The Sunshine Blogger Award

a 'lil about me

an award used to recognize and encourage participation among bloggers

Last week, I was nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award by

Molly McTernan

on her Substack! Molly is a super sweet person with a big heart for God. I love reading her posts and hearing about what she’s been up to. If you want to support a young Christian author, check out her website here! One thing I admire about Molly’s posts is that they’re short but valuable and fun, something I sometimes struggle with in my own posts. Long and rambling are words one could use to describe me. 🤪

Anyway, for those of you wondering: the Sunshine Blogger Award is (according to Google) “a popular award within the blogging community, used to recognize and encourage participation among bloggers. It involves a blogger receiving the award, responding to questions from the nominator, and then nominating other bloggers, asking them similar questions.”

Basically, it’s a small but sweet way for bloggers to encourage and appreciate each other. I think it’s brilliant!

Below, Molly asked me 7 questions and I list my answers. Also below, you’ll find my own nominations and questions for those nominated!

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1. Do you prefer sunny or rainy days? Why?

   Yikes, this is hard! It all depends on my mood; if I’m feeling restless, sunny days are prime (even if I never go outside, I still enjoy watching the sunlight) but if I’m feeling like a homebody, I love moody, rainy days.

2. What is the longest book you’ve ever read?

   Does the Bible count? I read it front-to-back in a year using The Bible Recap.

   Besides the Bible, I think North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling are the longest books I’ve read. Harry Potter definitely tops Gaskell’s novel in page count but some parts in North and South are just so…tedious. 🫣 Don’t get me wrong, though, it’s a great book!

3. If you choose one random thing to do every day for the rest of your life, what would that be?

   Leaving little notes of encouragement in public places for people to find sounds like a lovely habit.

4. What is your favorite setting for a writing session?

   Rainy day and a distraction-free environment (aka no people around or fun books within reach). Hot mug of Earl Grey or green tea close at hand. Forrest Frank blaring in the background (never mind that I end up pausing the music halfway through an album because my focus keeps drifting…).

5. If you could travel to one place, where would that be?

   Italy. Or Provence! Oooh, or deep in the heart of China…

6. What is a hobby other than writing that brings you joy?

   Photographing the beauty of flowers and light.

7. Do you prefer music with or without words?

   For concentration and study sessions, I prefer instrumental music. But, if I’m getting ready for something or checking my inbox, I prefer music with words.

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Now that I’ve answered Molly’s questions, I would like to nominate some of my own bloggers and list my questions for them.

Drum roll, please…

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Nominees:

• Isabella Ann
  over at The Painted Caravan (like going to an old, lovely bookstore)

• thewildflowers
  over at thewildflowers (encouraging and upbeat posts)

• Melody Polar
  over at Roses in A Thorny World (unique point of view on things)

• Emily Brown
  over at The Bookwyrm Corner (fun, bookish, and very helpful)

• Amelia Wright
  over at menagerie (absolutely gorgeous photographs!)

• J. Redmerski-Tacu
  over at j. redmerski-tacu (refreshing posts about faith + books)

Questions:

1. What inspired you to start your Substack?

2. If you could choose one drink to consume for the rest of your life, what would it be? Let’s say that health will not be impacted. 😂

3. If you were to go to Heaven today, whose face would you be most eager to see?

4. Who is a literary character that you despise and who is a literary character that you absolutely adore?

5. If you were forced to do only one hobby for the rest of your life, which one of yours would you choose to keep?

6. What advice would you give your younger self?

7. Would you rather be famous and poor or unknown and rich?

8. What do you like to do over the weekends to relax?

9. How has God blessed you this week?

10. If you were an aesthetic, what would yours look like?

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I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s answers!

Dear reader, I would also like to hear (or rather, read) your answers! Be sure to share them below!

And just something I’ve been wondering as I’m typing up this post:

Does anybody know the origin of The Sunshine Blogger Award? Who started it? Google doesn’t seem to have answers to my questions but if you do, I’d be so glad if you responded in the comments!

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Don’t forget, if you enjoyed this post, please share! Also ❤️ or comment below with your thoughts. 😊

Catch ya later,

Nicole