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Monday, February 23, 2009

Make that two...

I have been nominated again tonight for this award. My second nod, came from the lovely blogger Pamela at Yada Yada Yada so I wanted to give Pam her own shout out! Thanks for adding me to your list, even when you knew I was already awarded. It means a lot.

If it wasn't 11:00 pm, I would round up eight more blogs to feature (really, I love giving praise!), but I don't think I can muster the energy tonight. I'll be sure to comment more religiously on all of them, though. Comments spread Joy! Joy is good!

Never been tagged...

...until now! Yay!

Thank you to Angie at klenkekonfessions for bestowing upon me this lovely little "Friends" award. Before today I was a blogosphere award virgin, so thank you for being my first ;-) Your blog is fun and a pleasure to follow.

A bit about me: I used to write for a living and now that I don't, I love using my blog as a creative outlet and a way to document my thoughts, projects and day-to-day randomness. Not many people in my life even know I have a blog, but I am ecstatic for the few followers I do have and I hope that I can continue to keep you all intrigued. Please leave me a message so I know who you are and so that I can add your blog to my reader if it's not already on there... the more the merrier!

Now, for the fun part...Here are the rules:

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Angie already named a few of the blogs that I read often, but here are 8 more great blogs, all of which I am a cyber-friend & fan:

1.) Sara at Creative Adventures of Sara Ellen -- I know Sara in real life and she is as creative and inspirational in person as she is in her blog posts.

2.) Colleen at BCharmer Life -- Who would have thought that a simple little bridal party gift purchase on Etsy would result in finding a great blog-friend halfway across the country!

3.) Ellen at exit, pursued by bear -- Ellen and I share a set of relatives in real-life, but we are in no way related; although I do cyberstalk her dogs through her blog and love her impeccable taste in decor and home goods.

4.) Jen at Quirky Abq -- Jen is another one of my real-life friends that also happens to be a blog-friend. She is a talented artist, outspoken advocate and encourages people to 'Take Risks & Stay Inspired'.

5.) Aaron at BlueRue Blog -- Aaron is a former coworker of mine and a talented photographer emerging in the the Kanas City Market. Check him out!

6.) Mai at mai photography -- Mai & I had the same wedding photographer so I saw many beautiful photos of her over my wedding planning period, but now she is on the other side of the camera and creating beautiful work as well.

7.) Andrea at old, new, borrowed, bleu -- I enjoy watching the process of her wedding planning, because she has beautiful ideas and great style.

8.) Shannalee at food loves writing -- This Chicago-based blogger always shares scrumptious recipes and the occasional restaurant review. Yum!

There are many more blogs that I read but I could only nominate 8 (hey, rules are rules).

Hopefully I have introduced you to a few new blogs to add to your reader, so check them out and be sure to spread the blog love!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Oscar...the Grouch!

I don't know why, but I just cannot get into the Oscar's tonight (hence the blogging).

Tonight, I am relating more to the Oscar in the garbage can, than the little golden statue.

Oh well. Maybe I'll have some ice cream and look forward to watching Big Love at 10pm... that will make me feel a little better ;-)

**Edit** Ok I love musicals, so that part was just pretty cool.**

Saturday, February 21, 2009

I surrender!

Ok, Hunter. I'm waiving my white flag. Your boots just don't want to fit my legs correctly and I give-up, I will stop ordering your pricey pairs of wellies and stop trying to make them like me.

Hunter Original, your were pretty, but a bit too tight around my calf...

Hunter Huntress, you were too big and wide around my foot and ankles (and the shade was not my fave green color anyway)...

Thank goodness for Zappos AWESOME free, fast shipping AND returns. So now I'm on the hunt for a non-Hunter brand wellie. Any suggestions?

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Dear Microplane...

Dear Microplane,

Where have you been all of my life? In particularly, where were you just last weekend when I was grating two blocks of cheese for our Valentine's fondue with another grater, which resulted in sore biceps for days? I don't know why it took me so long to bring you into our home, but I'm so glad we have finally adopted you (gotta love registry completion discounts). You just shaved minutes off of my shredding, zesting and grating needs forever, though I may have you to blame for my flabby arms now. Oh, and by the way you are also responsible for the most incredible microwave white cheddar nachos I have ever had, the perfect 60-second snack (grating & cook time included!).

Sincerely,

Steph

P.S. I think you are worth every penny!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Not a Hunter, but maybe a Huntress?

So, I posted last month about the wonderful Hunter Wellies I bought off of Zappos. They were pretty. And purple. And did not fit my calves :-(

I did fit into them (a minor accomplishment), but they came up so high (almost to the knee) that my calf could not even wiggle in it, none-the-less have any hope of fitting a pant leg in the shaft as well. So I sat on them (not literally). And sat on them. And just decided to print my Zappos return label tonight to return them.

BUT I may be in luck. No, they do not come in pretty purple, BUT Hunter has considered us bigger calved ladies and made a slightly shorter and wider style, called Hunter Huntress. Now these only come in black, green and navy, but since green is the original Hunter boot (and my fave color) I went ahead and ordered them tonight to give them a try instead.