Thank you!

I've been nominated for the Liebster Award again by three different people. I want to say a big THANK YOU! to Shelley's Daily Dose, tickles and tots, and BebeSweetz. This made my day!

The first time I received this award it took me a long time to come up with my answers and questions, so I know how hard these women worked at coming up with their own replies and queries. It's been crazy here lately and I didn't want anyone to feel like I was ignoring this wonderful award, so I picked a few questions from each person who nominated me.

What is your favorite hobby? For relaxing, I would definitely have to say reading, followed closely by listening to music. For learning new skills, it would be cake and cupcake decorating.

Share one of your favorite recipes? I would have to say the chicken casserole recipe that my mom and grandma make. I grew up loving it and it still makes me happy when I eat it.
What do you enjoy most about blogging? I enjoy seeing comments and knowing that what I put out there was helpful to others. I've only been doing this a year and I love exploring the blogging community. There are so many great blogs out there and there are many bloggers that I see supporting each other.

Which household chore is the hardest to tackle for you? Laundry. I know, it's a pretty easy thing. I will gladly put the clothes in the washer and dryer but for some reason it's the folding that I get hung up on. Cleaning the bathroom is right there too.

Do you have pets?  If so how did they react when you first introduced your new baby? We have a wonderful dog. She was curious the first day we brought our oldest home, and then sad when she realized she wasn't the baby anymore. However, she gets along with the kids pretty well now...mostly because they feed her.
Do you ever doubt your decisions as a mother? Yes, quite a lot. On days where I think I am doing it all wrong, the kids will say or do something that makes me think that I can't be all that bad.

What do you do for a living? I am currently a stay at home mom. Once both the kids are in full time school, I will find a part time job. I want it to be flexible so I can pick them up if they are sick and be there to drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. I have no idea what this future job might be though!

How many kids do you have? 2

Do you have any hobbies and if so, what are they? I make lots of crafts with my boys. However, I love decorating cakes and have recently ventured into cupcakes. I make a themed birthday cake each year for their birthdays and try to outdo myself each time. I will spend probably 1-3 days on their cakes. I know...it's crazy. But I do enjoy doing it!

You Like Me, You Really Like Me!

I got my first award! I can't tell you how excited I am. Some days I feel like I'm writing to empty space. This means so much to me! I was nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by Momfia Tees (www.momfiatees.com)! Thank you! If you haven't checked out this blog yet, make sure you stop over; they have some great T-shirts!

The Liebster Blog Award is given to bloggers by bloggers. It is a way to acknowledge each other and say "you're doing a great job". It is for blogs with 200 or less followers, so it's also a great way to spread the word about smaller blogs and get them more readers and followers! When you receive the award, you post 11 random facts about yourself and answer 11 questions from the person(s) who nominated you. You pass the Award onto 11 other blogs (make sure you tell them you nominated them!) and ask them 11 questions. You're not allowed to nominate the blog(s) who nominated you! (To get the button, right click the picture on my page and save the picture to your computer. You can then upload to your blog.)

All about me:
*I had a personal embargo on maple syrup until 2003. I blame it on my parents who found me playing in a giant puddle of syrup in the kitchen as an toddler. Luckily I was brought around to the joys of Grade A Dark Amber upon marriage.
*I can pat my head and rub my belly at the same time....most of the time. When challenged by the Hubby I patted both for a few seconds until I got my rhythm. I am not sure what good this skill will do for the world though.
*Halloween is my favorite holiday. We bake cookies, decorate inside and out, Boo the neighbors, dress up and discuss candy selection for trick-or-treaters for a month. I even have a Halloween village with functioning cemetery.
*I was an accomplished flutist for 12 years. Well, maybe not that accomplished. I only got one silver medal in 12 years. But I had a good time.
*I read freakishly fast. When I was dating my Hubby he thought I was only pretending to read because I would turn the pages so fast. After multiple forced comprehension quizzes, I think I have him convinced I am actually reading.
*I hate pink; not the person, the color. Sorry Victoria Secret. I had a pink and rainbow room through high school and now I can't stand it.
*I cannot type the word "hte," I mean "eth," I mean "the." Dang that was hard!
*I collect trash. It is all in the eyes of the beholder. My Hubby now asks me if he can throw out random trash on the counter tops. The answer is normally: 'NO! I am using that for a great (robot, catapult, maze,...) craft.
*Straight peanut butter on a spoon is my dirty indulgence. Unfortunately, I have passed this horrible habit onto my children. Luckily I have successfully taught them not to double dip.
*I am a closet nerd. As a kid, I went to archaeology camp, girl scout camp and science camp (twice). I even married a geek.
*I really, really love chocolate, especially dark chocolate, but I do not discriminate. If the chocolate happens to be a turtle (nuts and caramel covered in chocolate), I'm ecstatic.

Here are the questions I was asked:
1. What's you favorite swear word substitution?
          Just like GM in the 80s, 'I accept no substitutions.'  I do try to keep the swear words to a minimum though.
 
2. Boxers or Briefs?
          I prefer boxers on men.

3. Vampires or Werewolves?
          Hmm...I'm equal opportunity. I do tend to favor the vampires, but it is a very close race.

4. If you could choose any career what would it be?
          I was in the work force before kids. Now I am a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom). I love writing! If I could get paid to blog, that would definitely be my choice. (Hint, hint for any sponsors out there....) My second choice would be decorating cakes. I love making my kids birthday cakes and keep trying to come up with bigger and better ideas.

5. You're raiding the kids' Halloween stash. What are you taking?
          I don't consider it 'raiding.' I am merely removing a small commission for extensive quality assurance services. My commission usually entails Snickers, Kit Kats, Laffy Taffy (chocolate or cherry) and of course any dark chocolate.

6. If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life what would it be?
          Bring It On....'because when you come to state you better bring it.'
         
          On a serious note though, it would be Underworld.

7. What's your favorite book?
         This one was easy. There is an amazing book by a burgeoning young author that really speaks to me ;)
         Animals to Trains: A Children's Birthday Party Guide

8. Do you take your favorite coffee or tea with cream or sugar?
          I'm a coffee girl. I try to keep it "healthier" and have gotten away from the cream/milk. I still need the sugar though (or at least sweetener). When I really want a treat I use hot chocolate sticks in the coffee. So decadent.......yummy.

9.  Favorite and least favorite cheese.
          Favorite - Beer cheese. See this link for my favorite beer cheese recipe.
          Least - Stinky cheese.

10. Coke or Pepsi?
          I took the Pepsi Challenge -Lost.
          I have brand insistence.
          Yeah Coke!

11. What's your style? Laid back or fashionista?
          Definitely laid back. My idea of dressing up isn't very fancy. Hubby gets very excited whenever we have a wedding to go to since it means I will actually put on a skirt or a dress.


I love to read different kinds of blogs: mom blogs, cooking, funny, and satirical blogs. Some of them are "adult humor" and make me and hubby laugh (in fact he sometimes reads my Facebook over my shoulder so he can see what everyone wrote). 


Here are my Nominees (make sure you stop by and say hello to them!):
Wub Boo Mummy
Riding The Crazy Train
Musings of an im-Perfect Mom
365 Days of Baking
Food Thoughts of a Chef Wannabe
Just A Little Nutty
Dainty Revelations
Cup Of Tea and A Blog
Not My Mom's Blog
Conversate is not a word and other abuses of the English language
Twins Happen

Alright, Nominees, here are your questions!
1.   What is your favorite holiday?
2.   What is your favorite dessert?
3.   What is your favorite animal?
4.   Summer, Spring, Fall or Winter?
5.   Tube tops or cardigans?
6.   Twilight or Shades of Grey?
7.   What motivates you?
8.   What book are you reading?
9.   Can blogging save the world, stop global warming and ... ?
10. If 'can't' and 'have to' get into a fight who wins?
11. Warm and fuzzy or sleek and shiny?