Friday, August 10, 2012

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:

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!

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the award! I am so appreciative!

Mary Smith said...

I really enjoy your blog Pamela!

Unknown said...

new follower from aloha Friday

Lisa Lynn said...

I'm so honored! Thanks a bunch for nominating me :)

I'm going to have to work on my lists now....hmmmm, lots of thinking tonight!

Looking forward to checking out your other nominations...very enticing list ~ Lisa at Little Homestead On The Hill and The Mystic Chicken

Unknown said...

You are so sweet to think of me!! Thank you dear new bloggy friend!! :) -Heather (Stringtown Home)

Unknown said...

I am so honored to be in such a great lineup:) Thank you so much for nominating me and for supporting me and Freedom Fridays.

Have an amazing day (you made my day)!

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Thanks so much Mary for sending us the Sunshine award! Congrats to you for all the recognition, your blog certainly warrants it!! I love learning more about you...(I am more of a car singer as to a shower singer! Ha!!) May many more followers find you and your great recipes! These cranberry popsicles will be a hit with our grand-daughter,I'm sure!
thanks again, and thanks for linking up with Farm Fresh Friday! We love having you!!

Style-Delights said...

Wow..so cool and easy! Mango is my favorite fruits too!! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
-Jyoti from Style Delights Blog
*Giveaway* - Win a gorgeous piece of jewelry from Jeweliq

Terrie R. said...

Thanks for the lovely award and congratulations on yours! Have a wonderful weekend.

Nicole @WonkyW said...

Thank you so much for nominating me & my little blog. I appreciate the acknowledgement :)

Sarah @ Natures Nurture said...

Aww, thanks so much for the award, Mary! I'm truly honored! Looking forward to checking out all those other amazing blogs :)

Oh, and your popsicles look awesome! I love mango and cranberry, but never had them together - thanks for the super easy recipe :)

Have a great weekend!

Mamal Diane said...

Thank you so much for the award. I love your blog. I can't wait to check out the other blogs. I learn so much from from all you talented women. Thanks for supporting The Gathering Spot on Tuesdays! Oh and love the popsicles, they look so yummy :)

Nancy said...

Thank you so much for the award nomination, Pam. Very much appreciated! Those popsicles are not only pretty, I bet they are delicious as well. :)

Denise said...

I so enjoy reading your blog every day when I get to work and even more on my days off--It's a wonderful way to start my day. You are such an awesome young lady and I love you dearly!!!

Mary Smith said...

I love you too Mom!!!

Mary Smith said...

Thanks ladies for stopping by. I have found so many amazing projects and recipes, not to mention the honesty in your posts. I'm so glad to have "met" you all!

Paula @ Simply Sandwich said...

These look delish and I am gonna give them a try! Stopping over from the Blog Walk!

Adorned From Above said...

Great popsicles. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this post. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It is opened until Sunday night.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/08/apple-cinnamon-roll-pull-aparts-and.html
I hope to see you there. Have a great Day.
Debi Bolocofsky
Adorned From Above
www.adornedfromabove.com

Lisa Lynn said...

Thanks for nominating me for the Sunshine Award Mary!!! And you are very deserving of all your awards! I am so happy I found your blog!

I'm working on my list and hope to post soon...Thanks again :)

Bridget7575 said...

Congrats on your award! Also, thank you so so much for the Sunshine Award! I am honored! :)
Have a great Sunday!
Bridget

Tammy said...

Hi there!
I was over at Judy's blog, and clicked on your popsicle, and was brought here. What a cute blog you have here!
I'm your newest follower, and looking forward to reading more of your posts!
Tammy

Unknown said...

Congrats on all your rewards!

Candice
www.lillythroughthevalley.blogspot.ca

Shawn said...

Huge congrats to you for both awards! Those popsicles look quite yummy by the way.

Lois Christensen said...

Thanks for the award! Those popsicles look really good! I'm a new follower!

Jessica said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Sorry I didn't thank you right away, I was quite busy! This means so much! I have a few blog awards I have to pass on now, I'd better get crackin'!

Becky said...

Thank you so much for the award! Sorry, just found it out right now. The popsicles look AMAZING! I haven't had a single popsicle this whole summer...I need to fix that.