Monday, October 5, 2009

Awards, Giveaway, Chocolates and Launcing of ARK


Today is a great day to make someone's day, because for most of us Mondays become the day we dread the most. It becomes the beginning of a long work week for some, projects and deadlines come calling, school begins again for kids for another week, and so Monday because the scapegoat for all things we don't like. We can blame it on a Monday. However, I want change that and make Monday's special.

To start it off, I wanted to pass along an award, I received from Hearts Make Families, a wonderful new blog I discovered last week. I love her blog, so much love and warmth can be found in each and every post she has written. It's no wonder she received this award.

To pass along this award, you need to locate 15 blogs that you feel fall into a category of being inspiring, motivated and leave you with a good feeling whenever you stop by or when they leave you the most wonderful comments. I have included a short caption as to why I felt their blog deserved this award as well, and here are my winners for today:

1. Loren at The Magoo's News. ~ Always positive no matter what is going on in her life.

2. Greg at Greg's General Store ~ Has the best attitude despite life's circumstances.

3. Steve at Gotta Have Faith. ~ created an award to honor moms!

4. Billy Coffey at What I Learned Today. ~ The best stories you will ever read from a dad.

5. Five Moms and A Blog ~ Inspiration to Moms everywhere.

6. Amy at Filled with Praise ~ Trying to raise funds to adopt a child to her family.

7. Michelle at Psalm 104:24 ~ I am always a changed person each time I visit her blog.

8. Kim at Homesteaders Heart ~ for her love of friends and chocolate.

9. Dandy at Spontaneous Clapping ~ For her variety of things she posts about.

10. Wendy at Weight What? ~ For always making me laugh!

11. Kat at Art's Chili ~ for the most creative family I know.

12. LV at Thoughts from Meme's Corner ~ No matter your age, this beautiful lady is always finds the bright side of life.

13. Mari at My Little Corner of the World ~ For taking us on virtual vacations with incredible pictures.

14. Beth at An Instrument for His Glory ~ For all our prayer requests

15. Kurt at Some Things I Have Learned ~ For always keeping us challenged.


In addition to this wonderful day, I was selected by chocolate.com to receive some chocolate samples from their wonderful company and blog about the results.I had heard about this from Kim at Homesteader's Heart and since I too can't resist having chocolate at least once a day knew this was something I had to try.

I received a box on Wednesday with a Milk Chocolate Bar, a Dark Chocolate with Coffee pieces in it, chocolate covered coffee beans and two selections of dark chocolates. One was with honey, dark rum and orange, and the second was black currant. We had a blast sampling all the different flavors.

My oldest daughter loved anything that combined coffee and chocolate together. My youngest loved the milk chocolate the best. Hubby preferred the black currant and dark chocolates and I, well loved the Orange, Honey and Dark Rum dark chocolates. Its a great company with so many different chocolates to chose from. Please visit their site today if you haven't yet. Who knows perhaps you may be selected to be the next chocolate blogger.


Next my winner of Seaside Letters book giveaway was Kelly from Kelly's Ideas. It was her first giveaway win so it was super special to be her first. Please stop on over to congratulate her.

By the way if you haven't noticed by new header, I have to thank Steve at Gotta Have Faith for custom designing a header for me that invites you to come in and have a seat next to the fire and let's have a heart to heart with coffee! He is amazing at his talents!


Lastly, if you haven't had the opportunity to check out my latest venture in the blogging world, please sign up at A.R.K. for God. It's a blog that I want all of us to share our experiences in doing Acts of Random Kindness for people. If you want to submit something to post, I would be more than happy and honored to have anyone do a guest blog post! The idea is to make a difference in the world through one act of random kindness. Hopefully it will generate a response that causes a chain reaction among people to pass it on. Please join us in making a difference and changing our world one act of random kindness at a time for God. By the way, if you like the ARK's header, it was designed by Caitlyn at Teenlife.

Have a wonderful Monday and pass along the goodness today! Don't let the enemy steal your joy!

27 comments:

Thena said...

Congratulations on the award!!! you definetly deserve any and all that you get. I "LOVE" the new layout. Makes you want to grab a cup of hot chocolate and and just enjoy the view.

~*Michelle*~ said...

Congrats on your award (and that yummy chocolate!) and thank you so much for passing it along to me...you always make me smile and I, too, am blessed with every visit to your place.

Thanks for sharing these awesome blogs too, many I recognize, but there are some new friends that I can't wait to make. :)

LOVE your new look.....so pretty and welcoming.

Mich said...

Congrats on the awards.

I like the new look.

Darcie said...

Congratulations on your awards!

It looks like you blessed many people today, and now thier Monday and week are off to a great start. Fun.

I am drooling on my keyboard...over the chocolates, yummy. Off to check out your new blog. Happy Monday to you!

SusanD said...

I LOVE your new header! It's beautiful and inviting. Your new blog idea is fabulous. I'll hop on over as soon as I have the time. Have a great week. Blessings, SusanD

Loren said...

thankyou my dearest sweetest kindest friend! I just love you and you are sooo deserving of this award and tell Steve and Caitlyn they did AMAZING on these new blog looks!!!!

Thanks for making this Monday not soo drab!

love you soooo!

Andrea said...

Congratulations! and GOD BLESS, andrea

Wendy said...

Congrats on your award! And thanks for passing it along! :o)

Love the idea for the new blog!

Still Learning said...

Oh my goodness, you have so much going on don't you? Congrats on the award too.

I will have to go check out all of those blogs. They all sound wonderful.

Have a great day,

Jenn

Five Moms & A Blog said...

Oh, thank you for thinking of us over at Five Moms & A Blog, Kat.

We love awards and love our followers. We'll be sure to post it soon!

~Erica

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Congratulations on everything, the award, the chocolates, your new blog and OMG that header is so beautiful. I want to be there!!!

RCUBEs said...

Congratulations sister Kat! I love your new header. It caught my eyes right away and immediately felt that "cozy" kind of feeling...Next time, I'll bring you some java. :)

That would be interesting if you did post about "backsliding"...Have a great day and God bless.

Kelly said...

I love your new layout. It is beautiful!!!

LV said...

Thank you so much for this wonderful award. I do not know of too many more deserving than you, so to be a part of that group really is touching. Blessings are being sent you way. I am sure there are many others out there to share this great award with.

Mari said...

I noticed your new header right away. It's beautiful and is so inviting!
Congrats on the award and thanks for passing it one!

Lori said...

Congrats on all your goodies and awards!!!

Thanks for entering my giveaway! Good luck

Heidi said...

Congrats on your award and congrats to all the great bloggies who received it from you!

I love your deck. I'll take one of those. I have the woods in back that it can overlook. How'd you do that?

Heart2Heart said...

The picture of the deck overlooking the lake is simply a future wish. When hubby was designing my header he asked what I envisioned it to look like. I told him I wanted a place overlooking a lake in the mountains with some chairs that looked inviting.

Lets just say, he did good. Anyone ready for some coffee, hot chocolate or hot apple cider while we chat? I even have blankets that can keep us warm in case the weather gets chilly.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Denise said...

Congrats on your award. You are definitely a joy giver sweetie, bless you.

Denise said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laurie said...

Congrats on the award. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new layout! Wish I could jump into the actual setting... Love ya, Laurie

christy rose said...

Congrats on the award. you definitely inspire us all Kat! And, to all you passed it along to. And, to Kelly for winning your giveaway.

Yum about the chocolate!! How fun is that!

Hope you have a great week!
Christy

Dandy said...

I just came back to read the comments and realized my original one never went thru.

Thank you so much on the lovely award. The new layout is fantastic!! I can't wait to check out the other site.

LisaShaw said...

Congratulations to all and love your ARK heart!

Blessings!

wife.mom.nurse said...

I LOVE your new header. Love, love, love it!

I just want to walk over and take a seat.

Congrats to you, award winner...you deserve it!

Amy said...

Thank you friend. I am sorry I am so delayed in congratulating you and offering my thanks. Things have been really busy around her with all of the adoption paperwork. So, I apologize for not commenting as much lately. You are such a sweet friend and I am so thankful for you.
Blessings,
Amy

Miti said...

Thanks Kat for the award you gave us moms at the Five Moms and a Blog! I'm so lucky to have found them. They are an inspiration to me too.