Ags And Tawards... I Mean, Tags And Awards

I have become most lackadaisical concerning awards and tags on this blog, and I do apologize. Life has kept me from blogging, so I never found the chance to post about these things. *ahem* I shall endeavor to do better. 

I was awarded the Scrumptious Blog Award by Storyteller! Thanks, Storyteller!

~ Rules ~
1: When you receive the award you must post about it on your blog and leave a link to my blog.

2: Answer all the questions to the tag below.

3: Do not award anyone who has more than one hundred followers.

4: Come up with ten questions for the tag.

5: Keep your questions clean and refrain from using bad language.

6: Tag 5 to 10 people.

~ Storyteller's Questions ~

1) Blogger or wordpress? (if you're reading this, probably blogger. But you never know.)

Blogger.

2) Are you/were you excited to drive? (cars) Why or why not?

I don't drive. Not yet, anyways. I'm just one of those girls who doesn't care much for cars.

3) What is your most deadly fear?

Being a bad testimony for Christ.

4) What's a funny moment that's happened to you recently?

Me: (engrossed in writing this blog post that I am totally unaware of what's going on around me)

Music playing on my laptop as I work: Knightsbridge March from London Suite

My sister Jessa Bri: (bouncing around the living room, balancing a pile of laundry in her arms and performing outlandish clown acts)

Me: (still buried in my laptop)

Jessa: (looks at me to see if I noticed her)

Me: (lost in the world of blogger)

Jessa: (stares at me longer)

Me: (totally oblivious)

Jessa: Age is wasted on the old.

Just a moment in the life I lead here under the maple tree.

5) What is your favorite of my stories?
I really enjoyed reading the chapters Storyteller posted from The Thief's Quest.

6) Who is your favorite character of my stories?
Hmm... Jessie Bender

7) What would make the most epic book ever? (details such as (ahem this is kind of mine) the main character is a girl, somehow there's a dreamcatcher and a blue moon involved, and she has a bag full of cool stuff like old books, old maps, a compass, etc. and owns a cloak. Kind of get the idea?)
A group of siblings on an epic adventure, legendary creatures such as dragons, lots of humor and adventure, quotable quotes, journeys through different types of terrains, epic battles and sword play... and no, I'm not deliberately trying to describe my story CoaL... but it's all just stuff that I love that happened to find its way into CoaL.

8) What's your least favorite question of mine so far?
So far? Probably the one about the recent funny moment. I can't think of one! I know that when you all read this, I'll have filled it out, but as of right now, as I'm writing this, I haven't answered that question yet. My life is filled with humorous things, and it's an instant mind blank whenever anyone asks me for a specific moment. 

9) Why did you (if you do) decide to follow my blog?
Because you're fun and you love writing! :)

10) What has been your favorite blog design you have ever seen? (perhaps give a link)
I love seeing the different period drama themes that Miss Laurie uses over at Old-Fashioned Charm; I also love the simpleness of The Inkpen Authoress, Life of a Michigan Homeschooler, and a bunch of other blogs.

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Una Mariah tagged me in the Elvensies Tag! Thank you, Una Mariah!

~ Rules ~
Post eleven random facts about yourself, answer the eleven questions the awarder has given you and make up eleven questions for your awardees to answer in return. Tag eleven fellow bloggers, and notify them of the award. Also, they say there are no tag-backs in this game, but I’m breaking that rule. They also say the eleven blogs you tag must have less than 200 followers. But I say if your blog has more than 200 followers, good for you! You will not be shunned. Feel free to participate! 

~ My Eleven Facts ~

1. I like folding clothes. There's just something about making crisp corners and straight piles that I enjoy.

2. I don't care much for scented candles. The smell and smoke from them makes me tight.

3. I have come to the firm belief that I am allergic to my bed, after waking up the last two weeks with watery eyes, asthma, headaches, etc. 

4. I don't suppose the fact that my mattress is 15 years old helps much.

5. I am anticipating mattress/sheet/pillow/whatever shopping sometime in the next month or so, with the hopes to improve my health.

6. Some of my favorite characters in movies and books are the ones that most people find irritating or annoying. For example, Mr. Woodhouse and Miss Bates from Emma, Mrs. Bennet from P&P, Mr. Guppy from Bleak House, and Squire Hamley from Wives and Daughters.

7. What does bother me? Suddenly all the "majestic" pictures of Thorin Oakenshield on Pinterest. Sure, I think it's funny that he's majestic, and nobody expected that from a dwarf, and it's fun to see some of the pics, but I think some people are going a little too far with this. By the way, they all know Thorin dies at the end of The Hobbit, right?

8. Due to a business meeting shared with my dad, a sudden plan for dinner, and my soy allergy, I got to spend last Friday night at my classy blood cousins' house. First time being there without any of my siblings for a meal, but we still had buckets of fun. *ahem* Don't tell my siblings that. :)

9. I currently am working three part-time jobs and just received an offer for a fourth. I realize that this is better than most people can boast, and I praise the Lord for His bountiful blessings!

10. I just allowed my sister Beth Grace to cut my hair. For me, this was a huge thing. I detest hair cuts, but I see the necessity of them. My hair previously hung down to my waist, and I told Beth she could take, at the most, 4 inches off. When I gathered the hair up off the floor later, every piece I measured was 6 inches long. No, I'm not mad at my sister, but I'm not going to let her forget about it. ;)

11. I really should be doing dishes right now, instead of working on this post. 'Scuze me for a moment... won't you?

 ~ Una Mariah's Questions ~

1. How long have you been writing?

I've been writing since I was 4, although at that time I couldn't write more than my name and three letter words. ;) At the age of 8, I began writing stories and poems, but it wasn't until I hit the great age of 15 that I seriously began writing stories.

2. Which do you find inspires you more: music or pictures?

It depends on what I need the inspiration for. If I'm trying to describe something while I'm writing, pictures always help (cue: Pinterest), but if I'm just writing, music is always the best way to keep inspired.

3. Do you find yourself writing from a guy's perspective more often than a girl's, or is it the other way around?

Probably mostly girl's, since I am one, but I have noticed that recently I've been tending more towards boys in some of my newer stories. CoaL is told from a boy's POV.

4. Do you prefer bands, singers, or soundtracks to listen to? Which is your favorite? (in whichever category you pick)

I really don't have any specific singers or bands that I like. I much prefer listening to classical and soundtrack while I write. HTTYD, Miss Potter, Narnia, Pirates, etc. are all excellent choices when I'm writing, although I've learned the hard way not to play songs that have words, otherwise I'll be singing instead of writing.

5. Which do you prefer to write in: notebooks or computers?

Both. Notebooks when I'm doing poetry, essays, or notes on stories. Computer when I'm actually writing stories.

6. Do you find yourself hoarding notebooks, even if you barely write in them?

YES! Although I write in most of mine.

7. Have you ever done something really random or weird in public?

Hmm... yes; not often, but I'm not scared of being called weird. What kind of weird? Does reenacting dance and song routines from The Happiest Millionaire in public count as weird? Then yes, I'm weird.

8. Do you keep folders of notebooks full of inspiring quotes or pictures?

Notebooks full of inspirational notes, yes. Quotes and pictures I find on Pinterest.

9. Do you occasionally pause in the middle of a sentence, and dash off to your writing space, overcome with a new idea? If so, do you yell 'YES!!!!' as you run?

Not often. Usually when a brilliant idea strikes me, I ponder it for a while before I write it down. You could say that I procrastinate with the hopes that the idea will get better.

10. What is your favorite song at the moment?

Cannot. Answer. This. Question. Why must you make it so difficult for me?? Music is my family's occupational hazard. It is nigh impossible for me to have a favorite song. *sigh* Okey dokey, I'll see if I can come up with a few favorites...

Here Am I, Lord (Ron Hamilton)

Building the Raft (Journey to the Center of the Earth)

Finale (P&P '95)

Meryton Hall (P&P '05)

Father Christmas (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)

His Grace is Greater (Herbster Evangelistic Team)

The Ring Goes South (The Fellowship of the Ring)

Forbidden Friendship (HTTYD)

The Medallion Calls (The Curse of the Black Pearl)

The Park (Miss Potter)

Throw the Coins (Sense and Sensibility)

No Way To Stop It (The Sound of Music: Broadway)

Ten Thousand Hallelujahs (SMS Mens Chorus)

Fortuosity (The Happiest Millionaire)

West of the Wide Missouri (The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band)

Go Ye Into All the World (Soundforth)

Higher Ground (Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team)

This is My Father's World (Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team)

Page 47 (National Treasure: Book of Secrets)

Foolish Questions (The Wilds Bunch)

Are You Ready? (The Wilds Chorale)

Oh, is that too many? Sorry... and I hadn't even gotten to the classical yet.

11. Is your hair brown? (okay, I ran out of ideas for questions. So sue me.)

Nope. I'm blonde.

Oh, boy... you could read that in more than one way. I'm talking hair color here, peoples! At least, I hope I'm talking about hair color.

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And I was also awarded the Scrumptious Blog Award by Jessa Bri! Thanks, sis! Rules for this award are posted above.

~ Jessa Bri's Questions ~

1. What is your favorite meal of the day? Second breakfast. Usually that's when my sister makes scrumptious pancakes after everybody else has eaten an earlier meal of plain, 'ole cereal. Unfortunately, we only get second breakfast once in a great while.

2. Which do you prefer, morning or night? Morning.

3. If you could learn a language that you do not already know, which language would it be? French! I've taken two years of French in school, but I'd love to speak it fluently.

4. Ice cream, cookies, or cake? Not fair! I love ice cream, I love gingerbread cookies, and I love carrot cake! So... all of the above? :D

5. Who is your favorite author? Too many... J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Jane Austen, E. Nesbit, Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, Chuck Black, Mark Twain, etc.

6. Would you rather be baking in the kitchen, reading a book up in a tree, riding a horse across meadows, or sipping tea and chatting with friends? Reading a book up in a tree ~ all the way!

7. What is your favorite spice? Probably cinnamon.

8. What is your favorite meat? Beef. Or bacon.

9. What is your least favorite vegetable? Brussel sprouts. And yes, I've had them so my distaste is well-founded.

10. Using the answers for questions 7-9, think up a dish that you could make out of those three ingredients. Jessa! A dish made out of cinnamon, beef, and brussel sprouts?! Some casserole that would make!

                                                                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

And last, but not least, I was awarded the Brilliant Blog Bouquet Award by Violets and Daisies!

~ Award Rules ~

Put a link to who gave you the award

Post the award to your blog

Answer the questions

Choose 5 blogs to receive the award

Let them know you've awarded them

~ Blog Award Questions ~

1. If you could have a "flower pen name" like we have here on our blog, Violets and Daisies what would it be?

I've always liked the name Lily, but if I was choosing a name to refer to myself I would pick Kosteletzkya. And yes, that is a flower. Following is a picture of it. :)

A kosteletzkya.

2. What is your favourite ever Bible verse and why?

Psalm 56:11 is a favorite: "In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

3. What are the blogs which inspire you most?

Yet Another Period Drama Blog, The Inkpen Authoress, The Story Girl, Knitted By God's Plan, Hidden Orchards, Musings of an Elf, Scribblings of My Pen and Tappings of My Keyboard, The Penslayer.... to name a few.

4. If you and your friends could visit any country in the world, where would you go?

I would probably go to Europe with my sisters. First, to England, second to France.

5. If you have one, feel free to share your testimony as to how you became a Christian.

Christ saved me. He loved me enough to die for me and save me from sin's punishment so that I could live forever with Him in glory. On my own, there was nothing I could do to attain eternal life. 

Specifically, I recall a day very near to Easter when I was about 6 years old. I was full of questions that night concerning Christ on the cross, why He died, and when my father came in to say goodnight, I wouldn't give him any peace until he had answered my questions. I prayed that night with him and vividly recall the joy and peace that swept over me. I was so excited and I had to tell the world that Christ loved me. As it was my bedtime, the world had to wait, and I contented myself with telling Mom and my grandparents who were visiting then for Easter. 

At that point in my life, I knew God loved me, I knew that Christ died, but I didn't know Him. Being a Christian is so much more than calling yourself a believer and going to church. It wasn't until years later that I finally realized that fact. It's about having a personal relationship with the One who saved me, loving and trusting Him with all that is within me, and giving up my life for Him just as He gave up His life for me. 

Okey dokey... the time has come for me to pass these fun awards onto other deserving bloggers!

I award:

Maria Elisabeth

Aidyl Ewoh

Elizabeth

Jessica

Storyteller

Lauriloth

Rachel

Nessima

Rhoswen

Melody

Kristin

Amy

Rose

And this is how I'm telling who's won what:

1. If your name is in the above list and you've never won the Scrumptious Blog Award, you just won it. Please take that award off to your blog and post about it. Congrats!

2. If you have already won the SBA and don't wish to post about it again, I trust you are here and reading this second point. You've won the Brilliant Blog Bouquet Award! Congratulations!

3. If, for some reason, you have won or don't want either awards, you may copy the Elevensies Tag to post on your blog. Or you may answer the questions in the comments below. I'd love to read your answers!

Please perform the necessary actions according to what I have awarded/tagged you. And don't just think since I'm not giving specifics here that you can opt out of getting the award or tag. I choose the names I choose with good reason. It is your duty to receive your designated award/tag.

Oh, and if anyone I didn't award/tag wants to answer questions in a comment, go right ahead! I'd love to read your answers as well! After all the trouble that goes into putting all the questions together, it's a grand relief to have more than one person answer them. 

~ Scrumptious Blog Award Questions ~

1. Do you like snow? If so, what is your favorite snowy activity?

2. What was your favorite toy when you were younger?

3. What is one food/beverage you could eat/drink every day and never grow tired of it?

4. What is one food/beverage you could very well live without?

5. Pick a number between 6 and 14.

6. Tell us a favorite memory that happened when you were that age.

7. When does one grow too old for dolls?

8. What is the best way to eat a potato?

9. Was there any book that you read which you began with great hopes and felt disappointed at the end, or read with little expectation and was pleasantly surprised? If so, which book?

10. Your opinion of Pinterest, please?

~ Elevensies Questions ~

Please answer the 10 questions above in the SBA as well as the following:

11. Give me a synopsis of what you would consider an epic story (if you're a writer, it's acceptable to tell us the synopsis for your own story).

~ Brilliant Blog Bouquet Award Questions ~

(For this award, it's the same questions that Violet and Daisy asked me. I'm just reposting the questions here to make copying easier for you all.)

1. If you could have a "flower pen name" like we have here on our blog, Violets and Daisies what would it be?

2. What is your favourite ever Bible verse and why?

3. What are the blogs which inspire you most?

4. If you and your friends could visit any country in the world, where would you go?

5. If you have one, feel free to share your testimony as to how you became a Christian.

God bless!