Liebster Blog Award part 2
Still on holiday! Still scheduling. I hope you are all having a lovely time.
Today, I am answering Penny's questions. Penny writes The Homemade Heart and has kindly nominated me for this Liebster Award.
Who or what inspired you to start your blog?
I used to make family photo albums but stopped sometime in 2008. Thee are huge gaps in our family history which may never be filled again. Our memories are drifting apart already and a blog seemed like a good way to capture our life. It is of course our life as I see it.
Describe your ideal Friday evening.
I don't have an ideal Friday evening but I do like to sit down with a G&T, knit and maybe watch re-runs of Star Trek. Alternatively, I like to potter in the garden with an audiobook streaming through my head phones.
Which is your favourite room in your house, and why?
I like my bedroom most of all. It is the least messy place in our house and I have beautiful art on the wall and a small sculpture on my dresser that I never tire off. It is a tranquil oasis and I enjoy spending quiet time there. I sometimes even knit in bed.
Do you have a 'signature bake'? Describe it and why you love it.
To be honest, I am not much of a baker but I do make a really good pizza and I like to make "Laugenbrötli". These are soft salty pretzels in the shape of rolls. Come to think of it, these are to die for.
What is your favourite fashion era and why?
I am hopelessly unfashionable and always have been. I am a jeans and T-shirt woman, even when I was working. I wouldn't be able to tell one fashion era from another but I did some research once on the 1970s for a party and dressed up as a stereotypical 1970s housewife. I looked like the lady in the Fairy Liquid advert. Scarily so. Sam is still traumatised. I did stand out at the party, which was populated by disco queens and hippies.
What is your favourite piece of music?
It is a rather obscure piece of music and I would love to hear your opinion if you know it: it is Paganini's Variations on a theme by Rossini played on the cello. It is played on one string only (the A string) and is fascinating. I would love to be able to play it but I don't think I will ever get past the first few bars. Contrasting that, I really like Iggy Pop's album "Brick by Brick".
What was your most loved book as a child?
This is probably not a book many of my readers will know. It is by the Swiss author Franz Caspar and is called "Fridolin - eine lustige Geschichte für Kinder". I remember it well, it had a green cover with a picture of a brown dachshund wearing a red collar. The story is about the adventures of a dog who is searching for his lost (brand new) red collar. I wish I still had the book.
What is your least favourite household chore or task?
Emptying the dishwasher. Always. I once worked in a self serve restaurant and it was my job to collect the trays with dirty dishes, scrape food waste off and stack the dishes in the washer. The turnaround was fast and we had to open the dishwasher immediately after completing the cycle. The steam would get in our face, and with it the most disgusting bleach-and-something-indescribable smell. I lasted one week only. Opening our own dishwasher triggers a very vivid memory of that smell.
Where and when do you like to read?
Anywhere and anytime. I have learnt to catch any spare moment to read a few lines of a book. If I am not too tired I like to read snuggled up in bed after dark. I do listen to audiobooks, which is maybe cheating but it is great to "read" and knit at the same time!
Do you harbour a secret ambition that would surprise your family and friends?
I quite fancy taking up ballet. The thought of me squeezed into a leotard, doing a pas the chat in front of a full size mirror has so far prevented me from starting classes. That and the commitment to weekly classes.
Are you a make-up-every-day girl? Or do you prefer bare faced beauty?
I wear mascara but don't bother with make-up much otherwise. I am not very good at applying make-up and I do have recurring acne which doesn't help. I do own an ancient lipstick and a box of eye shadow for those special social occasions.
I would like to pass the Liebster Award baton to the following bloggers:
Leanne at Today's Stuff. I love Leanne's blog because it is fresh, fun and honest. I also love to go on bloggy walks in Cornwall with her, and visit her garden.
Olivia at The Magic And The Mundane: Liv has my sense of humour and makes me laugh. She is also a mother of four and has a down to earth attitude to life.
Doris at Inspired Follies. I just love, love Doris' writing and hope that one day, mine will be as beautiful. You'll often find a poem or a quote from a book in her posts, which is just lovely.
Jay at My Family And Other Cricketers. Jay makes me laugh. Her travel adventures are not to be missed, although -with a heavy heart for it would be fun- I might say no to a joined holiday due to regular misfortunes on their family travels.
Lastly, here are my 11 questions for Leanne, Liv, Doris and Jay (one I borrowed from Penny, who nominated me). If you feel uncomfortable answering any of these questions, just don't.
Today, I am answering Penny's questions. Penny writes The Homemade Heart and has kindly nominated me for this Liebster Award.
Who or what inspired you to start your blog?
I used to make family photo albums but stopped sometime in 2008. Thee are huge gaps in our family history which may never be filled again. Our memories are drifting apart already and a blog seemed like a good way to capture our life. It is of course our life as I see it.
 |
| I write my blog to remember our recent expedition to the berry picking farm. |
Describe your ideal Friday evening.
I don't have an ideal Friday evening but I do like to sit down with a G&T, knit and maybe watch re-runs of Star Trek. Alternatively, I like to potter in the garden with an audiobook streaming through my head phones.
Which is your favourite room in your house, and why?
I like my bedroom most of all. It is the least messy place in our house and I have beautiful art on the wall and a small sculpture on my dresser that I never tire off. It is a tranquil oasis and I enjoy spending quiet time there. I sometimes even knit in bed.
 |
| An example of the art on my bedroom walls. This is by a Glaswegian artist, Jill Preston. You can also see my wardrobe mirrored in the glass... |
Do you have a 'signature bake'? Describe it and why you love it.
To be honest, I am not much of a baker but I do make a really good pizza and I like to make "Laugenbrötli". These are soft salty pretzels in the shape of rolls. Come to think of it, these are to die for.
What is your favourite fashion era and why?
I am hopelessly unfashionable and always have been. I am a jeans and T-shirt woman, even when I was working. I wouldn't be able to tell one fashion era from another but I did some research once on the 1970s for a party and dressed up as a stereotypical 1970s housewife. I looked like the lady in the Fairy Liquid advert. Scarily so. Sam is still traumatised. I did stand out at the party, which was populated by disco queens and hippies.
 |
| This is my 1970s dress. I do have photos with me wearing it but they are terribly unflattering. |
What is your favourite piece of music?
It is a rather obscure piece of music and I would love to hear your opinion if you know it: it is Paganini's Variations on a theme by Rossini played on the cello. It is played on one string only (the A string) and is fascinating. I would love to be able to play it but I don't think I will ever get past the first few bars. Contrasting that, I really like Iggy Pop's album "Brick by Brick".
What was your most loved book as a child?
This is probably not a book many of my readers will know. It is by the Swiss author Franz Caspar and is called "Fridolin - eine lustige Geschichte für Kinder". I remember it well, it had a green cover with a picture of a brown dachshund wearing a red collar. The story is about the adventures of a dog who is searching for his lost (brand new) red collar. I wish I still had the book.
What is your least favourite household chore or task?
Emptying the dishwasher. Always. I once worked in a self serve restaurant and it was my job to collect the trays with dirty dishes, scrape food waste off and stack the dishes in the washer. The turnaround was fast and we had to open the dishwasher immediately after completing the cycle. The steam would get in our face, and with it the most disgusting bleach-and-something-indescribable smell. I lasted one week only. Opening our own dishwasher triggers a very vivid memory of that smell.
Where and when do you like to read?
Anywhere and anytime. I have learnt to catch any spare moment to read a few lines of a book. If I am not too tired I like to read snuggled up in bed after dark. I do listen to audiobooks, which is maybe cheating but it is great to "read" and knit at the same time!
 |
| This is my "recent" reading pile. It is on the windowsill in the living room. |
Do you harbour a secret ambition that would surprise your family and friends?
I quite fancy taking up ballet. The thought of me squeezed into a leotard, doing a pas the chat in front of a full size mirror has so far prevented me from starting classes. That and the commitment to weekly classes.
 |
| Annie's worn out ballet shoes |
I wear mascara but don't bother with make-up much otherwise. I am not very good at applying make-up and I do have recurring acne which doesn't help. I do own an ancient lipstick and a box of eye shadow for those special social occasions.
I would like to pass the Liebster Award baton to the following bloggers:
Leanne at Today's Stuff. I love Leanne's blog because it is fresh, fun and honest. I also love to go on bloggy walks in Cornwall with her, and visit her garden.
Olivia at The Magic And The Mundane: Liv has my sense of humour and makes me laugh. She is also a mother of four and has a down to earth attitude to life.
Doris at Inspired Follies. I just love, love Doris' writing and hope that one day, mine will be as beautiful. You'll often find a poem or a quote from a book in her posts, which is just lovely.
Jay at My Family And Other Cricketers. Jay makes me laugh. Her travel adventures are not to be missed, although -with a heavy heart for it would be fun- I might say no to a joined holiday due to regular misfortunes on their family travels.
Lastly, here are my 11 questions for Leanne, Liv, Doris and Jay (one I borrowed from Penny, who nominated me). If you feel uncomfortable answering any of these questions, just don't.
- What or who inspired you to start your blog?
- Do you have any pet hates?
- What magazine subscriptions to you have?
- Do you avoid walking under ladders or do you have any other superstitions?
- Describe the art on your living room wall.
- What was the last concert you went to?
- If you could invite one well known person for dinner, who would it be and why?
- What are you wearing just now?
- What type of holiday do you enjoy most?
- What is the naughtiest thing you have done as a child?
- Do you have or did you ever have a role model? Who and why?
Have a lovely day!
Cx
Lovely stuff, Christina! My favourite room is also the bedroom, for the same reasons you mention. I also love reading in bed at night - can't sleep well without this ritual. xxx
ReplyDeleteGreat insight.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of listening to an audio book so that I could knot or crochet as well. I just prop a book up and try to do both at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to read more about you and the answers to your questions! I think that reading and crocheting at the same time with your audio books is a great idea. I listen to the tv and crochet at the same time. I hope that you have a great time away in Cornwall and make lots more lovely family memories! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Christina, a big thank you for answering all my questions so thoughtfully and I did smile when I read that your favourite piece of music is Paganini's Variations on a Theme. I love that piece of music! I think one of the variations was used for a TV programme about the arts in the 70's/80's hosted by Melvin Bragg. I really like your '70's Mum' dress! I'd happily wear that. And I think you should go for the ballet lessons, it's all about how it makes you feel on the inside, after all! Thanks again, and I will now have the pleasure of visiting all the sites you have nominated. Penny X
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, I really enjoyed reading your answers to all of the questions. I'd quite like to take up ballet as well. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI loved learning more about you. Hope you are having a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
Your writing is so enjoyable to read Christina, really enjoyed learning a little more about you. You are a fascinating woman. Of course I've never heard of your favourite piece of music, though I'm going to look it up now, my cultural knowledge extremely scratchy! Enjoy Cornwall.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very obscure piece of music Fiona, and probably the only one I can name!
DeleteThank you for your nomination, Christina. I shall attempt to match your brilliant random facts soon. Some great answers here - I love the painting from your bedroom especially.
ReplyDeleteHi Christina - I hadn't heard of the Liebster Award before but it's been good to read a bit more about you. I love your idea for the 1970s party. So much better to go as a 70s housewife than the usual Abba-inspired disco lover.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're enjoying your holiday. I hope the gorgeous weather holds out for you.
Sarah x
Hi Christina! Thank you for sharing a little bit more about yourself. Our bedroom is the least favourite because it is the most messy! I think we manage to tidy everywhere up, but end up dumping everything into our room - laundry, toys, shoes, toiletries...it is in a right old mess at the moment. I hope I will get around to sorting it out soon. I think you should go to ballet lessons, I know a couple of people who do it and they love it. I also have a friend who does tap dancing and she says it is great fun! Have a lovely weekend, Christina. :) x
ReplyDeleteHi Christine what a great list, I always wanted to be a ballerina although never took a ballet class in my life...yet! Thank you for the nomination, I'll try my best.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you won't consider a trip away with me, I was thinking of popping down to Cornwall to join you on your holiday! ;-)
We are back in Glasgow now but you are more than welcome to join us here! Actually, a holiday with you would be fun and a bit adventurous, too :)
DeleteFun post ... I enjoyed this one. And congrats on your award :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Christina and fantastic to learn more about you :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic post Christina! And I really love your 1970s dress.
ReplyDelete