Janine Ripper of Reflections from A Red Head is my blogging friend from Australia, we have known each other for more than two years, shared our stories, laughed and cried together. We are part of the group of personal bloggers PBAU who support each other and spread the word around the globe.
This morning when I opened my inbox I was happy to read that Janine had received another blogging award: The Liebster Award:
The concept of the Liebster Award is to tag 11 bloggers who have 200 followers or less and ask them 11 questions. I enjoy getting to know other bloggers better and introduce my online friends to each other.
She passed the honours on to me, thank you, Janine. Without further ado here are Janine’s questions and my answers:
1) What is your favourite movie?
Forrest Gump
2) What is your highlight for 2013 so far?
2013 has been a very sad year so far: on August 5, 2013 Chica, beloved companion for more than 13 years, went to another world. This sad experience has taught me to be grateful for the time we were allowed to spend together and live in the present.
Chica 1999 – 2013
3) Tell us about one of the blogs you like to read.
I enjoy reading my friends’ blogs for several reasons (food, travel, personal development etc.) and I do not want to single on out.
4) What is one of your most treasured memories from your childhood?
Summer holidays in the mountains and mucking out the cow stable when I was 4 or 5.
Me and my older brother (the pets survived!)
5) How did you get into blogging?
I have always written, mostly travel reports, and I have kept a diary since early childhood. A friend urged me to write more and share it. That was in November 2000.
6) If you could eat one food forever, what would it be?
Cheese with crusty bread (and a glass of red wine)
7) If you were stranded on a desert island, name 2 people you would like to be stranded with.
My daughter and a dog (does this count?)
8) What is your guilty pleasure?
Smoking
9) What is your soundtrack to 1998?
The Dubliners: Wild Rover
I spent a rather wet holiday in Ireland in the summer of 1998 and greatly enjoyed the singing (and drinking) in the pubs.
10) If you were given a ticket to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Thailand
11) Do you have a 1 or a 5 year plan, or do you prefer to fly by the seat of your pants? There’s nothing wrong with either!
No
And now for my questions and tags (no pressure! But we want to hear more from you!):
1. Your last holiday: where did you go? What did you enjoy and what did you not enjoy?
2. Your favourite colour and why
3. Your first day in school (or pre-school, Kindergarten)
4. Your first holiday spent without your parents
5. Your first CD or vinyl single or LP
6. Do you enjoy cooking?
7. Favourite food / beverage
8. Are you happy with your body?
9. The deserted island question: what would you take with you?
10. Do you have a pet and why?
11. What are your plans for 2014?
I pass the stick on to
Kaarina of Kaarina Dillabough
Lori of Life, for Instance
Nchenga of Chiperoni ku Basel
Marie of Rock The Kabash
Tandy Sinclair of Lavender And Lime
Jamie Schler and Ilva Beretta of Plated Stories
Knikkolette Church of Your Social Media Mogul
Sharon O’Day of Sharonoday
Kittie Walker of Avid Mode
Stuart Nager of Tale Spinning
Comments 15
Ah wonderful Barbara, you were so quick! I do dream of hopping on that plane to Switzerland…once we are clearer on the wedding plans, we should know more about future travel plans 🙂 First, though, D needs to find a job – which has been more of a challenge than expected.
JanineRipper You cut out a fine piece of work for me, Janine, no I really loved it and it is good for my morale to be fast. Otherwise I’d never get around to it, what with all the linking, thinking of good questions (I hope) …
It would be so much fun if we could all get together someplace. Ah, I know about money or the lack of it! How I’d love to go back to Australia again, see more of your beautiful country, drink more of your magnificent wines and above all, meet you and your family.
I will keep my fingers crossed for D, it is tough these days, you tell me!
Late_Bloomers JanineRipper I thought you might like a blogging challenge to go with your blogging challenge hehe.
We must do it. I could envision us all meeting somewhere (or just us) in between – somewhere new and exciting. You are always welcome here, my dear. Call it home away from home!
JanineRipper Late_Bloomers LOL and some more! I had my blogging challenge in September and survived it, well, more than that, still feeling very proud of myself. This month is about using my SRL and finally studying (applying is too big a word for my level!) Lightroom and InDesign.
Somewhere in between: that could be India, no? Or we could all go to Hajra’s wedding (hi Hajra where are you getting married? rather subtle hint)?
I can already see myself in your garden (am I allowed to dabble a little bit?) and cooking … thanks so much! I love that: a home away from home!
Well, we share our love of Forrest Gump and crusty bread with cheese and wine 🙂 Interesting questions you’ve posed, my friend, and always great to learn more about you. Cheers! Kaarina
Late_Bloomers JanineRipper Hajra Oooo InDesign – have fun with that! India would be amazing, but I tell you – if I came back from China with Giardia, imagine me in India!!?? Hajra’s wedding – that’s a plan for sure hehe.
You are most welcome to dabble in our garden – it needs love. And I will provide the wine, and we can cook and eat and drink and be merry!
It’s great reading more about you Barbara! It’s like getting tiny pieces of the puzzle and more of the picture gets formed in front of me…particularly a picture of you smoking leisurely, hahahahaha…… ;-)))
KDillabough Hi Kaarina, bouf, and all of a sudden I was without internet connectability all afternoon and evening! Got it sorted out with the supplier and the nice lady suggested I had probably hit the wrong button when cleaning ….!
Definitely we will have a lot to talk about when we finally get to Tuscany!
xx Barbara
jpage.manuel Joy, you make my day! Do you really want to see a picture of me smoking? My daughter says: “there is hardly a picture of you without a cigarette!” Go figure! Maybe I will send one to you via mail?! Thanks for making me laugh and being a lovely friend. BTW congrats and I cannot wait to read more revealing things about you!!
Barbara: Like your insights into your life and likes especially #8 – not everyone would admit to this – and #9. #11 surprised me but then so did the phrasing of the question.
penelopemuses Hi Pennie! Waiting anxiously for your book, when will it be published? Sometimes I surprise myself as well, but what the heck: I want to be seen and appreciated as the woman I am and not some polished surface. You have made me curious as to #11 surprising you: my answer or the question? Well, I have never tried to fly by the seat of my pants (could make for a very rough landing) and I can also pretend I do not understand it as my first language is (Swiss) German! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!
Love the picture and I understand about Chica. I still miss my old friend and he has been gone for quite some time now. Dogs are family.
Joshua Wilner/A Writer Writes I know what you mean, Josh, ever so often I come across a picture of your retriever and I inwardly sigh (is there such a thing? I mean where does that sigh then go to?). Dogs are family and by all respect I have for (my) family, sometimes even more.
Congratulations, Barbara! You richly deserve the award. What a wonderful idea to bring attention to quality blogs such as yours.
I am very sorry about your loss. Losing a loved one is always difficult and a pet has a special place in our hearts. You’re right, the losses help us to appreciate those we have around us.
wonderoftech Hi, Carolyn, thanks a ton! Yeah, the awards are the lonely blogger’s salary …
Even looking at Chica’s pictures (lots of them and my daughter always says: “You took more pictures of Chica than of me.” No wonder because a) Chica did not mind having her picture taken and b) my daughter did) makes me feel sad all over again. I am thinking of adding a new family member and I would love to have a Weimaraner – time will tell.
Have a great week, Carolyn, and hope to see you soon at the next Hangout.