I am relatively new to the blogging world.  It is something I started while watching waaaaay too many hours of the Olympics each night for a couple of weeks in August, as I am incapable of just sitting on a couch and staring at a screen, without multi-tasking some other activity.  Thus, Travel.Garden.Eat. was born, although the gardens are pretty well gone for the season, and my kitchen and cooking sessions are not usually photogenic enough to feature in a blog post . . . leaving primarily travel (defining the word broadly) as the focus of my blog.  Nonetheless, it has been a joy, and getting acquainted with other bloggers and their interests has been an even greater joy (and distraction from the other mundane household tasks that are starving for attention anyway!).

Periodically while browsing blogs, I come across rants about the silliness of the blogger-nominated awards, passed around in a manner akin to chain mail of old.  Or, occasionally, there is the tasteful post declining acceptance of all such awards but thanking readers for the acknowledgement.  I thought both approaches were admirable.  But then, I received my first award nomination from Peri’s Spice Ladle, which always inspires my palate and has resulted in the pinning, bookmarking or printing of many Indian-inspired recipes for my family!  Peri handled her many award nominations so graciously; I regard her blog as one with class and substance.  Because of this, I cannot imagine not graciously accepting the nomination for the Reader Appreciation Award in turn!  Thank you, Peri.

I know, there are rules that go with these things . . . first, to thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to his/her blog.  (Thanks again, Peri!  Do check out this kebab recipe while you’re at it, before the summer  . . . OK, fall . . . grilling season is over: http://perisspiceladle.com/2012/08/03/shashlik-style-shrimp-and-vegetable-kebab-served-on-lemon-thyme-orzo-pasta/.  It is one of the posts that caught my eye early on when following Peri’s blog.)

Second, include the award logo in your blog:

Third, answer the questions below:

• What is your favorite color? Blue, all shades
• What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink? Coffee, all shapes and forms
• Do you prefer Facebook or Twitter? Facebook
• What’s your passion? Hmmm, just one?  Exploring the world, both near and far.
• What’s your favorite pattern? Floral
• Do you prefer giving or getting presents? Giving
• What’s your favorite number? Can’t say I have one!
• Favorite day of the week? Saturday
• Favorite flower? Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower)

Lastly, nominate the blogs you enjoy reading, link them and let them know that they have been nominated.  I admit, I don’t like this one, because I feel like I am back in gym class picking five classmates for my dodgeball team, and having to leave other friends behind.  However, I have enjoyed learning of other interesting blogs from bloggers doing just that (and know that they, just like I, have many other blogs beyond those listed that inspire and entertain them), so here goes:

1.  Lake Superior Spirit, http://upwoods.wordpress.com/ ~ Because she invariably brings a smile to my face, leaves me pondering a thought, or has me gazing at a beautiful scene with her varied posts.  Today’s post was a classic example: http://upwoods.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/i-wish-you-passion-and-joy-and-sweet-birdsong/.

2.  retireediary (The Diary of a Retiree), http://retireediary.wordpress.com/ ~ Michael’s blog was one of the first I discovered.  His travel writings and images result in an ever-longer bucket list.  How can you not want to visit Dubrovnik after reading this post: http://retireediary.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/dubrovnik-a-compact-walled-city/?

3.  Reaching My Full Potential, http://reachingmyfullpotential.wordpress.com/ ~ Because we started blogging at about the same time — the support and feedback from another new blogger was so welcome!  Julie’s corresponding Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/ReachingMyFullPotential, has many good motivational posts beyond her own journey, as well.

4.  The Mommy Quad, http://themommyquad.com/ ~ As another mom with a full-time professional career outside of the house, I appreciate the reflections on parenting and juggling everything else in life — even things like blogging, as reflected by just one of her always interesting posts: http://themommyquad.com/2012/09/10/this-blogging-thing/.

5.  The Wanderlust Gene, http://thewanderlustgene.wordpress.com/ ~ Because she has introduced me to the beauty of Sri Lanka, a corner of the world to which I was somewhat oblivious before.  As long as I have your attention, does anyone happen to know of a good Sri Lankan home for this adorable trio of “The Misses Kotte” (as described further in this post: http://thewanderlustgene.wordpress.com/2012/09/20/i-am-about-to-tear-our-idyll-asunder/)?

These five, and so many more, are appreciated by me as I pass along the “Reader Appreciation Award” — never expecting anyone to feel forced to pass it along if they do not wish to, but just so they know that they give joy, provoke reflection, and inspire readers like me to travel the world, even if only from the desktop some days.

Ciao! ~ Kat B.