CSN Product Review, Growing Basil, Award!!

1. First of all, I would like to inform you all that CSN has contacted me about doing a product review. CSN Stores, an online retailer with over 200 + stores, sells everything from wall sconces and barstools to cookware and backpacks. So, be looking out for this review; there maybe a surprise in store!
2. Okay, so I’ve been wanting to grow my own herbs and veggies for a long time, but my history of killing almost all living things (with humans and large animals being the only exceptions hah!) has prevented me from trying. Well, a friend/colleague of mine overheard that I wanted fresh basil (along with other herbs) and gave me some basil (see photo above) the next day I saw her. Isn’t she the greatest?! The first thing I thought when I saw the basil was, “Oh no! I’m about to kill another plant! I better use up some basil today because it will be dead by the next day.” haha!


I looked online to see how to take care of basil, went to the store to buy soil, a pot, and a shovel. Then, I potted the basil carefully and placed it outside. Fast forward almost two weeks later, and I am happy to report that my basil is still alive and growing!!!!! I cannot believe it!! Now, I’m thinking about adding another herb. What do you all suggest?

  1. Can I add another herb or herbs to the same pot?
  2. What herb do you suggest? I am thinking about adding rosemary, parsley, or mint.

3. AWARD:

Two food bloggers, Spicie Foodie and Casa en la cocina, gave me this award. I feel so honored!!

The rules of accepting this award are as follows:
-Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
-Pass the award onto 10 bloggers.
– Link the nominees within your post.
– Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
-Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.
-Lists things that make you happy.

I’m passing this award to every single person who leaves a comment here. You have the option to follow the rules and acknowledge this award on your own blog or list the ten things that make you happy in the comments section below. I know this breaks the abovementioned rule, but I also understand that some bloggers don’t like to participate in award giving/receiving. So, list the ten things that make you happy in the comments section or on your blog with a link to this post.

Ten Things that Make Me Happy (in no particular order after #4):

1. Loving God.
2. Talking to my mom.

3. Being with my on-and-off girlfriend and her two daughters.

4. Learning and knowing other languages.

5. Being a doctoral/PhD student.
6. Teaching.
7. This blog.
8. Hearing from my readers. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!
9. Baking
10. Traveling to other countries.

I look forward to hearing about the ten things that make you all happy and for your advice on growing herbs!

BASIL BEFORE:
BASIL AFTER:



Copyright – Memoria James – http://www.mangiodasola.com

Named One of Pioneer Woman’s Fantastic Food Sites, an Award, and School Update

O-M-G! Today, I found out that Pioneer Woman named me one of her favorite food blog sites. I cannot believe it. With so many FANTASTIC blogs out there, I cannot begin to believe I would be one of her favorites. I cannot believe she has even visited my blog. Wow. I’m so honored. Thank you, Ree!

Also, msmeanie from Chocolate Chip Trips gave me an Honest Scrap Award a while ago, and I kept forgetting to post about it! I looked up the origin of the award and found out that you’re supposed to be write down five things about yourself and the readers are supposed to guess which one is true. I thought that sounded like fun, so here goes!

  1. I speak 5 languages fluently.
  2. I used to be a cosmetologist.
  3. I am a member of the mile-high club.
  4. I am have some Irish in my blood.
  5. I love nuts and alcohol!

I couldn’t think of really crazy descriptions. Am I really that boring? haha Good luck guessing! LOL!

UPDATE ON SCHOOL: A couple of you have been asking about school, so I thought I’d provide an update. First of all, I have been done with coursework since last year, so I go to campus primarily to teach, go to occasional meetings, and that’s it. I teach only one course three days a week, so I’m left with a lot of free time to work on my dissertation proposal. So, that is why I have time to cook, bake, take photos, and blog because I teach one course and do not have any classes to attend. In between time, I also work on my papers and grade.

I still haven’t heard from my committee about my paper, and I’m hoping I pass. If I don’t pass, I won’t earn my doctorate degree, which has been my goal since I was 9 years old. Yes. NINE years old. If I do pass, however, I can go on and turn in my dissertation proposal. I hope to graduate next Spring in 2011. My mom said that if I graduate next year, we would go back to Europe, and she would pay for everything! How’s that for incentive? So, please pray for me or send good karma that I pass. I’m really nervous about the results. I don’t know what I would do without my PhD.

Copyright – Memoria James – http://www.mangiodasola.com

ANOTHER AWARD!!!

Sarah from All Our Fingers in the Pie just honored me with my second award. I feel so honored! Sarah’s blog is full of healthy, hearty recipes. She has lovely, tempting photos on her blog, too. Please stop by her “place” when you get the chance.

This award is such a different recognition in that the ‘sender’ asks the ‘recipient’ to list the reasons why he/she enjoys blogging. I am really new at this and came into blogging completely by accident, but I will list a few of the things I enjoy:

1. I started to blog to celebrate my new found love for cooking and baking!
2. I enjoy blogging because I can document some of my favorite recipes.
3. I enjoy blogging because it gives me an opportunity to practice with my new love for photography.
4. I love having visitors stop by from all over this world. It’s AMAZING!
5. I love being able to speak different languages with my different visitors. I am blessed and thankful for being multilingual.
Now, since I have given out awards already, I have a small list this time. This is the list of blogs that I regularly read and are MY WINNERS and that you should definitely check out:

Barbara at Barbara Bakes
Elra at Elra’s Baking

Neno’s Award—-Rules and Regulations


1. As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.
2. To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.
3. Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it. (I failed on this one. Sorry, Sarah!)
4. Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
5. Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
6. Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
7. Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

Copyright – Memoria James – http://www.mangiodasola.com