In recent days, among the gifts I received were 2 award nominations from fellow bloggers and I feel honored and fortunate to have received both. In the past, I’ve incorporated awards into some recipe-bearing post. This time around, because I, also, have my own “Thank You!” notes to pen, I thought I’d devote an entire post to the matters at hand.
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Recently, Sharyn of The Kale Chronicles was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award — and rightly so, I might add. (Do visit the talented Sharyn on her blog. She’s serving up quite a bit more than kale and it’s her very own, beautifully colored watercolors, included in every post, that sets her blog apart from all others that I read.) In turn, Sharyn was kind enough to honor me with a nomination for the same award. Since it wasn’t that long ago that I was nominated for the VBA, I thought I’d just post a link to my previous answers. This doesn’t mean, Sharyn, that I am any less honored nor appreciative of your kindness. Thank you very much.
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Claire, whose Promenade Plantings offers a wonderful mix of recipes and gardening advice, just happens to be shushing about the Alps these days but still she found time to nominate me for the Reader Appreciation Award. Since this award is new to me, I will gratefully accept it, fulfill its obligations, and then pass it along. As I understand them, the rules are fairly simple and these have been copied directly from Claire’s post. (I hope you don’t mind, Claire, but why re-invent the wheel?)
- Award your top 6 bloggers who have commented the most.
- Be thankful.
- You cannot award someone who has already been awarded. And you cannot give the award back to me.
- Don’t forget to tell the bloggers you’ve awarded.
- If you don’t want to pass on this award, that’s okay to. Just admire it.
I hope that these nominations aren’t re-nominating anyone that recently won the award but, here goes …
No list of my readers would be complete without mentioning Greg and his Rufus’ Food and Spirit Guide. He was my first commenter and his encouragement meant, and continues to mean, a great deal. With Katherine, their blog is jam-packed with great recipes & tips, a must read every day. Tanya and her Chica Andaluza blog has not only encouraged me but it was her jam recipe that started me headed down Canners’ Row. I’m convinced that Linda of Savoring Every Bite is the “missing” Sister that my Older Brother often said was sold to the circus. We just have to be related since our families’ tales and practices are often one and the same. Mandy daily serves up good, often restaurant-quality dishes from The Complete Cook Book. Living in South Africa, her Summer is just beginning and I’ve promised myself, here in Chicago where Winter is getting underway, not to hold it against her. Next I would like to nominate a blog that features both food and photography. Roger’s Camerahols / Food, Photography & France features some stunning photographs of his surroundings in France. Whether the subject matter is some ingredient, a dish, a glimpse into a room, or the countryside, his photos never fail to catch my eye and capture my imagination. Lastly, but certainly not least, is the Ruth E. Hendricks Photography blog. With her camera always at the ready, Ruth shares photos of her family, each obviously shot with love and care, as well as photos from around Pittsburgh that always depict her city in the best light.
I hope I’ve not offended anyone by not including a name in my list of nominees. Ours is a relatively small blogging community inhabited by some very talented people. If you’re not on my list of nominees, you will surely be on someone else’s within days. Whether nominated here or elsewhere, I am quite thankful for the support this blog receives with every entry I post and to Claire, of course, for giving me this award.
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And Now a Special “Thank You!”
With Christmas just passed, some special thanks are in order. Many of my gifts this year had a condiment theme, thanks to this blogging community. Inspired by Tanya and her Chica Andaluza blog, I made 2 batches of ketchup, 1 spicy and the other “inferno grade”. Inspired by Mandy and The Complete Cook Book, I made 2 kinds of whole grain mustard, 1 with Guinness Stout and another non-alcoholic. I couldn’t ignore Max’s buds so, inspired by Linda’s recipe over at Savoring Every Bite, I made a couple batches of peanut butter dog biscuits for our furry friends. And, to all who encouraged me to attempt canning last Summer, I can tell you that it really did pay off. Along with everything else, everyone received jars of grape jelly and strawberry jam. (Who’da thunk?) Lastly, but certainly not least, I included what will one day be recognized as the Eighth Wonder of the World, a jar of chocolate peanut butter. No, I did not make it but I intend to figure out how to do it! So, to Tanya, Mandy, Linda, my fellow canners, and the good people at Peanut Butter & Co. (this is an unpaid endorsement), I say thank you. In a very real way, you helped to make my Christmas possible.
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from the Bartolini kitchens 
Congrats on the awards John! They are all well-deserved. 🙂 I’m looking forward to checking out some of the blogs you mentioned that I’m not familiar with yet. Hope you’re having a great week!
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Thank you, Kristy, and please do check out the blogs. I think you’ll find them as enjoyable as I do. 🙂
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John, you are simply the BEST! Honestly, with my family so far from me, I feel the love from you and your family and so many other bloggers! Katherine is convinced I’m Greg’s long lost cousin and now I’m your missing sister, but my question is, why was I sent to the circus??? 🙂 You beat me to making dog biscuits this year, I have alot of sad furry friends who didn’t get their treats. I’ll have to make it up to them beginning this new year. You and your blog are totally deserving of both of these awards and I’m flattered that you thought of me. Thank you so very much and I send to you the warmest holiday wishes!!
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Thank you, Linda, for your comments here and for all of your encouragement since you first came across my blog. I really do appreciate your support. I truly enjoy your blog; so many of your memories mirror my own. Last Monday, a few of us were invited to dinner with the Italian side of my Trusty Traveling Companion’s family. I felt like I was back home, seated at a table of some 15 or 16 people celebrating the holidays. The dinner started with antipasti of olives, Insalata Caprese skewers, lunch meats & cheeses; then came the Sunday Gravy, made with pork, meat balls, and sausage; of course, there was a big platter of mostaccioli, along with a fresh salad. As the last plates were cleaned, out came the breaded chicken breasts with a green bean & carrot contorno. Dessert was tiramisu or cheese cake. I was in heaven and I’m sure you would have been, too. We certainly do share a rich heritage!
(BTW I tried to send you an email, informing you of the award but it was returned as undeliverable to your email address.)
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Wow…I wish I was there! That truly is a meal that brings back memories! And I can only imagine how wonderful everything tasted! Yes, I’d have been in heaven and smiling all the way!! (how weird on the email, I will try to send to you)
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As a tester in the Bartolini Kitchens I must add my thanks as well and best wishes for more of the same in 2012!
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Another satisfied taster! Thanks for chiming in, Jake!
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Hahaha, love that your sister was shipped off to the circus (sorry Linda):) Your blog is well-deserving of these awards and now I’m off to visit a few of the new ones I hadn’t read yet:)
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Thank you, Smidge, and, yes, that lie was only one of the many indignities visited upon us by my older brother, who took his role as Chief Tormentor very seriously. Enjoy your stroll among the blogs!
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Thank you, John, for your kind words about my watercolors. And congratulations on receiving the Reader Appreciation Award — it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Wishing you an early Happy New Year — I’m off today to a “retreat” with three hundred folk musicians.
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A gathering of 300 folk musicians? I hope the “retreat rules” will permit nightly jam sessions. What a great way to end the day! I hope you have a wonderful time!
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Well, it’s only a retreat in that we leave the rest of the world behind. Basically, all we do is eat, jam, dance, sing and sleep a little — very little (but some of us take naps in the afternoon).
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I didn’t realize I was your first commenter. I remember every time I came it was like wow. Of course it’s still like that, but I expect to be wowed. Katherine swears Linda is my long-lost cousin by the way. Thanks for your kind words and for singling out some great bloggers too.
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Well, more importantly, you came back — again and again — and each time you left an encouraging word. As I said, it meant a lot to me then, and continues to mean a lot to me now. Thanks to you both!
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What a fantastic line up and how exciting that you received this award as well. And you have stolen a good number of my favourites too!! Clever of you to get in first!! However, lucky for me there are so many fantastic and darling bloggers out there.. Beginning a blog has been one of the most important choices I made this year! Love, love darlin. I must away to my own thank you’s! It is hard to only choose a few.. c
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Ya snooze, ya lose, Sister! There is an upside to insomnia. Who knew?
Actually, I did check a few times to see whether you, Karen, or Marie posted your lists while I was composing mine. And you’re right. We are lucky to be surrounded by so many talented bloggers in our “pool” and I feel honored to be nominated with blogs, like your own, that I thoroughly enjoy reading and sharing. And I, also, agree that starting this blog was definitely a worthwhile thing to do then and even more so now. I’ve found it to be very rewarding.
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Congratulations John! So well deserved! I first came to appreciate you through the comments you left for other bloggers, always witty or charming or just plain smart! Kudos to you! So happy you’re writing!
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What a kind thing to say! Thank you so much! This whole blogging experience has been a wonderful endeavor and, even after a year, it has that “new” feel about it. I continue to be rewarded in ways I’d never have dreamt possible. Awards would definitely fall into that category! 🙂
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Reading your post and the responses is a real pleasure John. Its great to share, but I wish I could have included many more in my awards, maybe we should create a new one….. ?
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Thank you, Claire, both for your kind comments and for nominating me. Although I, too, would love to be able to nominate more, we are, luckily, surrounded by very talented individuals. If they are not nominated today, they will most certainly gain the recognition tomorrow. And, in the process, through them we just might be introduced to some more talented people. 🙂
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John, I always enjoy reading your blogs and all your family memories – as well as trying your recipes and delighting my family with the results! You are very deserving of any and all awards! And I find great new blogs with your lists! It’s a win-win situation!
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Thank you, Phyllis, for the compliments. Blogging for me wouldn’t be nearly so rewarding if not for people like yourself, who don’t just open up your recipe book but your home and travels, as well. That’s my win-win!
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Yes, it is an honor to be chosen by you John. I am appreciative of your wonderful comments on my photographs. I am grateful for the readers of my blog and have “met” quite a few in recent months. When I first started (825 posts ago) I had 20 readers and most were family I coerced to view it. Now the community of bloggers, readers and commenters has multiplied and the exchange of experience, recipes, photos, memories has been stimulating and informative.
AND pleasurable and fun!
So thanks again for the award and watch tomorrow’s blog for proper recognition and gratitude to you.
Best,
Ruth in Pittsburgh
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You are very welcome, Ruth. I so enjoy your blog. Where else can I see everything from a cookie table to a movie set to a boy in a box? Every day it’s something new and I’m never disappointed. I look forward to reading your nominations.
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Signore, a deeply deserved double honor. So pleased for you–and for those who will now meet you and see the beauties of your blog through the shared links from those recognizing you and your wonderful and very edible work!
Cin-cin! Salute!
And all of the other Italian cheers and accolades that I would probably use even more improperly but with no less heartfelt enthusiasm.
Kathryn
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That was kind of you, Kathryn, thank you but you needn’t worry about using Italian improperly. First off, your Italian was at least as good as mine would have been and, secondly, you did far better in Italian than I ever could in Norwegian. About the only Norwegian I know is “skol” but I’m sure it’s misspelt and missing one of those weird punctuation marks you Northerners re-invent every winter to confuse us in the South. 🙂
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If you know “cheers” in any language, that’ll do, no?? 🙂
Skål! (You did get the word right, my man.)
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An honor very well-deserved, John. I really do look forward to reading your posts! And I look forward to reading all of your highly recommended blog suggestions. Each one looks very interesting! A nice way to end one year and begin another 🙂 Debra
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Thank you, Debra, and you’re right. This was a very nice way to end the year. Let’s hope 2012 is good for us all!
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Congratulations on all your awards. They are so very well deserved because yours is an excellent blog.
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And thank you for stopping by to leave so nice a comment. 🙂
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A big congratulations and a one woman, two dog Mexican Wave is coming your way from Up the Mountain! Well deserved John and thanks for nominating me…very exciting indeed 🙂 am looking forward to checking out some of the blogs I don´t yet know…and I love the story your Older Brother told you!
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Thank you Tanya for your kind words and the image of you and your pupsters doing The Wave from Up the Mountain. I’ve been chuckling ever since I read that and it sure is helping to get my day started on the right foot! 🙂
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And congrats to you, well deserved!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Congratulations on the awards, John! You certainly get my vote for my own reader appreciation award…I always look forward to your posts and your wit, and enjoy your family stories and recipes so much…as well as the adventures of Max. Cheers to you, and I wish you a very Happy New Year!
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And as a P.S. I’m on my way to check out Ruth E. Hendrick’s Photography…a new one to me, thanks!
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It’s a good one; you’ll love it! 🙂
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Thank you so much, Betsy. I feel honored, not just for having received the awards but by people, like yourself, who stop by and take time to comment whenever I post a recipe. This is all so unexpected but very much appreciated. I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2012, Betsy!
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Congrats on the awards! Definitely well deserved, love your style of writing and the way you talk about your childhood memories! Looking forward to reading the other bloggers you mentioned! Happy New Year!
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Thank you so much and I do hope you can spare some time to check out the blogs. Like yours, they each bring something a little different to the table and I enjoy reading them. And a Happy New Year to your & yours!
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Congratulations John! Your blog is always a treasure to read and the recipes are equally as invaluable.
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Thank you, Geni, for your lovely comments.
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Thank you again for passing the award onto me John. I will pay the love forward soon, Family and friends are still in the mix here so blogging time is still at a minimum.
🙂 Mandy
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You’re very welcome, Mandy, and there’s no need to rush your response. It’s the holidays and your attention is, understandably, focused elsewhere. The awards can, and should, wait. Have a Happy New Year, Mandy, to you and all you hold dear.
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John, I realize it’s a duplicate and I hope you won’t mind, but I’ve nominated you also for the Versatile Blogger Award.
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Mind? Why would I mind? It is an honor to be nominated and I’m very appreciative of being named by you. Thank you very much for thinking of me and my blog for the award.
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Congrats and have a great New Years my friend!
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Thanks, Jed, and here’s wishing you, Liz, and yours the very best of New Years!
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Pingback: “Thank You” is an Excellent Exit Line. Or Opener. Oh, Both, of Course! | kiwsparks
Pingback: Many Reasons to Give Thanks « Chica Andaluza
Happy New Year, and if you haven’t seen it yet, I wanted to acknowledge your great contribution to my enjoyment of blogging this year both here and ‘at my place’:
http://kiwsparks.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/thank-you-is-an-excellent-exit-line-or-opener-oh-both-of-course/
Consider it a no-strings-attached blog award of my own to you!
Kathryn
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Thank you, Kathryn. Making your acquaintance, along with a few others. has been the high-point of my 2011. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2012 has in store for us all!
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Congratulations on your awards John..they are so deserved..
Your blog and posts are a true joy and I have learned so much from you and look forward to your every post
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Thank you, Sawsan. I feel much the same way about your blog. You’ve opened a door to a cuisine that I know little about. Your dishes are always so beautifully presented and photographed. I can only imagine how good they must taste!
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