The Dazzling Blogger Award Rules

• Thank the person who nominated you for the Dazzling Blogger Award.
• Link back to the original blog post.
• Answer the seven questions they asked on their blog post.
• Make up seven new questions.
• Nominate seven more people for ‘The Dazzling Blogger Award’, who you think exemplify excellent blogging skills.

Thank you to the fantastic Emma from Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender! Not sure I deserve this nomination as I’ve not been writing for ages so I send double thanks: for remembering me, and for reminding me how much I miss blogging!

Emma’s Questions and My Answers

1. What moment in your life would you like to relive?

Ooh plenty. For the sake of picking one, I’ll say skiing a black run!

If I could have two more though, I’d love to hold both my babies (now a teen and a tween) in my arms once again.

I obviously struggle with numbers…

2. What is your favourite time of year?

When I was feeling sad and bad, but trying my bestest to recover and feel less sad and bad, really doing everything I could think of to come out of my shell but not coping, I felt most at home, I felt safest, in winter. It was a relief to curl up warm inside. I guess I was hibernating.

Now I feel free and good and happy and lucky, I just love summer. To spend time flip flopping to the beach, to swim in the sea and feel the sun on your skin – what could be better?

Really though, I love the seasons – and wish they were more ‘seasonny’. It would be great to see some proper snow in winter!

3. If you could only drink one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

Water of course!

Or tequilla. Gallons and gallons of tequilla to get that burny body feeling inside that begins at the base of your belly and rises, tickling you all the way up the front of your spine. And then it heats up all of your insides and makes you feel as though you’re glowing. And then you take another shot… and then and then and then…

Maybe best to stick with water.

4. Where is your ideal holiday destination?

I once won a luxury weekend for two in Brussels answering this question!

I’d love a holiday in Costa Rica – lush jungle to explore, exotic and wonderful wildlife, a coastline of crystal waters to dip into and beaches of warm white sand that would slip between your toes, and caress the souls of your feet.

5. How would you spend your ideal day?

If I don’t include my t(w)eens it wouldn’t seem fair – even though I have to wrestle them out of the door these days to have an outing with me! So… my little family and a couple of friends just down to the beach. Maybe the grown-ups could sit along the beach front with a cocktail or two… a tasty meal or beach BBQ. Lots of sea swimming, chatting and general chilling, and a good gig in the evening. The simple pleasures really count.

I’ve finally created a life which includes days like this – my perfect days. I feel so, so lucky and appreciate them very much!

6. What three things are you hoping to achieve in the next 12 months?

Oh no – only three???

Financially… I’d like to become more stable and have a few regular clients as sources of income. I moved over here with my children just before the first lockdown, leaving our home and all our possessions behind. We’re having to start from scratch. I’ve been gifted all kinds of things from lampshades to camping cutlery sets, I’ve picked up items like shelves, and even a bin (looked like new!), that people have left out on the street. And I’ve gradually bought bits that were missing.

When we’re finally able to return to visit our former home to see friends and the kids’ dad, I’ll pick up a few of my bits and pieces that were left. But honestly, all I miss is a painting my Nana painted, and my records.

Creatively… I’d like to be writing again, regularly… essays, blogs, a novel or two (why think small?), even more poetry… I need to make sure both children are happily settled in daily routines (school, home-school) so I can give myself some guilt-free time for writing.

Culinarily (is that a word?)… I’d like to have a few easy and tasty recipes up my sleeve so cooking is cheaper and tastier for myself, the kids, and any guests. We still eat way too many pizzas, shop-bought pies and burgers! And so much pasta.

7. If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do?

My life wouldn’t be dissimilar to the one I’m living now.

Instead of accepting work just ‘to pay the bills’ I’d be writing a lot more. Proofreading, editing and translating would be things of the past.

I’d buy us a property in the area we live, with a small garden.

And we’d go on lots of holidays when it becomes possible. I cannot wait to go skiing again!!!

After walking away from practically everything I own, last year, I’ve realised how few things I miss. I went from having too much ‘stuff’ that was stressing me out to having, literally, a couple of changes of clothes. We have always managed to have ‘just enough’ so I wouldn’t buy many possessions for the sake of it.

It was really funny how things we needed just seemed to turn up. The day after realising my son didn’t have a swivel chair, one was left in the next street. So I – triumphantly, although slightly embaressed by the squeeky wheel – trundled it home! I even needed a potato masher and found a brand-new one the very next day! How weird is that!

So I’d fill in the gaps. Buy the little details that make a difference. Replace the knives and forks my friend generously donated (her ‘camping’ cutlery) with a posh set. Get a toaster and microwave.

And one day I’d like a piano. And a great big, beautiful harp.

My Questions

1. If you were to write a book, what would the title be?
2. What are three of your favourite songs?
3. If you had to eat the same food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
4. What smell strongly recalls a memory?
5. What’s the worst pick-up line you’ve used or heard?
6. Please give us your go-to, easy-to-cook dinner, preferably veggie/vegan… I’m always looking for tips!
7. If you were a colour, what colour would you be and why?

My Nominees

To these bloggers: I look forward to reading your answers to the following questions if you’d like to respond, although I realise this isn’t something you’ll all wish to do (some are specialised subject blogs). With no expectations, I mention you to show my appreciation 😍

Here are just some of my favourite bloggers.

1. Susie from Stix-N-Stonez is one of my all-time favourite people and a wonderful, compassionate writer.
2. Tammie from TammiesReadingLife is a reading and writing advocate among many other things!
3. Laura from YogawithLV not only gives The Bestest Ever online (and in person) yoga classes, she also shares the most gorgeous little pearls of wisdom in her blogs.
4. Eliza has an inspiring blog entitled Journey to Life where she discusses her journey from suicidality to… life, giving hope to others who struggle with their mental health and showing there can be light at the end of the tunnel.
5. Marie from Create Space created her blog to share experiences of bullying, and as is so often the case when we share our painful experiences and vulnerabilities, her space has become something beautiful.
6. Maria from al’arba is a Belgian journalist and author whose writing connects the East with the West.
7. Kelly from Kel Holden writes about mental health and contributes to removing the stigma around mental illness.