Encouragement. Peer Pleasure #MicroblogMondays

Nothing is more exhilarating than a kind word, a kind gesture or praise from peers. Pure encouragement. In my career, I’ve won some awards and prizes, but the joy that comes with a word of appreciation from a fellow blogger is very special.

And so it was when Sue Anne Dunlevie, who runs Successful Blogging.com where she helps beginning bloggers grow their lifestyle-friendly businesses – compiled a list of the top 50 successful women bloggers. I was stunned to be included in the list, mainly because of the fabulous company there. Thanks for the encouragement, Sue.

Sue has written a checklist on the “51 Ways To Launch (Or Relaunch) Your Hot Blog” that you must download. And do read her latest post at Adam Connell’s blog “How To Write Better Blog Posts: Use These 10 Tips To Keep Your Readers Wanting More”

Then, eKavach, the digital parenting app ran a #BreakingParentalStereotypes campaign that they invited me to join along with 15 other bloggers.

Last week, Corinne of EverydayGyaan and I launched the Gratitude Circle. I hope you’ve joined us. We’ll have a linky live on the 4th Tuesday of every month, when we’ll publish a post related to gratitude and add our links.

I am happy to announce that I’ve completed the NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month for the fourth year in a row. That’s a lot of drafts, eh? I am hoping 2015 will see them on bookshelves. And just to make sure I didn’t miss the date, I validated my word count well in advance. I am deeply grateful for the encouragement I’ve received from my friends and family who make me believe in my writing.

As I cruised around visiting blogs, I came across the International Bloggers Association badge over at Robyn’s blog, Essence of a Family. Of course I was curious and explored the site and joined them! Check them out. Looks like a wonderful way to grow as a blogger.

Special thanks to Sarah Arrow, who is an amazing individual and a giver. I’m dedicating an entire post to her later this week. In the meantime, I highly recommend her 30 days to a better blog – do sign up. It is not the usual blogging challenge. Sarah literally handholds you for 30 days for free with valuable resources and tips. If that’s not encouragement, I don’t know what is.

♥

The weather is quite pleasant where I live and we’ve been getting those warm clothes out. With warm clothes, the cold is inevitable. We’re fighting a cold with this easy and quick home remedy – it is a syrup that works for sore throats or even a persistent cough. Here’s the recipe:

Mix the following:

• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar

• 2 tablespoons of warm water

• 1 tablespoon of honey

Very soothing and works. And tastes alright, too!

I spent a lot of time in my kitchen, roasting, pickling, cooking. Ever since I found a source for jalapenos, I am enjoying pickling them at home. Since I had some of the brine mix left over, I used it for carrot slices, which absolutely spice up my salads.

We have a new member at home now. I am not sure how long the old members will let her survive…but we’ll see.

I love how she came packed – and the fact that my husband’s office chose to gift him a plant instead of something else.

Winter is the time for these little beauties too – groundnuts. We love to boil them in salted water and shell them – tastes like heaven!

Just to pretty it up – these looked real nice in our living room.

Of course, my son believes that few things compare to the sight of melting cheese on pasta. Sigh. Do you agree?

Next week, I am planning to take you on a trip around our local market. Will you join me?

Love,

Vidya

How was your weekend?

I am joining Mel at Stirrup Queens for Microblog Mondays

and Claudya, Unknown Mami for Sundays In My City.