Blog Awards!

Libby over at A Noble Calling nominated me for some cool awards!  Fun right?

The Liebster Award...

source: A Noble Calling

Rules:

1. Link the blog that nominated you for the award.

2. Choose 11 bloggers to nominate that have less than 200 followers.

3. Answer the questions given to you.

4. Let the people who you have nominated know when you have done so.

5. You can't nominate the person who has nominated you.

6. Create 11 questions for the bloggers you've nominated to answer.

7. You must follow the blog that nominated you.

(Libby's questions:)

1. What are 3 of your favorite books- besides the Bible, of course?

Ooh, that's a tough one.  "Laddie: a True Blue Story" by Gene Stratton Porter, "Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and "The Story Girl" by Lucy M. Montgomery, to name a few.

2. What is your favorite thing to bake?

I thought the last one was tough! Hmm...if pizza counts, then definitely pizza!

3. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be?

Hawaii, because I love surfing!

4. If you have to live somewhere besides the U.S., where would it be and why?

Scotland, because the country is beautiful, the people have lovely accents, and I would enjoy learning Gaelic! (Which actually isn't spoken very much any more)

5. Name 5 of your favorite movies.

Sergeant York, October Baby, Tangled, Facing the Giants, any movie with Roy Rogers,

6. Do you have any pets? If so, what kinds are they?

I have goats, chickens, and a miniature piebald dachshund named Toby.

7. What's one of your favorite Bible verses or passages?

The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation. - Psalm 118:14

8. Where do you turn when you are needing encouragement?

Oh dear. I do lots of different things!  Sometimes I pray, or sing. Singing always helps! Sometimes I read blog posts, especially Holley Gerth's because they are so uplifting.  If I'm really down, I explore Pinterest! It has both inspiration, (Bible verses, quotes etc.) and pins to make me laugh.

9. Do you know how to sew?

Yes!

10. What is one thing that you don't know how to do, but would like to learn?

I really want to learn how to ice skate!

11. Would you rather hold a snake or pet a shark?

Hold a snake hands down! (Give me a nice, cute little green snake about the size of a pencil with a little pink tongue any day over a shark!)

My questions for you....

1. What is your favorite ice cream flavour? (or other dessert if you don't like ice cream)

2. It's raining outside.  Do you: a. Read a book, b. Catch up on that to do list, c. Watch your favorite movie or TV show, or d. play board games with your family?

3. What book of the Bible do you find most interesting?

4. What's your favorite smell?

5. If you could play any prank in the world without anyone knowing it was you, what would it be?

6. Bacon or Sausage? (and if you're a vegetarian) Apples or Bananas?

7. If you could do just one crazy thing, (i.e. hang gliding, ski down a mountain backwards,) what would you do?

8. Sporty, artsy, or outdoorsy? 

9. If a neighbors dog is running toward you do you: a. climb a tree, b. run, c. play dead, or d. say "nice doggie" and let him smell your hand?

10.  Do you sew, or knit?  If neither,  which would you like to learn?

11.  A favorite Bible verse, or quote?

The Sunflower Award

source: A Noble Calling

Rules:

1. Share 11 facts about yourself.

2. Answer the questions set by your Nomination Blogger- Nominate 11 bloggers.

2. Set questions for the nominated bloggers. 

11 facts about me:

1. I am crazy about old literature (you'll find me digging through dusty old books at thrift stores)
2. I strongly dislike, and am prejudiced against, wearing the color purple, even though it's a good   color for me. 
3. I am obsessed with jackets (I have dozens!) especially denim, or army green.
4. I love trying new things! 
5. My writing is my life.
6. I like Bluegrass music
7. I'm a mean chess player (Checkmate!)
8. I have a knack for remembering random information, and forgetting the things I'm supposed to remember.
9. I love to knit
10. Being upside down helps when I'm nauseated
11. I'm a dreamer, and am often caught lost in my own world.

(Libby's questions:)

1. How tall are you?

I'm 5' 7 1/2''

2. What is your favorite candle scent?

Scentless, (my mom is sensitive to scented candles;)

3. What are your favorite tea/coffee flavors?

Peppermint, or chamomile lavender tea,

4. Which do you prefer: ice cream or frozen yogurt?


Homemade ice cream!

5. What are your favorite TV shows?

(Warning: Prepare for reruns;)

"Lawman," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," and "The Donna Reed Show"


Now my questions for you...

1. Can you wiggle your nose or your ears?

2. Rain or sunshine?

3. Do you have a nickname?
4. Name something you've always wanted to do,
5. Do you watch or participate in any sports?

My Bloggers to Tag (For 1 or both awards)

(I could only think of five to nominate. Bummer!)

Carissa

Amy

Anna

Rachel

Melody

Thanks everybody! Hope you enjoyed! (I did:) If you weren't nominated you're welcome to answer the questions in the comment section. I can't wait to hear your thoughts and answers!
- Mallory

The Language of Flowers

In the old days flowers weren't given just because they were pretty.  They were also often used to send messages, usually to a sweetheart, but sometimes to a sister, mother, or friend.

A gentleman might arrange a nosegay of various flowers to describe his feelings, declare his love, or apologize.  

Since it is the Month of February (Month of Love) and Valentines Day is this weekend, I thought I would share a few of the meanings with you!  

(Okay, more than a few;)

Acacia: Friendship

Aster: Always merry

Balm: Sympathy

Bluebell: True and tender

Camellia: Beautiful but cold

Carnation White: Purity

Carnation Red: My heart is broken

Chrysanthemum: Hope springs eternal

Clematis: Beautiful thoughts

Columbine: Bound to win

Dahlia: Gracious

Daisy: Innocence

Fern: Sincerity

Forgetmenot: Forget not me

Fuchsia: Fickleness

Geranium: Warm regard

Heather: I am lonely

Honeysuckle: Devotion

Hyacinth: Hard fate

Iris: Have faith in me

Ivy: I cling

Jasmine: Friends only

Lavender: Sweets to the sweet

Lilac: Unadorned beauty

Lily: Austere purity

Lily of the Valley: Doubly dear

Marigold: Honesty

Orange Blossom: Happiness in marriage

Pansy: My thoughts are with you

Petunia: I believe in thee

Poppy: Forgetfulness

Primrose: Do not be bashful

Rose Red: Love

Rose White: Worthy of love

Rose Yellow: Why waneth love?

Rosemary: Remembrance

Sweet Pea: I long for thee

Tulip: Unrequited love

Violet: Modesty

Favorite Natural Cold Remedies

Behold, I have a cold!  (Wow, big surprise;)  So guess what?  I thought while I was sitting on the couch wrapped up and feeling blah, I would study up on, and share some natural remedies I like to use (when I feel blah) with you!  

Now I'm sure most of us have heard of rest, broth, steam, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, keeping warm, vitamin C, and the usual remedies, so I won't be going into those.  

Only eight of the slightly less known ones that I'm using RIGHT NOW!

(I am not a doctor.  These suggestions are based on my own personal experience with the common cold and are not meant to be taken as medical advice.  Please check with your doctor before taking or using any herbs or supplements.  Thank you:)  

1.  Apple Cider Vinegar

2.  Cinnamon & honey

3.  Peppermint tea

4.  Chamomile tea

5.  Ginger Tea

6.  Ginger Apple Juice

7.  A favorite book, movie, or TV show

8.  Prayer :)

1.  Apple Cider Vinegar can be effective with sore throats, coughs, headaches, indigestion, nasal congestion, mild depression, skin problems, hydration, and it fights bacteria, among a long list of benefits!

You can drink a teaspoon or two in a glass of water once to three times daily for your health, and as a preventative.  I've only started taking it since my cold, and it's helped tremendously!

2.  Cinnamon is antiviral, and antibiotic.  When mixed with a spoonful of raw honey, it makes a fabulous cough syrup!  (My Dad practically swears by the stuff.)

From what I've read it is also supposed to help with congestion, and lower a fever.

3.  Peppermint tea is antiviral, and antimicrobial.  It helps with digestion, sore throat, lowers fever, and loosens mucus.  Plus breathing in the steam can help clear your airways.  

I also like to drink it for allergies, and breathing in the essential oil is great for allergies too.

4.  Chamomile tea is so soothing and delightful.  It is a very relaxing tea, (I like chamomile with lavender) and I drink almost every night before bed to help me sleep. 

It reduces fever or inflammation, regulates hormones, and promotes a good night's sleep.  Plus it has a light, slightly sweet flavor!

5.  Ginger can be effective against congestion, inflammation, digestion, and sinus symptoms.  

I like to drink it as a tea with a little honey stirred in, but it can also be cooked in soup.  (I wouldn't recommend it raw)

6.  Ginger Apple Juice is a delicious right before bed drink that I found helped sooth my cough, and sleep better because of it.  

I warm a mugful of apple juice, and while it is heating in the pot, I swish around a ginger tea bag in it, taking it out when the juice is ready.  The result is sweet and spicy!

7.   A favorite book, movie, or TV show may not sound like a remedy, but if you are completely miserable and have tried everything, the distraction is most welcome.  

By taking your mind off of how you feel, it can actually help you feel a bit better!

8.  Prayer always helps!  God is always listening, and even if He doesn't choose to remove the cup (cold) He will comfort!  Remember, even the tiniest trials have a purpose.

I hope you don't have a cold, (honestly!) but if you do, you might like to try some of my favorite remedies!  I'm feeling better already, and hope to be out and about soon.

Blessings!

- Mallory

 

P.S.

Remember where I mentioned rest?  I think I'll take some of my own advice.  

A nap sounds wonderful right about now!