This week I received the lovely news that The Novice Gardener named me among 14 other bloggers to receive the “Shine On” award. What an honor to be recognized by such an inspiring fellow blogger! If you aren’t familiar with her amazing blog, check it out here (and take a look at this stunning cake).
To accept the award, I have two tasks at hand. First up, to share seven random, interesting things about myself that you might not know. Here goes:
- I grew up in Maine, anxious to travel the world. Now I travel the world, anxious to return home to Maine.
- I used to be obsessed with the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s and watched it probably 100 times. While I still admire the elegant and charming Holly Golightly character that Audrey Hepburn plays, I would like to tell her that she should eat a real breakfast instead of gazing at diamonds.
- My husband is much more organized than I am in most aspects, but even he is daunted by my alphabetized spice rack.
- My favorite spice is cardamom. It seems appropriate that it has “mom” in its name. It feels like a warm hug.
- I’ve lived in 10 different countries and visited dozens more. I’ve been to Italy countless times and will never tire of its beauty and its food.
- I would love to visit India and China someday. And Thailand. Oh, and so many more…
- I once dined with a president (among other guests). Okay, so I was just the note-taker for a tense discussion among diplomats over dinner, and our side had a hard message to deliver. But he charmed me with a seat at the table and a personalized box of chocolates to take home.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And now, I get to pass the “Shine On” award along to fellow bloggers of my choice. Being a newbie to this community, I am in awe of the array of talents and inspirational work I find day after day here. I nominate (in alphabetical order):
So for all you nominees, it’s up to you whether you want to follow through with the award; just know that I have enjoyed your blog. If you’d like to participate, here are the rules of the award:
1. Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Acknowledge that blogger on your blog, and link back.
3. Share seven random, interesting things about yourself.
4. Nominate up to 15 bloggers for the Shine On Award, provide a link to their blogs in your post, and notify them on their blogs.
Once again, I want to thank The Novice Gardener for this honor and recognize all the folks here who continue to create and inspire. Shine on!
September 26, 2013 at 8:33 pm
Well-deserved award! Can’t wait to check out some of these blogs I’m not familiar with, looks like an exciting selection!
September 26, 2013 at 8:39 pm
Thanks again! This gives me a boost of encouragement and makes me feel a part of this great community of bloggers. Please do check out my nominees, they’re doing wonderful things!
September 26, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Congratulations! So well deserved! And how nice of you to pass it on, I am honoured to be in this wonderful group.
September 26, 2013 at 11:22 pm
Thanks, and congrats to you – well-deserved!
September 26, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Sincerest thanks for your kind consideration and nomination – most kind and lovely of you. Will check your other nominees but I notice some familiar fellows and I send them big hellos and hugs, as I do to you. Thank you x
September 26, 2013 at 11:21 pm
My pleasure, and you are most deserving!
September 27, 2013 at 4:31 am
Congratulations and best wishes on your award! Thank you for the nomination too… 🙂
September 27, 2013 at 1:21 pm
Thanks! It’s my pleasure to shine a little spotlight on some of my favorite blogs.
September 27, 2013 at 7:02 am
Thanks again for the nomination!
The pictures on your blog are gorgeous- it makes me want to eat it all! I’ll definitely be looking at the other blogs you nominated 🙂
September 27, 2013 at 1:23 pm
You’re welcome, Deanna! And thanks for the compliment! I find photography one of the most challenging parts of blogging, but I’m enjoying trying new things and learning as I go 🙂
September 27, 2013 at 7:15 am
What a wonderful and humbling surprise. Thank you, Laura. I’m honoured that you feel I am deserving of this accolade. Congratulations to you too for your own nomination, and well-written facts list. I am not acquainted with my fellow nominees and will visit them soon. PS from your seven facts I see we have a lot in common – but not the cool diplomatic stuff!
October 8, 2013 at 11:19 pm
Thanks! Well-deserved on your part and I’m happy to have the chance to get to know you through your blog. I too think we have a lot in common, even in our food perspective; I’m learning a lot from your posts. Cheers!
September 27, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Thank you for nominating Spontaneous Tomato! Yay!
I’ve traveled a lot too, but I doubt I’ve traveled as much as you have—you’ve *lived* in 10 different countries?! That sounds both wonderful (in general) and exhausting (picturing the packing and moving part…). Also, cardamom is an awesome spice—definitely worthy of being a favorite. It’s right up there for me, too!
October 8, 2013 at 11:11 pm
You’re welcome, and yay for you! Glad to find a fellow cardamom enthusiast 🙂
September 28, 2013 at 3:18 am
You must be thoroughly organized, what with an alphabetized spice rack…I love cardamom too. Congratulations on your nomination for sunshine award. I wish you a happy blogging!
October 8, 2013 at 11:13 pm
Thanks, Liz, and happy wishes back to you! (And no, I’m not so organized, but the spice rack is an exception 🙂 )
September 28, 2013 at 7:52 am
Congratulations Laura….a wonderful achievement. I love reading the blog. I hope you are able to travel to Maine soon. Say hello to your family for me please.
Julie Young Beck
Sent from my iPad
October 8, 2013 at 11:17 pm
Thanks, Julie! So good to connect with you here. Hope you and your family — especially that beautiful little girl of yours — are doing well!
September 30, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Thank you so much for nominating our blog, what an honour to be included in your favourites.
October 8, 2013 at 11:18 pm
Thanks and best wishes to you – hope to see more of your great posts from Tuscany.
October 25, 2013 at 8:11 am
Congratulations Laura for Shine on Award. You have nominated wonderful blogs which I am fan of all but couple of them which and new to me, and I will check them out.
October 25, 2013 at 6:47 pm
Thanks, glad you are a fan of my choices! It’s fun to recognize these wonderful blogs 🙂