‘You Make Me Happy When Skies Are Grey’

The skies are definitely grey in Central Ohio today, which brings to mind a song my grandmother used to sing to me when I was a child, You Are My Sunshine. It goes, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.” I used to love spending long summers with my grandma, we called her Bubba (the Slovak name for Grandma), and she loved the rain. We would spend rainy afternoons splashing barefoot through puddles and then we would warm up with a cup of coffee filled to the brim with sugar and cream. I miss those days and often times, the song comes to mind and I am gently reminded of the things she taught me as a way to remember her. She inspired my passion for cooking, taught me to be generous above all else, take care of those less fortunate than myself (including the four-legged variety) and that hard work always pays off in the end. Recently, my blog was awarded the Sunshine Award from Elle over at Eat Run Sail – one of my favorite bloggers and wonderfully supportive and wise friend. (Go read her post and check out her blog if you haven’t).

The award is circulated to those bloggers to let them know that their posts brighten your day. Elle certainly has brightened many of mine with her positive outlook, honest advice and generosity. I feel like we have become friends over the last couple of years and I am particularly excited about this award because of the fond memories it stirs in my heart.

The Rules:

1. Include award logo in a post or on your blog
2. Link to the person who nominated you
3. Answer 10 questions about yourself.
4. Nominate 10 bloggers to receive the award. Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated.

Here are the questions Elle asked, and my answers to them:

1. Best childhood memory? I have a lot, including the one above, but as a collection, I always enjoyed the times I went with my Mom, Dad and sister to pick whatever it was that was seasonal – apples, pumpkins, a Christmas tree. I always looked forward to our adventures in picking out seasonal fair and it is something I will always remember. I also have some pretty fond memories of visiting Disney as a family.
2. Nicest time of year? Late, late summer. That time when summer isn’t quite gone, but fall is quickly making an entrance. That time when mornings and evenings are cool enough for a sweater, but the days are warm enough for short sleeves. That time when the shadows are long when the sun sets and you can smell autumn in the air with every breath. 
3. Favorite flower? I actually don’t have a particular flower that I love, but I love wildflowers. I love seeing them on the side of the road, especially the purple ones. My husband said the ones I have mentioned I like are called Asters.
4. Scary food you would never ever even taste? Nope, nothing. I can’t think of anything I would be too afraid to taste at least once! (I really thought about this one for awhile too!) The only thing I am weird about from time to time is meat so if there is some strange meat dish out there, I might pass due to the meat, but nothing comes immediately to mind.
5. Zodiac sign? Virgo. Although I have no idea how or if that fits into my life!
6. What spice would describe you? I think Curry would best describe me because it’s flavors can range from sweet to spicy depending on what you are making and what kind you use. It is very versatile and is warm, a real comfort spice for me. I am like curry because I can be many things, but I stay pretty consistent in who I am and provide comfort to those closest to me.
7. Snooze button or jump out of bed? Snooze. Like three or four times.
8. Morning drink? Water on most days, but if I had to pick something special (that’s more like a treat) it would be English Breakfast Tea with Cream and Sugar or [right now] a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.
9. Song that means something special to you? Anything Mumford & Sons of course, but just in case you wondered what else mattered to me. Amarillo By Morning by George Strait (think old country) will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my mother’s favorite song. I love the fiddle intro, give it a listen if you haven’t. Mr. Strait is on his farewell tour (Mom would have been so sad) and he’s coming to CBUS in February so I hope to go!
10. Secret crush? Dang!? I don’t know. I’m attracted to guys who are creative and it changes from time to time. I’ve always thought Wentworth Miller (Prison Break) was hot or, you know, I would go to dinner with Marcus Mumford in a heartbeat (sorry, husband). I’m also still waiting for my dinner invitation from Johnny Depp.

Here are the [only?!] ten bloggers I nominate to receive this award. While I don’t get to them daily, they inspire me to be myself, write better blog posts, take better care of myself, try new things and each one of them definitely makes me a whole lot happier when skies are grey.

1. Steph – OrangeSpoken
2. Nanci – This Crazy Life of Mine
3. Jen – From Fat to Finish Line
4. Shannon – Live Like A Bunny
5. Mark – Running, Writing, and Chasing the Dragon
6. Jenni – Life, Love and Marathons
7. Vanessa – Her Heart Proclaims
8. Rebecca – Pretty Little Celiac
9. Jody – Truth2BeingFit
10. Heather – Through Heather’s Looking Glass

Here are my ten questions:

1. Do you prefer to wear jeans/pants or shorts?
2. When others get discouraged when it comes to fitness/health/weight loss, what is your go-to piece of advice?
3. Who is your favorite band/musician?
4. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
5. What is your favorite place in the world you have visited?
6. What is your favorite vegetable?
7. Do you like spicy food?
8. Do you have a pet(s)?
9. How long have you been blogging?
10. What is your favorite quote?

Tell me about you. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Until the next mile marker,

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