Creative Chaos Award – Thanks Lady Barefoot Baroness

I’ve always thought the Creative Chaos Writing Award was awesome and I really believed I would never be chosen to receive it. So when Lady Barefoot Baroness last week granted me this award I was so tickled.  Especially since Lady Barefoot Baroness has two blogs.  You may want to check out her that she just recently started Full Circled Me, whose blog is all about her struggle and triumph in regaining her health.  This first paragraph of her new blog reads

Finding out that you are sitting through life on a brick wall that you’re going to tumble off anytime is dis-heartening in a lot of ways. Some people may even find it earth shattering, especially if they happened to be an athlete. I’m blessed in that I am not an athlete and the diagnosis of the condition of the mechanics of my body being in such poor shape has actually been validating. For the first time in two years someone is not just listening to me but is being proactive.

Anyhow I would really like to thank her for granting me this award!  I feel truly honored!!

Now this is the fun part of the award.

As always thank the person who granted it me.  Thanks Lady Barefoot Baroness!!!!

Take your best shot at the 3 tasks listed below.

First Task: Three weird things I  do: 

One…  I never mix my food.  I always eat my food in this order, my favorite first, then my next favorite and so on.  It drives Chris crazy, because she loves her food all mixed together.  Here I would eat the eggs while they are still warm, bacon and then the french toast.

Two..  I let MacKenzie lick my face when I lay down to sleep.  It seems to be a ritual for MacKenzie and she just loves it.  It is as if she is telling all about her day.

Three.. I can’t leave the computer without completing a task I’m working on.  The words pause or break really don’t exist in my vocabulary.

Second Task: You must tell why you look at the “glass half full” scenario and ask “what? No coffee?”

I don’t know if I can tell you why I look at the “glass half full”, but I do.  One thing that Chris has always said is that I taught her how to the bad things into good things.  Guess it is just part of my nature.  It isn’t something that I had to learn.

Third Task: You find yourself in a desolate place when your car breaks down. You have no cellphone service, no Wal-Mart, and only a candy bar for food. It is 150 miles to the closest town. What color are your under pants and why? 

First of all I would never breakdown.  It’s has never been a part of my history.  In my fifty plus years of living, I’ve only really broken down twice.

Once when I was in my early 20s and I was driving from Southern California to back to Denver.  My muffler pipe broke in half when I was in the middle of the desert in August.  A nice driver who had tools stopped within a couple of minutes, removed my muffler and said I should be good to go….just keep a window open.

View from Twin Peaks Campground which was the destination for the weekend.

The second time I got stuck in the middle of nowhere, Chris and I were on a high mountain pass which was right by a mine that was closed and locked.  We flagged down a driver and he just happened to have access to the mine so we could use their phone and we called Ford for a tow.   The Ford customer service person who was from a large city in the south by her accent asked what were the cross streets.  We said there were no cross streets just a Highway 91 and we were on top of the pass at Climax Mine.   We told her any tow company from the Dillion or Frisco Colorado area would know exactly where we were.    So about an hour or so later, a tow truck came to tow us back to Frisco.  Ford also set us up in a Hotel for the night.

Oh yeah, the question was what color was my underwear.  My favorite color of course…..royal blue.

True stories…except may the color of my underwear!

Fourth Task: Nominate 5 people who recently followed your blog.

First I want to say, any blogger who would like to receive this award please feel free to accept it with my blessings.

Here are my five (OK sic)  bloggers:

OneLifeThisLife

Being Arindam

Jenny’s Serendipity

Genie Speaks

Russel Ray Photos

Small House/Big Yard

Hope you enjoyed!!!

Hugs and blessings

Cee

I’ve Been Tagged and I Want to Play Along Today

I’ve been tagged by Lady Barefoot Baroness who I like to call The Baroness and today I thought I would play along.  Her answers to the 11 questions inspired me.  There were a couple of things that are vibrate close to my heart.

Here are the rules for being tagged

Each person must post 11 things about him/herself on their blog.

• Answer the questions the “tagger” listed for you in their post, (And create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer).
• Choose 11 people to tag and link to them in the post.
• Let each blogger know that you have tagged them.

Eleven things about me.  I agree with The Baroness on it being the hardest to answer.

1.  Like the Baroness I found Downton Abbey this past year and just fell in love with the show.  I want more and more of it.  As far as I know it won’t be back on until next January, but I hope that is not the case..

2.  On the topic of favorite television shows, West Wing is my all time favorite.  I’ve watched it over and over.  I have all the DVDs and could probably quote most of the shows verbatim.

3.  Music I listen to is basically what was called pop rock from the 70s.  Some of the artists I adore are Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, John Denver.  Yes, I’m a sappy sort of gal.

4.  In 2003 Chris and I took a vacation to Oregon (we lived in Denver Colorado at that time) and fell in love Oregon.  We moved to Oregon two years later.

5.  I once pet real life reindeer.

6.  The worst thing I ever did was steal half a Kit-Kat candy bar when I was 12.  I say half, because me and my best friend at the time stole it together.

7.  I’ve never been drunk in my life.  I just don’t like the flavor of alcohol.

8. The one feature I’m proud of about me is my hair.  It’s long and extremely thick and wavy.  When I was in my coma I had bed sores on my head and I have a few bald spots.  So I won’t ever be able to have short hair.

9. I hate going to big cities.  As a child I moved from a small town that had maybe 200 people in it and the to me was a thick forest where I would play and never got lost.  From there I moved to a suburb of Chicago, Illinois and the city scared me so much.  All the traffic and people.

10.  I love to drive long distances.  When I get behind the wheel and out in the country I could drive for hours.

11.  I used to be a cross-stitch fanatic.  I even made my own designs.

Whew!!!  That was tough.

Since Lady Barefoot Baroness didn’t come up with 11 new questions.  Here is my eleven question for those I tag and I will also answer them.

1. Where do you want to retire?  Either on the Oregon Coast or right here in Canby, Oregon.  It’s just perfect for me.
2. Which country/city in the world (that you have never been to) would you most like to visit and why?  Chris and I would have to visit Perth, Australia.  We have some friends there.  We might also have to check out New Zealand while are there.
3. If you could give $100,000 dollars to one charity, what would it be?  The Dougy Center which is the national (USA) center for grieving children and families.  Chris has been a volunteer grief counselor there for years.
4.  What is your favorite item of clothing and why?  I would have to say my red robe.  I long and full and I love to snuggle in it.  I don’t wear it that often because I don’t want pet hair all over it so it is pure luxury when I wear it.
5. Do you take the shampoos and other sundries from your hotel room when its time to check out? Nope.
6. What made you smile today?  I had an energy medicine session and I so enjoyed laughing and giggling with my energy medicine teacher.
7. For your computer Mac or PC?  I have an iMac and I have an Mac Airbook on order.  I’ll be getting that on Friday.
8. Do you plan out things usually or do you do them more spontaneous (for example if you are visiting a big city you don’t know?)  Spontaneous all the way.  There was one year Chris and I had a 10 day camping vacation travel with our tent trailer and explore the eastern plains of Colorado in the winter.  On the way out of Denver, we got stuck by a train and we decided to turn south and go visit friends of ours in Tuscon, Arizona and see the Grand Canyon.
9. What is your favorite comfort food? Pepperoni and cheese pizza.
10. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? Yes I do press it more than once.  Does it make a difference.  Nope.
11. What chore do you absolutely hate doing and you can’t say clean the bathroom or any part of it?  Putting clean dishes away.

———-

Here is a list of the questions without my answers attached.

1. Where do you want to retire?
2. Which country/city in the world (that you have never been to) would you most like to visit and why? 
3. If you could give $100,000 dollars to one charity, what would it be? 
4. What is your favorite item of clothing and why? 
5. Do you take the shampoos and other sundries from your hotel room when its time to check out? Nope.
6. What made you smile today?
7. For your computer Mac or PC? 
8. Do you plan out things usually or do you do them more spontaneous (for example if you are visiting a big city you don’t know?)  S
9. What is your favorite comfort food? 
10. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
11. What chore do you absolutely hate doing and you can’t say clean the bathroom or any part of it? 

Here are 11 people I’d like to pass it on to.  If you are not listed and want to join along in the fun, please do so.  ENJOY

1. The Sacred Cave
2. Lake Superior Spirit
3. The Adventures of Inigo Boy
4. Susan Writes Precise
5. Colline’s Blog
6. Zen and Genki
   
7. Wanderings of an Elusive Mind
8. Bongo Dog Blog
9. DiDi-Licious
10. Print Sense Photography and Design
11. Cat Bird in Korea

Hugs and blessings

Cee

The Sunshine Award

I was just awarded the Sunshine Award by Sonel’s Photographic Corner.  I normally don’t participate in these awards, although it always tickles me to be nominated/given this award.  For some reason today it just feels right to accept this one.  Thanks so much for passing it on to me today!

The rules of the Sunshine Blog Award are simple…

Thank the person who nominated you with a link back to their blog.  

Thanks so much Sonel’s Photographic Corner for brightening my day!

Answer 7 questions….

Favorite color:  Royal Blue, but yellow is growing on me.

Favorite animal:   Oh that is a tough question for me.  I’d have to say right now pugs (dogs), cats, alpacas.  I absolutely adore animals of any kind.

Favorite number:  7

Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Iced Latte

Facebook or Twitter:  Neither, I blog or use Redbubble

My passion: Photography or practicing energy medicine

Getting or giving presents: Giving without a doubt

Favorite pattern: That is another tough one.  It would have to be something geometric.

Favorite day of the week:  Saturday or Sunday because Chris has those days off.

Favorite flower:   Ohhh so many to chose from.  Dahlias for photographing.  They are not great cut flowers though because they don’t last that long.  Tulips and bearded irises are also favorites of mine.

I’m awarding this Sunshine award to any of my readers who wish to pass it one and have some fun!!  So any one of you please feel free to accept it.

Hugs and blessings

Cee

 

 

One Lovely Blog Award

Simply Charming, a blogger, who I’ve recently gotten to know has graciously awarded me the One Lovely Blog Award.  I’m just blown over by it.  Thanks so very much.

This award is simply lovely, for as you see, it has no conditions except to pass them on as a way to show your appreciation for the kindness blog friends bring, when they come and visit and occasionally even join in with a bit of a chat or two. How awesome is that?

I’d like to pass award on to a few of my friends I found in my little blog world.  Please enjoy this lovely award, it is well deserved!

• Just Ramblin’ – I’ve hooked you into the 12 Month of Paw Prints all over my heart.  If you are a dog lover you will enjoy this, especially large dogs.  I had a newfie once and could really relate to these photos.
• dadirridreaming – I’ve hooked you up to a magical photo of bubbles.
• BongoDogBlog -  Bongo, the dog, does the writing.  I love the perspective.  I hooked you up to his blog Shivering.
• Square Peg in a Round Hole - Here is their Weekly Photo challenge peaceful entry.
• World Music – Posts music from all over the world.  I’ve hooked you up with one of my favorites.
• The Sacred Cave – Wonderful writer and photographer.  I hooked you up with a writing on time.
• Latebloomerbuds – I’ve hooked you up with some gorgeous macros of some purple tulips.  Margie actually gave me some ideas on how to photograph them next year.
• adjustingyourfocus – I’ve hooked you up to her A-Z Archive: C Challenge entry
• Katie’s Camera Blog - I’ve hooked you up to a gorgeous night shot.
• Usyaka - A must for cat lovers – beautiful cat photography.
• Northern Narratives - Lives in a vary cold spot in the United States, but has the warmest heart ever!
• Traveling Lightly – Adventures and photographs of their travels.  Basically the Pacific Coast of the US, so far.

Hope you enjoy this award.  I really appreciate your blogs and friendship!

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere I thought I’d post a springtime flower – daffodil for my photo today!

Hugs and blessings

Cee

Seven x Seven Link Award

I was nominated for the Seven x Seven Link Award by Simply Charming.  I don’t exactly know how I first found her inspiring blog, but I love her writing.  And that says a lot from a non-writer, since I’m a photographer.  She writes simply, but in a lot of different voices and I really enjoy her writings and look forward to her blog every day!

From what I tell to accept the nomination for the  Seven x Seven Link Award I need do the following

1)   Tell you something about myself that you probably don’t know.

2)  Come up with seven of my own blogs one for each category.

• Most Beautiful Piece
• Most Helpful
• Most Popular
• Most Controversial
• Surprisingly Successful
• Most Underrated
• Most Pride Worthy

3)  Nominate 7 more people for this award… This is the most time consuming, but ohhh so worthwhile and fun.  I so believe in pay it forward.

So here is the something you probably don’t know about me.

I’m a numbers geek.  I keep spreadsheets of everything.  I even keep spreadsheets of computer game scores so I can compare one game to the next.  I’ve always been awesome with numbers and love playing with them.  I’ve even studied some numerology and find that quite interesting as well.

• Most Beautiful Piece – My Life Was About Survival, not Living - this has some of my favorite dahlias
• Most Helpful – Tips and Tricks: Always Get Your Photos in Focus
• Most Popular – Weekly Photo Challenge: Celebration
• Most Controversial – Feel Good Videos
• Surprisingly Successful – Weekly Photo Challenge: Self-Portrait
• Most Underrated – Chris had a Day Off and We Played!
• Most Pride Worthy – Share Your World Intro & Links to All Weeks

Now for the best part passing on the nomination to seven other bloggers.

1. Dadirridreaming
2. Hurtled to 60 and Now Beyond …
3. Square Peg in a Round Hole
4. Mind Blur – I just noticed that Simply Charming nominated them as well.  So I get to pick 7 nominees.
5. Radical Amazement
6. Travel Destination Bucket List
7. Atom’s of Thought
8. Lucid Gypsy

Thanks again Simply Charming for this nomination.  Much appreciation.

Here is another dahlia for everyone’s enjoyment!

Hugs and blessings

Cee

I was Nominated for the The Candle Lighter Award

I received the nomination for this uplifting award by Jakesprinters.  Jake’s 3D graphic work is outstanding.  I am amazed at his talents and very much enjoy his blog.  It always makes me smile.

You ask, “What is The Candle Lighter Award?”  This award was founded by Kate Kresse whose blog is Believe Anyway. Whenever Kate sees a blog that I she believes think brings light to the world she grants this award.  It is now being passed on to other people who keep passing it on.  I love this idea.  It just grows and lights up more of the world.  The candle below is Kate’s award.

I would like to nominate a few awesome blogs and over time I will be adding to this list and watch it grow.

• Life Just Is
• Late Bloomer Buds – Margie
• Implicado
• Katie’s Camera Blog
• Marie Nagle Photography
• Simply Charming
• Chronicles of Illusions – Jo Bryant
• Gracie Sam
• Northern Narratives
• Rural Route Runner
• Traveling Lightly
• Photo Kismet
• Digital Catharsis

Since I am a photographer and pictures are how I talk.  Here is an upload for today, January 1, 2012.  Happy New Year everyone.  This photograph was taken at Ft Stevens, Oregon, USA.  It is where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.  The water on the right of the barrier is the Columbia River and the water on the left the Pacific Ocean.  It’s an awesome view.

Hugs and blessings

Cee

The Liebster Blog Award

On December 14, 2011 I was nominated for the The Liebster Blog Award by a wonderful blogger Inside the Mind of Isadora.   It has been a pleasure to be a part of Isadora’s blogging world.  I’m so thrilled to have her as part of my blogging world.

Liebster is a German word that means beloved or favorite. Now that’s pretty cool!  This is what is needed to accept the award:

• Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
• Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
• Give your top 5 picks for the award
• Inform your top 5 by leaving a comment on their blog.
• Post the award on your blog.

It was tough to choose who to nominate.  I hope you enjoy it!! Here are my five nominee’s for The Liebser Blog Award.

1. Time After Take - Jakesprinters
2. Implicado
3. Katie’s Camera Blog
4. Northern Narratives
5. 3rd Culture Children

I hope they appreciate the award as much as I do.

As always I do have to upload a photo for everyone.

Hugs and blessings

Cee

Versatile Blogger Award

I’m new to blogging and was just thrilled to be nominated for this award.  I had to look it up and do some research.  And this is what I found out.  You can nominate anyone once you’ve been nominated.  And you actually can claim the award when you write a blog with these three simple tasks.

1)  Thanks the blogger who nominated you and linking back to them in your post.

2)  Pass on the Versatile Blogger Award to 15 recently discovered blogs.  Then those other bloggers know that you included them in your blog post.  (NOTE:  I would add a link to their bogs as well in our post.)

3)  List 7 things about yourself.

I’d like to give a huge thank you to  Artistry by Adele for nominating for this really cool award.  I’ve gotten to know a lot more people this way!

Here is my list of 15 blogs.  Many of whom I’ve had some type of connection with over the past week or so!  These are some really cool bloggers.

1. Chris Donner, Mystery Writer Blog – Just happens to be my partner of 22+ years.  She just started her own blog.
2. Pixie’s Pixels
3. Galen Leeds Photography
4. Shellriverexerience
5. Michaeldthomasphotography
6. Prathibha
7. sandisslant
8. Shane Costantino Photography
9. Tricia Booker Photography
10. Vidaphotography
11. Besoterio Blog
12. Photo Kismet
13. Emily’s Photography Blog
14. Aliciascottphotographer
15. Cadii’s Kitchen

Now the the 7 things about me!

1)  I live in Canby, Oregon, USA, home town to North Americas Largest Dahlia Farm.  And I so adore dahlias and could not live in a better place.  Canby is  about 40 minutes south of Portland.

2)  I’ve been in one relationship that has lasted 22+ years and still going strong.  Chris and I have 2 dogs (girl pugs) and 2 cats (both orange tabbies).

3)  I run host 8 international photography groups in Redbubble.com.

4)  I worked for Staples (office supply) business to business sales office when they were rated the top in the nation.  I also worked for Mission Foods (Tortillas)  sales office.

5)  I love rain.  So I’m totally in love with Oregon.  The rain here is usually slow and steady and the air feels fresh and clean.

6)  I was born in Moscow, Idaho.

7)  I absolutely hate bugs, especially bees.  I was stung over 50 times when I was six years old and nearly died.

Hope you enjoyed my little blog for today!!!  Thanks again Artistry by Adele for nominating for this cool award!

Blessings

Cee