Generally Speaking...

Harrummmmmmmph! Looks like Veggie Mom is going to have to start Upping the Ante. I realize that we're a Family-Friendly Blog, what with Aunt Julie, Uncle Lynn and all those delightful Pop'rs Cousins, but this rating might do some serious damage to our Cyber Self-Esteem! Hmmmmmm...it must be all the Giveaways, huh?

When I started blogging way back in June, I didn't have a plan. Didn't have a clue. And all these posts later (209, if you're counting!), it's all come down to this.

On second thought, I think I actually like the concept of being Rated G. Means even more folks can come over here to join the fun, right?

Snagged this poll from Melissa B. over at The Scholastic Scribe. Take it yourself. Just curious, is all...

Chocolate Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

~Anything is good and useful if it's made of chocolate~

Anyone who knows Anything about Veggie Mom knows that I *Heart* Chocolate! That's why I was Tickled Pink to receive this Sweet Bit O' Bling the other day. We were gifted by Melissa B. at The Scholastic Scribe, who was gifted by Tara R. at If Mom Says OK.

The Octamom Award , like All Things Involving Chocolate, came to be in a Silly, but Sweet, way. It was designed by Debi, who blogs at Who Says Eight Is Enough? The award was created in honor of Octamom, who takes her Own Sweet Time about getting things done.

And Why Chocolate, the Nectar of the Gods? Because Chocolate Makes the Heart Grow Fonder! Because of this indelible and irrefutable fact, and just to be a Sweetie Pie, I wish this Chocolate Bling Upon the Heads of All Who Have Blinged Me Before. If you've received this one already, don't fret...Re-Gifting is allowed!

1. Marla, at Pak Adventures x2
2. Mama Rose, at The Real Scoop on the Poop
3. Blogstalker, at Blogstalker x2
4. Melissa B., at The Scholastic Scribe x2
5. Kathryn, at Ritch in Love
6. Kally, at A Little Bit of Life on the Side
7. AJ, at A Little Bit Nutty

And even though this Chunk o' Change involves Chocolate, there are a few rules from the Gifter that the Giftee must follow:

1. You must eat a Piece of Chocolate in honor of accepting The Octamom Award.
2. You must, um…..Eat Yet Another Piece of Chocolate when you put The Award on your blog.
3. You must visit Debi B. (who designed the award) by clicking Here. Debi Needs to Know that You Care...especially about Chocolate!
4. Try to go by and see the other Giftees...That's What Linky Love Is For!
5. Don't forget to display This Pretty on your blog!
6. Feel free to add or subtract from the rules as suits your fancy…except the Chocolate Requirements...Those are Mandatory!
7. And, but of course, if you're reading this post & feel like you need a little Chocolate in your life, please Give Yourself The Octamom Award, with our blessing!

Bling-Bling Went the Strings of My Heart

My long-time Bloggy Friend, Melissa B., honored me yesterday with a Very Special Award. She created The Superior Scribbler Award to commemorate her 200th Post over at The Scholastic Scribe. This is what she said about little ol' Veggie Mom: "She's walking that Delicate Tightrope between Personal & Public. She helps promote her BIL's Fun Company, while making sure everyone knows that Her Family Comes First. There's absolutely No Other Blog like hers Out There. And who ever heard of Goats Grazing on a Roof before she wrote about them? Here's to being One-of-a-Kind!"

Why thanks so much, Melissa B.! And now I have the responsibility of passing this Bit o' Bling along to five very deserving Bloggy Souls. But first, The Rules, as stipulated by the Award's Creator:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
4. Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit This Post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!
5. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

And now for the Hard Part. Veggie Mom hereby confers The Superior Scribbler Award upon The Following Bloggy Phenoms:

1. Texas Word Tangle. I don't know how Rhea does it, but she does a great job! Her eclectic collection of thoughts, words and deeds is one of the most interesting reads in Cyberspace!
2. Zander & Me. Z's Mom, Karla, is just amazing! And her dissertations on Zander, Life, Politics and Pop'rs (yes, she's a Pop'rs Pal!) are amazing, too!
3. My Cup 2 Yours. I don't get over to see Genny as much as I should, but you all need to stop by to see her. This Gal Can Write, is all I'm sayin'...
4. One Krazy Kat Lady. Well, besides the Awesome Alliteration in the title of her blog, Marrdy is a sweetheart with a lot on her mind. Her recent post about her friend's son returning from Iraq is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming! And if you can't tell, Marrdy's a Cat Woman--and Extra Plus!
5. Fractured Toy. Ah, the Lovely Mannequin. She runs Giveaways Galore! She Rants! She Raves! Her Cryptic Comments will leave you in stitches if they don't leave you in tears! What's not to love?

Enjoy your Bling, ladies! It's been a pleasure, I'm sure!!

Wrap-up Wednesday

Help Save Ratchet!

I first heard about the Campaign to Save Ratchet from Z's Mom. Sgt. Gwen Beberg befriended puppy Ratchet while serving in Iraq, and sent regular dispatches to her home in Minneapolis charting the dog's process, with hundreds of fans tuning in on Facebook to follow the pup's life. But the US Army takes a strict line on soldiers befriending animals, and confiscated Ratchet just as Sgt. Beberg was getting ready to fly home last weekend. To keep Ratchet with his new "Mommy" and allow him to live (the military usually executes pets found under these circumstances), please Sign the Petition to Save Ratchet. Also, please consider donating to Operation Baghdad Pups, which tries to rescue animals such as Ratchet.

Amanda's Hosting a Pop'rs Giveaway!

Today's the last day for Amanda's Pop'rs Giveaway! One winner will win a Box of Pop'rs, containing eight delicious flavors of this oh-so-good-for-you-seasoning! Try Buffalo on chicken!Chocolate in milk! Raspberry on cereal! Butter on potatoes! Strawberry on ice cream! Taco on cut corn!Color Burst in yogurt! Cinnamon on applesauce! Pop'rs are the Healthy Way to encourage you and yours to Eat Your Veggies!The Secret IS in the Sauce!

Thanks so much to Heather and Tiffany, who are the Head Honchos over at The Secret is in the Sauce. SITS hosted a day-long Blogathon yesterday, with lots and lots of Awesome Prizes. No word yet on whether Veggie Mom's a Winner, but let the chips fall as they may--we still had loads and loads of fun! Thanks, thanks and More Thanks to those of you who stopped by yesterday to Share the Comment Love!

Lizzy for President!

Remember, everyone--Hot Tub Lizzy is Running for President! Support The Plaid Party and check out Lizzy's Latest Interview today with Melissa B., The Scholastic Scribe. Talk about a Hoot-and-a-Half!

OK, SITStas! Time to Share the Comment Love!!

Today's Secret is in the Sauce Blogathon got underway at Midnight, and Heather and Tiffany--those Hostesses with the Mostesses--are going full speed ahead 24/7 today. They're out to prove that SITS--their site that Encourages Comment Love and Blog Support--is where it's at!

Veggie Mom her own self can attest to that very fact. Over the past few months, SITS has promoted my Pop'rs Giveaways (another one's coming up for Halloween, so stay tuned!) several times, and helped Aunt Julie plug her Recipe Week in September. SITS also helped me Celebrate My Bloggy Centennial a few weeks ago. I was a SITS Featured Blogger last Monday, and I'm still getting comments from that post. More than 100 Bloggers have Shared the Comment Love about those darned Goats on the Roof, and they're still comin' in--that's some powerful Comment Love, SITStas!

Heather and Tiffany started SITS back in June. It's a kind of Bloggy Clearing House for all kinds of info, including Recipes, Blogging Tips, Giveaways, Saucy Blogs, and a whole lotta other stuff that's impossible to mention...the List and the Love keep changing all the time!

So, who have I met on this Ultra-Cool, Très Chic (that's for Heather--she says "everything sounds fancier in French"), Uber-Happenin' Bloggy Rest Stop on the Information Super-Highway? All kinds of friends, is my answer! But the SITS gals wanted me to limit my list to five for this post, so here goes:

• Just Lisa, No Filler. Lisa, aka greedygrace, just adopted Baby Adam. She's still Blogging Strong, though, as evidenced in her latest post, Declare Yourself.
  
• Half-Past Kissin' Time. Mrs. 4444 is a fellow Wisconsin Blogger, a recent Pop'rs Giveaway Winner, a dedicated teacher, and a Family Gal, as you can see in yesterday's Contribution to the Cyberspace Conversation, My Momma Don't Dance.
  
• The Scholastic Scribe. Melissa B., or Mrs. Scribe, as her "Cherubs" call her, is another teacher and a former professional journalist who has So Much to Say on So Many Topics. She runs a Silly Sunday Sweepstakes every week. Check out the last S x 3 for more than a few chuckles!


• Zander & Me. Karla is another one of our Popr's Giveaway Winners. She has an adorable little boy named Zander, whom she profiles often, for good reason! Karla also has a soft spot for Critters of All Kinds. Everyone should follow her lead, and join in the Campaign to Save Ratchet.
  
• Candid Carrie. Carrie hosts her weekly Friday Foto Finish Fiesta, and it's so much fun! She's another Wisconsin Blogger, and a real Hoot-and-a-Half! Click on over to Now I Understand to understand why!