Kreativ Blogger Award

I feel so honored to receive this award from Jeanne. This is my first ever award for either of my blogs. My first blog, yadkinvalleyhome is what I consider my "real photoblog". This one was sort of an afterthought where I can send out a little bit more about my personality.

Thank you Jeanne so much. Please visit Jeanne's blog at http://jeanneklaver.blogspot.com/ to see more about her life in Pennsylvania and her travels.

The instructions for me to are as follows:

1. Thank the person giving the award.
2. Copy the award to this blog.
3. Place a link to their blog.
4. Name 7 things people don't know about you
5. Nominate 7 bloggers who you admire (WHAT? ONLY 7???
6. Place a link to these bloggers
7. Leave a comment on their blog notifying them of the award.

Seven things people don't know about me:

1. I'm also a painter; photography was sort-of just a hobby until 2009. Now I'm learning watercolor painting.

2. All my photos (even on yadkinvalleyhome) so far have been taken from a simple, point and click camera - an older Sony Cybershot. And I don't have Photoshop either. I wanted my photos to be something anyone could do, even without expensive equipment.

3. My lifelong dream is to live in the mountains.

4. Geneaology has been a 10 year + hobby of mine. I have huge charts of both sides of our families and cabinets full of info, probably enough for a book.

5. Before the children came along, I owned a retail pet store.

6. After eating out and having a great meal, I like to come home and recreate the recipe.

7. My son and I enjoy raising finches together.


This last part was the hardest, seven bloggers who I admire:

1. Dagmar - http://barefootfromheaven.blogspot.com/ She shows her deep character to go along with her wonderful photos.
2. Mark - http://appalachiantreks.blogspot.com/ I love Mark's photos of the Appalachian Mountains.
3.Lee - http://fromthesehills.wordpress.com/ Lee has wonderful quotes of wisdom to go along with beautiful photos of flowers.
4. Jessica - http://jessicayusdi.blogspot.com/ Jessica shows us many gorgeous photos of her travels and her beautiful son.
5. Stephen - http://nikonsniper.blogspot.com/ Stephen is a new blog for me to follow. I like the crispness of his photos and the variety of everything he posts.
6. Sandy - http://4pointsphotography.blogspot.com/ Sandy shows us her wonderful outdoor world in a unique way.
7. Beverly - http://beverlygilbert.blogspot.com/ Beverly is so talented with color and her beadwork. Her creations are amazing!!

Pease also view all the blogs on the right-hand of my page.

It inspires me everyday to read about their travels or hear about their day. They all add so much to my life.

Thanks for visiting!!

Holiday Cheer!

What a wonderful , festive Christmas we had this year,

Spending time with friends and family.

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Somewhere I read that

"Friends are the family you choose for yourself".

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We had our good friends over a couple of weeks before

Chrismas for an Italian dinner and gift giving.

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My sister-in-law and husband spent Christmas Eve

and all day Christmas with us. It was so nice to be together.

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My husband kept a fire going all day long. We even had

snow on the ground from earlier in the week.

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Both our sons were with us all day long,

and we met up with my family over the weekend.

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We couldn't ask for anything more. Even our dreams

of a White Christmas came true.

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Happy New Year!!!!!

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Buddy checking out the snow:

My "Protector" ~ taking care of the homestead.

Weekend Smiles

We spent the weekend

with friends in Virginia at

Smith Mountain Lake

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Can't wait to tell you all about it,

but I only have time to share

my friend's beautiful sunflowers with you now.

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Enjoy!!

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