Did you ever play 20 questions? A Liebster Award

 Did you ever play 20 questions?  You know, the game where you have to ask obscure amazing yes or no questions to figure out what your opponent is thinking of.  Questions like, "Is it bigger than a breadbox?"  or "Is it animal, vegetable or mineral?"  My sister and I used to play this game in the car when we traveled as a family.  Yours truly always lost.  That might have something to do with the fact that I'm nine years younger and my 7 year old self was certainly no match for her 16 year old self.  But I digress....

My sweet Arielle, author of the cute new blog arielle {like the mermaid} has nominated me - her very own mother - for a Liebster Award.  Liebster apparently means cute or darling, but in Blogland is really just a way of connecting and getting to know each other better. 

To accept the "Award", the recipient answers 11 questions (why 11?  No idea, but at least it's not 20!) and then awards 11 other bloggers a Liebster Award and poses 11 questions of their own.  If they accept, they answer the 11 questions  and nominate 11 other bloggers...  You get the drift.

Well, who am I to refuse my dear girl?

So here goes:

1. Why did you start blogging? Originally I started blogging so that I could comment on my oldest daughter's blog where she posted pictures of my adorable granddaughter.  Pictures like this...

I NEVER, e-v-e-r imagined I would actually, really blog, let alone keep one up for almost 4 years.  But I have found it a fun way to connect with other people who have similar interests (see question 11 below), and a great way to chronicle my creative "adventures".  I never thought I would enjoy blogging so much.

2. What is something this year that you are really looking forward to?  My husband and I are planning an Alaska inland passage cruise this summer.  I can't wait! 

3. What is your favorite thing to do to unwind?  I love to read.  A really good book can transport me to places I have never seen and experiences I probably will never have.  My mother used to say I was totally oblivious when I had my "nose in a book" and it is still true.  When my children were little, I had to severely limit my reading so they wouldn't starve or die of neglect.  I don't have to worry about that any more, as you can see from this post.

And when I'm not reading...  I quilt!

4. Photos say a thousand words so share a photo that means the most to you. Why is that picture important to you?

 This photo includes all the things I hold most dear - my faith and my family.  (You can't see baby Britton in this picture, but he is there, I promise!  He was born about 7 months after this photo was taken.)  

 Here he is....  just so he doesn't feel left out.  (Funny how my grands think every quilt is their quilt!)

4. What quote inspires you the most? There are several, but this one really stands out:

“Get on your knees and pray, then roll up your sleeves and go to work.”
― Gordon B. Hinckley

 5. Name a beauty product you can’t live without & why?  Quite honestly, since I  "retired", beauty products are hit or miss with me, but a good moisturizer is essential.  Avon recently stopped making the one I have used for 30 years, so I'm trying new ones, and it's a struggle.  It has to be deeply moisturizing and be fragrance free, or at least have a fragrance that doesn't make me want to gag, and preferably that I don't keep smelling until the next time I wash my face.  I'm open to suggestions here.  Please!

6. Where is your favorite vacation spot?  WH and I honeymooned in Banff, Alberta, and we've only been back a few times in these thirty-something years, but whenever I think of Banff it brings back such fond memories, I would have to say it's my favorite.

7. What is your favorite blog? Oh, this is a tough one.  There are so many (too many, probably) that I love to read...  I'm going to pass on this one - you know who you are.

8. What is your favorite way to work out?  Ha!  This one is easy...  I don't.  At least not in the go-to-the-gym-and-sweat-your-eyeballs-out kind of way.  I enjoy going for walks in the neighborhood.  Otherwise, I guess I just work out the sewing machine.

 

9. Where do you like to shop?  AMAZON!!!  I can purchase almost anything and never have to leave my house!  With a few exceptions, Amazon has become my go-to shopping experience.  Second, Target.  When I need instant gratification - or even groceries - Target is my first stop.  When I need REAL groceries - more than Target carries, then I shop at the Commissary or Publix.  

 

10. What's the best advice you've ever been given?  From my dad:  "Everyone is just trying to do the best they can.  Be kind."  My dad was one of the kindest people I've ever known, and I've always tried to put these words into practice, although sometimes I fail miserably. 

 

 11. What is your favorite blog post you've written?  This is a tough one after almost 4 years and more than 450 posts, but I think this one:  So Interconnected - A Story.  It's the story of my daughter's Lark quilt, the interconnectedness of the quilting/blogging community, and how the Emerald Coast Modern Quilt Guild found me.  Of course, that one wouldn't have been written unless I had also written this one, which I think is my second favorite.

OK, so that's it for the questions.  Now it's my turn to nominate a few blogs.  These are some of my favorites - you may want to check them out too.  

My 11 nominees are:

{drum roll please!}

ellyn's place 

Leona's Quilting Adventure 

Mary on Lake Pulaski

It's an Alien Life

Phoenix Heirlooms

Swedish Scrapper 

Canadian Abroad  

Nellie's Niceties

Scrappy 'n Happy

Play Crafts

 LaBella Colori

And now for your questions:

1. Why did you start blogging?

2. What is something this year that you are really looking forward to?

3. What is your favorite thing to do to unwind?

4. Photo's say a thousand words so share a photo that means the most to you. Why is that picture important to you?

4. What quote inspires you the most?

5. Name a quilting tool you can’t live without & why?

6. Where is your favorite vacation spot?

7. What is your favorite blog?

8. What is your favorite way to work out?

9. Where do you like to shop?

10. What's the best advice you've ever been given?

11. What is your favorite blog post you've written?

Be sure to let me know when you post - I can't wait to read your answers!

 Oh!  Be sure to check out arielle {like the mermaid}!  It is her tale of her adventures in the exotic island of St. Maarten.  Tell her that her mom sent you!