This post is at least a week overdue because of life, a crashed laptop and a nasty tummy bug I ran into last week.

When I first started blogging, I knew so little about blogging, blogging protocol (oh yeah, it exists!) and nothing about blog awards. Now, I see these awards as the recognition, affection and support of my fellow bloggers as well as a chance to shine the light on great blogs that may not get the attention they deserve. This is often the case with new blogs.

If being a food blogger has taught me one thing, it's that the food blogging community, unlike many other internet communities, can be a close, warm and incredibly nurturing and supportive one, if you have the good luck to fall into the right circle. I feel very privileged to have found just such a circle.

Today I want to thank eight wonderful people who thought of me when they themselves received the following awards, as well as highlight some deserving blogs which may not be as well known as others.

Having been a food blogger for about 11 months now, I can truly appreciate how full the life of a blogger can be. So, I want to give these out to the following people who have brightened my life one way or another, without any conditions or rules. If you like, go ahead and highlight blogs which you think are great but receive little attention. However, I leave this decision entirely up to you. Absolutely no pressure whatsoever. Now on to the awards, their givers and those I have nominated :

This was given to me by The Kitchen Masochist the mystery lady I call KM with great affection. You feel like the sister I never had. We seem to have much in common including a love for "art" (what many others would probably call junk), nyonya laksa, history, the written word, Hemingway, ethnic/religious (con?)fusion and a tendency to tropical heat rash. You're a splendid cook, a worthy rival to Dorothy Parker and I would gladly eat at your table if you would only ask. Sadly passports are inconveniently required for that so instead, I hang out at your wonderful blog. Please check out her virtual kitchen, if you haven't already done so. I promise you not only a drool fest but lashings of wit as ascerbic and refreshing as the calamansi limes she loves so very much. Thank you KM!

Thank you Jenn of Defunkt Gourmet and Zibi of Fresh Slow Cooking, for this award. Jenn, your humor is infectious - each time I read one of your comments, I feel the giggles bubbling up from inside me! You were probably the first blogger I was aware of, to pay me any attention, read my posts and absolute wonder, to COMMENT!!!. My blog was like a dusty, cobwebby ghost town before you came along *sniffle* If you haven't already checked out her blog, please do so. To say she's funny would be a gross understatement. Anyone who knows Jenn will agree with me. She is an inspiring cook and also one of the few food bloggers who cooks and shows all, the good, the bad and the not so pretty ;) Anyone one who has ever had a souffle collapse 15 seconds out of the oven or  macarons that stubbornly refused to form the hallowed "feet", will be grateful for Jenn's kitchen honesty. A good egg, and a friend, that's my Jenn :)


Zibi - I wish I'd known you sooner, but it was only when I saw your sweet note in my guest book that my curiosity about you was piqued. You liked my "About" page because you found it "honest" and I thought that was incredibly sweet of you :) You're only one of two people that I know of to have actually read my page, to try to know me better. You've ifluenced the way I cook just by showing the versatility of the slow cooker and how much of a friend it can be to needful multitaskers like mums and lab technicians ;) If you haven't already been to Zibi's blog, let me tell you that she's freed up chunks of a day for me, by convincing me that slowcookers are not just for casseroles and our mothers and grandmas. She makes yoghurt in them, chicken stock, risotto, breakfast eggs, amazing soups, incredible ribs - you have to see to believe how imaginative and creative she gets with the humble crock pot. 

Thank you Lazaro Bernal over at Lazaro Cooks! Lazaro you are a gem amongst bloggers. It has been my tremendous good fortune to have met you. If I had to choose one word to describe you it would be passionate with a capital 'P'. I have much more reason to thank you then I could squeeze into this paragraph. Let me just say that you have made such a difference in my life in the short time that I've known you and that "Beautiful Blogger" is more apt for you than you might realise. If you have not checked out his blog PLEASE do so - Lazaro gives his all whether cooking, writing, presenting and photographing his edible works of art or arguing the case for local, seasonal, organic and sustainable food. His writing is a delight to read; every line crackling with life. His recipes, are a wonder to contemplate! He is a gentleman and a wondrously giving soul as well as  one of the most supportive bloggers that I personally know of. 
 

Thank you Mhel from Pens, Pans and Puns for this award. You were also one of the earliest bloggers to take an interest in my blog and what I had to say on it. I appreciate the time you took to comment and share your thoughts on my musings :) You are a lovely, warm person, with a fantastic sense of humour and gift for words. I've enjoyed a vicarious ride along on your fun and delicious culinary journey! I truly hope I'll be addressing you as Dr Mhel not too long from now ;) Don't work too hard though - remember to always take time to smell the roses, chocolate and bacon LOL

This comes from Lauren at Coffee Muffins, Cinda from Simply About Life and Gwen from Bunky Cooks. Lauren I truthfully don't know you very well. But, you always seemed like a very nice person and the fact that you received this award cements my impression of you. Thank you for including me on your list, out of so many, many bloggers. I enjoy reading your blog as your warmth and sincerity come through in your writing and musings. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and leave your thoughts and comments :) I do hope to know you better in time to come! If you haven't checked out Lauren's blog I urge to do so, for some very interesting recipes and lovely musings!

Cinda - I'm afraid I need to get to know more of you as well LOL However you really do seem to be a very warm and sincere person and of course, as a mum myself, I am instantly drawn to any mum whose family seems to be her main preoccupation ;) I love your wholesome and delicious recipes and all that you share on your blog of your daily life. Thanking for including me in your list of recipients and for taking the time to read my blog and share your impressions. I hope to get to know you better as well! Please check out Cinda's blog if you haven't already - you're missing out!

Gwen my darling - Thank you for this lovely happy award. Thank you also for all your support, for taking the time to see what I've been up to and sharing your thoughts on my writing and musings as well as your own thoughts, trials and tribulations LOL Don't worry I won't tell ROFL - Nawww! I'm just kidding, it's all good ;) You're a warm and lovely person and your hubby is one lucky guy! Thanks for all the fantastic, gorgeous, printable recipes on your blog and those amazing visual treats! You're an incredible photographer on top of being a gifted cook and I still hope to share that bottle of wine with you some day! Hope this week goes great for you, hubby and family. Please send my best wishes to all :) If you haven't had a taste of Gwen's genius, please go take a good, long look!

This award also comes from Gwen of  Bunky Cooks. Thank you my dear, sweet friend. You know what I think of you ;)

It's been a slightly crazy two weeks, so if I've made any mistakes in this post, please, please pardon me and let me know if you'd like it rectified. To all the lovely people above - CONGRATULATIONS!!! I would love to give these awards right back to you but that would defeat their very purpose so I've decided to pass all these awards to the following in no order of any kind - I love you all because you're fantastic bloggers or fantastic friends and in practically every case, both :

Bloggers and Blogs I Love :