasagna and maybe opening one gift. My husbands family has the traditional Polish Wigilia and opens lots of gifts. With both families we likely attend the Family Mass with Children's Choir and read the Christmas Story from the Gospel of Saint Luke.

4. When you dress up in heels, do you wear panty hose/tights, or do you go bare-legged?
   Depends on the season: I'm usually bare-legged during the summer especially in sandals, the rest of the year hose/tights.

5. How did you and your husband meet?  (And if you're not married, what's the most important quality you're looking for in a spouse?) 
    Short Version: We met at the Penn Newman Center when we were both students. Longer version found here.

6. What's your go-to prayer in times of distress?
     The Serenity Prayer

7. Where is the one place in the world you would visit if you could?
     Rome

8. How many siblings do you have?
     3 ~ 2 sisters and 1 brother 

9. Are you a worrier?  (I'm worried you'll think that's a weird question.)
    Yes

10. What, if any, sport do you enjoy watching the most?
     Football and Gymnastics

Now my questions

1. Favorite breakfast when you have the time to indulge.
2. Did you make or buy your wedding dress (if unmarried what would you like to do)? 
3. What exotic animal would you own if you could?
4. Favorite book/movie on a rainy afternoon?
5. First hymn you remember learning/singing?
6. What was your favorite Halloween costume growing up?
7. What language do you wish you spoke?

Nominations:

Kelly from Familiar Joy
Chrystina  from Chrystina Noel
Mary from Let Love Be Sincere

Liebster Award 2014

Laura of String of Pearls has graciously nominated me for a Liebster Award!!

The Liebster Award is for bloggers with less than 200 followers.  Liebster is a German word meaning dearest. The award is given to up-and-coming bloggers who deserve recognition and support to keep on blogging.

Here are the "rules":

1. Answer the 11 questions given to you

2. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.

3. Choose 5* bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.
(I'm abbreviating a bit to try and avoid tag-backs)

4. Go to each blogger's page and let them know about the award.

5. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog!

Laura's Questions:
1. Do you have a favorite saint with whom you feel a special kinship? (Who is it, and why?)
   Saint Therese du Liseaux for a long time, Saint Elisabeth of Hungary and Saint Elizabeth Anne    Seton since becoming a mom.

2. Do you have a "bucket list"?  (And if so, what's the first item on the list?)
    I don't as of yet have an official written down bucket list but a short one in my head which include things like 1) parasailing 2) visiting Mont St Michel 3) climbing Mt Chocorua

3. Where is your favorite place to swim: a heated pool, a freshwater lake, or the ocean?
      Pool, though the ocean is a close second

4. What are three words that describe you?  (Sorry--I hate it when people ask me questions like that.)
        Warm, Caring, Kind

5. Are you fluent in a second language?
       I wish ~ my understanding of French both written and spoken is decent but my ability to speak is not fluent and my writing is awful.

6. Do you like to travel, or are you more of a homebody?  
   Love to travel and see new places ~ and then go home.

7. What's your all-time favorite book (if you can name just one; if not, how about your three favorites)?
     Even three is tough, but today's favorites: 1) Persuasion 2) Cloister Walk  3)  Anne of Green Gables (the whole series if that is not too much of a cheat).

8. Do you love to cook (or would you rather eat out and have someone else do it)?
    I love to eat my husbands cooking and as I work through my insecurities about my ability ~ am learning to enjoy it myself.  

9. If you could only have one dessert for the rest of your life (a horrible prospect, I know!), what would you choose?
   Ice Cream ~ definitely, Coffee ~ probably

10. Is there a particular work of Catholic art that is your favorite?  (Share the image with us, if you can.)
     No one piece of art comes to mind but I think stained glass is an amazing genre celebrated in the Catholic tradition.

11. What inspired you to begin your blog?
Setting something down of my experience as part scrapbook/journal ~ and join the blogging community because as I settled into my role as a mostly SAHM I was feeling a bit cut-off from the world.

My questions:

1. Favorite breakfast?
2. First presidential election you remember?
3. Home decorating style? favoring which time period?
4. Favorite ice cream flavor?
5. And what is going on top? (Fave toppings?)
6. What country/culture fascinates you most?
7. Planner or spur of the moment personality?
8. Favorite board game?
9. White, milk or dark chocolate?
10. Favorite Easter basket candy?
11. You are hosting a 3 movie marathon: what is the theme or featured artist? 

My nominees: 

The Fisk Files by Britt

Cedar & Tiny Flowers by Katrina

Having Left the Altar by Katherine

This Felicitous Life by Laura

Joie de Vivre by Lisa

My thanks again to Laura for this wonderful honor!

Quick Takes #150

1. Hello from our part of the polar blast ~ hope everyone is doing ok. We are surviving with the help of warm blankets and mugs of hot cocoa.
2. As I posted earlier this week, this little blog of mine is 5 years old. So yay me for sticking with it and mostly thank you to all my readers and friends who have kept coming back and encouraging me in this fun little endeavor of mine.
3. Like for example nominating me for Most Unappreciated Blog at the 2014 Sheenazing Awards. Vote Now!!! And thank you, thank you!!
4. The two big kids had a lot of fun with their 2 snow days this week and as the temps are still well below freezing I expect the snow will be around all weekend to enjoy.  Caitlin is a good sport and will come outside and watch so that I can play when asked by L1 and L2 though since she can't really move around much I worry about how quickly she gets cold.
5. Am still undecided about the direction Downton Abbey is going this season but I am feeling better after last Sundays episode and I love Rachel's review!!
6. And now I'm going encourage you to head over to Mama needs Coffee and read up on her Wellness Project which I think is a wonderful idea even if I haven't managed to do something most days.  Snow days + sick spouse= tough week.
7. My week in pictures. Have a good weekend and don't forget to vote!!

And please head over to Conversion Diary for the rest of this weeks Quick Takes!!

The Liebster Award

The lovely Kelly Jo of The Dr and the Mrs has very kindly nominated me as a:

The Liebster Award is for bloggers with less than 200 followers.  Liebster is a German word meaning dearest. The award is given to up-and-coming bloggers who deserve recognition and support to keep on blogging.

Here are the "rules":

1. List 11 facts about yourself

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you

3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.

4. Choose 5 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.

5. Go to each blogger's page and let them know about the award.

6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog!

11 things about me:

1. Despite being half-Belgian I prefer my beer COLD
2. Tulips are my favorite flowers
3. My husband and I had been dating 9 years 10 months when we got married
4. Love to read, favorite books become old friends I visit with over and over again
5. Went to Prince Edwards Island on my honeymoon.
6. Favorite movie: The Philadelphia Story
7. My first concert was John Denver, I was five.
8. I would eat mussels year round if it would not scandalise my mother
9. Staring at the ocean soothes my soul, and recharges my batteries 
10. Have been known to say 'Wicked' when I meant Very
11. Favorite color is purple.

Kelly Jo's questions:
1. What is your favorite article of clothing?
Personally nothing beats a great pair of jeans

2. If you could own any exotic animal what would it be?
Zebra

3. What is your favorite book?
Too many to pick one, favorite genre is historical fiction

4. What is your dream vacation?
Staying with my family in big, old beach house with decks to sit out on and see the ocean, an easy walk to the beach, with yummy seafood and delicious ice cream a short drive away.

5. What are some of your pet peeves?
Debbie downers & mocking children

6. What was your favorite movie growing up?
Sound of Music

7. What is your favorite recipe to cook?
Spinach Quiche

8. If you could hang out with one celebrity for a day, who would it be?
Cokie Roberts or Jennifer Gardner

9. What is one of your family traditions?
Putting a shoe out for St. Nicholas to fill.

10. What is your favorite season and why?
Autumn, I find it visually beautiful, appreciate not being too hot or too cold, and enjoy splurging on the occasional Pumpkin Latte.

11. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Professionally: Teaching at a university having hopefully earned a doctorate.

Personally: Figuring out with my wonderful husband how to parent teenagers.

My questions:

1. Favorite breakfast?
2. First presidential election you remember?
3. Home decorating style? favoring which time period?
4. Favorite ice cream flavor?
5. And what is going on top? (Fave toppings?)
6. What country/culture fascinates you most?
7. Planner or spur of the moment personality?
8. Favorite board game?
9. White, milk or dark chocolate?
10. Favorite Easter basket candy?
11. You are hosting a 3 movie marathon: what is the theme or featured artist? 

I happily nominate:

Bonnie of A Knotted Life

Jessie of Early Bird & Night Owl

Joke of South Africa meets Belgium

Katie of The Rhodes Log

Michelle of Endless Strength

Thank you Kelly Jo for this wonderful honor!

Sheenazing, maybe?

   I've been nominated for a Sheenazing Blogger Award sponsored by Bonnie of A Knotted Life, and I love my category Most Unappreciated Blog because I'm not sure I could actually win and still claim to be unappreciated.

While I ponder such questions please head over and vote for some of the many wonderful blogs nominated in the different categories ~ including mine (happy dance, but not since currently a baby is sleeping in a sling I'm wearing)!

Celebrating Versatility

Thank everyone for their kind comments; yes the migraine is better and as I don't get them too often will be the last until after September when I can again take medication for them. Another thing making the day even nicer was this lovely award from Maggie of From the Heart, for which I thank her very much.

The rules for this blog award are:

1. Thank the blogger who gave it to you; (see above)
2. List 7 things that people may not know about you;
3. Pass the love to 15 deserving bloggers (gonna have to amend this one...how about 7?);
4. and let them know that you gave them an award.

7 Things about me:

1. Child of an interfaith marriage, I am proudly Catholic and appreciative of the tolerance I learned in the Unitarian Church
2. Did not learn to swim till I was ten because...
3. Had ear tubes placed 4x between the age of 5 and 10
4. Favorite show is The Waltons
5. Wrote one of my college admission essays about Anne of Green Gables
6. Was six months old in my first passport photo (visited family in Belgium)
7. First concert was John Denver (I was five yrs old)

Passing the award to:

Musing of a young mom

Roots and Rings

City wife/Country Life

Momma Molly

Karen in Mommyland

This Heavenly Life

Matching Moonheads

Please check them out, I always enjoy wonderful writing on a wide range of topics when I visit.

Quick Takes Vol #42: Honest Scrap

Thank you very much to "Young Mom" of Musings of a young mom for nominating me for this award.

In order to keep the award I must do the following:

1. Say thank you to the presenter (which I do) and link her blog
2. Reveal 7 honest things about myself
3. Present this blog award to 7 others whose blogs are brillant in content and/or design and encourage me

7 things about me

1. Born in Rhode Island, and very loyal despite not living there since I was four
2. Child of an interfaith marriage, I am proudly Catholic and appreciative of the tolerance I learned in the Unitarian Church
3. Favorite show is The Waltons
4. Could happily drink a coffee milkshake everyday
5. Believes the best chocolate comes from Belgium.
6. Can still do a cartwheel
7. Loves to sing along to the radio, and wishes she did not have such an awful voice.

I proudly (and happily) nominate

1. Mindy of http://sweetsmallstuff.blogspot.com/
2. Molly of http://www.momma-molly.com/
3. Rosey ofhttp://roseyoutlookdose.blogspot.com/
4. Kate ofwww.katewicker.com
5. Chelsea of www.rootsandrings.wordpress.com
6. Sara of www.thisheavenlylife.
7. Maureen ofwww.DrMaureen.blogspot.com

Honest Scrap Blogger Award

• Thank you very much to Karen of http://kareninmommyland.blogspot.com/for this wonderful award.  I love reading her blog, she shares her faith and adventures in parenting with a wonderful mix of humor and wisdom.  Plus she provides reassurance for the chosen spelling of my daughter's name.

In order to keep the award I must do the following:

1. Say thank you the the presenter (which I do) and link her blog
2. Reveal 10 honest things about myself
3. Presesnt this blog award to 4 others whose blogs are brillant in content and/or design and encourage me

10 things about me

1. Born in Rhode Island, and very loyal despite not living there since I was four
2. Child of an interfaith marriage, I am proudly Catholic and appreciative of the tolerance I learned in the Unitarian Church
3. Did not learn to swim till I was ten because...
4. Had ear tubes placed 4x between the age of 5 and 10
5. Favorite show is The Waltons
6. Could happily drink a coffee milkshake everyday
7. Believes the best chocolate comes from Belgium
8. Am also (see Karen's post) a recovering pack rat.
9. Can still do a cartwheel
10. Loves to sing along to the radio, and wishes she did not have such an awful voice.

I proudly (and happily) nominate

1. Mindy of http://sweetsmallstuff.blogspot.com/ who inspires and encourages me daily to live and parent with greater compassion and integrity
2. Molly of  http://www.momma-molly.com/is another first time mom of a daughter whose site I go to learn and share
3. Jen of  www.conversiondiary.com who shares her faith journey as she raises her little ones with grace and a big dollop of Texas charm
4. Kate of www.katewicker.com/ who writes with such honesty and compassion, even when I disagree with her I'm glad of the chance to read her views.
   

Honorable Mention: Karen already nominated Rosey of  http://roseyoutlookdose.blogspot.com/  so I won't double dip, but I completely agree.