Liebster Award - have you been nominated?

I have been nominated for a blogging award, The Liebster, by a star blogger Muriel Jacques. This is indeed an honour! The procedure is as follows:

1. Answer the 11 questions asked by Muriel.
2. Nominate 11 new bloggers.
3. Create 11 questions for them to answer..

So here goes - Muriel's question and then my answer:

1.Why do you blog?

Blogging for me is a creative outlet. I taught English in HS for 15 years but rarely wrote myself. I have always wanted to keep a diary, but never did until now. Blogging is my on-line diary. Blogging also helped me get over a transition in my business. There were days, a year or so ago, when business wasn't that good. I would spend sometime writing a post and it would give me the lift I needed to work out a new direction :)

2. What makes you happy?

My family, my friends, my business associates, many of whom I have known for years. Blogging and my soon to be resurrected hobby of knitting and designing knitted lace. I also love gardening. In good weather I have been known to spend 8 or more hours on a Saturday or Sunday, weeding, pruning, planting. I also love walking and wilderness hikes.

3. Where do you live?

I feel blessed that I was born in a country, Canada, that has free medical care for everyone. Although I travel and have lived elsewhere for a year here and there. I reside in the city in which I was born, Toronto. I am a rarity. Toronto is such a cosmopolitan city, that it is unusual to meet someone who was actually born here.

4. What is your favourite food?

It has to be Italian, especially pasta. I often say, "I have never met a pasta I didn't like."

5. How do you relax?

I usually do a crossword puzzle, read some Agatha Christie or knit. I also spend an inordinate amount of time on-line :)

6. If you could jump in a plane right away, where would you go?

I would go somewhere warm and sunny, now that winter is coming on. I would like to go somewhere exotic, perhaps Goa.

7. What helps you write?

I take a lot of pictures and often write about the pictures. I also read blogs by others for ideas. I read two of our three local papers everyday. I also read a little poetry from time to time. Poems are great triggers for writing ideas.

8. What was 2013's main highlight so far?

Probably our trip to Italy - a week in Rome and a week in Cinque Terre. I went with my husband and our two youngest - 20 & 21 year-olds. We had a wonderful time!!

9. What are your plans for 2014?

I plan to continue with my blog-a-day challenge. My husband has over 30 days of holidays to use up before August 2014, so we are discussing where to go for maybe a month. I am already planning next year's garden. I may start working on the 50,000 word draft of a novel that I wrote for nanowrimo last November. I plan to lose at least 20lbs and up my walking quotient. I intend to be busy :)

10. How do you see yourself in 10 years?

Alive and involved, I hope. Perhaps published. Doing a lot more active travelling - biking, hiking etc and writing about it!!

11. What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?

I would look after family and friends. I would like to help them make their dreams come true. I would create a charity for artists, we need to help people who counter the hum-drum. I would travel, of course, but I would still garden. I wouldn't actually create the hanging gardens of Babylon, but I would create a beautiful public garden with sculptures and open it up to the world, as a place of peace.

My 11 questions.


1. What is the next "thing" on your bucket list"?
2. What is your favourite word? and why?
3. Who is your favourite historical figure? and why?
4. Where is your favourite place?
5. What is the bravest thing you have ever done in your life?
6. What will be the next "big thing" - printing press, computers....next?
7. If you could go to one city in the world for a day, where would you go?
8. What is your favourite saying?
9. What is your favourite blog topic?
10. What have you done on impulse that was amazing?
11. What question would you ask yourself?

For these 11 bloggers to answer.

http://quiltsbyjen.ca - a very creative space with lots of instructions for quilting
http://gypsymomstravels.blogspot.ca - heartfelt journey through life.
http://mimishoots.wordpress.com - gorgeous photography
http://lifeloveandlandslides.com - just a wonderful blog.
http://theotherstephenkingonwriting.blogspot.ca - best ever blog on writing
http://blog.sandists.com - lots of local info and lots of Etsy ideas
http://learntoapplique.com - another amazing blog on quilting
http://ramblinwitham.blogspot.ca - very well written posts, from an author
http://vomitingchicken.com - on raising kids, chickens and lots more - very well written.
http://gleamingsfromthedawn.blogspot.ca - great poetry
http://www.retirementlifeinmexico.com - lots of great recipes in a warm climate

The picture? I'm still looking for the ultimate blog on Moose :)

Have a great day!!