My awesome friend, Tara, has thought me worthy of a Stylish Blogger Award!! Wow, Tara, I’m so honored! And, tickled, because it’s a great way to make me update my blog!
If you haven’t already checked out Tara’s blog, TaraCooks.com, go do that right now, you’ll be so glad you did! She’s posted one of my all-time favorite recipes, her Ranch Dressing & Dips mix. (For those of us who love Hidden Valley’s mix, just not the MSG!) And let me brag on Tara to say that she was featured on The Pioneer Woman’s Tasty Kitchen Blog a little bit ago, and I was so excited for her! Yay for Tara! (and yay for me – I bet that was the most exposure any photograph I’ve ever captured has ever gotten! ha!)


You’ll want to kidnap Tara and let her be your cook forever. Here’s how Tara describes her blog: “I hope these recipes will call to your heart (or better yet, your tummy) and inspire you to slow down and renew your love of real food. Most recipes here at TARACOOKS.COM are prepared “from scratch.” …It is my heart’s desire that many of my recipes will be simple enough for everyday living. May serving real, home cooked food be the norm, not the exception at your dinner table. Drop in anytime and see what’s for dinner.”

So here’s what I get to do to accept this award from Tara:
Make a post & link back to the person who awarded you this award.
Share 7 things about yourself.
Award your favorite recently discovered great bloggers.
Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won!
Seven things about me… hmmmm….
- I am me. And God loves me anyway. Praise Him! I’m blessed beyond measure, and so thankful to have all God has given me. I’m truly humbled by the things He does for me.
- Other than the Lord, my husband Mike is my hero… I am so blessed. Shoot, I’m totally spoiled rotten by having a husband who is as good as he is. And I know it. And my family – my kids, my parents, brother & sis-in-love, grandparents, etc.) is the best ever. Just so you know.
- I’ve been to New Zealand for a 3.5 week mission trip. It’s the farthest away from home I had ever gone, and the first time I ever flew on an airplane! Gorgeous place – God is amazing. Did you know New Zealand has black sand? Very cool! My friend Christi, who used to be in Mike’s youth group years ago, is living in NZ with her Kiwi husband, Shane, whom I taught in Bible class when on this mission trip. Crazy how small this world is when you love the Lord, isn’t it?! (Mike performed their wedding ceremony, and I cried like a baby. ha!)
- I love old movies. Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper, etc. LOVE old movies. Have I ever told you that I love old movies? I’ll stop at that so I won’t bore you with my favorites – ooh, maybe I’ll create a whole blog post on my favorites someday…
- I do not have a favorite color. Never have, really. There are so many colors that God made – how can I choose just one?! But, I’ve always told my momma that should I die, I want it to be a prerequisite to wear something yellow to my funeral… even if just a small ribbon or flower – because if I leave this earth, it’s a happy, happy thing! God is good, and heaven is great! So, you’ve been warned: no black clothes (unless you just feel fabulous in black) or sadness (unless you’re sad about something else). Sorry. I know that you think I’m crazy now…
- I love to put my toes in the sand… I could sit on a beach forever, if it weren’t for my pale skin & low tolerance for sun exposure. But give me SPF 60+, an umbrella, and a big ol’ hat, and I’m goooood.
- I love old things & their stories. I collect old aprons. I think I may have been born in the wrong decade. I love 1940’s fashion style. I love architecture. Did you know that I used to dream of making a career of historical preservation and restoration?
- I realize that’s more than 7 simple things. Oh well.
Here are the blogging friends on whom I’m bestowing the Stylish Blogger Award!
(I can’t say they’re recently discovered, but maybe that’s ok?)
Kristen’s Blog: Pretty Sweet – It tickles me that I think Kristen and I are kindred spirits in some ways! We love Bing Crosby, vintage-inspired goodness, and she knows how to set a table!Love to you, sweet Kristen! I think you’re “pretty sweet”.
Mandy’s Blog: Crafty Southern Mama – Mandy is just precious! I met her several years ago at an expo. She signed up for a Christmas Card portrait session, and has become a friend! I love that my photography business blessed me with that! Anyway, you’ll love Mandy’s style & gumption: give the girl a Craig’s List find & some spray paint, and watch out! I’m so glad to know you, Mandy!
Melissa’s Blog: A Little Loveliness - Melissa is an entertaining genious. You’ll LOVE her blog! It always makes me want to invite people over. Once I get started on a theme, I’m lost in it, and have so much fun. You’ll enjoy how Melissa makes everything just amazingly beautiful! Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your life on your blog!
**I’m interrupting this list because mentioning Melissa Lester’s blog & thinking of entertaining with a theme reminds me: Let me tell you to come on over to Maple Hill’s Family Fun Night tomorrow night at 6:30 at MH. It’s Italian night, and I’m bringing Italian restaurant music, red-checked tablecloths, and candles. “Lady & the Tramp” style! Everyone bring your family, an Italian dish, dessert, and a 2-liter.) I’ll now return to listing my Stylish Bloggers. thank you.![]()
Andrea’s Blog: Babe of My Heart – I met Andrea through a mutual photography friend several years ago. Now, I am blessed by Andrea’s heart for God. Go to her blog. Read & be blessed by the story of her family’s faith & Ethiopian adoption! I simply don’t have words for how special Andrea is. You’ll just have to go see for yourself! Such good stuff!! Hugs, Andrea! I’m so blessed to know you!!
Kristen’s Study Blog: Heaven-Minded – Ok, so I already gave Kristen the award for her Pretty Sweet blog above. But I think her Study Blog, Pretty Sweet: Heaven Minded deserves one, too. I’ve always “written out” the Word during my Bible studies – I injest the Word better that way! – but this is a study that’s sure to bless you. I promise.
Child Advocacy Center: Chocolate Affair – I will shamelessly plug the CAC whenever I can!! Our Chocolate Affair is February 11, 7:30-9:30 at Cumberland’s Labry Hall. I hope to see you there!! *Yes, to those of you who noticed, I did build the Chocolate Affair website. And NO, I’m not awarding myself. I just want you ALL to come to the Chocolate Affair!! You can buy your tickets online, from me, or just show up that night. Either way, I hope you’ll come!



















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