my liebster award

Today I logged into Twitter to find out that the beautiful Clare at Life of Clare had nominated me for the Liebster Award. I’m excited for two reasons: the first, because I love sharing with others and the second being that I’m happy to know people out there appreciate my posts!

What exactly is the Liebster Award, I hear you ask? Well, Liebster is a German word, meaning dearest. This award is given to up-and-coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. If you’re tagged, it means someone has been following your blog and thinks you deserve a little recognition for what you’re doing. I personally think it is a great concept, not to mention a good way to learn about new blogs, while sharing yours.

 

Like everything, it comes with rules. They are:

 

1. Write 11 random facts about yourself.

2. Answer the 11 interview questions you’ve been given by the person who nominated you.

3. Fabricate 11 new questions.

4. Nominate 11 bloggers and mention them in your post.

5. Go and tell the person who nominated you, along with the people you’ve nominated about your post.

11 Facts about Me

  1. I am a volunteer for an animal rescue agency. I foster dogs in my home and conduct house checks for people wanting to adopt a new dog. I have been doing it since 2010 and it brings a lot of joy to my life. I have been signed up to Australian Working Dog Rescue since the start of 2012.
  2. My favourite fruit is fig. I’m also a real sucker for prunes and dates. Figs remind me of my Nana, who inspired my love of cooking. She used to make her own fig jam and was an incredible woman.
  3. I have a 7 year old Burmese cat named Rupert. He’s a little dude and I couldn’t imagine life without him. He loves lentils and tofu and he can be incredibly frustrating sometimes by taking up the whole bed, pacing all night and ‘talking’ a lot. I wouldn’t have it any other way though. 
  4. I’ve always wanted to learn to play the harmonica. I bought a brand new blues harmonica and books and I still haven’t touched it.
  5. I have dreams of opening my own small catering company and fine foods label or store. I’d like to make preserves, baked goods, muesli and pancakes and sell them in a little shop, with a selection of teas to serve.
  6. I love riding motorbikes. I sold mine a few years back but to me, there is not much that beats the feeling of being on a motorcycle. Everything is so vivid and I especially love riding at night in Summer.
  7. My all time favourite book is The Velveteen Rabbit. It was important to me as a child and I still find myself picking it up when I need a little reminder that I am loved. It has a beautiful message and I especially love the illustrations.
  8. I love to hula hoop. I don’t do it as often as I used to but find it so relaxing to put some loud music on and just roll around for an hour.
  9. I started university this year as a mature age student. It’s been a steep learning curve and sometimes I find it pretty tough but I like that I’m learning again and I hated my office management career.
  10. I am music obsessed. Bob Dylan is probably my all time favourite artist (though it’s hard to choose) and I love jazz, funk, folk, hip hop, country, soul, slow jam, blues, reggae and R & B (not so much contemporary R & B). I often sit in my room for hours on end discovering new music.
  11. I can’t stand when people chew with their mouth open. It is one of the only things in the world that can frustrate me immediately. The worst experience I ever had was being stuck on a train in Spain with a lady that chewed gum with her mouth open, blew a bubble, then popped it with her lips. She did this for over 3 hours. It was too much.

My interview

What is your favourite thing for breakfast?

I love making myself what I call a ‘ridiculous sandwich’. Basically two pieces of spelt toast, with home made chia jam on one side and a heap of almond butter on the other. Then load it up with banana and close it up. It’s amazing, especially when you’re using jam and butter you’ve made yourself.

What is your greatest fear?

Death by spiders. I’ve been terrified of spiders my whole life and it hasn’t gotten better as I’ve aged. I have some terribly embarrassing stories about spider experiences, that I won’t get into here. I act very silly around them, that’s all I’ll say.

Which 3 people, dead or live, would you invite to a dinner party?

Michael Caine, Martin Luther King Jnr. and Joan Baez. The answer changes occasionally.

Favourite cold drink?

Pineapple juice, blended with chia seeds, coconut flakes, blueberries and ice cubes.

What are your favourite cut flowers to have in your house?

Tulips, hands down.

What is one skill you always wished you could learn?

I mentioned it a little before – I wish I could play the harmonica.

If money was no object, where would be your dream vacation?

Either New York, Malta or Spain. I have been to all of those places and find myself thinking about them often.

How do you like to spend your down time?

Looking at food blogs, cooking, baking, discovering new music and just slothing about in general.

What’s one thing you always have in your fridge?

Blueberries! I can’t get enough of them and try to eat them every day, even if it’s just a small handful.

Your favourite post you have ever written?

Sounds corny but this one. I love this idea and it reminds me of being young and having penpals.

You’re on death row and you’re allowed a 3 course meal. What do you order? 

Entree: HOBZ BIZ-ZEJT! It has been my favourite sandwich since I was a kid. Maltese, of course! You basically get two pieces of crusty white bread, spread tomato paste (known as kunserva in Maltese) over them, then top it with tuna, parsley, salt and pepper and a big slurp of olive oil. There are many variations but I like that best with some lettuce and olives. Mum made it for me often as a kid and it’s the most glorious sandwich combination I’ve ever tried.

Main: Nana’s octopus soup (qarnit). The taste hasn’t left my memory. I really ought to learn to make traditional Maltese food. I’ve been wanting to for a while. Thanks for the reminder, blog world!

Dessert: Christmas pudding with brandy custard. I make this Christmas pudding every year and I think it is divine!

My Nominations

Food is My Friend

One Hungry Mami

Teen Baker

Profiteroles & Ponytails

Bite Sized Thoughts

Petit 4 Chocolatier

Lavender and Lime

Green Gourmet Giraffe

Feral Kitchen

Vagabond Baking

With a Glass

Now for my 11 questions (which the nominees can answer)

  1. What are you most excited about lately?
  2. What are you currently reading?
  3. Your favourite cookbook, and why?
  4. If someone was being overtly racist in a social situation, how would you handle it?
  5. What was the last thing you ate?
  6. Name one thing you like about yourself, and why?
  7. Do you floss your teeth every day?
  8. How do you deal with the daily stresses of life?
  9. If you knew you wouldn’t be judged, what would you be doing differently?
  10. What is your happiest childhood memory?
  11. If you could open your own business, what would you be doing? If you do have your own business, what do you do?

 

Thanks for reading. Love to all xx

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