I am excited to announce that I have been nominated by Cindy at Trip to Tale Travels for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Thank you so much Cindy! (You have a great name, by the way.) The Sunshine Blogger Award is for new bloggers who people find interesting, creative, and inspiring. It recognizes bloggers who bring positivity and creative content to the community of blogging. Those nominated are to answer 11 questions and then nominate 11 other bloggers. I am so grateful to be included in this honor.
This blog is a new adventure for me and something I have wanted to do for a long time. I’m a teacher, and I love to write and tell stories. I have also always loved taking pictures and creating beauty with art. My hope is that my blog will inspire others to find the beauty and joy in the things they love too. No matter what are circumstances are, there is always something we can be grateful for.
Again, a huge thank you to Cindy at Trip to Travels for reading my blog and thinking of Banjo and Layla when making your nominations. Here are my answers to the 11 questions that Cindy at Trip to Travels has asked me:
Why did you start your blog?
I have always wanted to start an online business to supplement my teaching income, but I never really knew what to do. I stumbled upon an awesome online course on how to start a blog and the rest is history. I love to write and tell stories, and I love taking pictures – especially when traveling. I want to work from home one day, so this was a great fit for me. I am excited to share some of the joys I find in life with others and maybe help someone along the way. There is so much negative on the internet. I think it is important to share the little things that make me happy – things like singing, travel, family, my dogs, and great food!
What is one thing your readers should know about you?
I am a full-time middle school teacher and am doing the best I can to try to juggle both teaching with excellence and overcome the learning curve of starting a new blog. Please stick with me, and I promise you will see more and better content and more of a social media presence once the beginning of the school year busyness calms down a little. Also, you can rest assured that I always aim to blog with integrity and respect for my readers.
What is your favorite “hometown” dish to eat?
Other than home cooking, Memphis is known for barbecue. They even have a World Famous Barbecue Contest at the Memphis in May Festival every year. My favorite barbecue restaurants are The Rendezvous and The Commissary. But I love all things Italian. There are several authentic Italian restaurants in town. My favorite pizza place is a tiny spot in Collierville, TN called “Ciao Baby.”
What has been your favorite travel adventure?
This is a tough one. When I was single I lived in Germany for four years, so I got to travel all over Europe. I loved living in Germany, and when visitors would come I loved taking them to the traditional walled city of Rothenburg. One of my favorite countries is Italy. I could just eat and drink my way through the entire country (see my favorite food above). I worked with a youth organization in Germany, and one of the coolest places we took kids in the summer was a series of five scenic villages in Italy called Cinque Terre. I love animals, so I also loved the African safari I went on at the tale end of a mission trip. With my husband I think our favorite vacation so far has been Yellowstone. You can check out my six day trip report with pictures and video here.
What are your 5 must see or do items for your hometown or surrounding area?
(1) Shelby Farms Park in Memphis (Cordova), TN – One of the largest urban parks in the United States. Beautiful running, walking, and biking trails, paddle boats, kayaks, horses, disc golf course, zip line, ampitheater, dog park. It is awesome!
(2) The Memphis Zoo – One of the best zoos in the country, hands down.
(3) There is lots to do downtown by the Mississippi River – Rock and Soul Museum, Beale Street, the ducks at the Peabody Hotel.
(4) Anything music – Elvis Presley‘s Home, Live music at Lafayette Music Room or B.B. King’s, free summer concerts at the Levitt Shell, outdoor concerts at Live at the Garden; if you like gospel check out my church Hope Church Memphis – Grammy award winners on the music team. There is always music somewhere in Memphis every weekend – rock, soul, jazz, country, you name it.
(5) I love the Collierville Historic Town Square in my town, a suburb of Memphis called Collierville. It has been listed on several “Best Town Squares in the U.S.” list and is a true hidden gem.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
I think that teaching middle schoolers all day is pretty crazy – I’m just sayin! I was pretty crazy in my 30’s. I was in a water ski club in South Carolina, and we put on water ski shows for fun. I have always been athletic, although you might not be able to tell by looking at me now. The opening act was a barefoot line, and I was the only girl in the barefoot line. The boat had to travel very fast to hold up the big heavy guys, so I was flying! And with no skis! I was also in the ballet line, did tricks in a doubles act, and was in the middle row on a three high pyramid on the water. But later in my 30’s I moved to Germany without having ever been to Europe before and not knowing the language. That was pretty crazy.
What is your life motto and how has it served you?
One is “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” This is a quote from the late missionary Jim Elliot. I try to invest my time, money, and life into making a difference that will last. Decisions that I make are filtered through this value.
What is the one practical piece of advice you would have for other bloggers?
Be yourself. I will be honest, I have been discouraged many times as I have tried to overcome the technology learning curve. Everything is so new to me, and I would compare myself to others with more social media followers or more traffic to their blogs and lose confidence. I have also gained weight in my 50’s and was embarrassed to be on video, but my husband reminded me that I just need to be me – that others will relate to me being real and authentic. So I am trying to do that – to just be me and accept that it is what it is. Be you. Set small goals and stay motivated, even when things don’t move as quickly as you want.
Who is your idol in your blogging niche and why?
I am really too new to the blogging world to have a particular idol yet, but I owe my new blog to Pete and Heather Reese whose 5 Day Start a Money Making Blog Crash Course got me started. I eventually signed up for more extensive training from them after this initial 5 day course, and I learned so much. The great thing about their courses is that you have access to the material for two years and also have access to the VIP Facebook Group where class members can ask questions and get advice.
What is the one thing about blogging, that you have learned so far, that has helped you the most?
I have learned that it is worth it to take the time to watch tutorials or research how to do something if you are not sure. Sometimes trying to figure something out on your own takes longer and can be extremely frustrating. Also, it is OK to ask for help. I have gotten a lot of help from Pete and Heather Reese‘s VIP Facebook page for those who have taken their courses. I also frequently ask people I know locally who have web design expertise questions when I run into a problem.
Hands down….what is your favorite food and where do you go to get it?
I know this is not very sophisticated, but I love a really good pizza – I mean the brick oven kind with authentic crust and not greasy. The place in my town I mentioned earlier, Ciao Baby, imports their tomatoes from Italy, makes their own cheese, and has all fresh ingredients. There are probably other places like that around, but I think pizza is usually better at small family owned places rather than chain restaurants.
I had fun answering these questions, and I hope you enjoyed reading a little bit about me. I am so grateful to be nominated for this award!
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The Rules
- Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.
- Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
- Nominate 11 new bloggers to receive the award and ask them 11 questions.
- List these rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and on your blog.
My nominees:
Josh at Us Living Life
Lexi at The One Lex Traveled
Rebecca at Rebecca Talley
Nikki at She Saves She Travels
Jessie at The Rambling Raccoon
Erika at Simply Low Cal
Tara at Life’s A Hike
Rachel at Capturing Your Confidence
Meghan at Full House Frenzy
Cathy at Make Magic and Memories
Denise at The Versatile Scribe
- Why did you start your blog?
- What is one thing your readers would be surprised to know about you?
- What is your favorite restaurant in your hometown?
- What has been your favorite travel adventure?
- What are your top five things visitors to your hometown or surrounding area should see or experience?
- What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
- What is your life motto and how has it served you?
- What is the 1 practical piece of advice you would have for other bloggers?
- What is on your travel bucket list?
- What is your most embarrassing moment? Nah, just kidding. 🙂 What do you know now, that you wish you knew when you first started your blog?
- What new things can we expect from your blog in the future?
Love your answers! You were quite a daredevil on those skis it seems!
Yes, that was all in my 30’s. I’ve slowed down a lot in my 50’s. lol
I loved learning more about you. You’ve had some awesome adventures. Congratulations on the nomination!
Thank you!
It was so fun reading more about you, and Banjo and Layla! 😀 I, too, am a teacher (although I wrangle adults in the classroom, not middle schoolers – you all are the brave ones!) and I am excited to read more of your blogs.
Thank you Rachel! I appreciate your interest in my blog. Not sure about brave, but maybe crazy. 🙂