Leibster Award

I was nominated a few days ago for the leibster award by http://redletterdaybags.blogspot.com/.

Looks like fun and I'm taking the challenge. There are a few things required of the nominees, which I've copied from my sponsor.

The rules are:

• Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.
• They must also answer the 11 questions the tagger has set for them.
• They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.
• They must then choose 11 special bloggers to tag & award with the Liebster award with less than 200 followers.
• These lucky bloggers must be told in a comment on their blog.

I'll start with 11 things about myself.

1.  I speak Dutch. I lived in the Netherlands for a year and a half, learned their language and fell in love with the land of Tulips.
2. I adore goats. I wish I could have one and hope eventually our city will make the changes that will allow miniature goats to be kept in residential neighborhoods.
3. I homeschooled for over 15 years and loved most of it. The benefits are that I have wonderful children.
4. I also adore English Angora rabbits and do have one. His name is Alfred and I am making a scarf from his wool, although it may take five years at the present rate.
5. Pioneers and pioneer life are fascinating to me. I love volunteering at our local historical park where I dress the part and teach visitors about history.
6. I am rewriting my book Lost Generation. Hopefully I will start submitting it soon.
7. I've also been working on a new book, Secrete of Kadonya (the name will probably change). 
8. Herbs are interesting to me. I love to study them and learn to use them more proficiently.
9. I have been making soap, lotion, lip balm and related items for many years now. Working on formulating a great herbal lotion and I think it is going well. 
10. The Grand Tetons is one of my favorite places in the world. I spent three summers working at one of the lodges when I was younger.
11. Home is probably my most favorite place.

 That was fun. Now for the questions of my sponsor.

1. Name a historical figure that you admire, and tell why. Helen Keller. I admire her, but also her teacher and the tenacity they both had.
2. What are the names of some of your favorite books or stories from childhood? My very favorite was The Velvet Room. I also loved the Bobbsey Twins Series.
3. Describe your idea of an ideal day. This is hard, because if I had to do the same thing every day, I'd get tire of it. So I guess the ideal day is one where I am doing something new or interesting and having time to spend with my family.
4. What are your pet peeves? When the deer eat my garden, but the city won't let me have a goat. Also when my 15 year old won't stop drumming on everything in sight.
5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I'd make sure I always believed in myself and stopped doubting that I can accomplish whatever I choose.
6.  Share a favorite Christmas, holiday, or birthday memory. This encompasses two memories. The Christmas I spent in Holland away from my family was memorable because I knew what I was missing at home. I lay in bed and listened to the bells ring for what seemed like hours. I still hear those bells, they were wonderful and soothing. At that time I was picturing my family at Grandma's house with all the cousins and then leaving to go home. On the way I knew they would look out at the blinking red light that was there all year, but we only ever noticed on Christmas Eve. Then they would hurry home and convince the younger siblings to hurry to bed. Isn't tradition great. My own daughter will be far away for Christmas this year.
7. What's the best compliment you ever received? Probably the ones from my husband when he tells me I'm beautiful and I can see in his eyes that he believes that.
8. What's your favorite meal? Pizza for sure. Although I love most Chinese food too.
9. What would you do with an extra 3 hours today if you had it? Probably read or write. It would be really cool if I had that three hours with my children and could read a book with them like we used to.
10. Name a place you'd like to visit. I've always wanted to visit China.
11. Name a goal you'd like to accomplish or a skill you'd like to learn in the next 2 years. This one is easy. I would like to see my book published.

 I'm loving this. I hope the people I nominate have as much fun as I have. Here are my nominees (actually they are coming one at a time):

1.  http://getyourcraptogether.blogspot.com/
2.  http://craftdiscovery.blogspot.com/
3. http://www.coleyscorner.com/
4.  http://icingonthecakedallas.blogspot.com/
5.  http://littepileseverywhere.blogspot.com/
6. http://generationpromisegenealogy.blogspot.com/
7. http://onehotcrafty-mama.blogspot.com/
8.  http://www.saraclosetblog.com/
9.  http://rockwellali.blogspot.com/
10.  http://www.craftynester.com/
11. http://texasjoy.blogspot.com/

And here are their questions.

1. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
2. What memory from your childhood makes you smile?
3. Who is your favorite character from a book?
4. Name a place you've visited and would love to see again.
5. What hobby do you enjoy?
6. Name your favorite song?
7. What is your favorite dessert?
8. Name a color you choose often.
9. Name a person from history you see as a hero. Why?
10. Do you have a favorite animal? If so, what?
11. What are you currently obsessed with?