Good day to you all,
Since summer is gone, I've flown you all to my lovely island getaway. I would like to invite you to join me outside to begin our festivities.
Ah, here we are! Please find your seats with your customized namecards at the table.

Look out at that ocean, isn't it wonderful!? I am so glad for the good weather, so we can be together out here today. THank you all for joining me. I knew some of you would be here, but if you are new, you're here on a wonderful day! There's plenty of room here for everyone. We would love to see some new faces. So, grab a seat, relax, and join the conversation.
Amber, what a beatiful sundress you have one! I love that color on you *wink* Where did you find it?
Renee, you brought your dog! *pet it's head* Awwww....maybe we'll find a little extra food lying around here......
Joy! It's great to see that you got some time off from school to come and join us! Hope those kids are behaving for their sub *wink*
Let's get started with some food. First, a light caesar salad to whet your appetite.

Mmmmm....wasn't that delicious? I love a good caesar salad on a warm day (since it's so warm on this island!). Oh! What's coming next? Our entrees. You have three choices:
Chicken

Filet Mignon

Vegetarian Lasagna

Oh my goodness! I'm so full, guess we need to take a break before dessert *wink* So, let's move onto the purpose of this get-together: the awards!! I can see you all sweating in anticipation for who is going to be awarded what. Lol! Calm down, it's okay! There's plenty to go around...
Rules of my awards banquet: I will be passing each award onto one (or more if I feel it's necessary) blogger buddies. This is because there are so many that I have to award!! LOL! For all of these awards, please post the award somewhere on your blog or in the post. Link it back to the person who nominated you. Other than that, I hope everyone has fun and is happy!
Notice: I am very sorry if you recieve an award that you already have! I have a semi-limited amount of people to choose from, so I'm working with what I have *wink*
Award #1: Sunshine Award: recieved from Renee @ Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot

The rules for accepting the award are:
1) Put the logo within my blog or on my post
2) Pass the award onto 12 fellow bloggers
3) Link the nominees within my post
4) Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog
5) Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.
Well, I don't think I would have had 12 followers to give this to, so it's lucky I'm not doing that! LOL!
Winner: Lee @ Butterfly Blessings
Lee is a true testament to "sunshine". She is lovely ray of light when the world may seem bleak. Thank you, Lee, for your supportive, sunshin-ey manor! Congrats!!
Award #2: Most Amazing Follower Award: recieved (once again) from Renee @ Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot

Please note: award was created by Emma Michaels
Also, there are no requirements to accepting this award, just take it *wink*
I don't want to look at this one as an easy way out (and I always feel bad about doing it), but I would like to pass this onto all of my blogger buddies. It does not matter if we're new friends or old, I want you to take this if you do not already have it. Isn't it pretty? Congrats!!
Award #3: The Versatile Blogger: recieved from Amber @ Seasons of Humility

This blogger award is awarded to a blogger who posts a multitude of things. The blogger I am awarding this to posts everything from book reviews, to writing help, to her own creative writing excerpts. She is a wonderful person with a sparkling personality.
Winner: I award this to Julie @ Silver Lining Congrats, Julie!!
Award #4: Beautiful Blogger Award: recieved from Amber @ Seasons of Humility

The rules to the award are: link to the person who nominated you for this award; share seven interesting things about yourself; and nominate seven other beautiful bloggers. (Once again, I will not be following this stipulation exactly.)
My interesting things:
1) I travelled to Portland, Oregon for 5 days and London for 8 days this summer.
2) I have taken piano lessons for the last 12-13 years.
3) I LOVE Hazelnut Coolatas from Dunkin Donuts.
4) In London, we saw three different West End shows, including Wicked three times and twice in the FRONT row!!
5) We have one dog, Maddie, one cat, Buster, and my sister and I each have a Beta fish.
6) I have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands (including fingers), wrists, and some in my knees. This caused me to get Carpal Tunnel and have double surgery on both of my hands last summer.
7) I got a Kindle for my 18th birthday this year.
She is a busy mom, wife, and author. Her blog is a fresh breath of air everytime I 'set foot onto it' : D It is beautiful in it's simplicity! And this recipient is beautiful both inside and out herself!
Winner: Jill Kemerer @ Jill Kemerer, sweet, emotional, sparkling romance blog
Congratulations, Jill!!
Award #5: Blogging Friends Award: recieved from Amber @ Seasons of Humility

Amber created this one all on her own! Isn't it cute with the little chipmunks???
I am so grateful for so many of you wonderful ladies. I am beside myself when I think about how lucky I am to have met all of you! Thank you for joining me on this WILD ride, whether it's been a week or over a year! You are all very near and dear to my heart : )
Ashley @
After All Tomorrow is Another DayKav @
Best Reads(2010)You both are so cool on my list of "cool people" *big wink* Ashley, thank you SO much for helping me with my tough college transition! Kav, thank you for being there with support and always having great book recommendations!! *hugs*
Award #6: Great Friend Blogger Award: recieved from Amber @
Seasons of Humility and Lori @
Some of my Favorite Books
Once again, I feel like I could pass this onto so many of you : ) I've loved all my time in the Blogger world, but it's really because of all my friends!
Joy @
Edgy Inspirational RomanceRenee @
Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot (Yes, I know you already got this one...*guilty*)
These two wonderful women have helped me greatly from posting problems to college transition. They are supportive, kind, and excellent role models. Thank you for being my friend!!
Award #7: Awesomesauce Award: Julie @
Silver Lining
Isn't this one...uhhhh...unique *wink* But it's very cool too!
Angie @
Never A Dull Moment I LOVE reading Angie's blog : ) Especially when she talks about her cute dog or cats! Angie is a genuine character who is SO nice! Go introduce yourself, you'll know what I mean!
Lori @
Some of my Favorite Books Time's have been tough so we haven't chatted as much lately, but I know if I needed anything she'd be there : ) Right now the support just has to be going back from me to you, Lori because you're the one trying to get life under your belt again *wink* Thanks, girl!
Amber @
Seasons of Humility Girl, you knew I'd give you this, right?! Amber is a truly awesome person. I am so grateful to have stumbled upon her blog! Someday when I return to Oregon, we'll meet *wink* Or there's always the East Coast...you haven't seen it yet : D Bahahaha! Thanks for everything Amber!!
Okay, I think that about wraps up the awards portion!! THANK YOU all for everything and for joining me today! I'm so sorry it took SO long to get it up!! I have literally been working on it since early May *wink* I've been busy!! What can I say??
WAIT!! Before you all leave, I have dessert for you : ) Just for Amber:

But those are JUST for Amber because I know how she likes them : )
THESE are for everyone else, ha!

Then, we've got some Chocolate Lava Cake that is heaven on a plate, if you've never tried it!!

But if you can't have chocolate or "want something lighter" I also have some delicious Strawberry Cheesecake!! Now I don't like cheesecake very much, so eat up on this one too!!

Oh yeah, Coco here's your Milkbone : ) Compliments of my pup Maddie!!

And here's some for the trip home *wink*

I think that this has been SO much fun, what about you?? Please let me know how your time on the island was!
: )
So, enjoy your flight, let me know that you all made it okay!

I hope you all fit!! Hahahaha!
See you soon and join me on the island anytime (just let me know in advance and I'll whip something up for you!) *waving*

See ya next time!!
Hannah