THE CREATIVE BLOGGER AWARD: Spanish souvenir from Sally’s Smorgasbord

In both my family and on this blog, I value creativity. Creativity is that very thing that makes the world a more beautiful place, from the goofy cartoon characters on your breakfast cereal box to the interiors of the tombs and pyramids of ancient Egypt. Since from thousands of years before humans were inventors, they were artists.

Creativity is that joyous segment of the human spirit because it is so diverse and democratic. Regardless of your means or talents, you can let the ‘creative juices’ flow as they say. Being creative is a skills that nearly anyone can tap into. You just need to discover it and let it sing. For me, being a journalist and a blogger is about telling a story, and it is my creativity that helps mould and flavour that story, especially when it is a personal article. Whether it is a witty play on words (like the title of this article) or creating a graphic image for the blog, the Half-Eaten Mind has been a perfect vehicle for my creativity.

In recognition of that creativity, a very good and supportive blogging friend, Sally from “Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life“, has kindly awarded me the Creative Blogger Award for services to creative blogging. If you are not familiar with the work of Sally, then believe me, you are missing out. She is a blogger and author who lives in the mountains of Spain. She has worked in administration, hospitality and dentistry nursing and has led a very eclectic life, moving between various countries in her youth. Her creative career has also been diverse, with short stories and poems a specialty since her childhood, as well as writing newspaper columns in both the UK and in her current hometown near Madrid, Spain. She has also penned books and being recently involved in TV and online video work as well as blogging on Smorgasbord.

(c) MAKE ME UP MARIE via S. Cronin.

(c) S. Cronin

Just like the Scandinavian dish the blog is named for, Sally writes a bit about everything. Her blog runs the gamut from short stories and humorous scribblings to factual information on medical issues from brain health to the endocrine system. There is a lot of interesting stuff there and you are highly recommended to pay a visit.

If you happen to not accept awards or do not have the time, please instead accept this virtual bottle of that all-time awesome and indigenous Mauritian soft drink Eski and some nice snacks too. It’s not quite the Smorgasbord 2015 Rioja that Sally is offering but at least you can boast you ate some food from paradise!!

(c) melane_wong via Pinsta.me

Here are the guidelines for this award.

1. Contact all of your nominees and notify them of their award. You can pick as many blogs as you like, but five is the minimum.
2. Give a shout-out to the blogger that nominated you and post a link to their website.
3. Share five random facts about yourself.
4. Display the Creative Blogger Award image above your post.
5. Pass along these rules to the nominees.

Here are the lucky nominees with an excerpt taken from their intros so you can get a flavour of their creativity and check out their blogs. All richly deserved of this fine award….!

Ileana  –  https://doareuileana.wordpress.com/

Cred in autocunoastere, in iubire, bunatate, in eficienta muncii facuta din suflet. Mai cred in Dumnezeu, in creativitate si vocea inimii, sunt sociabila, rabdatoare, egoista, gandire unica, calma, romantica si Directa. Datorita faptului ca sunt Directa, asta deranjeaza pe foarte multa lume si…ajung sa ma inteleg doar eu pe mine. In rest sunt o persoana obisnuita ce plang…rad…sunt serioasa, independenta de situatie. Oricum Sunt Eu! “De ce ii este omului de astazi foame? De iubire si de sens” spunea Nicolae Steinhardt in Jurnalul Fericirii. Va multumesc pentru ca ati ales sa va petreceti o parte din timp pe blogul meu. Va astept in continuare cu drag… (I believe in self-awareness, in love, kindness, making the soul work efficiently. Believe in God, the creativity and the voice of the heart, being sociable, patient, selfish, thinking, calm, romantic and having direction…. Anyway I Am! “The man she is hungry today? The love and respect, “said Nicolae Steinhardt in the Journal of Happiness. Thank you for choosing to spend some time on my blog. We expect to continue the journey…)

Wendy Lee  –  https://cloudsncups.wordpress.com/

In order to make the blog more interesting, we will include poems, meanings and origins of phrases, inspiring quotes and other interesting facts which are closely related to the designs of our jewelry pieces.

So, who says “Beauty is only skin deep”?

Ann V. Friend  –  http://afriendofjesus2013.com/

This blog is a place for anyone who wants to know more about the Word of God, developing a deeper and personal relationship with Jesus Christ or get encouragement.

I write from the spiritual fruit within me–love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. I give glory to God when I can share my ebbs and flows, and stumbling experiences by walking through with faith and trust in Him. Praise The Lord for His mercy and His grace. (smile)

This is a place, you can always come for something positive and uplifting! We’ll leave the lights on for you! There is no judging here. It’s about being able to get encouragement or a good scripture to apply to a particular challenge in life and see things from a different perspective.

 

Ken Dowell  –  http://offtheleash.net/

Off the leash is one way to interpret retirement.

Some of what I learned during a long career in the media and public relations services business is reflected in the Digital Deception series of posts and in the occasional rants about publishing, online audiences and digital marketing.

I wrote the Growing Up in the 50’s stories from the unique perspective of someone who was born just hours before the start of that decade. I am thus well positioned to describe the phobias, prejudices, politics and lifestyle of those times as seen through the eyes of a child.

Anastasia Beaverhausen  –  http://lovingfoodfashionlife.com/

Welcome to my blog!  I’m SO glad you’re here!  Let’s get straight to the point of this blog, shall we?—To not waste our short precious lives on earth like I see SO many people do day after day.  It drives me NUTS!  Why do we do that to ourselves when there’s so many things to do, see, talk about, learn, and love in this world to make ourselves better and happier as people?

When I’m 357 years old, I want to be able to say I had a great time while I was here the best that I could do for me—whatever it is that makes me laugh, smile, happy, smarter, better, etc.  And I, obviously, want you to do the same for yourselves.  Lovin’ life, baby!  That’s how we roll.

I started ‘Loving Food, Fashion, & Life’ as a hobby one day during my yearly 6-week vacation from work (yeah, that’s right). I had always wanted to do a blog and now was my opportunity. I started at zero—as someone who didn’t know the first thing about blogging—so I did weeks of research on the subject. It was a LOT of work and VERY time-consuming, but I absolutely LOVED every minute of it!

The Drunken Cyclist  –  http://thedrunkencyclist.com/

I have been a wine lover for some time now, but I try not to take it all that seriously.  I am also a Cat 3 cyclist, a husband, and a father of two great (most of the time) boys.  I love to combine all my passions when I vacation, especially when I am going to my in-laws.  Since they live close to Napa and Sonoma I can go there and get loaded as well as ride my bike in glorious California.

Carol A. Hand  –  https://carolahand.wordpress.com/

Welcome to Voices from the Margins. I’m Carol Hand, an enrolled member of the Sokaogon Ojibwe Community, one of the 6 bands of Ojibwe people located in what is now the state of Wisconsin. During my early childhood, I spent my school years in New Jersey where I was born, and my summers with relatives on the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe reservation in Wisconsin. My bi-cultural heritage has had a profound influence on my life.

Teagan Geneviene  –  https://teagansbooks.wordpress.com/

Welcome! Here’s some information about my novels and works in progress. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Atonement, Tennessee is now available in paperback, Kindle, and Nook versions. It is an urban fantasy with a mystery on the side. The story pulls in characters loosely inspired by the ancient Celtic myth of Gwydion fab Don. It also features an ensemble of memorable southern personalities. I did a post sharing my thoughts about releasing the book.

Five Facts About Me

1. My maternal grandmother, mother and one of my sisters were/are either chefs or very accomplished cooks. I can just about avoid burning things when I make spaghetti Bolognese.

2. I’ve written theatre reviews for two local newspapers here in Newham, east London, as well as reviews for a listings and cultural magazine in Battersea, also in London. I still have the work stashed away in my portfolio folder.

3. I am currently working on the written material for an investment platform’s website. My friend and work colleague is setting up his advisory and consulting firm that will operate between London, Paris and west Africa, principally the Ivory Coast.

4. I can play the tabla, a type of drum from India, reasonably well.

5. Just like the person who nominated me, I also have feet bigger than the average. My ones are billed at UK size 14, and my Mum used to refer them as ‘kippers’ because they were big and flat like the salted fish fillets.

Many, many thanks to Sally for nominating me and please do visit the nominees I have selected, follow them and say hello there! 🙂

SOURCES:

“The Creative Blogger Award – So many great blogs so little space!” – Sally Cronin, Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life (26 March 2015) https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/the-creative-blogger-award-so-many-great-blogs-so-little-space/

“About Me” – Sally Cronin, Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/about-me/

Google Translate, Google Inc. https://translate.google.com

“♫°✿Blog Cu Motiv!♪☀♫” – Ileana, Alaturi de Tine https://doareuileana.wordpress.com/pe-blog-cu-motiv/

“ABOUT CLOUDS N CUPS” – Wendy Lee, Clouds N Cups https://cloudsncups.wordpress.com/about-clouds-n-cups/

“About this blog” – Ann V. Friend, Ann – A Friend of Jesus 2013 http://afriendofjesus2013.com/about/

“What is This and Who Wrote It?” – Ken Dowell, off the leash http://offtheleash.net/about/

“About Me” – LOVING FOOD, FASHION, & LIFE http://lovingfoodfashionlife.com/about-me/

“About” – The Drunken Cyclist http://thedrunkencyclist.com/about/

“A Little About Me” – Carol Hand, Voices from the Margins https://carolahand.wordpress.com/who-am-i/

“About Teagan’s Books” – Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene, Teagan’s Books https://teagansbooks.wordpress.com/home/

IMAGE CREDITS:

“Pearona | Search Instagram | Pinsta.me – Instagram Online Viewer” – Pinsta.me http://pinsta.me/tag/Pearona?start=1407944971257070

“”The Creative Blogger Award – So many great blogs so little space!” – Sally Cronin, Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life (26 March 2015) https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/the-creative-blogger-award-so-many-great-blogs-so-little-space/

“HalfEatenMind Blog” – The Half-Eaten Mind, Facebook/Facebook Inc. https://www.facebook.com/HalfEatenMind?fref=nf

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