I am very excited and pleased to tell you all that The Reluctant Cowgirl was nominated for The Mystery Blogger Award by I Dream of Simple! So I will be on the hot seat this week answering questions as well as sharing with you a bit about the award. PLUS as part of accepting the award I get to nominate 10 other bloggers. So I can’t wait to share with you 10 blogs that inspire personal growth.
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If you have not been to her site I encourage you to visit Tara’s blog I Dream of Simple. There, she writes amazing content on minimalism and simple living. She also does some great challenges on simplified living, like wearing a capsule wardrobe and doing a digital declutter.
Thank you, Tara, for the nomination for The Mystery Blogger Award! I am so thrilled that you chose my blog, The Reluctant Cowgirl, and I have enjoyed following you on Instagram.
What is The Mystery Blogger Award?
If you have not heard of the Mystery Blogger Award here is a little bit about the award. According to the founder Okoto Enigma, The Mystery Blogger Award is meant to showcase new blogs and introduce blogs that “not only captivates; it inspires and motivates.” The Mystery Blogger Award is also meant to highlight blogs that are written with a passion and purpose! And that is definitely something that we seek to do here at The Reluctant Cowgirl.
The Rules of The Mystery Blogger Award
The rules of The Mystery Blogger Award are very simple!
- Put the award logo/image on your blog
- List the rules
- Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog
- Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
- Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
- Nominate bloggers
- Notify your nominees
- Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice with one weird or funny question
- Share the link to your best posts
3 Things about The Reluctant Cowgirl
- I am a city girl married to a country boy. We actually met on a blind date…that was set up by a mutual friend of our moms. I was not so keen on the idea of going out on a blind date, but our parents didn’t give us much choice;)
- While I can be very practical and appreciate playing it safe, I also have a heavy streak of the dreamer. I traveled all over in my twenties and was a flight attendant for part of the time. And though for much of our marriage I carefully budgeted and cut coupons I am usually game for my husband’s crazy dreams like remodeling a house or running for office (OK so maybe for the “let’s buy cows” I’ve been slightly reluctant;).
- I am a 3 time heart attack survivor and have been diagnosed with SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) a chronic heart condition. Not a club to which you want to belong, but I am thankful for supportive family and friends and awesome SCAD Survivors group!
Questions from I Dream of Simple:
Here are the questions posed by Tara! And then read on below for 10 blogs that inspire personal growth!
Why Did You Start Your Blog?
There are three main reasons I started The Reluctant Cowgirl. In 2016, I had my third heart attack. And though it didn’t cause any ongoing damage to my heart it was by far the scariest one for myself and my family due to how suddenly it came on and the severity of the pain. That heart attack was also the hardest one to gain my strength back. That got me really thinking.
I always wanted to be a writer. So I decided that there was no time like the present. I also knew that working full-time outside of the house might be too much, due to physical limitations. But by starting a blog I was building a writing business from home. And thirdly, a blog is something you can tailor make. I LOVE encouraging other women to take steps of personal growth in order to create emotionally vibrant lives for themselves and their families!
If you could travel back in time to any period in history, when would it be?
Best question ever!!! I love the idea of time travel! I would so love to travel back to the mid to late 1800’s in America. It would be interesting to experience life in the American Frontier.
What is your favorite book of all time?
That is a hard one! I am a voracious book reader so I would struggle to pick just one favorite. I really love mysteries. So anything written by Mary Higgins Clark is a must read.
I can’t get enough of great survival stories. Unbroken and The Unthinkable are two of my top picks!
And of course, I am very thankful for books on personal growth and learning how God designed us. The book Discover Your God Given Gifts by Don and Katie Fortune has been a more recent one that was life changing!!
What is your signature dish that your family always asks you to cook?
Right now the top two most requested meals at my house are Pioneer Woman’s Marlboro Man Steak Sandwiches. And a recipe called Italian Stuff (real deep meaning there;) that has chicken, Italian sausage, pasta shells and 4 cheese Alfredo sauce. My uncle made it for us one time, and I did my best to replicate!
Who is your celebrity crush?
My husband is totally going to think I made up this question, hehee! I have a small crush on Dwayne Johnson. And contrary to popular belief it is not for his muscles. He has the best smile…next to my husband. Come to think of it that it how my husband sealed the deal for our second date. I was all set to say no until he smiled at me:) Anyhoo, If you haven’t seen the movie San Andreas or Skyscraper with The Rock you should check it out!
Blogs I Nominate for the Mystery Blogger Award:
Here are 10 blogs that inspire personal growth and improving your life!
Good Life Wife – Kim shares down to earth advice with a splash of sass on household organization, self-help and budgeting.
Thriving Sistas – Shona offers great support and tips on surviving and thriving after divorce.
Natural Healing Hope – Laura pulls from some tough life experiences to offer natural healing solutions for better overall wellness.
Raising Teens Today – Nancy keeps you grounded with her advice and encouragement on how to raise teens while keeping the big picture in mind.
Lightly Frayed – Karen has such a humorous approach to parenting teens while caring for yourself.
Mom Mentor – Sabrina gives such great perspective for moms that will help you grow as a woman and a mom.
Obtaining Bliss – Kirsten will encourage you on your personal growth journey, especially if you struggle with anxiety or depression.
Simple Organized Lifestyle – Misty offers great tips on creating an abundant life by organizing, budgeting and developing a growth mindset.
Girl Bosses Rock – LeeAnn will inspire and give you guidance on overcoming and taking hold of your dreams.
Mama Finds Her Way – Bethany encourages you to care for yourself and find joy in motherhood. Love her current post on needs of the introvert mom.
Sharing is Caring! Pin for Later!
Questions for My Nominees
- What is thing you like about blogging the most?
- Your favorite movie genre, if you watch movies?
- What was a time in your life when you had a light bulb moment?
- Who is one of your favorite well-known blogger?
- What is a place you would LOVE to visit?
My Top Blog Posts
Don’t Wear Skinny Jeans and Other Lessons from the ER – humorous look at living life with a chronic condition.
Dear Friend: An Encouraging Letter – uplifting post for those days when life is hard.
Coping When Kids Leave Home – encouragement for those going through the semi-empty/ empty nesting stage
4 Keys to Maneuvering Through Life’s Transitions – help for those seasons when life is full of change and transition.
Would You Love some Support in Your Journey Toward a More Emotionally Vibrant Life?
Just Click to receive my personal notes once a week and full access to all the benefits of The Reluctant Cowgirl family, including the Resource Library!
What a fun post, Miranda! And what a neat award to be nominated for. I love the idea of going back to live in pioneer days too; the Ingalls family were my heroes growing up:) Thanks for all the neat blogs to check out!
Thanks Heather! Yes, it was delightful to be nominated for the award. Hope you enjoy checking out some of the inspiring blogs!
Hi Miranda! I loved reading your responses and I have a bunch of new blogs to check out! It has been so much fun getting to know you and your blog in our Blogging Mentor Facebook group. ? P.S. one of my guilty pleasures is to watch the tv show Ballers with Dwayne Johnson. I am with you on the smile! ?
Tara, Thanks for dropping in! Yes, it really has been nice to get to know some awesome bloggers in the Blogging Mentor FB group. Everyone seems super supportive. I haven’t seen the TV show. Hehee…glad I’m not the only one!!
Thanks for nominating me, Miranda! That’s so kind of you. I’ll get on my nomination ASAP! I’m still struggling to get back to reality after my vacation…