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I Am A Lucky Girl: A Package And Two Awards

Warning: this post is about giving thanks and paying it forward.

What you see is the content of the package put together by Rachel of Coconut and Lime for the Blogging By Mail – Your Favorite Things event hosted by Stephanie, blogging sorceress extraordinaire from Dispensing Happiness. I am indeed a lucky girl as it seems that many of Rachel’s favorites are also mine…especially the Fuzzy CocaCola Haribo candy which are all gone by now! I also love dried mangosteen and the bag is slowly dwindling down to crumbs, frou frou drink umbrellas, ginger candies and pomegranate body lotion. Things I love but never had in this form: popcorn on the cob (just pop in the microwave!), and mango ketchup. Thank you Rachel!

I also want to thank Barbara from Winos and Foodies for the lovely package I received a couple of months ago. Thanks to her, an herb garden has taken on a whole new meaning. We’ll see what next year’s crop give us!

I know you are with me on this: blogging is much more than baking/cooking, taking pictures and writing a nice blurb about a recipe or an event. It’s about interactions and frienships that transcend our small computer screens and touch us, move us, make us happy, sad and giddy.

When Blogger named me blog of note in July, people started coming out of nowhere and everywhere to tell me they had been reading this blog, when I posted the Amaretti recipe I received over 30 emails with requests for the recipe. I was surprised, touched because they were from people I did not know but who shared a common love for sweets and desserts. Thus, I try to pay it forward by answering your mail and although I can’t answer to all your comments I do try to answer your questions and suggestions. I apologize if I am slow in answering your mail…I will eventually…I hope that cake recipe is not a matter of life and death and that it can wait another week or so.

What surprised me the most was that I have given two awards by people I admire greatly. Lisa, my "other woman", awarded me a Schmooze award .


Lisa thinks I am worthy of an award created to "recognize people who have a positive influence on the blogging community by developing and nurturing relationships. You know β€” commenting on other’s blogs, joining in on and sustaining a β€œblogversation.”" Now it’s my turn to pay it forward by extending it to 5 other people:
– Belinda from What’s Cooking In A Southern Kitchen: this lady is always around to leave a commnet, suggestion, give support and she cooks yummy things all the time!
– Guillemette from Chocolat & Caetera: despite the obvious crush I have for her, she has the ability to bring people together through mounds of cream and chocolate as well as showcasingsother people’s talents by re-creating their dishes in her kitchen and screaming out lud thorugh beautiful pictures "ya’ll should give this a try, it’s goooood" and I always fall for it and she’s right!
– Barbara from Winos and Foodies: she is a far better penpal than I could ever be, she was my first BBM partner as a matter of fact. She constantly promotes awareness for cancer and cancer event and has flawless taste in foods and restaurants.
-Ivonne from Cream Puffs in Venice: it’s not because she tried to seduce me with a cake that I think she deserves this, but along with Lisa, she is at the foundation if the ever growing Daring Baker group and adventures as well as countless events. She is one of the ambassador of fine Italian cooking, and bloggers in all countries.
– Bea from La Tartine Gourmande: beside the obvious reason that we are both from the same country and somewhat thinking about the same foods, Bea is always there to give help about cooking techniques, food design and photography. She promotes blogging dialogue and interactions everyday in her posts.

Then, this week Meeta from What’s For Lunch Honey, gave me with the Thoughful Blogger award for β€œthose who answer blog comments, emails, and make their visitors feel at home on their blogs. For the people who take others’ feelings into consideration before speaking out and who are kind and courteous. Also for those bloggers who spend so much of their time helping other bloggers design, improve, and fix their sites. This award is for those generous bloggers who think of others.” (quote from her site). I want to give it back to her because she has provided me with countless suggestions, tips and more on how to improve the look of my blog and more but I feel I should pass this one on too:


– Mary from Alpine Berry: I wish I could meet her in person and give her a great big hug. She has worked hard behind the curtains on our Daring Baker project, but she has also provided me with great info and tips on certain blog template issues that I had. She is also one of the most courteous and thoughtful ladies I know in the bloggosphere.
-Lisa from La Mia Cucina: despite the obvious reason that I now have a friend for life, and contrary to what the bold mouthy style of her blog, I always admire her for the way she handles people and their feelings. When I want to scream "oh c’mon" I always wonder "how would Lisa say it?" The woman is a real gem for international diplomacy I tell you!
– Tanna from My Kitchen In Half Cups: the woman must not sleep! She is always around to comment at the oddest hours of the day. I tried to spot her around at 2am and gave up… and there she was at 2.15am giving someone else a high five on a dessert they did not think was good enough to be blogged about. My memory fails me now on who, but trust me…I could have kissed her! She is one of the wisest woman I know out there and always turn to her in times of crisis and good times as well.
– Deborah from Taste and Tell: no matter what I ramble about, she is always around the corner cheering me on as well as coutless others with the sweetest words. She is an ambassador of international relationships.
– Gilly from Humble Pie: fellow writer of the Daily Tiffin, she is always there when I ask for blogging advice, bread recipe (her oatmeal bread is now a staple at our house). Her kindness, toughfulness and impeccable taste push me to be a better blogger.

There are tons of other people I would love to pass these awards on but I am sure that the people mentioned in this post will do a fine job at passing the torch along. Thanks for reading this long post but I had to give thanks when blessed by so much kindness.

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Comments


Karen Baking Soda August 12, 2007 um 7:39 am

Teehee Helène, you must be walking on clouds these days! Congrats on all these well-deserved awards!
That’s a fun bbm-package you got there, enjoy!


MyKitchenInHalfCups August 12, 2007 um 9:02 am

Sounds like Rachel knows your heart. The popcorn on the cob has always fascinated me. And now I must seek out mango ketchup. The new herb meanings are fun.
It seems constantly I’m surprised by what blogging has done for me and none of it was what I anticipate.
Congratulations on the Schmooze and thoughtful blogger awards! And thank you for such incredible words of kindness and the thoughtful blogger award I will try to pass it around!


Barbara August 12, 2007 um 9:24 am

Oh Helen thank you. I’m honoured to be included with such fabulous bloggers. And congratulations to you on both well deserved awards.

I’m looking forward to pics of the herb garden someday πŸ˜‰


Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) August 12, 2007 um 11:05 am

Congrats on all of your awards — and you can celebrate with those teeny tiny umbrellas (what a cool thing to include in a BBM package!) in some sort of lovely drink.


Jenny August 12, 2007 um 1:26 pm

Well done Helen! You deserve both your awards!
Your BBM package looks great! Well done Rachel!


Meeta K. Wolff August 12, 2007 um 3:53 pm

I think of myself as a lucky girl for having the good luck to get to know you – even though it’s just virtual for now. I hope one day we can change that!


2OrlandosandaWegener August 12, 2007 um 5:11 pm

Hello!
I’m Gillian. Congratulations on your awards and thank you for your most excellent blog. I made your strawberry mirror cake yesterday and had so much fun doing it! It turned out tasting great and was beautiful to boot. Checking your blog every few days is something I really look forward to doing. Thanks for all the time and effort and joy you put into your projects.
Sincerely, Gillian


Anonymous August 12, 2007 um 6:06 pm

merci helene c’est vraiment adorable *smiley rougissant*
surtout que je suis une grande fan de ton blog, de tes photos, de tes recettes (bon et je dis pas ca parce que tu m’as cite hein ;o)


Anita August 12, 2007 um 8:41 pm

Helene, congrats on all those well-deserved awards! You are definitely a beloved and inspirational pillar of our blogging community – you’ve always been so helpful and generous to me, I know!


Nora B. August 12, 2007 um 8:53 pm

Congratulations on all your awards, all very much well-deserved.

Have a terrific week ahead!


Cynthia August 12, 2007 um 9:34 pm

Congrats on all your awards. I also awarded you just yesterday, the Schmooze Award πŸ™‚ You can check my blog for it.

Lots of hugs to you my friend.


Alpineberry Mary August 13, 2007 um 12:07 am

Thanks for your very kind words. Virtual hug right back at ya Helene! =)


Anonymous August 13, 2007 um 2:21 am

Helen,

Thanks so much for your kind words. I think you know well that indeed, you and I share a lot of little life things that make us closer. Coming to read your blog is always a moment I look forward. Your sensibility is touching, and of course, your baking skills fantastic! Comme une petite soeur sur le meme continent πŸ˜‰ Merci!


Anonymous August 13, 2007 um 2:50 am

Congratulations on the awards. You so deserve them! You and your blog are a model for how I would like my blog to be. Fun, inspiring, and always kind.


Lis August 13, 2007 um 3:06 am

Awww you sweet, sweet girl =) Thank you for such kind words, the feeling is so very mutual!

You are SO DESERVING of these awards and I’m just tickled for you. πŸ˜€

Now that package.. I’m quite envious! Now I must look for some fuzzy soda candy! Yum! And since I am chit chatting with you on yahoo right now, I’ll ask what mangosteen is there. hahaha!

xoxxo


Jerzee Tomato August 13, 2007 um 4:58 am

amaretti recipe? where where. I want I want!!! The pic was a tease. Gimme Gimme


Peabody August 13, 2007 um 5:46 am

Oh I love gummy colas. I have never had the fizzy kind though.


Rachel August 13, 2007 um 4:59 pm

I’m glad you liked it all! Did you like the towel? I have the same one!


Patricia Scarpin August 13, 2007 um 6:26 pm

Wonderful package, wonderful sender and wonderful receiver = perfect combination.


Anonymous August 13, 2007 um 7:51 pm

You’re so right – food blogging is definitely a community – that’s why I love it so much! Congratulations. πŸ™‚


Anonymous August 13, 2007 um 7:53 pm

By the way, did you change your blog’s masthead recently, or am I just the least observant person in the world? If so, I like it! Great pictures!


Blame It on Paris August 13, 2007 um 8:19 pm

The blogging by mail looks like so much fun! I wish I had known about it beforehand.

And of course you are right about blogging. For me, that is the fun of it–making connections I never imagined before I started blogging. I reach people. Or maybe it would be better to say that I am open to letting people reach me back in a way that writing books alone would not let me be reachable.

Congratulations on your rewards! You deserve them!


Amy August 13, 2007 um 9:07 pm

Congrats on the awards, you totally deserve them! What a lovely package you got too, so many tasty things and I love little umbrellas! I have never seen popcorn on a cob, I’ll have to keep an eye out for that.


Anonymous August 14, 2007 um 9:55 am

Well done, Helen those awards are very well deserved. It’s great when people recognise your hard work (I know so well, how many hours it can take to put a post together). Keep it up. J’adore lire ton blog!


Anonymous August 14, 2007 um 11:57 am

Congratulation on all the awards and accolades! πŸ™‚ They are well deserved πŸ™‚ And lucky you indeed for getting such a sweet package in the mail!


Anne August 14, 2007 um 12:37 pm

I’m happy for you, you rightfully deserve all the awards πŸ™‚


dvl August 14, 2007 um 8:55 pm

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Anonymous August 14, 2007 um 11:15 pm

yum, i love deserts made with ricotta. these look deliciouso!!


hungry in ky August 23, 2007 um 2:08 am

are you the beautiful French women i have heard so much about i hear your cooking is only out shined by your beauty hungry in ky


Shella September 14, 2007 um 9:41 am

Though I am very late, but still I would like to add my congratulations to your post.

You have an awesome blog & you are an excellent baker. I have been dehydrated due to loss of water in the form of saliva!!


Bindiya September 20, 2007 um 3:12 pm

You have a sea of comments coming in everyday but mine comes from the heart, the other day I took a passing look at your blog and knew I was hooked, but did not read it,Why? because I WANTED TO READ IT BACK-TO-BACK ON A DAY i WAS FREE SO THAT AND COULD SAVOUR IT!and i am doing so now,plus this post really touches me.Whatever u make is simply fabulous.
God Bless!


Anonymous February 4, 2009 um 2:28 am

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Anonymous March 11, 2009 um 12:43 pm

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