Yay! An Award!

My very first blog post was inspired by a woman working at Navarra. The outstanding service I received in addition to the amazing food had me in such awe that I had to do something about it. And then it happened – Rachelle Eats Food.

Just over a year later, I returned to Navarra (I'd actually been a couple times in between) and found myself speechless when I realized that my server that evening was in fact the one who served me that first night. She had just returned from maternity leave. Nervous, but excited, I told her about that first post and how it was because of her that I started my blog. Her eyes grew wide and with sincere enthusiasm told me that at one point she had been questioning whether or not she was meant to be doing what she was doing. And then a co-worker brought to her attention my post, making her realize that she does make a difference in other peoples' lives, doing what she does best.

I now understand how she must have felt. Don and Jenn at foodiePrints have, since my early blogging days, been by my side. I believe Don was one of the first followers I had whom I didn't know (a very exciting step in a new bloggers journey!). And to have kept their interest this long, and now receive an award because of it, well, I'm extremely honoured. Thanks so much you guys!

Of course this award comes with some rules that encourage bloggers to get to know each other better.

1. You must thank the person who has given you the award.

2. Copy the award logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link the person who has nominated you for the award.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.

5. Nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs to let them know they have been nominated.

Now the tough part, 7 things about myself that people may find interesting.

1. I have always loved food. But I didn't actually become obsessed with it until I moved to Ottawa. I moved here from Moncton, NB and back home, lobster was what always got me excited. I never did much cooking. I could bake awesome cookies though. My friends would laugh as I always had the same things in my kitchen – canned tuna in the cupboard, a loaf of bread in the freezer and a jug of water and a bottle of mayo in the fridge. That's it. I ate out often or would casually show up at my parents' place right around dinner time. It's when I moved here and in with my friend Zoya that I really became passionate about eating. She would cook me the most amazing meals every single night. I would sip wine as I watched her in awe. Our deal was – I cleaned, she cooked. And both being food lovers made us savour every bite we ate together. I think I'm like a magnet to those who cook, which brings me to my second point about me.

2. My better half. The man who makes me feel like a million bucks. The man who inspires me to write my blog every single night with his amazing dinners. He's also the man who taught me to take such beautiful photos with my point and shoot camera and who designed my header. I wouldn't be me without him. My husband is my rock and I am indebted to him.

3. I'm a huge dog lover. Quite a few years ago I wanted to open my own dog café and cook healthy dog treats and serve water to my four-legged friends while their owners enjoyed coffee. My Seb is my best friend, he's there when I need someone to talk to and keeps me enjoying the outdoors day after day. Seb has not been the easiest dog to deal with. I adopted him when he was 5 and he came with a lot of baggage. I believe the frustrations I've gone through because of him has only brought us closer together. Now at his ripe old age of 14, I can honestly look back and say that I've given this dog the best life ever. I love him so much.

4. Just over 10 years ago, I hated bikes and I hated biking. Shortly after I moved to Ottawa, I bought a bike. How could I not? Have you seen the beautiful paths we have!? I am now considered a cyclist, owning 3 bikes. A commuter bike to get to work and back and around the city. A road bike for long weekend rides and a mountain bike for technical trail rides. I love it!

5. My day job is in the field of advertising. I bounced from agency to agency for about 10 years until I finally settled on the client side about 4 years ago as the advertising manager for a retail company.

6. I love wine but feel I know so little about it. I've signed up for the wine tasting course at Algonquin which begins in May. Yay! Some more great stuff to write about.

7. I have the most amazing friends. I've been a pretty big loner my entire life, sticking to a few close friends. It wasn't until I moved to Ottawa that my friendship circle began bursting at the seams. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but I'm glad it did. I've learned so much from all of them and am so thankful to have them there. Life would not be the same without them.

Now, to nominate 7 blogs. I thought this was going to be a tough one because a lot of the blogs I follow have been nominated already – She Eats Bears, Whisk, beFoodled, and of course, foodiePrints. But there are so many fantastic bloggers out there, it ended up being very easy.

A Kitchen Diary – This blog has a fun take on the traditional cookie-cutter layout most of us have. Beautiful photography and comforting recipes.

After the Harvest – Heather does an amazing job taking you behind the scenes – talking to chefs, bringing you good food choices and lots of fun random food posts. It's all about the food!

Girl About Otown – Katharine keeps me posted on all things Ottawa. Be it food, fashion, community or the arts. I know what's going on in this fine city.

Grab Your Fork – Every post on this site has me drooling. Helen's mouthwatering descriptions are my biggest inspiration. They make me want to eat so slowly so that I can pick out every single amazing detail that each ingredient has to offer.

How to Start a Brewery – Beau's doesn't do too many posts but I love it when they do. It's fun to watch a small, local company grow so fast. And they deserve it!

Simply Fresh – Jodi's love of fresh, sustainable and locally produced food is an inspiration. She does her best to buy the best. Great photography and some awesome restaurant posts too.

Smitten Kitchen – Two words: Food Porn. Seriously at it's best. I'm not sure I'd ever attempt to make any of the dishes but I sure love drooling over them.