Monsieur Olivet's Gift

Monsieur Olivet is most humbled by the kindness of his friends

for he has just opened his surprise gift only to find....

...an airline ticket!

(destination? Where do you think Monsiuer is off to?)

The Renee Award

I woke up yesterday and was floored by an honor given to me by a most special person, Ces. Ces is an amazing artist, mother, friend, woman, Oak Tree, passionate about life and the ones she loves, rabble-rouser, and free-spirit who sees beauty in almost everything, especially Fiestaware. : ) I just think she's brilliant in so many ways, but the neatest thing about Ces is that she has time for all of us even when she's busiest. I often ponder "how does she post all of this and create all of the time? She must have a double!" If you don't know Ces, please visit as you will enjoy her words, and art and see why she is loved by me and so many.

Ces created the award in honor of Renee, who is very dear to her and many, many people in the blogworld and beyond. The recent loss of Renee has touched so many. My heart was heavy upon hearing of her passing, as I know she was truly loved by Ces and Bella and so many others who visited her blog. I did not know her as I know Ces and Bella did, but know that she made a difference to all who were touched by her grace. It is such a heartfelt honor to receive this, Ces. I have a renewed sense of hopefulness for my children's future that we do have a connected string of people on this planet who share a common goal of goodwill towards others, a sharing of love and loss, empathy and compassion for others. It makes me smile to think of the acorns and oaks who stand, and are standing today, and will do so for our future generations.

For those of you who would like to know more about the Renee award, please visit Ces's post here. She has sent a gift that I will cherish and am very happily passing this award on to the following wonderful people who are true acorns/nuts!/Oak trees in my world:

Bella

Ces

Cheryl Lynn

Jack

Just Doodle It

Karen

Sarah

Squirrel Girl

Susan

Vanessa

Many thanks, and hugs to all of you!

Awards! Note: This is a long post, so my apologies, but I want to THANK everyone for these wonderful honors.

I am so humbled by the kindness of everyone in the blogworld..and most especially to those of you who visit frequently and have been visiting through the very beginning!

Here we go... : )

1) A very, very belated THANK YOU to my wonderful friend Susan of Susan Beth Studio, for bestowing upon me the: Creative Writer Blogger Award. This is very long over due, and I'd like to share this with the following talented and creative people:

Tom

Zelda

Loni

Tera

Eva

Get Zapped

The Doodle Girl

I can't wait to see their lists! Please check out their blogs if you haven't already, you won't be disappointed!

Here are the rules: Thank the person who gave this to you.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you.
4. Tell up to six outrageous lies about yourself, and at least one outrageous truth.
5. Nominate seven "Creative Writers" who might have fun coming up with outrageous lies.
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them.

OK, so here is my list of outrageous lies and one outrageous truth: Let's see if you can guess my truth! Because I graduated in the '80's, here's an ode to that lovely era:

1) I never ever missed an episode of Miami Vice. How could I ever miss my Don Johnson in action?!

2) I spiked my hair with toothpaste and hairspray, and ran to the stage with my friend, Sharon, to see if we could touch Billy at the Billy Idol concert.

3) I performed live on-stage dressed up like Boy George and sang "Karma Chameleon", dreadlocks and all.

4) I had Michael Jackson posters plastered all over my bedroom wall, danced and sang to every single song from his "Off the Wall" album.

5) I begged my mother to let me wear a Madonna-inspired bra over my top to school...much to her chagrin. I'll tell you later if she let me or not.

6) I cried when "21 Jump Street" ended. How could anyone pull the plug on Johnny Depp?

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2) Also overdue, the Beautiful Blogger Award was bestowed upon me by the very creative, The Paper Princess. Please do visit her blog as she has some amazing paper creations, recipes, and creative challenges. I was fortunate to stumble upon her blog during the One World One Heart blog event recently and have been happy to discover a whole world of bloggers who are so creative and passionate about their work.

Here are the rules in accepting the award:

1. Accept the award.

2. Thank the person who gave you the award.

3. Add a link back to the person who gave you the award.

4. Display the award on your blog.

5. Share ten things your readers may not know about you.

6. Pass the award on to ten other bloggers.

So, in the spirit of this award, here's a few things you may not know about me - and here are my recipients of this award, though there are so many that I'd like to give it to as well.

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Me

1. I don't know how to operate the TV at our home. I only "listen" to shows that are being watched by my kids and husband.

2. I love my Arabian Mocha Java Peet's coffee with a passion. Paired with Trader Joe's Gingerbread, I am a happy camper.

3. Speaking of TJ's Gingerbread, I have cupboards full of it as they only stock it during the winter holidays. (Call me a hoarder!)

4. I can swim, but I have an incredible fear of the water.

5. I love to speak french to my little girls (the few phrases that I know).

6. I take pride in trying new things, especially if it involves travel, and have been known to take trips by myself to take workshops and discover new places across the country and into the other continents.

7. I had shingles at the age of 36. Not fun, not fun at all!

8. I am absolutely horribly near-sighted. 7.50 in my right eye, 8.00 in my left.

9. I can hit a nice drive on the golf range.

10. I've been to the South of France (provence) three times and hope to bring my children there sometime soon.

My Ten Beautiful Blogger Award Recipients
Can I just share this with all of you? This is so difficult. Know that I'd love to send this to each of the people who have visited me over the many months I've been here in the blogworld. I really appreciate your support and visits! But I am also happily passing these on to these very deserving people:
Alicia

Bella

Cally Jane

Caroline

Ces

Donny

Lakhsmita

Paige

Shipra

Vanessa

Thanks again, The Paper Princess, and here's to all of you beautiful bloggers!

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3) The lovely Sunshine Award was bestowed upon me by my wonderful friends, Susan, Amalia, and Karen. Hugs to all of you ladies for this wonderful honor! You all epitomize this award. Please do visit their wonderful blogs if you haven't already, but I'm sure you all have! : )

I am to pass this award on to 12 wonderful people, and so here they are, please do visit them, you will be hit with rays of sunshine and wonderful illustrations!

Alissa

Julissa

Nina

Roberta

Nicola

Karen

Krista

Helen

Bee

Jennifer

Nicky

Peter

Thanks to all of you who have bestowed these honors and a big HOORAH for all of you listed, and a HIP HIP HOORAH for all who haven't been listed as I value and appreciate your visits.

Signs of Spring...

Here's to a lovely Spring, everyone!

A Koo and Poppet, and Big Fat Hen Giveaway - please check out these wonderful blogs!

Sarah at Koo and Poppet and Big Fat Hen are co-sponsoring a giveaway at their blogs, and I am proud to post this as I just LOVE Sarah's creations. Beyond being a super new mom, and being such a talented person, Sarah has been a supportive friend in my creative aspirations, so I just wanted to spread the word about her blog and shop. I know my little ones would love one of her creations, and maybe there's a new little one in your world that might need something cozy and sweet to love. Do check out their shops if you have some time.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Top o' the mornin' to ya, everyone!

This bunny's eating all of the clover!

Hope you've all been well..it's sunny and cheery over here, and I heard some bagpipes on the radio this morning that made me wanna wish you all a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Thank you everyone, for your kind visits - and for the awards! I am so honored by Susan, Amalia, Karen, and Monica...they are rays o' sunshine, and to receive this from them is such a blessing. Is there any way I can bestow this award on all of you kind people who visit?....

I'm still climbing my mountain o' work, and I apologize for my absence..I've missed all of you.

Thanks for visiting every now and again! And hope you have a great rest o' the week. Now to start cooking that corned beef and cabbage! : )