For some amazing women......

I was greatly honoured today by having the Nice Matters Award bestowed upon me by Jen (in SC-FIAR). Thank you Jen, it was a lovely surprise! It's also the first award I have EVER won!!

So now it's my turn to select 7 women to present this award to.......................

Firstly I'm going to present this award to Tracey http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/a_cottage_industry/ from A Cottage Industry. Tracey just blows me away with what she does. Not only does she have this incredible gift of flair for decorating, she also has a way of writing her blog that makes you feel like you're one of her oldest and dearest friends, sitting chatting with her over a cuppa at her kitchen table. Tracey has dealt with personal issues over the last year with such dignity and honour that it leaves me ashamed of my own petty behaviour at times. You're an inspiration Tracey, both in spirit and in cottage stylin'!

Secondly I'm going to present this award to Tina http://cherryhillcottage.typepad.com/cherryhill_cottage/ from Cherry Hill Cottage. Tina's blog is just the most amazing display of eye candy I've ever seen! She cooks, she crafts, she paints, she decorates. Tina sees something extraordinary out of the ordinary. Then with patience and humor, she kindly shows us in blog land how we can do the same. I'm also inspired by the closeness she shares with her daughter Mika, who also seems to be as talented as her amazing mother! Tina, yours was the first blog I ever saw. I was truly awe struck. Thank you for being all that you are.

Thirdly I'm going to present this award to Cindy http://romantichome.blogspot.com/ from My Romantic Home. Cindy's blog is like a breath of fresh Spring air. It's lightness and beauty dazzle me. Cindy also has the knack of making something from nothing. To see the way she can bring something back to life is fascinating! Her enthusiasm is contagious too. After I read her blog I always feel like I can do almost anything! What you have Cindy is truly a special gift.

The Fourth award I'm going to present is to Leslie http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LeslieNelsen/ from Joyful Mother to 6 Children. Leslie is the most amazing home schooling mother. Even with her youngest gift from Heaven being a special needs child, Leslie still finds time to school her other 5 children, run her home, moderate a home schooling board, and encourage everyone she meets along the way! The way in which Leslie lives her life, the courage and strength she exudes at the most devastating of times, make me want to be a better person. She inspires me to look life in the eye, not with fear, but with calm. Thank you.

The Fifth award I'm going to present is to Jessica http://www.1halfdozen.blogspot.com/ from Half Dozen Girls and A Guy. Jessica is a home schooling mother to 6 daughters. She's the supportive wife of a great guy who proudly serves his country in the Armed Forces. Jessica is also a new mother to 3 additional children. Jess didn't look at her family and say, well 6 is enough, she said, my heart is full but I want it brimming over! Jessica and her husband have recently adopted 2 daughters & one son. Now their family of 9 children is swimming in the pool of love. Jess is inspirational to me because she embraces life with gusto, with compassion, with love, and with a smile. Awesome.

The Sixth award I'm going to present is to Rhoda http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/ from Southern Hospitality. Rhoda has this terrific sense of style. She just seems to have an eye for creating the beautiful. She must surely be a wonderful cook because she's shared the most DELICIOUS recipes on her blog. Rhoda's heart seems to me to be open, and honest, and sweet. She seems like the kind of lady we'd all like for a good friend. I can just imagine her opening the front door wide open and taking a stranger by the hand to be her friend. Naturally a lovely southern accent will flow like honey, warm & familiar, to say "welcome".

The Seventh award I'm going to present is to Kim http://deardaisycottage.typepad.com/ from Daisy Cottage. Kim has this magical gift of creating a warm, beautiful, nurturing environment that just leaps out at you from the screen. I feel very at home and peaceful when I'm virtually in her home for a short visit each day. I love the way in which she makes elegance seem effortless. Kim's style is classic, it's comforting. It's timeless. In her unassuming way, she show cases everything that is the epitome of class.

Now I know you are only to choose 7 people to tag for the award, but it's my blog and I'll award if I want to! lol This lady is a dear friend of mine IRL. She doesn't have a blog, but she does read mine. So Maria, this is for you.............

Maria is the kindest woman I've met in real life. She's an amazing mother to 4 children, a teenager & 6yr old triplets! And even though one of her children has special needs, she faces each day with THE most up beat of attitudes. Even when life throws her a curve ball, she stands solid, she acts with love and compassion, and she ALWAYS greets you with the biggest smile. Her laughter, her humor and her out look on life make me feel rejuvenated when I've spent time with her. She's just the best. Maria you're awesome!

I'm glad that I've had the opportunity and the honour of awarding this blog to some truly awesome and inspirational women. To anyone else who's reading this blog, please consider yourself tagged too!