answers to questions, and then more questions.

Welcome back, me. While you were off gallivanting in the abyss of your imagination {or trying to, at least}, Julia King tagged you to answer 11 questions. All of us here in your brain think this would be a nice way to return to your blog.

Thanks... self.

{It's been along week.}

Okay, here we go!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY?

I don't know if there's a specific one that stands out, but generally every adventure I had with my cousins blends into one big, happy mess of nostalgia. Fall weekends at Otter Creek, summer weekends at the lake... few thing were better, back then.

WHO IS YOUR HERO?

I always have a hard time with this question, because it's such a no-brainer {I mean, come on, my parents and grandparents are amazing. Plus they like, RAISED ME, and stuff}.

So, not including the humans who helped shaped me into a well-balanced adult?

Alton Brown is my hero, because he posted a picture of himself wearing a fedora on Facebook, and I just love the guy. He has never pulled me from a burning building, but he does make me laugh, and want to cook {the latter of which is nearly as impressive as walking through fire}, and he's from Atlanta, which is, like, right down the road. What's not to love?

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THAT POPS INTO YOUR MIND RIGHT NOW?

I'm still thinking about Alton Brown, so... food.
Also, "Why was school never as much fun as Good Eats?"
And, "It's so weird being this close to Georgia."
And, "I used to live right across the river from Indiana. Indiana and Georgia are, like, opposites."
This could go on forever; I'll spare us both.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?

What's with all the food today? It's like I just started exercising again, or something...
Sigh.
If it's going to make me sick later, I probably have an unhealthy desire to eat it CONSTANTLY. Cheezits give me heartburn, for example. Whyyy????

IF YOU WERE STUCK IN A "GROUNDHOG DAY" TYPE EXPERIENCE, WHAT CRAZY THINGS WOULD YOU DO TO SHAKE UP THE DAY?

Oh... now I'm going to have to go watch that movie again.
I remember, like, 0% of it.
Unless you mean the Groundhog Day four years ago where I started talking to the boy who would eventually become my husband. The only thing I would have done to shake up that day:  kiss him, right there in front of his best friend's wedding party. That would have been memorable. Also, completely out of character for both of us.

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

How can I choose? Probably a cat. I'm already quite like one. All introverted and ambivalent, and only affectionate when I want to be {I am more affectionate than most cats, though}.

WHY DID YOU START WRITING?

Because I felt like I might go crazy otherwise? Also, I ran out of excuses not to.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO READ?

In bed or on a couch, usually. Sometimes I enjoy pacing {on even ground} with a book in hand. This winter I've found myself reading in the bath an awful lot. I kind of wish I could write in there, but, sigh. Best not to get electrocuted.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK?

Well I can't choose just one. Do you know any book people who can choose just one?
The handful I *always* mention are:

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel. {also check out Beatrice & Virgil. It is insane.}
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, & Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (duh).

The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling (duh).
Lips Touch {and everything else} by Laini Taylor.

{but there are many more I love.}

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY?

I'm going to go with the unshakably Louisvillian answer, here, and say, DERBY DAY!
It's almost as much a family get-together as Christmas. Plus, there's the regional pride, the singing of my My Old Kentucky Home {so far away *sob*}, Derby pie {I don't even like desserts much, but this is killer}, horses, strawberries, and hats. No one expects anything from anyone else {i.e. no gifts}, it's just about being together. It was in my family, at least. I always loved that.

IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD (PAID IN FULL) WHERE WOULD IT BE?

Oh, don't tempt me. I'd go to the London Olympics. And then to the small town in Crete where my husband and I were adopted by our neighbors. We miss our Greek friends! {Best. Honeymoon. Ever.}

Thanks for tagging me, Julia!

I was also bestowed a blog award while away. Thanks kmckendry!

You already know a few interesting things about me, thanks to Julia's questions, but I'll add a few more.

1. I am a picky eater, and that's one top of being vegetarian {you may already know this}.

2. I got my pupils dilated today, but the doctor didn't put very much of the solution in my left eye. I look pretty hilarious right now.

3. I love all animals, but I own only cats. For now.

4. I have hazel eyes.

5. My heritage is primarily German.

6. I was not a coffee person until last year, but now I'm hooked {I am my mother's daughter}.

7. I did not write as much this week as I'd hoped.

Okay! That was fun.

I suppose now it's my turn to ask questions and give awards?

1. What flower do you most anticipate every spring?

2. Which musician do you always go back to?
3. Do you use a rewards system when you write? Has that EVER worked for you?
4. Best book you read in 2011?

5. Is it sunny where you are?

6. Are you a picky eater?

7. Who is *your* non-parental hero?

8. Would you rather go skiing or sledding?

9. What came first: the character or the premise?

10. How has your writing habit surprised you?

11. Favorite TV show?

If you feel like answering, YOU ARE HEREBY TAGGED!

And if you're feeling Kreativ, YOU ARE HEREBY AWARDED! Especially if you are a new follower {hi new followers!}

In other words, this coffee shop is about to close and I have to get back home. Bring on the Campaign! See you all at the first challenge on Monday. To the weekend! To writing! To my dilated right pupil!

*cheers*

winning!

A of all, thank you and a hug to Kris for this award:

I do love tea, and all cups involved! To whom will I pass it on, you ask? Scroll down to find out! {or, you know, read the rest of the post first.}

Speaking of winning, remember when we had that contest-y blogfest thing? And remember how I said there would be winners? I was not, in fact, lying! Incredible.

So, without further ado, even though there were several honorable mentions {like Jeigh's first, uh, query experience, Lee's play about veggies in a fridge {Mr. Cabbage was type-cast! Bahaha!}, Jillian's dino/shake picture and Tristyn's "Chubby Dinos in Love", Jess's impressive pop-up book, Tara's potentially disastrous but so, so clever Sign in Please... heck, I could give them all honorable mentions, really}, I hereby award first prize {i.e. first pick of prizes) to... Gracie! Because, oh my gosh, that story about the recycling bin was brilliant. Heck, they all were. Go read, if you haven't already. The last line of the story about Bear and Girl made me L to the O L.

So, Gracie, please email me at julie {dot} maughon {at} gmail {dot} com with your mailing address and prize choice {a copy of Daughter, discount-book-store goody bag, or first chapter critique}, and we'll get this thing started!

Drawing winners!
In second place, as per the random generator {also known as my husband announcing a number after I "drumroll"}, is Kathy McKendry! Yay!!!
And in third, Rhianne!

Congrats, ladies! If you could email me as well, 'twould be fantastic. I'll email you back as your turn to pick comes along. Huzzah!*

*I went to an 18th century fair last weekend. It was awesome. Unfortunately {or perhaps quite fortunately?}, I'm having trouble ceasing with the lingo. Hhhhhuzzah.

And now, as a special treat, I'd like to pass this One Lovely Blogger Award on to all Thirteen Lovely Bloggers who entered the 'fest. In case you forgot yourselves:

C. Lee McKenzie
Gracie
J
Jeigh Meredith
Jenna Cooper
Jess McKendry
Jillian
Kathy McKendry
Redbootpearl
Rhianne
Ruth Josse
tara tyler
Tristyn E.

Love{ly} to you all! {And seriously, every entry was amazing.}

*turns off internet* *goes back to NaNo* *eats ice cream*

{45,546 to go!}

introducing: thumbs up from skunk!

A of all, if you feel so inclined, take a gander at my challenge piece for the Campaign! And if you're feeling likey, even better! I'm #141, and I could sure use your lovely votes.

So, remember when J and Kathleen and Amanda and Rachel Bean all gave me awards {THANK YOU!}, and I never passed them on? Well. It's because J and I had something special up our collective sleeve.

Here's the thing. Writing is hard. Admitting that you write is hard. I could not do this alone, and it is amazing to look back and see my own growth--both as a writer and a human being-- since I started collecting pocket writer buddies, also known as crit partners. They have uplifted and influenced me in ways I did not even know I needed.

It isn't just the crit partners, though. It's this whole blogging community. Going to visit a friend I made on the internet solidified it for me-- this is the bomb. No one says that anymore, but you know what I mean. At least I didn't say "the bomb dot com."

Recently, I've talking a lot with another blog friend, whom you know as J, and she and I realized something.

We had to make our own blog award.

Because, you know what? We all feel like stinky, stinky skunks some days. I, for example, was putrid with my own fear just a couple weeks ago. I was certain that I was foolish in letting myself believe I could write. But Jeigh and J {ha}, as well as a few frequent commenters {who likely didn't realize their influence}, picked me up from my own mire and set me back down on my feet. Or, rather, my fingertips... at the keyboard.

And so, instead of passing on another round of versatility, irresistible sweetness, and liebster love {thank you thank you thank you to all the folks who recognized me--you are fantastic}, J and I would like to bring you this:

Because you make us feel {and smell} a lot better

Let's talk about J. Her incredibly talented fiance made the award for us. {If you're interested, you can enter a chance to win a sketch of your MC over at Concrete Pieces of Soul. J and C are cool like that.} She has been a great friend to me in the short time I've known her, and her encouragement helped me find the confidence to send out a chapter for critique, post my Campaign Challenge piece... take your pick. You are fabulous, J. I look forward to the day you announce your name on the internets, so I won't have to keep backspacing when I talk about you. Haha.

Since the Random-Things-About-Yourself trope is getting a little tired, J and I decided to make this award different. Of course, still thank and link back to the person who gave it to you. Thumbs Up from Skunk is about confidence, believing in yourself, so we think it'd be great for you to list one Thing About Yourself That Pleases You, one thing you LOVE. It could be anything, from your writing, to a good meal you had, a conversation with a witty cut-up... something good. To get the ball rolling, J and I are passing the award onto five people a piece, but you can give it to as many or as few as you like. You can even hold onto it, if you'd rather, until a particularly uplifting something occurs, and then pass it on accordingly. Or, as J says in her post, "until someone comes along and changes your universe." I love that.

My Pleasing Thing is:

This week, I sent a scene to three discerning sets of eyes, and got a lot of great feedback. It was the first time I'd really done such a thing since college. One friend {an about-to-be-published friend} said, "...the writing is solid. You should be super proud. That's going to be in a cover in no time."

hello, stock photo.

It was one of those moments that made me want to say, "You flatter me, but..."
... but on the inside? Heart racing, breath quickening... was it really that... promising?

No one else may agree with her opinion, but I was the best-smelling skunk on the block for the rest of that day... not to mention every day since.

And here is who I'm passing this on to {don't forget to notify your recipients}!

Jeigh. Rhymes with J {see above}. I did not know what having a writer friend truly meant until I met you. Not only do we make each other laugh, but we've met each others' crises. You've taught me how to crit, how to write cute boys {they eat a lot}, and how to read three books in one day. I was just a little slow on the uptake with the last one. We are *so* on the same page, and words just fall short of describing it. I am thrilled to have you in my life. Brain twin. :B

Elisabeth {or fairbetty, as they call you around here}. Remember when we were together in Gatlinburg last summer, not knowing that the other one blogged and wrote? Funny how that happens. Now you are someone I know I can turn to, a real-life friend {albeit far away} who also *gets* me on the writer level. You are a solid rock, always encouraging, always smiling. And it's nice to not be the only vegetarian around here.


Amber. What an awesome cheerleader you are! I can always count on you to remind me that I *can* do this, I *can* set a schedule for myself and be organized, I *can* open up and let myself learn. You ask the best questions, and my brain just loves it.

Ruth Josse and Sarah Pearson.You ladies are consistently encouraging and uplifting in your comments. I am so honored and happy to see you on here after almost every post, sending all kinds of good feelings my way. You take what it means to be a follower seriously, and I admire that. I also need to pick your brains and take notes on how you do it.

And that's how you do the Thumbs Up from Skunk {which totally needs an accompanying dance move}. This is for you, friends. Enjoy!

the funky liebster.

1. I am in a funk. I can't explain it. Don't know what it is.

2. My husband and I are going on a two-and-a-half week trip to Wyoming and Idaho, starting tomorrow.

3. Maybe the funk is stress.

4. How does one blog and write while visiting grandparents and friends and seeing the inside of Yellowstone for the first time? We shall find out.

5. My new friend J, at Concrete Pieces of Soul gave me an award! It looks like this:

And, yes, I had to look up the meaning of "Liebster." Answer: friend or love, in German. Embarrassed? Yes. My heritage is so ashamed. (And the heart is right there on the image!)

The hard part, of course, is passing this on to five liebsters who have less than 200 followers (them's the rules, y'all). I do intend to do this! However, I need to spend some more time getting to know my new Campaign buddies (Hi, Campaign buddies!), first.

6. My husband found my one-cup coffee maker from college during the move. I am a happy bear.

7. Monday! Thursday! I hereby dub thee my New Official Blogging Days. Not including you, This Thursday. You are far too close, and most of you will be spent on a plane.

That being said, hold me to it! I will hopefully have material to put up while adventuring. Regardless, I'll see you when I get back!

award! sparkfest! ash to nash! finding peace! all the good stuff.

First of all, if you haven't taken a gander at the Harry Potter Zipline photos, please do. It really happened. You won't regret it.

Second-- and most important-- ly, here are some things that are going on:

1. We have moved our bed into the den. Pretty much everything from the bedroom, actually, has been moved. Some call this "packing," I call it "in-house camping." It's a mess, but it's also pretty fun to have a double bed, two couches, a coffee table, two bookshelves, a TV, and a small dining table with two chairs and a bench in one room (don't worry, it's an unusually large room).
1a. We're buying a new mattress and bed frame when we move. I can't wait to show you guys this bed. It's so odd. It has WHEELS. We're looking at a huge bookshelf with wheels, too. Good thing our new bedroom is tiled. Oh yes, tiled.

2. With the end of camp, I've been looking at my summer goals, again. The only ones that probably just aren't going to happen are to watch less TV and exercise daily. I know, I was doing so well. But!
2a. Even though I haven't gotten as much done as quickly as I would have liked this summer, I'm feeling pretty good about my writing. Have I gone through my entire rough draft yet? Well, no. But I have been doing a fair amount of planning and aligning events in my head and my notebook, which will hopefully help me figure out the direction of everything once I really get into revisions.

3. The lovely Deirdra at A Storybook World has given me an award! Just because! I am so thrilled. Seriously, you blog folks are awesome. I know I should say this more often, so I'll try to make up for it now:

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

When I started blogging, I had no idea what I was getting into. All I knew was that I wanted to write, and I wanted others to read. I've noticed how some bloggers can cultivate huge followings in the span of months, and while that is awesome, I do not possess such skills. I am a networking sloth. I struggle with putting myself out there, I really do. So, again, THANK YOU. I am so encouraged.

So fun and pretty!
(Also, I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one being entertained, over here.)

4. Speaking of putting myself out there, I'm going to be participating in Christine Tyler's Sparkfest in a few weeks. Hooray! I hope you'll join me; blogfests are so much fun. And so is Christine's blog, The Writer Coaster. Let's show some love.

5. Have you guys heard about From Ash To Nash?                     (look there it is! -->)
Anyone outside of this area probably doesn't care, but as a resident of the East Tennessee/Western North Carolina region, this is thrilling. A book signing in Knoxville! Who'd'a thunk? And so, I will be there, at Union Ave. Books, next Sunday afternoon. If you are going to be there, too, please tell me! Especially if that means you also live in this area. Friends we shall be, I say.

6. Speaking of the East Tennessee/Western North Carolina region, an amazing thing happened at camp a few weeks ago: I stopped caring about being cast as an extra in The Hunger Games. A good move, on my part, because they never called me. :) Look at that, a smiley face. And you know why?
6a. There are so many wonderful things going on in my life, these days. Really. I have a wonderful husband, fantastic friends, two highly entertaining cats, and a whole world that exists solely in my imagination. I don't NEED to be in The Hunger Games to feel good about myself. That's what it was, for a while. I wanted to be a part of something that made me feel significant. I also wanted a chance to see Jennifer Lawrence again, I won't lie (that's not just a pipe dream-- I knew her {i.e. her brother} back in Louisville... for those of you who hadn't heard that a thousand times over, already). Also, since I'm being brutally honest about myself, I felt a bit... possessive of the story. As if The Hunger Games existed solely for me, and so OF COURSE they would let me be a part of it. I thought that if no one called me, it meant that I was not good enough for the story I loved, had no presence, was doomed to never act again. But the truth (or at least part of the truth)?

I don't live in the right state.

A crap-ton of people went to those casting calls, and most of them lived in the immediate area. I like to think that I'm not half-bad at the things I do, but I also knew I wasn't going make such an impression that the distance wouldn't matter. And that's okay. I don't regret going out for it. Now that I can look back without the butterflies or the gut-pounding high hopes, I see the day for what it was: a fun morning with friends and coffee and good conversation, a profound learning experience, and something I will always be able to say I did. What's not to love about that?

So, how's the beginning of August faring for you, my friends?

another round of blog awards.

Lots of thanks and a hearty hug (one of my specialties) to Jenna over at Finding the Write Way for this Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award!

I want to eat it. I want to eat-it-up-yum.

I feel so... loved! So... is anyone really that interested in learning seven more things about me? Yeah... 

1. I had my first pedicure this weekend. I know. It took me almost 26 years (well, probably not all 26. I don't think small children really get pedicures), but I finally got one. Want to see my post-pedi toes? Of course you do. They're blue with flowers.

I mean, why not, right?

2. Speaking of firsts, I finally got my nose pierced today. I'd been wanting to this since I was 19. It was good to finally let myself.

My face (and left hand)(and nostril bling).

3. I was born with a head full of jet black hair, which turned blond when I was a toddler, then got, like, white blond when I was 4-6 years old, then started turning dirty again when I was about 12. Now it's just... brownish (see above). Fascinating. A friend in college called this "mood hair."

Okay, that's absolutely enough about my appearance. Let's talk about books!

4. I didn't start reading Harry Potter until after the first movie came out. I didn't start reading Lord of the Rings until after the first TWO movies were out. I'm ashamed, but it turned out okay.

5. My favorite book in 5th grade was Shiloh.

The weirdest thing that ever happened to me:

6. Once upon a time in college, I came home to my apartment from an exhausting day of classes and promptly crashed on the couch. I was so tired, I could hardly keep my eyes open when my roommate, Katie, came in and started microwaving some popcorn. I was so wiped out, but I kept telling myself, "At least say hi so she knows I'm not 100% asleep." Katie poured the popcorn into a green, plastic bowl and sat down in the chair beside me. I willed myself to wake up and eat popcorn with her I sat up. I rubbed my face and turned to her. I said, "Hey Katie..."

But she was not in the chair. She was not in my apartment at all.
Some people call this hallucinating. Yup.

7. I'm not the biggest fan of dark colas. I like Sprite and her clear-syrupped cousins fairly well (I *heart* Ale-8), but the only darker soda I really like is root beer.

And NOW you KNOW!

Alrighty, who here is irrisistibly sweet... thinking thinking...

Zzzzzripph! Jeigh Meredith, come on now, girl. You know you make my heart sing. (You also bring out the weirdest sides of me. Sheesh.)

Jenna Cooper! Oh, drat. You're the one who awarded me. Well... consider it mutual.

How about those new writer friends of mine?

Kristen Simmons! Check out her fabulous new website, and get pumped about Article 5!

Courtney Potter! Seriously, Court, you are such an inspiration to me.

I have been so blessed, recently. Especially by other people. So let's all show some love!

one award, seven things about me, and some other stuff.

In keeping with this week's theme of "rites of passage," I have officially received my first blog award. (!) Thanks, Jeigh, for being awesome and making me feel good about myself. And for laughing at all my stupid jokes. And for getting excited about all the right things. Dang, you're cool.

Look at how pretty it is!

The catch, of course, is that I have to share interesting things about myself. And then, you know, pass on the award, which is the fun part! But before we get to that fun part, here are seven things you may or may not know about me.

1. I am a vegetarian. Surprised? Strangely, even my grandmother forgets this about me, from time to time. Which is funny, because I haven't eaten meat since I was, like, six. I just don't like it. It began, in all honesty, with my dad referring to my half-eaten drumstick as a "chicken leg." The freak-out went a little something like this: "What?! WHAT. AM. I. EATING???!!!!!" Little Julie was horrified. Dead animals + my insides = should not be mixing. Soon after that, the texture of most meats began to revolt me--ground beef is the absolute worst. Even though I didn't officially call myself vegetarian until college, I hadn't eaten meat without grimacing or complaining (or abstaining entirely) since the chicken leg debacle of approximately 1991. It's a little bit animal rights, a little bit "I just don't like it," and a little bit of that original freak-out, still hanging on.

2. I am the only girl (of my generation) in my biological family. I have one brother... and five male first cousins. Surprisingly, I never played sports.

3. Scars: I have a scar on my lip from falling down the stairs on my fourth birthday, chasing after my new kitten. That kitten just passed away a year ago. She was 21. I have a scar on my hand that is a complete mystery, which is a shame, because it looks really cool. Yeah, I'm kind of boring at the scar game.

4. I am embarrassingly sensitive to silverware. Silverware rips holes in my sanity, if I'm not careful. I hate the feeling/sound of metal scraping against my teeth (uuhhnghg), on plates (eeeeenghkk), even other people's teeth (pleaseplease, make it stop). It doesn't upset me emotionally or anything, so don't feel like you have to apologize for scraping your teeth across your horrible, metal fork every time you take a bite *shudder shudder scream gag*, but now you know why I sometimes have to find a random subject to talk about, or suddenly go to the bathroom. I'd rather do that than say, "I'm sorry, every new friend I ever make, I detest silverware. I require that we only use plastic or bamboo flatware in my presence." I save that for my poor husband. In fact, his very first gift to me, back when we were dating, was a set of bamboo flatware. I'm not kidding (he's such a keeper). And every holiday with my parents, my place is clearly defined by the plastic picnic ware 'mongst the good china and fancy goblets. You didn't know it was this bad, did you? I'm trying to improve. At least I don't take my own flatware with me to restaurants (but don't think it hasn't crossed my mind).

5. I used to ride horses. Then I got scared. Story of my life.

6. I am mildly in love with anime. I don't have an excuse. It's a guilty pleasure. If I can ignore the typically over-dramatic dialogue (and steer clear of the particular shows involving larger-than-life boobs), there's just something about it that makes me feel all happy inside. There. Now you know.

7. The first blog I ever followed was The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee. In fact, I joined blogger so I could follow it. Don't make fun. I was planning a wedding at the time. Baby cats = stress relief of kings. When I finally started my own blog, there was this huge mental hurdle I had to get over. I was like, "What do people who don't foster kittens blog about?" And then I found the YA writing community, and the "Aha!" moment was not far behind.

Aren't you glad to know all those weird things about me? I have dutifully prepared you for possible conversation topics, future trivia, and, of course, what to do when faced with the daunting situation of dining with me.

[Speaking of trivia, and anime, and The Count of Monte Cristo (were we not talking about that one?), this is a real thing. It is so bizarre. Be warned, though, it's not for kids... and not really anything like The Count of Monte Cristo (though still more faithful than the Jim Caviezel version). I'm also not technically recommending it to someone unfamiliar with anime (there are lots better out there). But it is just so dang weird, I had to mention it. If you're not familiar with anime, but you want to be (rah rah!), start with any film by Hayao Miyazaki, as I'm sure I've said before. Love love love.]

Anyway, now onto the fun part! *obligatory drumroll* My three picks for this award are:

Elisabeth, at fairbetty's world: A real life friend who just happens to also be a blogging, aspiring novelist. Yeah, it's pretty awesome. Plus, she just got back from "researching" in Scotland. You know you want to be a part of that. Tidbit: her cousin, Katie, and their annual family trip to Mt. LeConte (sound familiar yet?) may or may not be what brought my husband and me together. :) Them's family ties, right there.

Amber, at C(am)em(ber)[t]: quite possibly my favorite blog title, ever. She's a friend, listener, and make-happen-er: smart-as-a-whip and pretty, too. And her blog is full of thoughtful, useful stuff. She lives and breathes writing, and boy is it contagious.

and

Jessica, at Graduate Gourmet: Because after a long day of writing, is there anything better than gawking at beautiful food? No. :) Jess and I are long time friends and camp buddies. Now she lives and works in DC, and blogs about food, and dangitall if the girl can't roast some mean asparagus. Foodies unite!

So, go on over! Show some love! And winners, now you get to pass it on, if you like. See, isn't this fun? Later on, friends (I'm cutting this a little short, because hoo-wee, would you look at the time).

Bye!