Awards, Giveaways and Recipes....OH MY!!!

WOW!  I am just blown away.  I've been blogging for several years but I've only recently started following more blogs and becoming active in parties and hops.  I'm having such a great time!

But I've been a slacker!  Several weeks ago Lisa Lynn at Little Homestead on the Hill and Mystic Chicken (love the name) nominated my blog for The One Lovely Blog Award and the Very Inspiring Blogger award.  I'm honored!  Lise has a pretty awesome blog and I'm currently following her chicks from eggs to, well, chicks!  I can't wait to move to a city (preferably a small town) that will allow chickens.  You don't have to be a "homesteader" to find great information at Little Homestead on the hill, plus you'll get a few laughs over at Mystic Chicken.

So I'm going to share 7 random things about myself and nominate 15 Lovely and Inspiring bloggers, which is not as easy as it sounds!

1.  My sisters are both amazing people.  One is a professional surfer and the other a super mom.  I love them very much!
2.  I sometimes sing in the shower.  It makes me feel better.
3.  My mom called me "melon head" when I was a kid.  I loved watermelon (still do) and I did finally grow into my head.
4.  We have 2 adult cats and 1 kitten but if I had a bigger house I would totally rescue more (like 20).
5.  I listen to punk rock music and I still own a studded belt (even though I haven't worn it in years).
6.  I want to be a farmer when I grow up.
7.  I'm super clumsy (see the evidence)

And now for the hard part.  In no particular order, here are my nominations:
1. Diane at Keeping it Simple
2. Jessica at Healthy Mommy, Healthy Baby
3. Nicole at Local Sugar
4. Donna at Midlife Farmwife
5. Evelyn at My Turn (for us)
6. Pamela's Heavenly Treats
7. Becky at Preppy Premed
8. Heather at Stringtown Home
9. Lois at Walking on Sunshine
10. Nicole at WonkyWonderful
11. Sarah at Nature's Nurture
12. Nancy at A Rural Journal
13. Deborah Jean's Dandelion House
14.  Anna The Do It Yourself Mom
15. Kristin at A Beginning Homestead

If that wasn't exciting enough, Diane over at Keeping it Simple (another fantastic blog) nominated both of my blogs (see Mary's Kitchen) for the Sunshine award. Oh MY! Diane is super down to earth and isn't afraid to share the good and the not so good which makes her perfect in my book.  If you get a chance, stop by and say "Hey" for me.

For the sunshine award I am answering a set of questions.  This may be the longest post ever since I haven't even gotten to the giveaway or the recipe!!!!

1. Favorite color: Purple

2. Favorite animal: Cat (of course)

3. Favorite number: I’m really bad with numbers

4. Favorite drink: Basil Lemonade

5. Facebook or Twitter: facebook (not a big fan of either)

6. Good Book or a Good Movie: BOOK

7. My Passion: My family and Chiropractic

8. Giving or getting presents: definitely giving

9. Favorite day of the year: Christmas since I have so many fond family memories

10. Favorite flowers: Lily

The 10 blogs I am sending the Sunshine Award to, in no particular order:

1.  What's cooking in the Burbs

2.  Jam's Corner

3.  Homespun Homemaking

4.  I Gotta Try That...

5.  Hearth and Whimsy

6.  Romance on a Dime

7.  Little Homestead on the Hill

8.  Sall's Country Life

9.  The Prudent Pantry

10.  The Purple Pumpkin

Ladies, you are AWESOME!
 If you are reading this and you haven't seen what these lovely and inspiring bloggers have to offer, please bookmark this and check 'em out!  But keep reading, there's still more to come!

***I'M celebrating 100 followers***
WOOHOO!!!

And now for the giveaway and recipe!

 Monday, August 13th at 6am is the start of my very first giveaway 
from Mary's Basics!  I'm giving away small-batch, handmade, vegan lip balms!  I may be adding to this giveaway but you'll have to wait and see.  I'll have all of the specifics on Monday for your viewing pleasure.

Finally...the food!  I'm keeping this one short and sweet!

Homemade Cranberry Mango Popsicles

Ingredients:
Cranberry Juice
1 medium Mango (1 cup), fresh or frozen
1 cup yogurt (I use organic, no-fat vanilla)
Agave, optional
Popsicle trays or ice tray, sticks or toothpicks

Directions:
If you want a sweeter cranberry juice, add agave.  Pour a small amount of cranberry juice into popsicle trays and place in the freezer.   Be sure to leave plenty of room for the mango mixture.

After about 30-45 minutes you should be ready to continue.  You just want a slight freeze to the juice.  In a blender, add chopped mango and yogurt (plus agave if you like it sweet). Blend until smooth.

Take your popsicle tray out of the freezer.  Slowly pour mango mixture over juice, being careful not to blend the two juices.  If you want a more layered look, leave room to add more cranberry juice to the top.  

Once all slots are full, add your sticks and place back into the freezer.  Popsicles should be ready in about 4 hours.

Done!  Enjoy!