Thank you so much to Tammy, ‘a force of nature who is a mother, wife, writer, teacher, coach, book fairy, and runner’, who nominated me for my second Sunshine Blogger Award. I met Tammy – virtually – through the Artist’s Way reading group, and I found out that she’s all those things and so much more with a generosity of spirit and curiosity for life that shines through in her writing.

Tammy’s blog is well worth checking out.

Nomination rules

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you in the blog post and link back to their blog.
2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
3. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
4. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

11 questions for me to answer

1. What is inspiring you right now?
   One thing is a 30 Day Energy Challenge that I’m doing in a group organised by Sam Kimberle (who set up the Artist’s Way reading group) and inspired by author, Alex Banayan. Each evening we write down one thing that energised us, one thing that sapped our energy, and one thing we learned about ourselves. It’s a quick task but you can gain some surprising insights through doing it.
2. What is a small joy you do not give yourself often enough?
   A break! I’m a bit self-critical and fear that people read what I write just to do me a favour.
   I could also do with more sleep… I’m great at preaching at other people but I need to practise following my own advice.
3. What do you need more of in your life?
   Face-to-face time with friends. I do my best, but we live a bit out in the sticks.
   What is something you buy that you always consider quality first?
   Magazines? Clothes, up to a point. They don’t have to be designer or anything. But it’s nice to wear clothes that don’t feel cheap, isn’t it?
4. When did you last cry?
   I cry easily. Listening to Elvis records, watching most films.
   But if I’m being honest, it was yesterday. A writer had sent me a long comment about a piece I’d written and he’d picked up on something that wasn’t quite right – because of something in my life I hadn’t really processed and dealt with fully. It had come out onto the page subconsciously, I suppose, and he’d noticed. I went for a walk with the dog in the rain. I cried a bit (did I mention, there aren’t many people around here – so the good side is you can cry in the rain if you want and nobody will see!) and it made me feel lighter, cleansed almost.
5. What are you grateful for?
   A healthy body and mind (I mean, fairly health – touch wood and all that). Incredible friends and family who have stood by me through all sorts. I’m grateful that the world is full of opportunities for new experiences, possibilities for learning all the time, meeting new people (in cyberspace and in the real world).
6. What is your favorite season?
   Maybe autumn. Maybe winter when it really snows. There’s nothing like a walk in the crunchy untouched snow… in the forest. And the best thing ever is skiing.
   But I love all of the seasons. The world is a magical place because it’s never the same. There’s always something new to admire.
7. What is your favorite smell?
   I love the smell of Christmas… cinnamon and spice and pine needles (but not that horrible artificial stink of dangly tree car air fresheners – that burns your nostrils).
8. Woods or water?
   That’s tricky. I love the woods: trees, fungus, ferns, deer, woodpeckers, dung beetles (yes, really!)… and most other things you find in the forest. It puts the small stuff in perspective.
   But I have to choose water. One of my favourite things ever is swimming in the (warm) sea. I’m Pisces after all. I often get a bit lost and swim aimlessly in too many directions.
   But I hate goldfish bowls.
9. What is your favorite word?
   Choice. When I was not doing so well, but trying to feel better, I used to write it onto my wrist to remind myself that what I do with my life is my choice. I really need a bracelet with that word on it as I’m too scared of pain to have a tattoo.
10. Would you rather have a sandwich or a drink named after you?
    A drink. I hope it would be long and cool, with a twist of something surprising (but delicious).

11 Sunshine Blogger Award nominations

Not all of my nominees are bloggers, as such, and they’re perhaps not new either – so I don’t expect them to take up the challenge (although it would be great if some did). But here is a list of 11 sites I really recommend you visit, for a variety of reasons.

1. Sam Kimberle, who I keep mentioning, posts on Medium. She produces beautiful poetry, among other writing. If you fancy joining her book club for 2020, details are here.
2. Pamela Jessen educates and empowers those with chronic illness.
3. A beautiful site bursting with uplifting content for a spiritually wholesome life, created by Paul and Emine Rushton is This Conscious Life.
4. Lusine appreciates a good cup (or three) of coffee while she lifestyle blogs.
5. Holly writes beautifully about mental health and ‘whole living’ (‘spirit, soul and body’) and is full of warm understanding and advice.
6. Vanessa, or the wellbeingblogger, is no longer really new to this but she nominated me some months ago with my very first award (also the Sunshine Blogger Award) and now it’s time to return some blogging love. Her website is bursting with content on… wellbeing.
7. Here’s a great blog about the transition from corporate to kids.
8. An enchanting yoga site specialising in yoga for all ages, including children.
9. How does a Brit adjust to life over The Pond? Find out from Rach in America.
10. Patrice gives some top parenting advice such as ‘Stop Cleaning your House before Playdates’ on her site.
11. And last, but certainly not least, there is more poetry, and other writing, here, by Heather Huffman.

11 questions from me

1. What are you reading?
2. If you were a colour, what colour would you be?
3. What is your first memory?
4. Star Trek or Star Wars (or The X Files or…)?
5. What’s your favourite kids’ film?
6. Do you prefer to have friends stay or to go and stay with friends’?
7. If you had all the time in the world, what would you do that you’re not doing at the moment?
8. If money didn’t come into it, how would you spend your time?
9. What was your most memorable childhood birthday?
10. What’s your favourite sad song?
11. Are you making any (small or larger) changes to help save the planet?

If anybody reading this would like to jump on board and answer the questions, go for it! I’d love to read your answers.

All photos my own.