I was nominated for the Liebster Award!

I was nominated for the Liebster Award!

The Liebster Award is an award given to bloggers by bloggers. The blogger who is nominated answers a set of questions provided by the colleague who nominated them and then pass the fun on to other bloggers. The purpose is to give some well deserved recognition to newbie bloggers, provide their site with an exposure boost as well as seek out and network with other newbies. It is also a way to show some love to a favorite blogger, or to a blog you look up to. It’s a little bit of ‘Pay-It-Forward’ and a little bit of ‘Team-Building’ all in one.

I was nominated by Melody Pittman, creator of Wherever I May Roam. These are the questions she posed to me:

1. What is your dream destination?

This is a tough one, because I have so many! I would definitely like to visit Africa and go on safari and I have always wanted to go to The Maldives to see the magnificent turquoise blue water.

2. What places have you visited that you thought were highly overrated?

Las Vegas has beautiful hotels, fantastic restaurants, great shopping and entertainment and so many people love to go there, however I do not. I find it noisy, smokey, and full of tourists.

3. What is your favorite U.S. destination?

There is a tie for my favorite U.S. city. I love Seattle primarily because our daughter lives there, but also because I just feel so comfortable and alive when I am visiting. Seattle has everything; nature, architecture, great food and wonderful shopping. My second favorite would be San Francisco for the same reasons. Additionally they are both port cities and I love looking at the water with a beautiful sunset.

4. What makes you happy?

My family makes me happy. There is no one I would rather spend my time and dreams with than my family. Looking at beautiful photography of landscapes and unique architecture. Reading a great book! Walking Rocco and tossing the ball. Drinking champagne in a vineyard… the list goes on.

5. Why did you start blogging?

I found myself at a point in my life where I needed to make a change. My kids were grown and I needed to focus on what I wanted and would feed my passion for food, travel & family. I wanted something of my own where I could learn new skills, step out of my comfort zone and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

6. What are your top three bucket list items?

We are in the middle of one right now… we are renovating an antiquated Spanish home built in 1937. Creating a space that fulfills our needs, as well as fuels our creativity is challenging, but it is also tremendously fulfilling. I have been fortunate to have experienced many exciting things in the past 50 years. But if I could pinpoint something, I love to cook and eat delicious food. Chefs are my rock stars and I would love to go to the Aspen Food and Wine Festival and meet my idols. Cooking with any of these award-winning chefs would be a dream. Travel to Antarctica one day would be a dream come true as well.

7. What is one piece of advice you would offer or one saying you live by?

Don’t wait to do something later, do it now. Always say yes and figured out the rest. Do what you love, love what you do. Life is short, be happy.

8. What is the best thing anyone has ever said about your blog?

People have been very kind to me and given me many compliments, as well as tremendous support. A dear person told me that they wish they could be like me and try all of the things that I do. To just go for it and spread inspiration to others. I was deeply touched by this comment.

9.What is your ultimate guilty pleasure?

Eating dark chocolate, watching HGTV, reading Vogue and/or Food and Wine magazine without interruption, while sitting/laying on my couch.

10. What is one product or service you cannot live without?

I love my new MacBook Pro. It has a smaller profile and weighs so much less that my prior MacBook. Traveling with my camera (which I also cannot live without) is so much easier with a lightweight computer. It was always heavy carrying both. I have also discovered the greatest backpack that can hold both the camera and laptop, in two cushioned compartments, while still offering other pockets to put travel gear.

11.What two countries make you the happiest to visit?

The two countries that make me the happiest are France and Italy. Each of them offers Old World charm, architecture, beauty, nature, delicious food and markets, interesting people, history, fashion and vibrant culture.

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I had a lot of fun contemplating the answers to these questions and I appreciate Melody including me on her list. AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com is only 18 months old, but I have had the most fun and the best luck connecting with some incredibly talented and accomplished bloggers!

I am going to ask them to answer the same questions as I have. The bloggers on this list are writers who I admire and respect. I have an online relationship with most of them and have never met in person. These talented bloggers/writers are not “newbies” but they are all so intriguing I would love to know the answers to these questions. Wouldn’t you? Please visit each one of their blogs. These ladies have traveled all over the world, are incredibly knowledgeable and write impressive blogs. I can’t wait to read all about them!

In no particular order…

Tam Warner Minton  Travels with Tam

Mary Gutierrez  It’s All About the Pretty

Kim Tackett  Tour of No Regrets

Veronica James  The Gypsy Nesters

Lois Alter Mark  Midlife at the Oasis

Irene S. Levine  More Time to Travel

Betsy Wuebker  Passing Thru

Kim Acedo Transformation Wellness for Women

Laura Ehlers The Coast of Illinois

Alison Abbott Green with Renvy

I look forward to reading their answers to these questions! Thanks all!

Suzanne