This one took a lot of time so don’t stop until the very end! HUGS to all my blogger friends!

Catnipoflife has truly been blessed in the past few months with many awards from her visitors and followers. With every award comes obligations that take thought, time and effort in expressing gratitude and paying each forward. For catnip, delays have resulted in postings because of personal reasons and limited time online.

It is especially important for everyone to know how much I am truly grateful for all visits, Likes and comments but most importantly for so many intercessory prayers during what is now Day 55 of my husband’s hospital confinement. When I first entered the blogging world November 18, 2011, Awakenings became my first venue. A seed was planted and out of that experience came the birth of Awakenings’ sister site, catnipoflife. From the moment of inception, the blogging community became a family!

So, without further adieu, catnip shares her joys with her family!

Awarding the people who live in the moment,
The noble who write and capture the best in life,
The bold who reminded us what really mattered –
Savoring the experience of quality time.

catnipoflife has been honored not once, but twice with the Best Moment Award. Thank you, Marilyn @Serendipity and Ute @Ute Smile, for this wonderful award! Here is a little information about both wonderful ladies. I encourage you to visit their blogs where you will definitely be enlightened!

Marilyn Armstrong @Serendipity

Marilyn is an extremely brave woman who has overcome many battles in her lifetime. She is unique. She is funny. She is a GREAT photographer. She calls herself a geek and that may be true for she is Grand, Enjoyable, Energizing, Kind all rolled into one!

Ute @Ute Smile

Ute is all about smiles…making people happy, offering inspiration and sharing her passion for music and dance. She is a very positive, upbeat person and don’t just take my word for it…visit her blog!

RULES:

Winners re-post this completely with their acceptance speech. This could be written or video recorded.

Winners have the privilege of awarding the next awardees! The re-post should include a NEW set of people/blogs worthy of the award; and winners notify them of the great news.

My Acceptance Speech:

I am not much into speeches but do feel strongly about showing gratitude. It is indeed an honor for catnipoflife to be recognized as one about the moment…that which is captured or perhaps even lost in the blink of an eye. It is the smell of the rain, the soft tender kiss of nature, the rhapsody of the wind; it is openness of the mind, gentleness of the heart. May each of you, her readers, go forth and follow the motto of catnipoflife: Observe life at its best, listen to life’s songs, embrace life’s bounties, breathe the breath of life and savor life to its fullest! Don’t miss a moment! Thank you heartfully and soulfully for your visits, Likes, comments, shares and of course, the awards!

My Awardees:

Arlen Shahverdyan @Arlen Shahverdyan. Author’s Blog

Arlen is Armenian. His personal author’s blog is a unique combination of website and blog, which has been active since April, 2011. Since June 2012 he has translated his articles into English, thereby featuring both the Armenian and English translations. Here you will find published books, works in prose and poetry, research papers, paintings and photographic preferences.

Barbara Beacham @Life in the Foothills

Can you imagine Life in the Foothills? I can! after visiting Barb’s blog and her exceptional photography. With just one look, you will be hooked! She will draw you into the lowest valley one minute only to take you to the highest mountaintop the next. She will enlighten you with the wild side of the countryside!

Penny Coho @The Why About This

OK, this is a tough one…the award is The Best Moment Award and Penny’s site is full of best moments! Of course, upon reading what this award is all about it is obvious why The Why About This fits it to a ‘T’! Thank you, Penny, for your creative thoughts and insights in life and its why!

Raani York @raaniyork

Raani York? What can one say about Raani other than remarkable! Her wit is surpassed by none, especially when it comes to jabbing celebrities. Then, of course, for the purr-fect fur-iend, there is Jake, the Cat Prince, whose diaries will make the least cat lover into an avid follower!

Taylor Fulks @Taylor-Made Thoughts and Doodles

Taylor is a writer/author but more that than she is a survivor. Here are Taylor’s own words, “I have had numerous blessings throughout my life. Some were planned, like the conception and births of my wonderful daughters, and some have come at a high price to me personally…overcoming fear, shame, and darkness.” Check out her award-winning novel My Prison Without Bars.

                                                                         

Super Sweet Award received from The Call of the Pen http://theencouragingscribe.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/sunday-morning-sunshine/

Just a few questions/answers to share and ask you, my recipients, to pass along to your nominees:

Questions/Answers:

1. Cookies or Cake?
   At one point in time, I would have automatically said ‘cookies’. Now, I will take either one at any time of the day!
   
2. Chocolate or Vanilla? 
   Um-m-m? Does vanilla topped with Hershey’s syrup count?
   
3. Favourite Sweet Treat?
   Cheesecake, definitely Cheesecake!
4. When do you crave sweet things the most?
   Night time when I should NOT have it!
5. Sweet Nick Name?
   Sweetee

Recipients:

You, my visitors and followers, are all Super Sweet! How can I possibly award some and not others? NO WAY! You are all deserving of this award. Grab it, display it on your site and pay it forward!

                                                                         

A Twofer for Moi! Word Press Family Member Plus The Sunshine Award from Serendipity! http://teepee12.com/2013/06/25/wordpressfamily-and-sunshine-award/

The Sunshine Award also received from Ute @utesmile.wordpress.com/!

The RULES that apply here are the usual question/answer typical questions. So, I am going to follow Serendipity and provide/answer with pictures. Photography says it all without the necessity of a plethora of words!

Favourite colour?

Favourite animal?

Favourite number?

Favourite non-alcoholic drink?

My passion?

Prefer getting or giving presents?

Favourite days of the week?

Favourite flower?

Recipients:

There is no way for me to know at a moment’s point in time which of my followers are WordPress or not. If you are a WordPress site and have not been ‘invited’ into the family, then by all means grab the badge I Am Part of the WordPress Family, post it to your site and pay it forward. Why do you need an invitation anyway? You ARE part of the WordPress family!

As for the Sunshine Award, see the Shine On Award. I am combining the two…make a choice or grab them both!

                                                                         

The Shine On Award from Raani York @http://raaniyork.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/shine-on-award/

THE RULES ARE:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.

2. Link back to the person who nominated you.

3. State 7 things about yourself.

4. Nominate 15 (more or less) other bloggers for this award and link to them.

5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award requirements.

7 Things About Me
1. I have an uninvited guest in my bedroom: a snake! Any suggestions on how to find and get rid of it?
2. I enjoy cooking! Right now I have a Succulent Southern Pecan Pie cooking in the slow cooker…that’s right…Crock Pot Pecan Pie!
3. Painting is one of my hobbies.
4. My shoe size is 7.
5. Favorite time of day: Sitting on the back porch in the morning.
6. Least favorite food: Beets but I do like rutabagas!
7. My favorite sport is playing golf. Before I ever got a birdie I got an eagle on a Par 4…go figure!

Blogs I Am Nominating (Two awards means double the recipients! So, for those who gave me one, you grab the other!) Some of you I know have opted out of the awards participation but I wanted to thank you anyway!

Thank you for bringing sunshine into my life. . .

Aditya @Being Chirpy

Alastair @Alastair’s Blog

Alejandro @Chief Writing Wolf

Amber @Lady Lovely Blogger

Angela @angchronicles

Arlen @Arlen’s Author Blog

Autumn @Autumn Sunshine

Bob @Northwest Photographer

Bruce @brucelouisdodson

Barb @Life in the Foothills

Carine @Texas, a Cat in New York

Charles @Marbles in my Pocket

Chris @A Hairdresser’s Diary

Claire @ClaireCappetta

Cynthia @Simple Pleasures

Diane (Coastalmom) @The One Thing I Know For Sure

Dicy @Dicy McCullough’s Blog

DJ @Stutley’s Tales

Don @Don in Massachusetts

Gys @Love Poems French & English by Gys

Janice @Jana’s Dreams

Julie (aka Cookie) @cookiecrumbstoliveby

Kellie @Magic in the Backyard

Len @My Own Heart.me

Lesley @Inspiration Import

Lori @Lori’s Song

Lyn @The Call of the Pen

Marilyn @Serendipity

Mary Helen @Greatpoetrymhf’s Weblog

Megan @Make Something Mondays

Mark @Maleko’s Art

Micki @A Writers Journey

Penny @The Why About This

Poets @Poetree Creations

Resa @Art Gowns

Rosemary @Extraordinary Ireland

Sandie @Sandie’s Snippets

Sandra @quirkybooks

Susan @Women Making Strides

Susie @Country Side Poet

Taylor @Taylor-Made Thoughts & Doodles

Terry @terry1954

Ute @Ute Smile

Valerie @Valerie Davies

Wendell @ Forever Poetic

Catnip apologizes in being behind in accepting and paying forward many awards. My sincerest apologies to those who bestowed so much honor on catnipoflife.

The first to be recognized is Gys @ Love Poems French & English by Gys. Please visit Gys where you will not only fall in love with her poetry but also her photography. Thank you, Gys, for this honor! Gys has also honored catnip with the Gargie Award which will come later.

The ‘rules’ for One Lovely Blog Award are simple: Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their post, state 7 random facts about yourself, nominate those you feel deserving of the award. For this last part, I have seen the number of nominations vary from 5 to 15. We will leave this open as a matter of choice.

7 Random Facts About Me

1) I waited until my 50s to experience my first broken bone. Tripped and fell in front of a swarm of students changing classes. I was their teacher.

2) My two favorite foods: onion and chocolate. Not necessarily together 🙂

3) My very first pet was a dog. Go figure!

4) I love puzzles! Wonder if love of geometry has anything to do with it!

5) My husband calls me ‘octopus’ arms!

6) I adore Greek mythology.

7) The country I would most like to visit is Ireland.

ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD goes to…

Seeta @http://seetarn.wordpress.com/

Kurt @http://kurtrees.wordpress.com/

Prodigal Daughter @http://iprodigaldaughter.wordpress.com/

Joseyphina’s World @http://joseyphina.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/all-i-want-to-say-is/

Christy @http://poeticparfait.com/

The second to be recognized is Alastair @ Alastair’s Blog. You are encouraged to visit Alastair where you will be enlightened with photography, music, poetry and some of the funniest videos you will ever see. He not only bestowed the Reader Appreciation Award but also Tagged catnipoflife. For more information on Alastair, visit Awakenings, catnip’s sister site. Awakenings just received the Reality Blog Award from none other than Alastair. Thank you triple time, my dear sir!

The Reader Appreciation Award carries with it similar ‘rules’ as most other awards. Here are the requirements for accepting this award:

1) Thank the blogger who nominated you and share a link to that blog. DONE!

2) Attach the award icon to your site. DONE!

3) Answer some specific questions. Unlike many awards which just ask for some random things about you, this asks specific questions as follows:

• Your favorite color? – Sky blue
• Your favorite animal? – The cat
• Your favorite non-alcoholic drink? – Cappuccino
• Facebook or Twitter? – I have both, but I’m more Twitter oriented
• Your favorite pattern? – Checkered
• Do  you prefer getting or giving presents? – Giving, but never turn one down
• Your favorite number? – 5
• Your favorite day of the week? – Each new day that arises
• Your favorite flower? – Yellow Daisy
• What is your passion? – Writing, mostly poetry

4) And finally, offer “pay it forward” nominations, advising those bloggers that they have been nominated and how to accept. I’ve listed a few nominees for the award below. This is the best reason to accept blogging awards — to spread the word about other inspiring blogs!

The READER APPRECIATION AWARD goes to…

ALL MY WONDERFUL VISITORS, FOLLOWERS & FRIENDS WITHOUT WHOM I WOULD NOT BE HERE! THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISITS, LIKES & COMMENTS! GRAB THE BADGE, FOLLOW THE RULES AND PAY IT FORWARD.
I APPRECIATE YOU ALL!

A double ‘whammy’ from Len @myownheart.me: The Beautiful Blogger Award and The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Len is a beautiful person with a heart of gold and inspiring thoughts whether standing in the sun or walking in the rain. She writes from the heart, short stories and poetry, and has a second blog God’s Glory.

Here are the rules of the award:

1 . Display the award logo on your blog. DONE!
2. Thank and link back to the person who nominated you. DONE!
3. State 7 things about yourself. DONE earlier in this post!
4. Nominate 7-15 bloggers for this award.
5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and link to their blog.

Two BEAUTIFUL BLOG AWARDS go to…

The London Flower Lover @http://thelondonflowerlover.wordpress.com/

Life in the Foothills @http://salmonfishingqueen.wordpress.com/

Marbles in my Pocket @http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/

Hot Rod Cow Girl @http://hotrodcowgirl.com/

Kick Back Moments @ http://pstrack.blogspot.com/

Thanks again to Alastair, this time for tagging catnip. Blog tag is a little more encompassing than the other awards. I will forgo the ‘random facts’ since that has just been addressed in another award. I do opt to include the questions since there none have been posed earlier in this post.

The rules are:

1. Post these rules. DONE!
2. Post a photo of yourself (if you want to) and/or eleven random facts about yourself. Already posted facts, below is a photo.
   
3. Answer the questions given to you in the tagger’s post. See below.
4. Create eleven new questions and tag new people to answer them. See below.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and let them know they have been tagged. As soon as this is posted.

Questions for me to answer:

1. What is your favourite TV program? NCIS
2. What is your favourite film? Step Back in Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour
   
3. Do you like cake? Yes, but prefer pie
4. Do you believe in Angels? Yes, I have a guardian angel.
5. Do you believe in fate? Yes. We live, we die, that is our destiny.
6. What kind of vehicle do you drive? (If you drive) Ford Taurus
7. Who is your favourite superhero? Wonder Woman
8. Do you know the Star Trek “odds and evens” rule? No
9. What is your favourite memory? Making mud pies! (Yep, I ate them!)
10. If you had the chance to help colonise another planet, would you? You bet!
11. What was your first job? Teaching high school math and science. I was barely 21 years old and some of my students were 18!

Questions for my recipients:

1. Who was the greatest influencer in your life?
2. What do you think is the best book you have ever read?
3. If money were no option, what new car would you buy?
4. Which do you prefer as a pet, dog or cat?
5. What has been your greatest challenge?
6. What is the greatest gift you ever received?
7. Which do you prefer, sweet or salty?
8. Would you like Daylight Savings Time to last all year long…NO clock changes?
9. What are your hobbies (outside the Internet)?
10. Which do you do the most: cook at home or eat out?
11. What is your favorite sport?

TAG, YOU’RE IT…

Marilyn @Serendipity http://teepee12.com/

Claire @ClaireCappetta http://clairecappetta.wordpress.com/

Autumn @Autumn Sunshine http://autumn-sunshine.net/blogs/

Terry1954 @http://terry1954.wordpress.com/

Taylor @http://taylorfulks.com/

Raani @http://raaniyork.wordpress.com/