awards

I fell behind a bit during the last few months of the 2012 as I was selling my condo and moving into a new house. Although I am not completely unpacked and settled, I realize it is now time to return to the keyboard and resume my writer’s journey. Something inside of me misses the self-expression and the sharing of my thoughts with others. Another part of me worries that I’m losing ground in my craft because I’ve let a bit of time lapse.

The first step, however, must be to acknowledge the wonderful additional awards that my blog has been fortunate enough to receive in the last few months. I am bending the rules somewhat in combining all three awards on this page and listing many of my favorite blogs rather than making specific nominations. The most important thing for me is to express my gratitude to the persons who thought enough of my blog to acknowledge it and also to encourage you to visit these sites as well as some of my additional favorites that I will list at the end of the post.

AWARD # 1 -Very Inspiring Blogger Award

Thanks so much to author Raani York for her nomination of this blog for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award.” Be sure to visit Raani York for her witty and interesting commentary on various topics. Raani adjusted the rules about the number of blog nominations which I am going to do also by simply listing at the end of this post some of my favorite blogs.

The rules for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award” are:
1. Thank and link to the blogger that has nominated you.
2. Then post the award logo to your blog.
3. Write a post on the nomination and nominate 15 other very inspiring bloggers.
4. Notify them and then tell 7 things about yourself.

Here are the seven things about me: ( I hate this part )
1. I love to travel.
2. My favorite color is cobalt blue.
3. I love sitting very close to the ocean staring at the waves.
4. One of my favorite TV series from the 50’s-60’s is Gunsmoke.
5. I love listening to the wind “whoosh” through pine trees.
6. I enjoy coffee and the stronger, the better.
7. I have a tendency to procrastinate.

AWARD #2 -Blog of the Year 2012

A Writer’s Journey has been honored twice for the “Blog of the Year 2012.” These awards were presented by Women Making Strides and Catnip of Life. Thanks so much to Sharla Shultz at Catnip of Life and Susan Ekins at Women Making Strides. Be sure to visit their very inspirational blogs. You will undoubtedly find something worthwhile there to take with you.

The rules for the award are here.

AWARD #3 -One Lovely Blog Award

My blog was honored for this award by Meg of Meg Travels and Chuckles and Sunshine of Simply Charming. Many thanks to them for this recognition. Be sure to check out their very interesting blogs!

The rules are:
• Thank the person who nominated you and link back to them in your post.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Nominate 15 or so bloggers you admire.
• Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know.

I am listing the blogs below because I enjoy them and I want to encourage others to take a look. Blog owners may consider this a nomination or not. You don’t have to do anything if you don’t accept awards or if you’ve already received these particular awards. Also, you can choose one or all three awards. I just want to let you know how much I enjoy your wonderful blogs!

Raani York
Simply Charming
Russel Ray Photos
Catnip of Life
Women Making Strides
Meg Travels
Life in the Bogs
Lost in Town
Bringing Europe Home
Stutley Tales
Tiny Lessons Blog
Darlene Craviotto
Bruce Louis Dodson
Everlasting Love of Flowers
Stuff I tell My Sister
Mommy Mystic

I recently was delighted to receive a message that my blog had been honored with a nomination for the Liebster Award from Sharla Shults @Catnipoflife . Sharla is an educator who writes poetry that shares beautiful thoughts and reflections about life. Please check out some of her inspirational writing at Catnipoflife. Many thanks to you, Sharla, for this award.

The following information about the Liebster Award is copied from Catnipoflife :

What is the Liebster Award?

“The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.”

There are certain rules one has to follow:

If you are tagged/nominated, you have to post 11 facts about yourself.
Then you answer the 11 questions the tagger has given you & make 11 questions for the people you are going to tag.
Tag 11 more Bloggers.
Tell the people you tagged that you did.
No tagging back.
The person you tag must have less than 200 followers.

11 Facts About Me

I’ve traveled through 49 out of the 50 United States.
My favorite singer is Anna Tatangelo of Italy.
King Edward I of England is my 22^nd great-grandfather.
I am an “only” child.
I never ate chocolate until the age of four, but I’ve been making up for it ever since.
I love the ocean, mountains and woods; it’s where I feel closest to God and the universe.
My favorite place in the world is Isola Bella, an island in Lake Maggiore, near Stressa, Italy.
My favorite pet was the family dog, Wally, a Maltese, who despite numerous medical problems lived to be 13 years old.
I collect cobalt blue glass.
I’m a perfectionist, although, fortunately for myself and others, not quite as much as when I was younger.
One of the best experiences in my life was a sunset cruise in the Bahamas on a ship with tall sails.

Answers to Catnipoflife’s Questions

1] ‘Checkered blue n white’ or ‘black’?

If I’m wearing it, ‘black’; otherwise, ‘checkered blue ‘n white’ such as for curtains, small checks, preferably.

2] Curtains or no curtains?

Venetian blinds, vertical blinds, interior shutters, mixed with curtains

3] Hardcover, paperback or ebooks?

I purchase a lot of ebooks as they save space and money, but I still like the feel and appearance of a hardcover book.

4] What’s your ambiance while writing?

Nothing fancy at this point – silence in my office at my desktop, or in the living room with my laptop and the low voices from the TV in the background. Glances out the windows to the trees outside from both places inspire me. I love to write in nature, by the Delaware River or on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean but don’t often have the opportunity.

5] Do you plan to publish a novel?

Yes, at least one. I never thought I would do it because I enjoy shorter pieces, but since I have found myself in the midst of writing one now, I will complete and publish it, one way or another!

6] Do you like to make a gift for your loved one or do you rather buy?

I like to make gifts and have done so in the past, but I no longer have the time.

7] Which is the most beautiful color according to you?

Blue, all shades, but especially cobalt blue.

8] What’s your mantra in life?

“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”

William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3

9] Have you ever thought of becoming a soldier in your life?

No, but I have the utmost respect for the military.

10] Do you have stage fear?

A little

11] ‘Mickey mouse/ Aladdin/Duck Tales’ or ‘ Shin Chan/ Doraemon/ Kitretsu’?