First up, it’s Friday and you know what that means…happy hour starts early?  Uh, no, at least not yet, for goodness sakes it’s only 7 am.  It’s a blog hop Friday.  If you’re not in on the blog hop business you really should check them out.  What a great way to meet new bloggie friends.  So if you’re here from Friday Follow or Trendy Treehouse then welcome, we’re glad to see you.  Please leave us a note to let us know you were here and what you thought and we’ll be glad to get back to you ASAP.  Now, back to business.

Well my cup truly runneth over.  I have been so touched by the recent outpouring of bloggie love and can’t believe that I’ve received 1, let alone 6 yup count ‘em 6  blog awards.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

First up not one, but two beautiful blogger awards from Cameron at Ingenue Mom and Erin over at Making Memories with your Kids

And to officially accept, you apparently must list 10 facts about yourself that people may not know. This is hard because, let’s face it, I’m an open book, I can’t think of 10 things you don’t know about me.  So…Let’s see…

1. I love Bon Jovi, it’s a left over obsession from high school I’ve never gotten over.  Love love love Bon Jovi.

2. I’m afraid of fish.  Love to eat them, hate to be in the water with them.  No scuba certification for me….ever!

3. I collect aprons.  If you have any you want to give me, send ‘em on over.

4. When I was growing up I never thought I’d want a daughter.  Now that I have three boys, I kind of feel an itch for one.

5. I’m allergic to bees.  Even though I was stung 14 times growing up as a kid without issue I got stung when I was 21 and went into full anaphylactic shock.

6. I have a national championship ring from 1995 when I was the head manager for the Division I National Champion Boston University Terriers Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

7. I love the Twilight books, like a lot, but not so much the movies.  Funny thing, books – Team Edward, Movies – Team Jacob.

8. I don’t love the beach.  I didn’t love it when I was young, and I certainly don’t love it with kids…and sand…in every crevice…of everything.  Guess where I’m going today…sigh.

9. I just caught my first firefly last night with my son, Keegan.  Those things are cool!

10. I hate spinach.  Yup, I do.  You don’t see much of it in my recipes do ya?  My dad hates it, so we never had it in the house growing up.  I’m trying to train myself to eat it.  It’s slow going at best.  But you need to teach the kids by example right?  I’m working on it.

Ok so now i have to pick 10 beautiful bloggers that I must pass this along to.  Well I’m picking 10 foodie bloggers, because what is more beautiful than food, right???

Betty Crapper – great recipes, great name

Butter + Cream – the only thing better than butter and cream is Mary and Allison

Lazaro Cooks – his dishes are unique and stunningly beautiful

I Just Love My Apron – nothing is ever ordinary on this amazing food blog

Jenns Food Journey – love her feel good, real people cooking

Anecdotes and Apple Cores – great stories, great food

Kitchen Belleicious – who doesn’t love a southern belle?

Deep South Dish – because food seems to look and taste better south of the mason dixon

and my two closest foodie bloggie friends who could be my long lost sisters…

Mommie Cooks

and

Annie Bakes

I’ve already given them awards, but really, I just love them.

Ok, moving ever onward…

Next up I was lucky enough to receive the super sweet Sunshine Award from beautiful Candice at Stash Mama

Of course, awards come with rules…

1. Put the award on your blog and/or within your post.

2. Pass the award on to twelve bloggers.

3. Link to the nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you received this award

My 12 nominees: in no particular order who brighten my day on a regular basis are…

The hysterical Cheryl at Mommy Pants, every girl needs a pair.

The very smart Tammy at Tammys Two Cents, she’s kind of a hero of mine.

The witty Rachel at Mommy Needs a Vacation, because who doesn’t?

The adorable Krysten at After I Do because she reminds me of when I was young and cool.

The amazing Katie at Sassy Silly Spunky Momma, you can’t not fall in love with her little man, Drake.

The talented Blonde Duck at A Duck in her Pond, she’s going to be a famous writer one day.

The funny as hell Lori at Lex Loci Lori, she makes me laugh every day.

Her royal highness the Empress at Good Day Regular People.  She’s just a hoot, you gotta check her out and besides she’s royalty.

The super cool Kristy at Pampers and pinot as many of you know, sometimes you just have to combine the two.

The super creative Lacie at Creative Attempts who can make pretty much anything pretty.

The stunning Crystal at Wanna Be Balanced Mom who does an amazing job, well, balancing.

and last but not least

The high spirited Rachel the Kooky Queen at A Little Bit of Kooky because I like my gals with a bit of kook!

And alas we have come to the last of my awards.  The Versatile blogger award from Crystal at My 3 Princes and a Princess and the super cool Nick at A Daddys Take, daddy blogger, so cool, and Beverly at Green Gracie Home.  Goodness gracious, I never knew I was so versatile!

Thanks Crystal, Nick, and Beverly!!!

And here we are again with the rules….

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award.  check…

2. Share seven things about yourself. you got 10 up top, I don’t have 17…

3. Pass this award along to fifteen bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason!

My 15 Fab New Find are as follows…

Singing With Birds – beautiful, colorful, informative

A Latte with Ott, A – enough pep to keep you going all day

The Urban Cowboy – because what’s cooler than a cowboy?

Life Without Pink – we both live with all dudes

Two Maids a Milking – the hubs thinks farm girls are hot

This That and the Other Thing – Blame Canada!

The Butler Way – Frank Sinatra did it my way, they do it The Butler Way

On the Banks of Squaw Creek – we’re scrappers

Making Memories with the McClellens – her boys are adorable

Are You There God, Its Me – she sucked me in with her Judy Blumesque blog name and I was hooked

Saucy B – she is awesome, but don’t call her a Jersey girl

More Than A Mouthful – the man is a chef at high school, he deserves much more than this award

Lil Mop Top – this girl has mad skills

Go 2 The Kitchen – her spirit inspires me

Deckside Thoughts – I want to be Cheryl when I grow up

4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the award. done and done…

Well I hope you all go check out all these fantastic blog reads.  They are great sites, great sources of information and great fun to read.  I can’t tell you how tickled I am that these lovely ladies thought of me, I really am touched to know that there is someone out there, actually reading what I write…crazy huh????

OH OOOOHHHH OHHHH!!!  Good news good news!  I can’t believe it but I just heard that yours truly will be the Featured Blogger at SITS this Friday, April 30th.  I’m so excited I think I just peed…Be sure to swing by and join the party, you’re all invited!

That’s me all Sunshine and Rainbows.  Ok, stop snickering…

I’m so thrilled that the wonderful and talented Lazaro over at Lazaro Cooks chose me for this award.  Thanks Lazaro, and by the way, if you haven’t been by his awesome site you’re missing out.  He is always cooking up something incredible!  And all I have to do to accept this wonderful honor is pass the Sunshine Award on to 12 blogs that I love.  Piece of cake!  And since I’m so inspired by Lazaro Cooks and his incredible foodie delight of a blog I will pass this one on to my favorite food blogs.  And the winners are…ahem, drum roll please….

Steph at Live.Love.Eat I can gain 10 pounds just looking at all her amazing creations!  You have to check it out.

Anne at Annie Bakes Anne is always whipping up something magical, I check her out daily.

Julie at Mommie Cooks When I don’t know what to cook tonight, I always check out Julie’s site.  She’s always got something innovative.

Rachel at Me, Myself, & Pie is teaching herself, and all of us, how to cook lighter and brighter.  She’s doing a great job!

Pamela at Cookies with Boys she’s a great cook with wonderful and beautiful recipes.  Go check her out.

The Ungourmet at The Ungourmet This site always has the greatest recipes coupled with the most amazing photography.  I worship at her photo altar!

The Wife at The Wives with Knives who cooks up some amazing food out there in Oregon Wine Country

Tiffany at Eat at Home Tiffany always has wonderful and practical recipes to get on the table fast

Aimee at Under The Highchair Aimee and her kids are such a treat to watch in their kitchen adventures

Stacie at One Hungry Mama She just moved to this new site and it is looking amazing!

Jenny at Picky Palate is like me and just trying to get her kids to eat, not to mention she’s competed on Food Network competitions.  She’s awesome!

Tina at Mommys Kitchen is incredible and so thorough and I love all her down home dishes.  She even maps out monthly meal plans!

So there you have it, some amazing women and some amazing bloggers.  Please go check them all out, you and your belly, will be so glad you did.  Don’t forget to come back on Friday for my SITS day.  It’s gonna be a great party you don’t want to miss.