catnipoflife

Observe life at its best, Listen to life’s songs, Embrace life’s bounties, Breathe the breath of life, Savor life to its fullest!

CONGRATULATIONS 200th Follower!

200

catnipoflife is celebrating her 200th follower! For some, this is only a drop in the bucket. But, for catnip, this is a milestone: she has exceeded the limitations of the Liebster Blog Award and is no longer considered a ‘newbie’, new kid on the block, novice, noobonaught, or nooblet!

With this announcement comes the opportunity to recognize the 200th sign-on: [Drum roll, please…]

Dan @hurdlestohappiness

Here is a little about Dan in his own words:

My name is Dan, and I am currently a student at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Creative Writing and double minoring in Spanish and Hospitality Management. I recently completed my first book, a self-help for teens, with hopes of it being published in the near future. This blog is meant to give you a deeper look into the life of a teenager wanting to become a published author, as well as offer tools and tips of advice to help you ultimately achieve the life-long goal of Happiness.

GiftBoxesGifts of Appreciation in Celebration

As catnip’s 200th follower, she would like to provide a few gifts in celebration. So, Dan, I do hope you will accept with pleasure. . .

First gift…

versatilebloggernominationsThe Versatile Blog Award: catnipoflife recently received this award from Poems French & English by Gys. [This award was the very first award received by catnip last spring. Click HERE for her info.] Having perused your blog, I discovered the categories Achieving Happiness, My Writing Process, Poetry and Travels. With versatility comes accomplishment and accomplishment indeed is evidenced in your many blog awards that honor writing purposely, skillfully and with talent.

As with any award, there are rules:

1. Thank and to link the blogger who nominated you.
2. Show the award logo on your blog.
3. Write a post on the appointment.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers (or any number of your choice, more or less) and inform each.
5. Tell 7 things about yourself.

Second gift…

super-sweet-awardSuper Sweet Award: catnipoflife graciously accepts this award from Ute Smile. [This is catnip’s second, the first coming from Len @myownheart.me a few months ago. Info can be found HERE.] Everyone loves sweets, some more than others! With this award, comes naming your favorites!

Here are the rules:

Nominate a baker’s dozen of other bloggers and answer these five questions in your own blog posting. Be sure to inform those upon which you bestow the award.

1. Cookie or cake?
2. Chocolate or Vanilla?
3. Favorite sweet treat?
4. Time when you crave sweets the most?
5. Sweet nickname? (If you don’t already have one, what would you like it to be?

Third gift…

AwakeningsHRsmAwakenings from Then ’til Now: catnipoflife‘s sister site Awakenings recently featured The Next Big Thing highlighting the soon to be released Awakenings from Then ’til Now. An additional gift to you is a copy of this book signed by me, the author. To receive your signed copy, I will need a mailing address. Should you not want to publicly display your address, you may email it to me @poetrybysharla@gmail.com . There are no rules, of course, in acceptance of this gift but perhaps you might consider a review.SmileySm

Fourth gift…

AwakeningsBookmarkA Bookmark: What is the gift of a book without a bookmark! Yep, one is included so when you take a break from reading you won’t lose your place in time. The book covers five centuries from the 17th century to the 21st century. What does the past whisper to you? opportunities for reflection occur intermittently throughout each chapter. Happy journeying and journaling!

Five is catnip’s “number” so there is a Fifth gift…

TheNextBigThing2The Next Big Thing: An invitation is extended to you for an interview to be included on catnipoflife and Awakenings as an addition to The Next Big Thing, which is a series of blog posts where authors talk about their work using the same ten questions. At the end of the blog you can tag other authors who will do the same thing a week later. So not only do others get to find out more about your book but you also connect your site to some other interesting writers. The Next Big Thing is a hot topic in the writers’ world so say ‘yes’ and tag along!

Before closing, catnip thanks all of her followers for their time visiting and leaving comments. Any day is a good day to gather a little catnip of life!

19 Comments »

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

Within the month of December, catnipoflife has been honored with three nominations for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Marilyn @Serendipity (who also bestowed this award upon catnip’s sister site Awakenings), Ute @Ute smile and Gys @French & English Poems by Gys. That leaves me breathless and thereby virtually speechless.

Almost. . .

It has been less than a year since catnip entered the blogosphere. She has been elated and overwhelmed by the acquaintances and friendships gathered along the way. Every journey in life takes one down many paths…some in the right direction and others take unexpected turns that keep perspectives in order and provide avenues to explore in different facets of life. Within each directional turn comes encounters that leave a lasting impression – most often positive but occasionally questionable. C’est la vie!

catnip is very pleased to accept this award with the utmost gratitude and thereby pays it forward to a few who continuously inspire her. Understand each blogsite/weblog/cyber diary shines with its own light of inspiration…some endearing, some picturesque and others humorous, while many encompass all three!

But before the list comes…

The Rules

bth_dividers

SmileySmDisplay the award logo on your blog.

SmileySmLink back to the person who nominated you.

SmileySmTell at least seven things about yourself that you would like to share.

SmileySmNominate other bloggers for this award and link to them. [Your choice and number]

SmileySmNotify your chosen bloggers of their nomination and the award’s requirements.

Seven

Things about myself that I haven’t explicitly said before (hopefully)

bth_dividers

1. I enjoy helping my husand in his wood-working shop any time I am allowed:>)

2. My favorite movies are ghost stories (without all the fake blood and gore).

3. Caligraphy is my specialty.

4. Boston is a city I want to visit on the way to getting Maine lobster. (Yummy! Don’t have to fret about NY cheesecake…hubby bakes the best ever!)

5. Can’t wait until the next fall festival to ride the carousel.

6. If I had my way and the means, I would have a Jaguar. (Nothing wrong in having dreams!)

7. In my next life, I will return as a cat. (Aren’t you surprised?!.)

My Nominees (the envelope please)Envelope

bth_dividers

Alastair @Alastair’s Blog

Arlen Shahverdyan @Arlen Shahverdyan. the author’s blog site

Barbara @ Life in the Foothills

Christine Hannon @A Hairdresser’s Diary

Deirde Tolhurst @Thoughts and Prayers 

Diane @The One Thing I Know for Sure

Hot Rod Cowgirl @Hot Rod Cowgirl’s Blog 

Len @MyOwnHeart.me

Lesley Fletcher @Inspiration Import 

Mary Helen @greatpoetrymhf 

Rosemary Adkins @ Extraordinary Dreams of an Ireland Traveler  

The Team @The London Flower Lover

ThankYou2

14 Comments »

Blog of the Year 2012: 6 Stars! Now, 7 and beyond!

Blog of the Year Award 6 star jpeg

In the original blog post about the Blog of the Year Award 2012, I extended THANK YOUs to

Jana @cjanas Dreams for my first nomination of the “Blog of the Year 2012” award,

Penny @TheWhyAboutThis for my second and

Alastair @Alastair’s Blog for my third.  

Catnip has now reached the top of the pyramid with 6 STARS!

Hugs and a huge Thank You goes to each of the following. . .

Lori’s Song 4th star

Raani York 5th star

Seetarn 6th star

In addition, catnip received a message this morning that awarded her even a 7th star: Thank you…

Gys 7th star 

and then,

Micki Peluso 8th star

plus Wendell Brown 9th star

While there are many, many stars in the blogosphere, one shines brightly from Heaven above. Rest in peace Sandra McLeod Humphrey . You will always be a shining star, our guiding light, an inspiration for all! We miss you immensely!

Update: Since catnip has exceeded the 6 stars, she would like to bestow additional stars to the following:

Pat Garcia

ThankYou1

“The true art of receiving is being able to give back to those who have given so much to me!”~catnipoflife

18 Comments »

Blog of the Year 2012

With the holiday season comes blessings galore and a time of giving/receiving thanks, giving/receiving presents and giving/receiving awards! The blogosphere is bursting at the seams with ways of sharing with others that which is so graciously received.

CatnipLogoSmDoesn’t that make the blog awards more special that any other? Think about it: you don’t put them on a shelf, display them behind glass doors, store them in a box, hide them in a closet or hold onto them to use later only to eventually have them become used up, tattered, torn or wasted away.

CatnipLogoSmWhat do you do? You pass them along, pay them forward, share with others to be shared with others who share with others and the beat goes on.

There is definitely something to be said about this virtual world of ours: it is a world of sharing, caring and preparing: Sharing around the world, Caring for others, Preparing for the future. Whatever endeavor you are engaged in at the present moment or seek in days to come, there is always someone willing to tell you his or her story which will in turn provide a beacon of light down a sometimes dark highway.

So, without further adieu, let’s get to the next award…one that requires very little demand and keeps on giving.

Believe it or not…

Yes, an actual “current” Blog Award!

Thank you Jana @cjanas Dreams for my first nomination of the “Blog of the Year 2012” award. Thank you Penny @TheWhyAboutThis for my second and Alastair @Alastair’s Blog for my third.  As you will learn in the information to follow, catnipoflife has earned Three Stars. It is amazing how many wonderful, creative and talented bloggers there are in the blogosphere.

I’m guessing, no actually I know, that every single blogger I’ve met in my blogging journey so far should have this award. As with the receiving of any award, the difficult part is deciding who will be on the receiving end.

So here is what you need to know about:

‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award

(This has been copied word for word for accuracy. It is suggested you do the same…makes posting easy!)

Do you know a blog that deserves an award?

Do you have special blogs that you love to read?

Which blogs do you bookmark and follow?

Would you like to give them an award this year?

Then the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award is for you!

The ‘rules’ for this award are simple:

1 Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award.

2 Write a blog post and name/tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ them with their award.

3 Please include a link back to this page Blog of the Year 2012 Award and include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)

4 Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them

5 You can now also join The Facebook group – click ‘like’ on this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience

6 As a winner of the award – please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award – and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…

Yes – that’s right – there are stars to collect!

Unlike other awards which you can only add to your blog once – this award is different!

When you begin you will receive the ‘1 star’ award – and every time you are given the award by another blog – you can add another star!

There are a total of 6 stars to collect.

Which means that you can check out your favorite blogs – and even if they have already been given the award by someone else – you can still bestow it on them again and help them to reach the maximum 6 stars!

‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Badges

There are six badges for you to collect – you can either ‘swap’ your badge for the next one each time you are given the award – or even proudly display all six badges if you are lucky enough to be presented with the award six times!

~

Need to know more? Check out the FAQ page

And Congratulations! on being chosen for the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award!

~

‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award – thumbnails

Here are the 6 awards in thumbnail size for your sidebar – feel free to Right Click and save any of the images on this page:

        

          

So there you go those are the rules and the name of the game.

The blogs listed below possibly have at one time or another bestowed and/or received an award from catnipoflife or her sister site, Awakenings. Some responded with the utmost gratitude, some do not venture into the award arena and some simply did not respond. Those of you who enjoy playing I look forward to your own post and those of you who chose not to that is okay, too. I have fulfilled my desire to let you know how deserving you truly are and how much you mean to me. :)

For those of you who want to play, the ball is in your court!

[BTW If you want to play and I have somehow missed you, I hang my head shamefully but will raise it proudly and promptly add you to the list!]

A Hairdresser’s Diary

Alastair’s Blog

Arlen Shahverdyan

Aspire. Motivate. Succeed.

A Writer’s Journey

Being Chirpy

Brian T Shirley

brucelouisdodson

Books That Sow

Chief Writing Wolf

clairecappetta

Cosmuse

Country Side Poet

DeirdreTolhurst

Dicy McCullough

D J Stutley

Don in Massachusetts

Extraordinary Ireland

Forever Poetic

Fortyteen Candles

Free Tag Zone

Greatpoetrymhf’s Weblog

Gys

Hot Rod Cowgirl

Inspiration Import

I.O.U. Sex

Jana’s Dreams

Jeanette S Andersen

Jen Owenby

Jen’s Thoughts

Kick Back Moments

Life in the Foothills

LadyLovelyBlogger

linneann

Lori’s Song

Magic in the Backyard

Make Something Mondays

Maleko’s Art

Marbles in my Pocket

Menopausal Mother

MyOwnHeart.me

Northwest Photographer

Pieces

Poetree Creations

Potato Chip Cats

Queen’s End

quirkybooks

raaniyork

Sandie’s Snippets

Serendipity

shadetheraven

Shirley Sorbello

Solid Happiness

Some Assembly Required

Stutley’s Tales

Surviving Life My Cats

Susan Ekins

Taylor Made Thoughts and Doodles

Texas, a Cat in New York

The Blazing Trail

The Fat and the Skinny

The London Flower Lover

The One Thing I Know For Sure

The Thoughtful Life

The Why About This

Thoughts and Prayers

Valerie Davis

Writing My First Novel

37 Comments »

Daisy Award, for you and for me!

It is on rare occasion that a connection is available to the creator of an award. This time the beginning link in a chain of unknown number of recipients is Subtle Kate. In Kate’s own words on June 28, 2012, “I would like to start a new award. It’s called the Daisy Award.  Daisy’s are very sweet flowers, but they are stealth with hardiness. They’ll come up anywhere and beat the frost.  This award is for the brave.”

So with out further ado… there are of course rules to follow:

Number1Thank the person who nominated you. Thank you, Claire Cappetta .

Claire is a creative writer having recently retired from the financial world to concentrate on the dream of publishing a first novel. That dream has just come to fruition with the release of A Broken Ring. CONGRATULATIONS, Claire! (Read the First Chapter.) Claire’s story follows a woman’s journey through relationships, domestic abuse, inspiration and empowerment. Although a difficult topic to cover, the story is heartwarming and inspiring.

Number2Tell your readers seven unusual things about yourself. Alright I’m having a tough time with this! Because what is unusual about me?! There are ‘things’ that we all like and dislike but it is the word ‘unusual’ that has me stumped. I don’t have six toes (on one foot) nor one eye in the middle of my forehead! But, I DO have. . .

1. one grey streak in my hair that has been a part of me since I was a teenager

2. the wasp waist of the 19th century

3. Morton’s toe

4. a love for cappuccino but my morning coffee must be black – NO cream, NO sugar

5. a fondness for iguanas

6. an affinity for cats that is hard to explain

7. the heart of a tomboy

Number3Nominate several worthy bloggers: Since my ‘number’ is 5 I have elected to bestow this award upon 5 brave bloggers. As I pondered the recipients of this award from catnip, the following immediately came to mind with reasons why they are the bravest of the brave:

1. Serendipity: Marilyn Armstrong tells it like it is…no fluff, lays it on the line, whether you like it or not, tells it like it is. She will tease you with her humor, enlighten you with her photography and will shower you with tidbits of knowledge just to test you and see what you think. She has endured her own personal hardships being a cancer survivor.

2. A Hairdresser’s Diary: Chris Hannon is a victim of a major car accident that took her livelihood away as a hairdresser, make-up artist and model. She is a self-taught artist who learned to paint to help her deal with daily chronic pain. She is also a poet and has published a new book ‘Versify’. Amazing stories of her life as a hairdresser are published in her book A Hairdresser’s Diary.

3. A Writer’s Journey:  Micki Peluso began writing as a catharsis to heal the wounds of the death of her 14 yr-old daughter at the hands of a drunken driver. She has recently released her first book, a memoir – about her daughter’s death – . . .AND THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG. It’s a funny, poignant celebration of her daughter’s life more than a eulogy of her death.

4. Northwest Photographer: Bob Milke is a veteran. He served his country, your country, my country in Vietnam. He is also a great photographer. He makes you feel you are there when you view his photos. He frequents the Portland, OR Zoo and I do believe the animals await his visits. You will see what I mean when you visit Bob @ Northwest Photographer. Check out the expressions (‘smiles’) on the animals’ faces!

5. Taylor-Made Thoughts & Doodles: Taylor Fulks’ story is one of turmoil through a childhood of sexual abuse. Her debut novel My Prison Without Bars: The Journey of a Damaged Woman to Someplace Normal has just been released. On her blog, Tayor hopes to share the bits of information gleaned from her journey and encourage others, hopefully, to share their knowledge and expertise.

CONGRATULATIONS brave souls and keep writing!

11 Comments »

The Masters Award is presented to Ed Parkinson (and Invitation to his Exhibition)

See on Scoop.itcatnipoflife

The Masters Award

The Masters Award is passed along to ONE blogger at a time.It began with Barbara @ Life in the Foothills (http://salmonfishingqueen.wordpress.com/?s=masters+award).  Its journey so far has included stops, enduring visits and accolades to…

The Masters Award (http://thewhyaboutthis.com/?s=masters+award)

The Masters Award (http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com)

The Masters Award (https://catnipoflife.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/the-masters-award/)

The Masters Award (http://greatpoetrymhf.wordpress.com)

Today, the announcement of the latest recipient of The Masters Award is made by Mary Helen Ferris to Ed Parkinson @www.spiritualartblog.com.

See on http://greatpoetrymhf.wordpress.com/2012/11/25/the-masters-award-is-presented-to-ed-parkinson-and-invitation-to-his-exhibition/#comment-6840

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The Masters Award

Gratitude abounds for the award bestowed on catnipoflife by Penny Coho

@ The Why About This.

 

With a simple shake of the hand
A pledge is made, a bond is secured
Within the virtual world, words become bonds
Where pledges of friendship and hearts entwine

I don’t remember how I first ‘met’ Penny but I do know how she inspires me on a daily basis. Her words are words of wisdom, not to simply make a statement or impart knowledge (which they do), but to provide avenues for discovery and insight into one’s self. Penny’s natural curiosity about people and life have led her to focus her writing lens on creativity not solely for herself but instead mainly for others.

To my fellow bloggers: I am so thankful for the joy, inspiration, reflections and humor each of you share within the blogosphere. Whether through personal experiences or purposing writings toward book endeavors, you bring rays of sunshine, hopes for a better tomorrow, even in the darkest of hours.

Blogging is personal. The friendships gathered along the way have far surpassed any beginning thoughts or expectations and continue to grow each day. I feel truly blessed to share and be a part of your sharing with words of the heart and soul: words to lift others in times of need when neither you nor I know who exactly will be touched at the time the words are penned.

For the Masters Award, all of the following criteria must be met by the blog site receiving this award.  The blog site must be:

1) Inspirational – The blog must inspire one in some way.

2) Informative – The blog overall, must in one way or another impart information in a creative and captivating way.

3) Imaginative – The blog must titillate the imagination, making you see, hear or feel the message they are trying to impart.

4) Insightful – The blog should capture the inner nature of what is being written about, photographed, et al…and this includes seeing intuitively.

The Rules:

1) The blogger bestowing this award must tell why they are bestowing their award based on the four criteria. All the criteria have to be met.

2) The blogger bestowing the award must do so in a post on their blog site and include “The Masters Award” emblem. They must also include in their post a link to the site that they are bestowing the award to.  Please notify the person who you are bestowing the award upon with a note to them on their site.

3) The site who the award is bestowed upon must write a post of thanks, linking their post back to the site who bestowed the award upon them.

4) In the same post, they must pass on the :award based upon the criteria and they must follow these rules.

The New Recipient:

It is my honor and privilege, to bestow “The Masters Award” to Mary Helen Ferris, Greatpoetrymhf’s Weblogwhose words are derived from the heart reaching deep into the Spirit of the Soul. Mary Helen lives in Alberta, Canada where, as she puts it, the winter is a great time for writing. She is fascinated by water, fire, birds and most of all people. It is no wonder her writings, poetry and photography overflow with inspiration, captivating information, imagination teasing all senses and intuitive insight. When you visit her blog, it will become obvious from your very first visit how easily she meets the four criteria for this award. As for Mary Helen, the best description is provided in her own words:

I am a lover of sunsets
People and wonderful words
I am hermit who loves the birds.

I am a rebel who loves setting suns.
I am a traveler, I know you are one.

So take a moment, sit back and have what your please
Most of these poems were written on Soul’s knees.

Mary Helen Ferris
Nov 7, 2010

27 Comments »

Awakenings: Super Swe-e-e-et Award

See on Scoop.itAmerica

Awakenings: Super Swe-e-e-et Award
Drum roll, ple-e-ease. . .and the nominess are. . .

See on awakenings2012.blogspot.fr

2 Comments »

One Lovely Blog Award #2 and #3

WOW! Not one,but two! When I entered the blogosphere, I never dreamed of acquiring so many wonderful relationships, true friendships, through my writing. What is so amazing is the inspiration I receive on a daily basis through visiting other blogsites, as well as comments left on catnip. Not only do I love to write, I LOVE to read!

FIRST, A BIG THANK YOU TO. . .

Jen Davies, A Writer’s Journey, who has graciously bestowed One Lovely Blog Award to catnipoflife. Jen has an awesome blog and shares about her journey in writing, plus she has some great photos on her site.

Jen Owenby, Jen’s Thoughts, who expresses her thoughts on writing, reading and life. Visits to her site never have me leave without inspiration.

Thank you to both Jens, for this honor which now allows catnip to pay the award forward to other bloggers who offer inspiration on a regular basis.

SECOND, before announcing the nominees, the ‘rules’ begin with my posting seven random facts about myself.

1. My favorite foods: bacon, grits and toast with honey (The honey is NOT store bought!)

2. I love to travel, just don’t get to go as much as I would like.

3. Our children: Scott, April, Nicole, Wendy, Foxie and Boots [Guess which two are the cats. LOL:>)]

4. I enjoy painting as well as writing.

5. My favorite poet: Wendell Brown, aka the One Brown Poet

6. While working at the computer, you can find Boots in my lap on a regular basis!

7. I am a photographer for Voyage en éphémère [Visit my homepage and The Murals of Colquit, GA and The Murals of Colquit, GA #2]

THIRD, as I ponder the list for my nominess, I find some are totally inspiring through the written word while others are solely visual. The world of photography is indeed an art within itself providing insight into the marvelous world around us. Thus, the nominees are

Soulmetry

Marbles in my Pocket

Inspiration Import

My Own Heart

Women Making Strides

The London Flower Lover

Marla Martenson

The Why About This

Valerie Davis

Books That Sow

angchronicles

Extraordinary Dreams of an Ireland Traveler

Cosmuse

Free Tag Zone

Don in Massachusetts

AMS Daily

Please leave a comment so I will know you have received notification of the award.

34 Comments »

catnipoflife receives the Sunshine Blog Award

ImageIt is indeed an honor to receive this award from Claire Cappetta, who is in the process of completing her first novel, Ride to LibertyA truly compelling story is about to be shared! In her own words, “Claire is a creative writer and has recently retired from the financial world to concentrate on the dream of publishing a first novel, which follows a woman’s journey through relationships, domestic abuse and empowerment. Although a difficult topic to cover the story is heartwarming.” Be sure to visit Claire’s blog for her 10 nominations for this award. All are inspiring and who knows which one might tug at your heartstrings:>)

Now, it is I who get to GIVE the award by paying it forward again to bloggers who inspire me and bring Sunshine into my  blogging life:

Peggy

Carole 

Miss Kate

Wendell

Dena

Laura

Robin

Stuart

Sandra

Jen

May your week be blessed and filled with inspiration!

5 Comments »