Recently Awarded: The Sunshine Award

I'm a little slow on the uptake it seems, but recently - as in, three months ago - a kind and supportive fellow blogger, Barbara of Spanish 4 Kiddos, honoured me with the Sunshine Award. Thank-you, Barbara! Isn't it pretty?

Barbara is a native Spanish speaker and Spanish tutor who decided to teach her daughter how to speak Spanish, and we all get to benefit from those lessons because Barbara blogs about it all! She is also a math and science tutor, so her lessons and projects are really interesting. Check out her blog and read more about the benefits of learning a second language.

According to the rules of the Sunshine Award I must now answer some questions about myself:

Favourite color? It's a tie between blue and green - something aquamarine-ish or turquoise-ish. Here's why (my 'backyard'):

Favourite animal? I suppose I need to say cat, since I have one, and she's staring at me right now. I do love cats. I love dogs too - they are so sweet the way they love you unconditionally, very much unlike cats - but I would feel constant guilt over my inability to give a dog what it needs (e.g. exercise). Cats are happy just to laze around on the couch all day. They make me feel far less guilty about my own sloth.

Favourite number? Seven - I'm not sure why. When asked to pick a jersey number, I chose 77. AND - get this - by total coincidence our house number has multiple sevens in it. In Chinese culture it apparently symbolizes "togetherness" and is a lucky number for relationships. It also means something when it appears on a set of die... but I'm not much of a gambler.

Facebook or Twitter? Oooh. Tough one. That's like choosing between chocolate and caramel. They're both so different, and so much better together!

Giving or getting presents? I love both. I spend a lot of time thinking about what other people need or would enjoy so that usually I am done my Christmas shopping well ahead of December. But I would be lying if I said I don't also love opening a gift that someone else has chosen just for me.

Favorite day? Friday - the day that hubby finishes his work week and the day that our family weekend begins!

Favourite flower? If you'll indulge me, I have three favourite flowers that might surprise you. I have been known to sing the praises of Dandelions - a misunderstood plant that, in masses on a hillside, is one of the most beautiful sights to behold - a tenacious plant that doesn't care who classifies it as a weed. It's the plant to make wishes on!

Lily of the Valley is a dainty plant with pure white bell-shaped flowers. It needs very little to grow - a tiny patch of shade and a little rain. In return it gives back a vision of peace and tranquility, signifying a "return to happiness". It is often used as filler in bridal arrangements, and has a lovely sweet smell. Lily of the Valley is toxic in large doses and can be invasive if not contained - despite it's dainty features, it knows how to protect it's livelihood. Resilient AND beautiful! It's also the flower of my birth month. What's not to love?

I am especially fond of Bleeding Hearts, because my mom loved them too. We had one in our front garden, and it was one of the first plants I installed in my own first garden. I don't grow any of these plants on purpose now, since they are poisonous if ingested. For now, I admire them from afar. Behold it's beauty and beware it's bite!

Now to pass on this award to a few great bloggers. I chose these bloggers, because they represent the beauty and the tenaciousness I admire in my favourite flowers. These bloggers speak their minds and open their hearts.

Nicole of By Word of Mouth Musings
Kate of On the Go Mommy
Val of Mental Chew
Mirjam of Apples and Roses
Chasing Joy... or Maybe Just Running From Boredom
Becky of Not Your Ordinary Recipes
Rory of Time out for Mom

Ladies, if you like (no pressure - no one likes pressure), you may answer these or a handful of other questions about yourself and pass this lovely award onto a few more deserving bloggers. Congratulations!

Thanks again, Barbara! I am honoured to have been selected by you! :)

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I'm linking up for #MondayListicles with Stasha of @NorthWestMommy, 

because this post is listicle-ish in nature and I hate to miss my favourite Monday linkup!

Today's topic is women in honour of International Women's Day. International Women's Day was this past Thursday, March 8th, also my mother's birthday. In addition to honouring the lovely ladies listed above, today I remember my mother, a pinnacle of decency and decorum. Love you mom. Miss you much!