Lobster Award!

My autocorrect insists it’s the Lobster Award. Not sure there is such an award for crustaceans, but it turns out there is a Liebster Award and I am a nominee.

. So, I am grateful to to receive this recognition and happy to comply with the Liebster rituals.

 

The Liebster Award is a “pay it forward” system. It’s a way for us to meet  and support new, aspiring bloggers. I began blogging and interacting on Twitter and Facebook in September, 2015, so I appreciate the chance to broadcast myself and get to know other Creatives.

 

Liebster is a German word of endearment, like “sweetheart”, “dearest”, “beloved”. The “sweetie” who nominated me is Cara Sue Achterberg, and she declares that she is a wrangler of words, ideas, plants, children, dogs, food, and occasionally horses. She is the author of a novel, I’m Not Her, which has an intriguing plot.

 

She has several blogs, all located on her attractive website, Carawrites.com. The one that I follow is My Life in Paragraphs. You can also look for Kid Friendly Organic Life, Live Intentionally, and The Mama Load. Her most popular blog is Another Good Dog.

 

I enjoy interacting with Cara Sue on Twitter and Facebook and I especially like to read her posts about her foster dogs. She has many interests that I share: she loves children, dogs, horses, chickens, wine, chocolate, cooking and gardening. Even though she is much further along on her writing journey than I am, I have appreciated her openness and frlendliness.

 

My first duty as an Liebster Award nominee is to answer the 10 questions presented by Cara Sue. Here we go:

1. Name three things you would buy if you had won the latest Powerball lottery that went to 1.5 billion.

One of the major publishing houses,

A movie theater chain,

Mount Rushmore

 

2. Which Winnie-the- Pooh character are you?

Sorry, I never read those books! (and my Mom read to me every night when I was little, but she never read Winnie to me!) At this point, I am probably most like Amelia Bedelia.

 

3. Why do you blog?

Let’s meet and chat- at a coffee shop, on a walking path, at a wine bar. Let’s share our journeys and milestones- school, love, marriage, careers, children, pets, hobbies. “Don’t the years fly, the calendar pages a blur like in the old movies?” We’ll shake our heads, smile and hug.

Since I can’t do that with most of you, let’s meet at my blog. You may sip your coffee and peruse my thoughts- which revolve around the keys to a successful life and retirement. You can comment on the praises and problems we all face, and add your moments of love and laughter, too. I am looking forward to becoming your friend!

 

4. What’s the best compliment someone can give your blog?

Leaving a comment would be the highest compliment for me. It would also make me happy if you felt encouraged and if you laughed (with me, not at me!).

 

5. What was the last book you read/do you recommend it?

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalinithi, a gem of thoughts and reflections by a young neurosurgeon faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis who attempts to answer the question What makes a life worth living? This is a very well written book, very approachable, but the topic may not be for everyone.

 

6. Are you a dog or cat person and why?

We have had dogs, cats, hamsters, turtles, hermit crabs, fish, etc. The turtles were surprisingly interactive. Currently, I am a dog person. We  have a 7 year old lab that we rescued several years ago, very close to her expiration date. We paid to have her professionally trained and she is now a delightful companion and the best dog we have ever had. She would win the Liebster Award for dogs.

 

7. What’s your latest writing project beyond the blog?

My first book in a planned series, The Golden Age of Charli- RSVP was released in September, 2015 so I am actively promoting my masterpiece. The second book in the series is signed, sealed, delivered and will be released in 2016. I am editing Book 3.

 

8. Who would you most like to interview and blog about?

Savannah Brinson James. She is the wife of LeBron James and an admirable person in her own right. She operates her own charity, runs her own juice bar and even designs furniture, and is a mom to three children.

 

9. What cool button do you wish your blog had?

A fortune cookie button that would give each visitor a charming fortune! And a Broadway show button that would blast happy, upbeat classics.

 

 10. What do you eat/serve for dinner WAY more than you should?

Vodka? My husband and I are healthy, adventurous cooks and eaters, so our meals are pleasant and tasty. (Except when we try kale.) Gone are the days of cold cereal and mac ‘n cheese all the time.

 

As part of the Liebster award process, I get the pleasure of nominating 10 Sweethearts. Before I open the envelope, here are your tasks. Kindly:

1. Thank the person who nominated you (ME!!) and link to their blog in your post. jenabooks.com
2. Copy and paste the Liebster Award badge into your post.
3. Answer the ten new questions from me- these are posted below the list of nominees.
4. Nominate ten newbie bloggers. Inform them by commenting on their blog with the news that they’ve been nominated and tell them to follow the link to your blog, which you will also give them.
5. List your ten new questions for them to answer.

At first, I was overwhelmed, but it has been fun and easy to do this! And I am grateful for the chance to get to know more of you!

 

Drumroll…and the Nominees Are:

Many of these bloggers are writers. And the rest are people who blog about topics that interest me. Please take the time to visit these blogs! First, some folks I know (or feel like I know):

1. Impossible Journey  Maureen uses facts, puns, poems and good thoughts to share her “possible” health journey.

2. Amanda Uhl is an author friend and is writing a paranormal romance series. She writes thoughtful and positive posts about everyday life.

3. Shannon Eichorn has a website about her writing projects and she features a blog with posts about life and what it’s like to be an aerospace engineer. I hope she doesn’t get left on Mars! She is fun on Twitter.

4. Christy McKee  has written several books and promises us “Hot, humorous and happily ever after”. Her blog On the Porch features heartwarming posts. (She is also my neighbor but we mainly see each other in faraway cities!)

5. Jill Heinz has started a blog that features devotions and reflections about faith, life and family. She lives her testimonies, too, and is a warm, fun, and caring person.

6. Dr. Kelly Low is a professor and motivational speaker, golfer, avid reader and word game champion, as well as many other accomplishments. She reached out to me and now I want to encourage her to continue her blog!

And now for some folks I am getting to know.

7. Aaron Speca  is a busy husband, dad, engineer and now a writer who originally didn’t know he could write- but he can and does!! He also believes in “paying it forward” and supports fellow authors. (HIs mom is my Twitter friend!

8. Kate Pronina writes Kate’s Better Bite. I met her on Twitter and “liked” her Avocado and Crab Stuffed Crepes. She loves to experiment i the ketches with better-for-you recipes that all look amazing.

9. Jean M. Cogdell is also someone I recently followed on Twitter. She is a writer, wife, mom, Oma and dog owner who writes something worth reading, one word at a time.

10. Barbara Younger is on Twitter where first met her. Friend for the Ride is her blog and it’s about Menopause and the Midlife Roller Coaster. Her blog was named a top Menopause blog.

Please answer the following questions. The world wants to know:

1. Brussels sprouts or kale?
2. What’s your favorite quote..the one you would put in a big frame and display at all times?
3. What’s your favorite commercial?
4. You have to choose: would you prefer to live in 1916 or 2116?
5. What’s your favorite blog post that you wrote?
6. Are you a morning glory or a night owl?
7. What office task or housekeeping chore would you gladly pay someone to do?
8. Tell us about your writing projects.
9. What’s at the top of your bucket list?
10.  Who is your favorite child? Why is Jena C. Henry your favorite author? Ok, how about giving us your best advice about writing, editing, promoting, marketing your work.

Again, many thanks to Cara Sue Achterberg and I wish all of you the best in 2016 and beyond.