Here is to Friendship!

Nearly a week ago, Julie of Joyful Days sent me these beautiful awards. Thank you, Julie, I love them both. I enjoy and appreciate your friendship, dear friends, that is a God sent to me. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for God's plan to make our paths cross. One of these days I'll write my testimony for us to share. To friendship, then, and glory to God.

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

I could very well write "Since you came thus far, you may pick the award", but I wouldn't be a good sport. Besides, I like doing the choosing, because I get to say hello to friends I haven't visited in a while. So, here is the list of the recipients:

1.Shortybear's Place
2. Homespun Simplicity
3.Simply Heart and Home
4.I'm heading towards my destiny
5.Notes from one mom
6.The fruits of the Spirit
7.Pink Slippers
8.My life as Annie

Thank you for the friendship and inspiration!

Lemonade, Lemonade!

I am so thankful to Karen of Homespun Simplicity for blessing me first with her posts and now with this blogging award! If you haven't visited Karen before, let me tell you that her place is somewhere where you want to stay, a place that has a palpable taste and a feeling of certainty I long for. Thank you, Karen.

Now, for those of you reading and knowing me long enough, you know I scrambled my template and lost all of my little awards from my sidebar. So, apart from what I said about Karen and her blog, this award is extra special to me because it's my first one of the post-crash times!

This award is passed to bloggers for showing great Attitude and/or Gratitude.
The rules of this award:
Put the logo on your blog or post.
Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

And now I get to pass the award on to some nice blogs and the ladies behind them, with attitude and gratitude.

Pink Slippers: Hold on to your seats for this breezy, Christian lady!

Oak Rise Cottage: Carrie is a perennial inspiration of graceful living.

Grace Alone: aka Miss Thankfulness in person.

Angelica Grace Designs:Christian and creative...with an attitude!

Alfazema: (You try so hard, I think you'll like this!)

Sugar and Meringue: Emily needs a lemonade shot for her new endeavors!

Kitten come from Eggs: You know her, and she amply deserves it!

My Life as Annie: Annie has both attitude and gratitude!

Shortybears Place: Daily dose of both!
And on nr.10, it's You!..Thank you for stopping by, reading me and commenting! God bless!

Lunching out and Weblog Awards

Hello,
It's Saturday evening and I am blogging from my laptop at home, while listening to a TV show on St. John the Evangelist and the island of Patmos where he wrote The Revelation.
We have had a lovely lunch with the in laws, surprise, surprise. Perhaps those bottles of wine worked their miracle and everyone loosened up. Or it was my prayers and yours to help me cope with them. Or both; after all "wine maketh glad the heart of man".

I stayed up late because another weblog award is up, ("another", provided you have already read my post on Blissfully Domestic; if not you still have time to run and vote for them!).
This time I know of it quite early, so as to nominate my personal favorites. Do stop by and check my nominees, and then head here to nominate (by Monday, January 12, 10:00 PM EST) your own fvorites, and vote between Thursday, January 22 and Monday, February 2,10:00 PM EST.

Best European: Bleedinng Espresso
Best Photography:Soulemama
Art,Craft,Design: Posie Gets Cozy, A Petits Pas
Food: Canelle et Vanille
Best Topical:Spiritually Unequal Marriage
Best Writing: Hidden in France
About Politics: Taki's Magazine
Best Kept Secret: Shortybears Place

And if you do, do let us know. I'd love to see your hidden favorites!

A freshly squeezed award

One Mom, a thoughtful and inspiring blogging friend, with a great sense of humor, has graciously bestowed upon me the Lemonade Award. This is a great award a) because I like her web home a lot, b) because she appreciates my attitude of gratitude, which is fantastic because I am only a struggling novice, and c)because I so much like the award logo, reminiscent of summer fairs and lemonade!

Do visit the One Mom website for beautiful, eco-friendly party supplies, lots of ideas for party activities and tempting food for little fingers!

And now let me pass on the award. There are quite a few people who deserve to be mentioned, but for today, these fabulously inspiring ladies who show a gracious attitude of gratitude will get some delicious pink lemonade (my favorite!).

Denise is my champion of the gratitude attitude. She surely lifts up my spirits whenever I visit her and makes me feel grateful for her friendship. If you haven't come across her blog, please check out this post.

Izzy is dear Annie's daughter. She is a fighter and a champion in attitude and I love her and her smile so very much. Here is to you, Izzy!

Melissa's blog is a treasure chest of inspiration for a warm, welcoming home, but she merits this award especially for her post on The Meaning of the Season.

This award must also fly all the way to Iowa and to Leah who is hosting what has become my (almost) daily thanking habit, The Giving Thanks Challenge (see my sidebar).

A special thanks to Carrie who has a talent for finding beauty around her. Visiting her blog makes me feel like playing at a best friend's house, with the eyes and heart of a 10 year old.

Finally, a big glass of pink lemonade to a friend from my Happy Turtle blog. Margaret is a very special lady who diggs for and finds happiness and beauty. Well deserved Madam.

A lovely day to all, and a big hug from me to you.

Thankful Thursday and A Cherished Award

Hello,
Oh I am thankful I am still alive and not so much hurting. The gastroenterologist I was going to see is out of town till Monday. My other option is to go to the hospital, and as a good friend I met yesterday said "I'd rather go to good God than to hospital". So I took her advice and have plain rice and some canned peaches and some chamomile tea, plus I went to a pharmacist yesterday and she gave me a box of Zantac to keep me going (basically to stop the pain), and I occasionally feel better. But I must go and see him on Monday. Oh but wait, Monday comes the new company Sales Director and I must be at the shop, so it must be Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.

And a good friend who went to a monastery last week brought me two icons and some blessed oil to annoint myself, which I do, while I read the Paraklesis, which is a great comfort. Thank God.

Another reason I am thankful for is that dear Carrie of Oak Rise Cottage presented me with the "Sharing The Love" award while I was on holiday. Thank you Carrie. I am very honored and very thankful and yes, very smiley. I always like to stop by Carrie's who's like a breath of fresh air. Thank you for your friendship. I appreciate you!
At the origin of this award is Crystal of Memoirs of a Mommy. Crystal has created the award in honor of the donor who saved her son's life and to help raise awareness of the need for organ donation. I am so overwhelmed by reading sweet Noah's story. Please stop by and say hello, too, and praise the Lord for His miracles.


The rules of this award are: SHARE THE LOVE!!! Share this award with all those blogs out there that you love. All the people who make you smile. All those that make you laugh. All those that make your day. All those that leave uplifting comments on your blog. **All I ask, is that you include a link to this post with the award and ask your recipient to do the same**


There are many ladies that make me smile and laugh and make my day. There are people who make me jump on my seat when I see their name in the comments.

But let me start with one mom who I know will find comfort in a fellow mom's story:

Annie , dear Annie, I pray and wish we shall soon see Izzy singing and dancing around.

Denise, you know how I love you and appreciate your wisdom and support.

Hootin' Anni , you're SO uplifting!

Posy and Posie get me smiling whenever I visit. So do Melissa and Daisy.


I would also like to draw your attention to a noteworthy effort.



It's called It's 4 the Kids and it supports pediatric cancer patients. Please stop by them, show your support and shower them with your prayers.

I am gonna close this post with Crystal's own words that kept me staring on my screen.
"I know without a doubt, that when I ask the Lord for guidance in the decisions I make, the things I do, the challenges I am faced with, He will be there.When I ask my Heavenly Father to help me, I know He will. I take great comfort in knowing that as long as I am trying my best and asking my God to walk with me, He will show me the path".

I love you all!

Thank you!

Carrie of Oak Rise Cottage regaled me with this award. That is wonderful !


Here are the award rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you
3. Nominate 7 other bloggers for this award
4. Add links to the recipients
5. Leave a comment for the recipients or email them to let them know they have an award.

Thank you so much Carrie! I shall proudly display it along with this verse that you've posted:


Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 4:6-7

Amen. Carrie, it is a pleasure meeting you and stopping by your lovely blog!

Denise and Annie have also sent an award my way some months ago, which I did not acknowledge. I humbly apologise to you, my dearest friends.

May I redeem myself by passing on the award to the brilliant Denise and Annie. With thanks to Lynn and Iris. And also to the inspiring Melanie, Angie and Gina.
Ladies, you are God's jewels from Heaven. Thank you for your brilliant blogs and for your friendship.

2008 weblog awards

I did some web surfing today. I needed to change the subject of my thoughts for a while. I could hardly sleep last night, and neither could F. Fortunatelly the day was busy at the shop. The sale is in the national papers and mags, and people come in for a bargain. I love working! I love helping people choose, mixing and matching their dream bedlinen, quilts and curtains and stuff.

As I was surfing, I found out that the 2008 weblog awards are on. Some of the blogs are plain horrible; some people must seek professional help immediately. However, there were some blogs I visit quite often and enjoy reading and looking at, and some that I visit less often that are interesting. I have posted about them at my Happy Turtle blog.

May I add one more on this blog, because as I read at All Things Bright and Beautiful, if you post an entry once, and then amend, and people read your posts using a feed, they get to read your post twice or read both versions of your post! So I am adding here a Christian lady who made it to the finalists, in the best new weblog category, it is Mrs. Fussypants' Guide to Life. Rather fun. Fussy led me to this post by Ann V at Holy Experience which I think you must read, if you haven't already.

The list is by no means representative or exhaustive, but it is fun making a little experiment, stopping by and seeing new places and picking your favorite ones. You can pick and choose by clicking here. Voting will close at 10:00 PM EST on Thursday, January 31, so do have a look and vote for those you like best.

Speaking of awards, I would like to thank Denise for presenting me with these lovely awards.

If I can make someone's day by clicking here and there, then I am more than glad to do it! You certainly made mine! I shall post about these later this week. But I wanted to thank you, thank you very much. I appreciate your friendship and your being.

Do not forget to show someone today that you care. Dear friends, I love you all.

Sweetest Award

Two very dear friends and fellow bloggers, Annie and Denise, presented me with this bloggy award. I am thankful with all my heart. Denise of Shortybear's Place and Annie of My Life as Annie, are both special in their own unique ways. But they also share something in common. Both Annie and Denise are blessed with offering the gift of faith and friendship. And they have envelopped me with these.They each show quiet perseverence in the face of adversity, infinite kindness and good spirits and joy in life. I appreciate your gifts and I am honored, deeply, sincerely by your friendship.

Although I am grateful for the bloggy awards that I have been offered, from my Thinking Blogger Award, that made me feel I have not lost all my brain power to diapers and color paint cards, to the gracious, the spicy and the funny, I am very fond of this one because of its description (let alone its colorful picture).

"Xandra, from Heart of Service has created this fun award. Here is what she says: "it's for blogs that I must read every day without fail . . . They make you laugh, cry, think and feel connected every time you read a post. They give you a thrill as you see them loading into your browser and you get an equally satisfying thrill when you see that they have commented on your blog."

I am so honored you feel so about my cyberhome. Know that you are very welcome, and that I can certainly say the same of you. I log into blogger, open my blog page (to make sure it is still there!) and go directly to my sidebar links. Click- click, I check on Denise and Annie (and Izzy).

My morning clicks also include Ellen B, who never fails to offer an inspiring verse, or a beautiful picture and Kelli who reminds me of loving the cosiness of every day life at home. Two recent additions to my reading list are Carrie and Amy.
I don't stop every day, but I enjoy visiting you people who stop by and leave a comment, even when I forget to add you to my sidebar. Thank you for your kindness, thoughtfulness and encouragement.

From my Happy Turtle blog I venture into Anna's Absolutely Beautiful Things, The Paris Apartment, The Yvestown Blog and Melissa of The Inspired Room and my longtime favorites, Tongue in Cheek, Vienna for Beginners and My Marrakesh, who transport me to beautiful places with lovely photography and refined words.

I am so glad you find something interesting, pleasant or thoughtful to read here.

The Colors of Friendship Award

Denise of Shortybears Place has blessed me in many ways always and especially during the difficult times we are going through after our shop's stock has gone. And she did so again with this, The Colors of Friendship award. I am delighted to meet through blogging people from many parts of the world. I am impressed every day by the attitude, the heart and spirit that their faith in Christ instills in them.

Going a little against the rules, I want to nominate one blogfriend for the Colors of Friendship Award.

Annie, "you color my life with the beautiful hues of friendship. Although we come from different backgrounds and cultures we share the same spirit of friendship" and even more, we are building on the same Faith in God. Always grow in Believing.

Thank you for being such a great friend. Thank you.

The Christmas Spirit

I love Christmas. Nomatter what you may tell me about Santa Claus existing or not, and it being a commercial holiday, I will not forsake it. I am perfectly aware of the commercialisation of the holiday. The spirit of indulgence in every step, so much vulgarity around. This is actually what makes me feel sick in my stomach (how very appropriate these days!).

So when dear, dear Annie offered me this wonderful award, I was delighted. I am delighted. Thank you, Annie! You deserve this. Believe and believe even more!
This is my first Christmas present this year, and I am glad for that.

Here is what Santa's blog says about this award:

"What is the Spirit of Christmas you ask?
Quite simply it is those that have a generous and giving nature. Those who care about others.Those who have a kind word to say or a broad shoulder to lean on in the times that others need that. Those who display the "spirit of Christmas".

This is the only award that I am releasing that you may pass on to others. I am giving it to five and you should too.Those that have touched your heart with their kind and giving and caring nature".

There are quite a few pople who are a blessing in the blogging community.
Denise, because she loves so much and so deeply the One who is the reason for the season.
Bridget, because your posts are warm, thoughtful and helpful.
Merisi isn't into awards, I know, but Thank You. Besides you are one of the best equiped for Christmas. Looking forward to Christmas in Vienna!
Halfpintpixie, is a loving, breastfeeding, vegan mum who cares for herself, for others and the Earth. Wishing you a Merry Season!
Terri who is right now with her husband in China to meet her daughter Ella. Wishing your family Love and Joy!

I want you to know that I appreciate your kindness and friendship. God bless you all.

Isn't this super sweet?

Thank you, thank you! Hootin' Anni, it's so nice of you to think that of me! You are a super lady.

Now I must pick visitors from last week to forward this to.
Hootin' Anni's rules are these:
"From now until Halloween I will be awarding this icon to 1 or more people who come and comment on my blog! You must comment to win, how else will I know you’re here? If you win please feel free to pass it on to others.
Please don’t just choose your friends, choose random visitors as well so you can make new friends and spread the love across the blogging world and not just in your group of blogging buddies. And remember to visit the blogs of the people you choose to let them know they won and to share some comment love…you know we all LOVE comments!

All people named are first time visitors, so thank you for stoping by, taking the time to read my posts and leaving a thoughtful comment. You're a treat! The award for last week's visitors goes to these pumpkin, cherries, homemaking and gardening loving ladies:

Bridget of Miles to Go
Anita in Germany
Amy of Life's Small Treasures
Jane at Hitting the High Notes

and their super sweet and welcoming homes and gardens, both real and virtual.
Have fun!

"You Lift Me Up" blogging award

Dear Annie of My Life As Annie has sent my way this beautiful award: "You Lift Me Up".
Do I? Oh I am so glad if I do a little bit and I promise I'll do my best to!
You certainly lift me up, Annie.
I'd now like to pass on this award to the following people who lift ME up:

Denise at Shortybears Place for her sweetness and faith in front of adversity, and for her total belief in God's love and purpose. Dear Denise, visiting you uplifts my faith.

Ellen at The Happy Wonderer. Ellen's blog is so much like visiting a home. Chic and composed. Ellen, reading your entries makes me peaceful and happy.

Jane at the Cozy Reader. I only recently began visiting Jane. Dear Jane , your wit and sense of humor lift me up every time I visit.


Iris of Sting My Heart hosts Thankful Thursday. Allowing the positive to shine like polished silverware, that is such a great lift-up, don't you think?

Sallie of A Gracious Home is sure to uplift me. Whenever I wonder if the life I long for is doable, a visit to Sallie's is like balsam. Bless you, Sallie.

Thank you ladies. Meeting you is a pleasure!

A lovely award.

This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've been awarded please pass it on to others who you feel are deserving of this award.

I am so thankful and humbled to receive such a beautiful gift!

Thank you, Annie! You'd be the first one to receive it, had you not be the one to offer it to me so generously. Your friendship warms my heart. Always "Believe".
Alycia, your faith is so bright and joyful! I love stopping by your blessed home. Thanks for reminding me where my treasures are.
Kelli has such a charming way with the beauty of homemaking and with writing about it. Thank you for your welcoming home, and for showing me that there is no place like home.
Mrs L, I met you only recently. You inspire good feelings in me by being the gentle, thoughtful you.

Next to you, ladies, I take a deep breath and dive into my inner self and out into the fresh air of friendship and inspiration. You have taken me by the hand and you are patiently guiding my baby steps into the life I love and fear, a life of Faith and love of the family and home.

You deserve this meaningful and so beautiful award.

I am a Rockin' Girl Blogger!

I am soooo thankful! I am so thankful you come by, read about my ups and downs, and look at my pictures. I am thankful that you stop long enough to read my ramblings and offer me the cup of your kind comments. I am thankful because you encourage me in my efforts to bloom where I am planted. You gently guide me in the fog of my quest for a new, spiritual life AND you are telling me you like me!
Thank you, Annie!
Time to pass on the torch, then. Here we go:
Emma, because she is so brave, so sweet and so mindful. And a Brit, of course!
Maggie, because she creates templates and headers second to none, but you get to donate the price to her chosen charities. Rockin' (he)art!
Alycia because she has such a beautiful way of believing, that it is contagious.
To all of you, a big Thank You. You rock!

My first award!

I just received my first blogging award!And what an award: the Thinking Blogger award.
I cherish that. Thank you so much Annie! This is the best gift I could dream of for my one year blogging anniversary!Thank you all for coming by, inspiring me and offering me your friendship.



Now I have to nominate five people for the award. There are quite a few kind and wise ladies I love visiting. Women who set an example by their stand in life and who make me think about mine and the world around me. But I'll have to narrow things down, so my award goes to:

Emma of Making The Most of Life because she is an inspirational homeschooling mother, and one of the first people who made me want to blog. Blessings, Em!
Sallie of A Gracious Home for ministering Christian blogging to me.
Merisi of Merisi's Vienna for Beginners publishes "virtual postcards" that are so full of her sensitive personality that are like meditation to me. Thank you, Merisi, for reminding me of the beauty of life right next to me.
Erin of And This Is the Wonder, for being so thoughtful and fun.
And Barbara of Mommy Life. A great lady and a teacher.

There are so many more I would have liked to include, such as Susan and Terri. Please read more here.
My heart is full of gratitude for all of you.