The Awesome Blogger Award

Hello, fair readers! Happy April!

I decided that I'm going to do The Awesome Blogger Award today. I'm sure it can be debated on whether or not I'm an awesome blogger ... seeing I wasn't exactly tagged ... but we shall ignore that! *laughs* Abigail Harder did this tag on her blog, Books, Life, and Christ, and tagged anyone who wanted to do it. It looked like fun. So I accepted the tag. Thank you, Abigail! <3

Without further ado, here we go!

The Rules

• Thank the blogger who nominated you
• Tag your post with #awesomebloggeraward
• Answer the questions given to you
• Nominate and inform at least 5 bloggers
• Give them 10 new questions to answer

The Questions

1.) What is your favorite music artist both Christian and Secular?

One of my favorite Christian artists is the band, Unspoken. As for secular artists, I haven't found any that I'm a big fan of, I suppose.

2.) What is one of your favorite movies of all time?

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe {2005}

3.) What is your favorite TV show?

Counting On. ^_^ I really love watching the Duggar children grow up, fall in love, marry, and have their own children and adventures. It's just fun keeping up with the lives of some fellow Christians.

4.) What is your favorite genre to read?

Historical fiction or fantasy. I definitely read more historical, but that's partly because there aren't a whole lot of Christian fantasy novels out there.

5.) Do you like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, all, none, or a mix?

I definitely enjoy coffee and tea. I drink herbal teas more than coffee. I would drink coffee more, but I try not to have too much caffeine.

6.) Who is one of your go to authors for an easy read?

Hmm. An easy read? I'm not sure. I suppose I'll say Sarah Sundin, author of The Sky Above Us. Usually I'm swept into her stories quite effortlessly.

7.) What is your go to comfort food?

Probably something with chocolate and peanut butter (only actually sunflower butter because I can't have peanut butter).

8.) If you had to choose one continent to visit, which one would it be and why?

Europe. I dream on going on a grand tour of Europe like wealthy young ladies did in the old days. All that rich history and exciting culture. Castles, museums, and fantastic, new food ... Sign me up!

9.) What are your top five favorite book series?

TALES OF GOLDSTONE WOOD by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

THE BLADES OF ACKTAR by Tricia Mingerink

Those two, definitely, are part of my top five. It's hard to decide, but let's go with these three, as well. *smiles*

A FAIRY TALE RETOLD by Regina Doman

WAVES OF FREEDOM by Sarah Sundin

OUT OF TIME by Nadine Brandes

10.) What author do you wish to spend the entire day with?

Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal, authors of Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart! I just want to move to Texas and adopt them all as my best friends. *winks* They seem like such lovely women who love Jesus!

Also, I think I would like to spend a day with Joanne Bischof, author of Daughters of Northern Shores. Her novels are so beautifully written and sweet. I'd love to meet her. <3

11.) Favorite season?

Summer. *heart eyes* Summer all the way. Summer, come quickly, please!

12.) Favorite thing to do in the summer?

Everything. Lay in the sunshine. Take a walk on a balmy evening. Read a book outside. Swim. Have a picnic with family. Explore scenic places. Enjoy the warm air. Have late night adventures. Go on vacation. Attend weddings. Kayak. Play outside games. Etc. Summer just makes me feel alive.

13.) Biggest book pet peeve?

Hardened, tough, perfect, unrealistic, unfeminine, kick-butt heroines.

14.) Favorite Bible verse?

I don't think I have a favorite. But here are some beautiful verses that I love:

1 John 3:1-3

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

15.) Have you ever done something you never thought you could ever do?

Drove on the freeway? *laughs* I used to be terrified to drive. And terrified of a bunch of other things. Thankfully, I realized the driving isn't that scary. And God is faithful in helping a weakling like myself overcome fear. Praise the Lord! <3

16.) What is one thing you wish you could do that you know you could never do?

Be an actress. *grins*

The Nominees

Natasha @ Simple Things

Victoria @ Victoria's Book Nook

Faye @ Create.In.Me

Deborah @ The Road of a Writer

Sam @ The Light Meets the Dark

The New Questions

Why don't you all just pick some of the questions that I answered? ^_^ (I answered questions from both of Abigail Harder's posts of this tag.)

The Christmas Tag

Happy Christmas Eve, dear readers! I was tagged by Natasha over at Simple Things for The Christmas Tag (which she actually made up), so here's for a bit of festive holiday cheer on the blog!

Hope you all enjoy, and may you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS tomorrow!

Favorite Christmas drink?

Hot, spiced apple cider.

Favorite Christmas color to wear?

I will say red. But a wintery blue is also lovely ... and I would like to try a festive green!!

Favorite Christmas cookie or dessert?

Chocolate Cherry Pudding Cake! This is a fairly new tradition in my family. I make this delicious cake on Christmas Day and we enjoy it very much!

Some favorite Christmas flavors or spices?

Hmm. Peppermint? Chocolate?

Does your family do stockings?

Yes, they do! It always starts feeling fun and festive when we hang up the stockings.

Favorite Christmas hymn?

O Holy Night. Ah, I just love the lyrics. I also discovered this year that I really love Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. What a beautiful song! (I think it's considered a Christmas hymn ... ?)

Favorite "secular" Christmas song?

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Warm, cozy, nostalgic.

Do you enjoy Christmas shopping, or does it just stress you out?

I like shopping. I like getting people meaningful gifts that they'll enjoy. I usually don't get gifts for a ton of people, but if I did get gifts for everyone that I would like to, I probably would get a little stressed. But I think I would still enjoy it for the most part!

Favorite Christmas decoration?

I love the sparkling lights on the Christmas tree.

What small thing gives you that special "Christmas feeling"?

Crackling fire in the fireplace. Soft Christmas music playing. Family relaxed and enjoying each other's company. Sparkling lights shining. Sweet, meditative spirit.

Favorite pre-Christmas activity?

Baking cookies. Shopping for little gifts. Singing beautiful Christmas hymns.

Unique Blogger Award

Hello, readers! Today I want to do a tag! I found this tag quite awhile ago on Faye's blog, Create.in.me ... which you should definitely check out! Anyway, I wasn't tagged, but I decided to do it anyway. I hope that's okay! ^_^

The Rules

Answer all the questions asked by the blogger who nominated you
Share the link of the blogger who nominated you
Nominate 8 to 13 bloggers for the same award
Ask 3 questions

***

1. Who is your favorite author? How have they influences your own writing?

One of my favorite authors is Tessa Afshar, namely for her three most recent novels (Land of Silence, Bread of Angels, and Thief of Corinth). I suppose she inspires me with her captivating, easy-to-read writing style, the emotion she evokes, and the way she brings out such beautiful and raw faith themes within her novels.

Jill Williamson would be another writer who inspires me. The way she makes me feel I'm right there with her POV character is impressive. I try to remember the aspects of her creative style while doing my own writing.

2. What are three of your favorite worship songs?

These might not be my three all-time favorites, but they are ones I love!

Big Enough - Clark Family

Till I Found You - Phil Wickham

You First - Riley Clemmons

3. Who are three of your favorite bloggers and why? Link their blogs below.

Here are three blogs that I really enjoy. Some I've been following since they started ... some are new ones that I love!

Simple Things: Life Through the Lens of an Introverted Artist

Roses Are Red: Health / Beauty / Fashion

Scattered Journal Pages

***

I Tag ...

Victoria @ Victoria's Book Nook

LaKaysha @ Calico and Lace

Deborah @ The Road of a Writer

Emily @ Living Through Jesus

Daminika @ Walking in the Sonshine, Dancing in the Rain

Jacky K. @ Where the Eagles Fly

Felicity @ A Grand Adventure

Faith @ A Writer's Faith

The Questions to Answer:

1. What are you passionate about? Tell us all about it!

2. What is one of the best books, novel or nonfiction, that you've read in your lifetime? What is it you love about it?

3. What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Sunshine Blogger Award

Hi, all! I know I haven't been on here in forever ... blogging has been so sporadic for me and it makes me sad. *unhappy face* But, that's just a season of life I'm in now and I have to let myself be okay with it.

I'm happy to inform you that today is Saturday (the weekend is here, yay!) *winks*, and I am able to steal a few moments on the family computer.

So I'm doing a tag! The lovely Daminika @ Walking in the Sonshine, Dancing in the Rain tagged me for the Sunshine Blogger Award and I'm excited to do it! Thank you, Daminika!

THE RULES:

Thank the blogger who nominated you and link their blog

Answer the questions the blogger who nominated you provided

Nominate new bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer

List the rules and have the Sunshine Blogger logo present in your post

THE QUESTIONS:

1) what was the last movie you watched (and enjoyed)?

Um ... I haven't watched any really amazing movies lately. I think the last (new) movie I watched was Wonder Woman {2017}. It was okay.

The actual last movie I watched was a re-watch. I decided to watch Pride and Prejudice {2005} about a month ago while on a plane ride. Enjoyed that one, as always! Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth! ^_^

2) favorite summer-y food?

*sits back and contemplates* Potato salad? (Although I don't really eat that anymore because I can't have eggs) Different types of salad. Broccoli, bacon salad. Quinoa, grape salad. Taco salad. Yeah. Yum.

3) last adventure you had?

Traveled to the west coast and visited family and friends! Hiked, kayaked, attended weddings ... (I will hopefully write a post about this next!) 

4) road trip or airplanes?

Road trips. I like airplane rides for the fact that you get there fast ... but I usually tend to get sick from flying and it's just yucky. I don't prefer to be that far up in the air anyway. It can be an adventure if I don't get sick. But road trips are great as long as you stop for the night!

5) what is your dream wedding color(s)?

I think it would be lovely to do pastel colors. Have my bridesmaids wear pastel blue, yellow, pink, green, and purple. I haven't thought it all through, but I love the idea of a soft, colorful, fairy tale-ish feel. ^_^

6) what song have you had on repeat?

"Amen" by For King and Country

"Details" by Sarah Reeves

7)  girly-girl or tomboy?

I could be a tomboy when I was younger. I absolutely delighted in running around with my older brother and boy cousins (actually they're my dad's cousins ... but they were more my age! *winks*) We had all sorts of adventures. I played in the mud, caught salamanders, got chased by cows, made plans to trap a coyote, and loved exploring the forests and creeks.

I also could be really girly though. I did ballet, loved dressing up,  playing with dolls, and feeling pretty.

Today I'm sure I lean more toward girly, but I still love a good, outdoors adventure.

8) first celebrity crush?

Logan Bartholomew from Love's Enduring Promise {2004} or Ben Barnes from Prince Caspian {2008}. *grins*

9) top three favorite blogs?

Simple Things

The Road of a Writer

Calico and Lace

10) how long ago did you start your blog?

May 2014, I believe. So a little over four years ago.

11) how do you feel you've grown since starting your blog?

I've gotten a little better at writing, perhaps. Formatting, definitely.

I've grown as a person ... learning to find my identity in Christ and being able to accept myself because of that. I'm understanding, a little better, His indescribable love for me. And that is changing me as a person.

I'm learning to pray more. Move out of my comfort zone. Live in freedom. Step out in faith. Walk by the Spirit. Live fully in the moment. Cherish every friendship. Let myself rest, fully beloved in Christ.

I still struggle, but I'm coming to understand TRUTH.

***

Y'all, I'm not going to follow all the rules. I'll tag a couple people and they can answer these questions because I'm too tired to come up with new ones!

Deborah O'Carroll @ The Road of a Writer

Victoria @ Victoria's Book Nook

Skye @ Ink Castles

Baby Name Challenge/Tag

Hi, all! Sorry I've been so absent lately! It's just been busy. *tired sigh* Between working full-time, plus volunteering at VBS in the evenings all of last week, I'm just feeling exhausted. It's Sunday afternoon as I write this, and I am not ready for work again in the morning.

Anyway! Today I'm doing the Baby Name Challenge/Tag, because I was tagged by the lovely LaKaysha @ Calico and Lace!

The Rules:

Answer the Questions

Tag Three Friends to do the Same

1. What are your favorite boy & girl name from the top 100 of the year?

I'm going to go with Eliana for a girl, and Isaiah for a boy.

2. What are your least favorite boys and girls name from the top 100 of the year?

Sebastian and Paisley

3. If you had twins, what would you name them?

Lacey and Lizabeth (girls)
Bennett and Luke (boys)
Jayden and Jessalyn (boy and girl)

4. If you could change your name to anything, what would you change it to?

I do like my name, but if I had to change it I might change it to one of those lovely, old, traditional names such as Elizabeth or Olivia.

5. If you had four children, any sex, all with the same letter, what would their names be?

Okay, that was hard. I decided to go with names starting with the same letter as my name, and here's what I came up with: Sylas, Shanaya, Skyleigh, and Sheldon. (boy, girl, girl, boy)

6. What is your favorite animal inspired name?

Wren I guess?

7. What is your favorite color inspired name?

Jade

8. What are your top three favorite boys names?

Isaiah
Micah
Kayden 

9. What are your top three favorite girls names?

Shaelyn
Delaney
Briella

10. What is your favorite month inspired name?

May

11. Choose a name from a movie.

Edmund, as in Edmund Pevensie from THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA!
Wenneveria, a young maiden in Pendragon: Sword of His Father

12. Choose a name that is already in your family.

Mary (great-grandma, grandma, mom, me)
Adelyn (cousin)

William (cousin)
Henry (cousin)

13. Choose a name from a book

Eden, from Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz. I think it's a sweet and unique name for a girl.

Liam from THE ILYON CHRONICLES by Jaye L. Knight.

***

So there's that! I hope you all enjoy. Comment with your thoughts! LaKaysha, thank you for tagging me! It was quite fun. ^_^

I Tag:

Deborah O'Carroll
Victoria
Amanda