Very Inspiring Blogger Award!

The super sweet and fascinating blogger and author, Shanah Wooldrage, just nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! She said this when she nominated me: " I love reading her blog. You will too. I like almost anyone who can hug cats, but this blogger is special."

See? I told you. Super sweet! Also? Her blog is awesome! And she has a hedgehog! And loves Celtic stuff with a passion that rivals my own - what's not to like?

I'm supposed to come up with 7 interesting things about me, and then tag 15 more inspiring bloggers. I've got a few in mind, but I'm not sure I'll make it to 15. Actually, I'll be honest - it's more like 5.

For some reason, my blog is misbehaving and the links don't show up until you hover over them. However, you can click out to check out these other spiffy blogs. 

Okay 7 things, huh...lemme think.

1.) When we were little, my younger brother had an imaginary friend named Bob Hook and I was totally jealous because I didn't have an imaginary friend. I have no idea why it didn't occur to me to make up my own imaginary friend. But alas. It didn't. Also? Bob Hook hated me.

2.) I make personalized cross stitch stockings for everyone in my family (mom, sibs, kids, nieces and nephews and in-laws). I made up the patterns for most of them because I couldn't find what they wanted. Seriously, try to find an iguana in a Christmas tree licking an ornament. I couldn't do it. This is my son Killian's. Yep - that's Santa flying on a dragon's back.

 3.) In addition to cats, I adore bats. If I could have a pet bat, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Especially with that awful White Nose Syndrome that's decimating bat colonies across the US and Europe.

4.) I was a singer in a garage band in high school. We were called Rebel and the Ions. :)

5.) Instead of the typical bridal party dance at our wedding, my husband and I insisted on dancing around a maypole. So, yeah...about that...sorry to everyone I coerced into participating...

6.) Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted a VW Microbus. The first time I went to my friend's house in high school, there was a blue and white one parked in the driveway - complete with little gingham curtains. I was in love with it. And also jealous. I still want one.

7.) I collect a lot of things - mostly rocks, really, but I'm also really fond of English Cottage Ware. One of my lovely friends who lives in Wales sends me pieces for my set when she finds them. This is the first piece she ever sent me, and I treasure it.

 Okay, now it's time to tag my lovelies!  

Award Rules:

1. Display the logo in your blog to show you’ve been nominated.
2. Link back to your nominator.
3. Share 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award - or, you know, less if that's what you've got.
5. Notify your nominees.

If I nominate you and you don’t want to play, no worries. If you do decide to play, please let me know so I can learn 7 interesting things about you!

My lovely nominees...in no particular order.

Leigh Jones - CP extraordinaire and fellow cat lover and fort builder.

Tess Grant - Forensic anthropologist, werewolf author and coffee lover.

Lynn Dozema - All around sweetheart and fellow Monday Muser.

Kel - A superhero who's too cool to wear her undies on the outside.

Ali Seay - Spectacular author in whatever genre she touches - also she's my kind of crazy.

Actually, to be fair, all of these women are my kind of crazy.

Monday Musings - My Dream Vacation

This morning we're talking about dream vacations with the Monday Musings crew. Be sure to check out the posts by Leigh Jones, Tess Grant and Lynn Dozema.

I'm sad to say I haven't really had the opportunity to travel much, but I'm hoping to rectify that in the nearish future. I don't even want to go all that far away - at least not for my first overseas trip. My dream vacation would be a week each spent in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. And I'd have to at least take a few day trips to the Isles of Skye, Wight and Man.

I have friends in England and Wales that I'd love to meet in real life as opposed to just over the phone or online and also family in Wales I'd love to actually meet. Even if I didn't have those personal connections, I still feel drawn to these places. Ever since I was little, I've felt a deep connection to these places, and I hope I get to experience the reality of them sooner rather than later.

These are just a few of the spots I'd like to visit. If money and time weren't an issue, where would you like to visit?