So... I was almost at the end of this post, and wouldn't you know it but my computer crashed. Oh bother. It's true what they say, friends... SAVE SAVE SAVE!!! Whew, I'm not bitter. Shake it off. I can start over. Shake, breathe, breathe... moving on!!

Okay, first order of business. I'm new to the blog world and love being part of this community, so imagine my excitement when I saw that I had been nominated for this cool blog award! Thanks so much, Val!! Now it's time for me to pass on the blog award love and follow its directions, which are... post the award logo, link back to the person who awarded it to you, nominate seven other blogs for the award, link to them, and leave comments for them to let them know the fun news! It's like a chain letter, only cooler! Sorry if that's a bad analogy, but I'm happy to send you all to people I enjoy reading. So here are my nominees. Drumroll, please...

• Chatting at the Sky
• Nesting Place
• Sand and Limestone
• Green Lite Bites
• Milk and Cookies
• Taylor Made
• Disorganized College Student

These are great for different reasons, different moods, different topics. I think you'll enjoy reading.

Okay, next order of business. My mom is awesome. People think we look alike. She's the one in the middle of me and my little sister. Do we look like we belong together? Some people really seem to think so. Some people also might think we all took an Ambien before this picture was taken. Wow...

Anyway, she's a stained glass artist and a remarkably creative one. My art is food; hers is glass. She started out making clocks out of stained glass, and now she's ventured into making actual window panels you install in your house. I know! Amazing idea, right? Check this one out.

She actually took an old window she found at a yardsale or thrift store or something and made it into something entirely different. Isn't this amazing? It's art. Gorgeous. The Nester would be so proud. I still can't get over that my mom is this creative, and I can't wait for her to make me a window for my house... like this one. I call it.

A lot of you who stop by My First Kitchen don't live close enough to take classes and hang out with me at my house, so I thought I'd give you a little consolation prize - my mom's stuff. She can SHIP you clocks and maybe even a window if you want the coolest house on the block. I know; I can feel your excitement from here! Check out her stuff at Imagery Limited. You'll LOVE it. And you can forgive the shameless plug; come on, people, it's my mama!!

P.S. Seven-layer cookie bar recipe coming in the next couple of days. Ooh, the gooeyness...