You Like Me! You Really Like Me! I Like You, Too!!!!

I was awarded with the 'One Lovely Blog Award' from Celeste at Cooking Creations and Carolyn at All Day I Dream of Food! Two bloggers who with their writing and photos inspire me with each post. Thank you so much ladies for thinking of me! I love blogging and have been on and off since about January. It's such an outlet that Facebook and Twitter can not fulfill! I am inspired by so many other bloggers whether they're foodies, mommas, photographers, and those starting their life with their new mate. I love them all.

Speaking of inspiration, I was inspired by Celeste to go out and purchase a Spaghetti Squash after reading her post Spaghetti Squash and Basil Pesto with Toasted Squash Seeds. I've always wanted to try it, but never did. Her post gave me the extra push, so I did and it was DELICIOUS! I made a Beef Stroganoff to pair it with and 2 out of 3 children loved the squash. I love experiments.

The recipe is from Food and Wine, I highly recommend fanning their page on Facebook! The only change I made was add more wine and I also added a heaping tablespoon of Dijon mustard when I added the sour cream at the end. 

Carolyn, I bought the Reese's candies to try your cookies, but they did not make an hour haha. Will try again next week!! Check out these cookies! Her photography is stunning, and she cooks many low carb, sugar free dishes that will knock your socks off! An awesome blog if you have a celiac or diabetic in your home! Since we're trying to eat low carb, over the Christmas season, it's perfect for us, too! Check it out and get inspired!

Now I would like to pass this lovely award to bloggers who inspired me to blog in the first place. Their blogs ARE lovely and I can say these people are my friends online as well as off. Love these ladies. Check them out!!!

Becca: Living Wright Home

Barbara: Gluten Free By Babs

Serena: Ich Liess Mein Herz in Deutschland

Sonya: Home Cooking with Sonya

Tessie: Falling Flat
Deb: Crafty Bobo

Now, I received this Stylish Blogger Award from Mrs. K over at Learn(ing) to Enjoy the Rain! I am not in the least bit stylish fashionwise! I mean, have you seen my outfits? HEHE! But I GREATLY appreciate it because she thought of me! Love it! Her blog is about her everyday life with her spouse and an array of other subject from college football, being the only person not looking forward to fall (gasp!), learning to sew and array of other subjects that makes you think. The one that got me was adopting a child from every country! Glad I wasn't the only one! I am happy to follow her and you should give her blog a look!

Would like to award my girl Jessica over at Mommyhood Next Right! I love her thoughtful writing about ups and downs of being a first time mom. Her GORGEOUS daughter is 8 months old  and this woman does it all and is a true inspiration to me and I have 3 little ones. She loves to shop (hehe she writes some great posts about that) and anyone is 10000x more stylish than me. Root for her to get that jogging stroller, too!

LAST but most certainl...you know the rest! Kim over at Liv Life tagged me in a foodie questionnaire! Of course I am late as hell, but better late the never. Kim is an awesome blogger. I want to cook everything she posts. It's everything baking, cooking, healthy and comfort. Her photos are gorgeous and her love for her family is quite evident in every post. I hope to get to know her even more :)

Here are her questions for me!

1.  What is your favorite restaurant?

I have 3 young children. I have no favorite restaurant. I rarely ever get out :( If I HAD to choose then I would choose the Leimener Brauhaus up the street from my house. Our children has broke countless amounts of glasses there, yet the staff is friendly and they're always happy to have us back! The food is pretty good, too!

2.  When dining out do you prefer a fancy, dress up affair or casual with flip flops?

I would LOVE fancy, but have to settle for casual. But casual is way more fun anyway!

3.  Do you do fast food?  If so, what is your favorite?

Lately we've been picking up ribs at the commissary to eat at home. Or we go to the Turkish food stand and pick-up a half chicken then serve with those microwavable steamed veg (genius!) or the smiley fries! It's way better than McD's chicken nuggets!

4.  Do you remember one of the first recipes that you ever made?  If so, do you still make it?

The first recipe I made was some smothered pork chops by Emeril. Can not remember the name. All I know is that I was too impatient to wait for the sauce to thicken and added way too much flour and all was left was gloop.  I should try to make it again!

5.  The world is open to you.  A personal private jet with pilot is waiting for your direction...  Where will you go? 

GREECE or Ireland!  Can't choose nope. So since those are more fantasy (sorta), I'd choose the good ol USA to be closer to my family. Miss them crazy folks!

6.  How close do you now live to where you were born?

I live way too far :( I live in Germany and was born and raised in MD

7.  Wine... red, white or bubbly?

I prefer red and sweet

8.  Why did you start blogging?  (an excellent question Raven!) 

I started blogging because I wanted to learn and be inspired (there's that word again!) by others. Ok ok, my friends and family were getting bored of my food speak. My friend Becca blogs and said it'd be a great creative outlet for my food/recipes and humor. Thank you Becca!!!!!

My questions:

What's your favorite pizza topping?

Mayonnaise? Yay or ick?

Which cuisine inspires you the most?

What's your staple dessert?

What is your best kitchen triumph?

What are your favorite staple ingredients?

Did you always cook or did it come to you later in life?

Who's your favorite chef? TV or restaurant.

I would like to tag the following awesome bloggers I must read everyday:

Lazaro Cooks

Peggy- My FIANCE likes it, SO it Must be Good

Lisa- Korean American Mommy

Sonya- Home Cooking With Sonya

Lauren- Foodie House

Marisa- Cook's Book

Rebecca- Living Wright at Home

Rosie- Cooking With Rosie

For more, check out my fan page on Facebook. I believe in giving credit where credit is due! Even more linky love there :)  Plus read and see what I do not blog about. http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Mama-With-Flavor/162142550479144