Liebster Blog

This little break has been jam-packed with family time, lots of food, shopping, shopping, and more food. I had left "blogger land" for a few days while taking part in all the holiday festivities. But when I joined the blog world again today, I found out that we had been nominated for the Liebster Blog award by Kelly at Thirsty Firsties and Amy at Little Miss Organized and Bren P from The Teacher Diaries. Thank you so much, Kelly, Bren P, and Amy. We are so happy to be a part of the blogging community and we are very honored to have this award!

I want to make sure that I explain the award correctly...so this comes directly from the Thirsty Firsties post:

The Liebster Award is given by bloggers to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. It is to show new bloggers that they are appreciated and to help spread the word about new blogs.

The rules:

- You must post 11 random things about yourself.

- Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.

- Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.

- Choose 11 blogs you love (with less than 200 followers) and link them in your post.

- No tag back (but please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster post so I can learn more about you)!

First things first: 11 random things about me (Em):

1. I married my high school sweetheart (and he is still my best friend).
2. I live next door to my parents.
3. I eat sweets everyday...chocolate, cookies...mmmm!
4. We try out several new recipes in our household each week!
5. I love my Title I teaching position. People often ask why I don't go back to the classroom. I love working with a variety of students and teachers each day. It is a great fit for me.
6. I go garage sale-ing every weekend in the summer. I love a good deal!
7. Spinach is my favorite food. I could eat it for every meal of the day.
8. I have two little girls, two and four years old. The four year old told her teachers that my name is "Babe."
9. I am the oldest of three girls. One sister is a nurse and the other is a teacher.
10. My middle sister and I used to teach right across the hall from each other until our building closed!
11. I love shopping for clothes.

And then...questions for me (Em) to answer from Kelly:

1. What's your favorite thing about blogging?
I love to share. Anytime I make something, I am excited to blog about it and share it with others!

2. What's your favorite blog?
www.chartchums.wordpress.com is one of my favorite blogs. These two women are literacy consultants and they have some great ideas!! I read each of their posts and have even bought their books!

3. How long have you been teaching?
This is my ninth year teaching. 2 years in TN and 7 years in OH. Wow!

4. What is your favorite vacation spot?
Hmmm...what is vacation :) At this point in my life, a great vacation spot is anywhere quiet.

5. What is your favorite thing to cook?
Cook-ies :)

6. What is your favorite store?
Anthropologie (just wish I could afford something there)

7. What was been your best TPT purchase?
I have actually never made a purchase off TPT. I do a lot of window shopping there.

8. Coke or Pepsi?
Neither. Water and coffee.

9. What's your favorite Christmas movie?
This is a tough one. We love Christmas music and movies in my house...but I will have to go with Miracle on 34th Street.

10. What's your favorite TV show?
Right now it is "Once Upon A Time" but there are so many good ones out there!

11. What's been the hardest thing about blogging?
I think the hardest thing is just adding another thing to balance in my life. I enjoy blogging but life can get busy and I am trying to make sure I juggle it all.

And then...questions for me (Em) to answer from Amy:

1. What is your best accomplishment?
 My family.

2. What do you love most to do in this life?
 Cook, bake, and take walks with my little family.

3. If you could do anything, what would it be?
Travel more often.

4. How much do you love blogging?
Love it!

5. How many years have you taught?
This is my ninth year!

6. What is your dream?
To have two happy, sweet girls that will grow up with lots of great memories.

7. What is your favorite guilty treat?  
 Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate

8. Do it now or do it later?
Do it now (or else I will totally forget!)

9. Fight or flight?
Fight

10. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
 A European country--I have not been outside of North America.

11. Are you organized, or a pack rat?
Organized-for sure!



And then...questions for me (Em) to answer from Bren P:

1. What led you to decide you wanted to be an educator? 

I am the oldest of three girls and so I think it came a little naturally to me.

 

2. What is your all time favorite book? (Children's books don't count! lol)

 Golden Compass series

 

3. What is your current ringtone?

vibrate 

 

4. How did you come up with your blog name?

My teammate, Maria did.  She loved the word "firsties" that we were seeing all over the blog world.  And we were doing a curious theme this year.  So we just combined the two.

 

5. If you could time travel to any place or time, where would you go?

 Right now.

 

6. You have the chance to appear on your favorite show, currently on air or past, what show would I see you on?

 Price is Right

 

7. What is your favorite childhood memory?

 Looking for colorful rocks that my grandpa had hidden in the sandbox with all my cousins.

 

8. Who is your celebrity crush?

 This changes all the time.  Right now...probably Blake Shelton because I love the Voice.

 

9. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, which would it be?

 This reminds me of an old SNL sketch.  I think I would pick a George Winston song.

 

10. Where do you live?

Cincinnati

 

11. I'm hoping to get a full-time teaching job soon, got any advice?

The first year of teaching is a lot harder than they ever prepare you for.  Just know that it does get better and there are lots of people to help you through that first year :)


Questions I would like to ask:

1. What wakes you up in the morning?
2. Do you have a hobby that you enjoy?
3. Do you have a recipe that you can't live without?
4. What is your favorite movie?
5. Why did you decide to start blogging?
6. If you weren't teaching, what would you do instead?
7. How long have you been teaching and in what grades?
8. What is your favorite household chore?
9. What is a holiday tradition that you love to do each year?
10. Where do you like to shop?
11. What is your favorite pin on pinterest?

Blogs I would like to nominate:

1. ...and they all fall down
2. From Behind the Lavender Door
3. Gluesticks, Games, and Giggles
4. Lacy's Letters
5. Reading Really Rocks
6. Teacher Treasure Hunter
7. The Quirky Apple
8. Teaching with Moxie
9. Mrs. Beer's Language Arts Class
10.Teach with Laughter
11. If You Give A Teacher a Treat


Hope everyone enjoys the last couple days of November!
Em