The Leibster Award

Plain Jane,  a blog we really enjoy reading have nominated us for The Leibster Award!



Plain Jane

Very kind of her, and we are honoured. Don't you love her profile picture? Wise words, 'create, muse, drink tea' ! Love the blackbird too. We are not sure that we can do justice to the award though as we must now answer some questions and give insight into our secretive selves. Then we must nominate 11 other blogs, with under 300 followers which we wish to share with everyone.

So, where to begin?

First of all, what exactly is a Liebster Award?

Originally this was a German invention, a blogger to blogger award, 'liebster' meaning 'dearest' in German.  The rules vary according to each set of bloggers passing the mantle and the actual origins of this award appear to be lost in the cybernet ether.

Awhile back another favourite blogger gave us The Kreative Blogger Award and we posted this about receiving that. The Kreative Blogger Award

It is quite cheeky but we would like to recommend the same blogs which we mentioned in that post again as we now have a few more followers than we did back then. The tendency is to read the latest post on blogs while the older posts which have a wealth of information and beautiful images, tend to get neglected. Have a read if you are interested.

We have lately discovered a few blogs which we enjoy and wish to share. These may or may not meet the criteria of having under 300 followers, but what they do have is the 'wow' factor so we think if we cheat on one criteria it must be okay, yes? I'm only posting a few as otherwise I think it is information overload. I think I want to make an effort to share blogs as I find them in the future.

They are:

1) Vintage Vixen

Most people with a lot of money shopping in the best locations can create lovely looks and homes. Doing this on the budget of a mere mortal living in the real world is less easy. But not impossible! I admire those who manage to create something out of little nothings. This lady is a real inspiration. Vix's love of life, style and skill at finding a bargain and displaying it with true finesse are second to none. Plus she proves that you can still rock n roll at any age, yoou do not have to be a teenager - and she looks fabulous! I salute her!




Copyright The Old Burrow

2) The Old Burrow

Catkin is an illustrator and painter who creates magical images from her imagination. I love her people and creatures, each with stories to tell. She has just opened an Etsy shop where she sells her artwork.

3) DooGoo Contemporary Clay Idols

Midori is new to blogger. She is a young sculptor whose talent is evident. She writes a lovely fresh blog about her work. She also has an Etsy shop.



As for Jane's individual questions for us, this is what she asked, and what we replied.

Eleven questions for my nominees:
1. If you could only have two courses of a three course meal which ones would they be?
We often have a starter and a sweet, that way the pudding can be enjoyed without feeling too naughty!

2. Choose three words to sum you up.
Mrs Black wants to answer this one. Black (very), loving and protective.

3. Which film last made you cry?
It's awhile back, Shadowlands about C.S. Lewis.

4. What animal would you most like to be and why?
It's tempting to want to fly like a bird, but we shall stick to being a cat. It would be magical to have their eyesight,  hearing and sixth sense which us humans have lost.

5. Is there a smell that takes you back to your childhood?

The scent of Violetta di Parma, which two of our Grandmothers loved.  This scent is enchanting, and has a provenance to match. It was distilled by Marie Lousie, the Duchess of Parma, the second wife of Napoleon I with the monks at the Monastery of the Annunciata. She used these natural violet essences as her personal perfume. The perfumier Ludovico Borsari kept this formula and launched his perfume in 1970. It is naturally sweet and mildly powdery with a simplicity which modern fragances have lost. This elemental modesty is certainly its great virtue for all those who appreciate natural scents and who are curious to explore the fragrances of the past centuries. Violet scent is surrounded by rose, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, hyacinth, heliotrope and musky and woody notes. Divine on a summer evening!

6. What would your Desert Island disc be?

 Purple Electric Violin Concerto by Ed Alleyne Johnson

7. Where do you most like to be?
Right here, in the English countryside.

8. Potatoes - chipped, mashed or roasted?
Mashed, with lots of butter, Mrs Black loves warm melted butter!

9. What quality do you most admire in others?
Three - kindness, courage and loyalty. Qualities beyond price and which, unlike beauty are not able to be faked by artifice.

10. Sky dive or bungy jump?
Neither, we are all scared of heights!

11. What 'words of wisdom' would you pass on to others?
It's an old Irish saying, 'you'll be a long time dead'. Believe in yourself, don't waste time and live life to your best. Have no regrets, we are all human.