Going Around...

Have you noticed The Stylish Blogger Award making it's way around blogland lately?  Lucky me - my blog friend Barbara of hodge:podge passed the award on to me.

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Thank you Barbara!

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If you aren't reading hodge:podge, head on over there and say hello to Barbara.  Her posts are always beautiful and inspiring.  You will leave her blog with a whole list of things you want to make for your home!

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And then, I was also given the award by:
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Chihuahua Girl of Park Avenue Chihuahua
Suz + Sarah of well-to-do
Nanniepannie of Nanniepannie's Blog
Megan of Homemade Ginger
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Thanks ladies - you really made my day!
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The rules say you need to list 7 random things about yourself and then pass on the award.  A little about me:
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1.  My friends and family all call me Ali.  I go by Alissa @ work and on my blog.  Strange, right?  My Mom really liked the name Ali, after Ali MacGraw.  But my parents thought I needed a full name so they decided on Alissa.  Actually, my close friends don't even call me Ali - they just call me Al!  Just like the Paul Simon song.
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2.  I love getting mail and love a "good mail" day.  Seriously.  You know how there are lists where you can remove your name so that you don't get catalogs?  No thanks!  I love my catalogs, thank you very much.
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3. I am exactly 1/2 Polish (my Mom's side) and 1/2 Italian (my Dad's side). The best part - great food on both sides!
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{ Capri, Italy; August 2008 }
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4.  I'm left handed.  I don't know why but I've always loved being left handed.  Even though it's sometimes awkward - try using a can opener or cork screw as a lefty!  The only person in my family who is also left handed is my 10 year old brother.  Not my parents, sister, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins.  Isn't that weird?  I noticed really early on (maybe @ 6 months?) that my brother favored his left hand.  And sure enough - he's a lefty!  He golfs left handed, but not me.  My Dad taught me right handed.  Left handed kids clubs were pretty rare when I was a child!
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{ Lefty brother on the course; Summer 2010 }
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5.  In January of 2005, my sister and I went to the Presidential Inauguration of George W. Bush.  We even got tickets for our state's official ball.  It felt like such an honor and once in a lifetime opportunity to witness a moment in history.  It's something I will never forget.
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{ At the Inaugural Ball; January 2005 }
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6.  As a child, there were only three things I ever wanted "to-be" when I grew up - An artist, architect, or interior designer.
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7.  I love to grow things - house plants or annuals, or perennials.  It doesn't matter, I love them all.  My Grandparents had a huge garden with lots of vegetables and flowers and some of my earliest childhood memories involve that garden.
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{ My peony bush; Spring 2010 }
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I'm passing the award on to:
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Kari @ Adventures of One Crazy Lady

Emily @ Frilly Details

Dana @ Bungalow '56

Jenny @ Anything Pretty
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I always love reading the posts from these four ladies and I think you will too!
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