Liebster Award... Pass it On

Ahhhhh!  My Sunday afternoon was made when I saw a comment from Christina at Christina’s Kinder Blossoms informing me that she had nominated my blog for the Liebster Award.  Thank you so much for this unexpected nomination! Then I awoke this morning to find out that I have been nominated by two more great bloggers!  So I’d like to also thank Jasmine from The Dots of Teaching and Katie from Living the First Grade Dream.  You all give me hope that maybe my little blog is bringing joy to educators and readers all over.   

Not knowing exactly what the Liebster Award was I browsed the internet to find out more.  It is an award for up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  To some it is seen as a type of “chain letter” but as I kept reading I found out that it can be so much more!  For one, who doesn’t get excited when they see they have been nominated for an award and as a blogger I know it means a lot to just see a comment from a reader.  But more than that, this award is a great way to recognize and connect with fellow bloggers.  For that reason I happily accept this nomination and after answering some fun questions about myself, I will take the time to recognize 11 more! 

So read on and happy blogging!

Why and how long ago did you start blogging?

I have been a crazy blog reader for the past 4 years!  I love reading cooking blogs, craft blogs, travel blogs, and of course TEACHER blogs.  Being a big blog reader, I knew one day I’d want to write my own but had never actually sat down to do it.  That all changed when my husband and I moved to the UK last year.  I started out with just a small personal blog as a way to document and share our travels with family and friends.  I guess you can say I got the blogging bug because then about 2 months ago I started another blog. This blog!  Teaching is my passion and while I’m not currently teaching in the UK I still want to be in the education loop.  I love to read about, create, and share teaching ideas and this blog is my way of staying connected to education while pushing myself to think of fun ways to engage my future learners.  Plus I have the time right now so there is no excuse why I shouldn't do what I enjoy. :)

What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?

Growing:  Not only is this blog growing each day as I add more posts, but I am growing as a blog writer, teacher, and person.  This blog helps me to think about education topics and ideas and I really feel I grow with each post I write.  Not to mention, I have learned a lot about just actually blogging.  Can you say formatting, html codes, gadgets – Who knew!

 Is there something you learned late in your blog journey you wished you knew before?

I still feel pretty new to this whole blogging thing but one thing I think that I wished I read earlier was a quote I read somewhere that said “blog even when you think no one is reading.”  I really took this to heart.  Take this as you will, but for me it pushes me to continue forward and to remember why I started this blogging in the first place.  (If you’ve read this somewhere and know where maybe I’ve read it, please let me know.)

What is your favorite past time other than blogging?

Hmmmm… I have a few.  1. I love to sit with a great cup of coffee and watch the world go by. Ok, let me be honest I’m kind of a big people watcher so I should say... watch the people go by. 2. I go to the gym on a regular basis but have a love/hate relationship with it. 3. Traveling with my husband!  That is the whole reason we decided to move to the UK.

How many hours per week do you dedicate to your blog?

Since starting this blog I’d say I spend about 5-8 hours a week.  I try to make sure to post 4-5 times a week.  Some posts just take longer than others to write.  And other times it just depends on my mood.

 What category of blog posts do you enjoy the most?

I really like sharing theme ideas.  I love teaching with themes and have fun talking about theme activities!  Currently I'm working on a scarecrow theme unit.  Hopefully it'll be done by this weekend so be sure to check back for a blog post about it.

Where does your blog inspiration come from?

Everywhere!  I mean really, I could be out shopping at the grocery store, dreaming about my next unit, or talking with my mom (she’s a teacher too).  I just never know when an idea is going to pop in my head.  I have scribbled notes all over!  Plus I love linkys!  So much fun!

Which post that you've written are you most proud of?

To be honest I’m pretty proud of all my posts.  I can say that I finally feel like I’m starting to find my true voice, so to speak, but this blog is me and for that I’m proud.

Is there any post you have been planning to do, 

but have postponing it for a while now?

I do have a scribbled list of ideas but nothing I’ve been postponing, more like just trying to spread the love. Ha-Ha

What is your favorite aspect of blogging?

I love pushing that post button and knowing that what I have just written is out there for the world to see.  There’s just something about knowing that maybe I’m connecting to other people out there.

Which recipe, project, or idea on my blog would 

you be most likely to try yourself?

1. Christina’s Pinch Card.  I had never heard of this quick/simple assessment tool.  Check it out here.

2. Jasmine’s idea of “Teaching Ingredients” very cute and fun to read!

3. I like Katie’s phonics books.  These would be great for quick practice! Check them out here.

Well now its time to pay it forward and nominate 11 more amazing blogs!  I found all my nominations through the TpT sellers forums and am now following you all.  Be sure to check out these great up and coming blogs. 

My nominations are:

1. Natalie from Laughing in Second

2.  Sasha from Teaching Products

3.  Carrie from Adventures in Kinderand Beyond

            4.  Chantelle from Miss Jacob’s Little Learners

            5. Andrea from Come to the Carpet

            6. Arlene & Laurie from Reading Recipe Pals

 7. Amy from Cahill’s Creations

8. Jillian from The Star Spangled Planner

9. Rachel from Rachel’s Rockin Reflections

10. Pauline from First Grade by the Sea

11. Karen from Apple Jacks Teacher

(Hopefully, I have only nominated those who qualify!) 

To those who have been nominated, here are the "official" rules for accepting:

1. In your post, link back to the blogger who nominated you as a thank you and "shout out." (Follow their blog if you haven't already!)  

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you (the ones I answered above).

3. Nominate 11 blogs of your choice that each have less than 200 followers. Provide them with 11 questions to answer or have them answer the questions above.

4. Let your nominees know that they've been nominated and provide them with a link to your post so that they can accept.

5. Send your nominator a link to your post so that s/he can learn more about you as well! (You can just put your post link in the comments below!)

Have Fun!