Blogger Award Q&A Time with Kath and Hash

The other day I was nominated for an award where you answer questions about yourself/your blog. The fine lady who nominated me is actually a former student of mine. Mandie blogs over at Viva La Sassy. And since I'm kinda in a rut right now as far as blog posts go (seriously, this is the longest I've ever gone without writing a post), I thought it'd be a good way to get back in the saddle. So here we go. Mandie asked me 10 questions and here they are:

1. How did you decide on the name of your blog?

The name of my blog came from Mitch and my childhood. Mitch was born and raised in Alberta, Canada (hence the Maple Leaves) and I grew up on a dead-end street called Sycamore Street in Delran, New Jersey. We both have very fond memories of our childhood, so we felt it'd be an appropriate name for this here blog. Plus Maple Leaves & Sycamore Trees has a nice ring to it, don't ya think?

2. Is there a cause/project you are passionate about or support, let us in on it?

This past fall, I (with the help of other ladies) started a mom's Bible study at our church. It's called Grace for Moms (our church is Grace Fellowship...oh and excuse the website...Mitch and I are working on updating it) and we just finished up the year. I think the ladies who attended were blessed...which was the whole point of it. So we have one year down! I'm excited to see where it goes from here. (If you're a local mom of a pre-schooler, look us up! We'd love to have ya!)

3. What is a guilty pleasure TV show you watch?

Well thanks to some of you guys, our readers, Mitch and I started watching Revenge and Scandal. So those would be our guilty pleasures via Netflix. Yes, they're kinda trashy and more than once an episode I roll my eyes at the acting/plot, but it's true, we got sucked into them. We used to watch Cougar Town and loved it but they switched networks and aren't on Netflix (boo-hoo).

4. What inspired you to begin blogging?

I was inspired to begin blogging after talking with a friend from church about it. I think she had just started one and I thought, "Shoot, I should do that too!" I thought it'd be cool to document our renovations so we had something to look back on and reminisce over. Also I enjoy eating/cooking (big surprise, I know) so I thought it'd be fun to document recipes on a blog, as well as family stuff. 

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie (aka Cookie Pie)

Since I stink at actually printing off pictures and doing the whole scrapbook thing, I like to think of this blog as a memory book of sorts. I can write about holidays and special occasions with my family and always have them to look back upon. I love it. You guys are watching our boys grow up right in front of you. Seems like just yesterday we brought Finn home from the hospital. Now look at him!

5. If you could re-name yourself, what would your name be and why?

I like my name. I actually am known to most people as Kat, but to Mitch I'm always Kathleen. To my Mom I'm Kate and the rest of my family and long-time friends, Kath. I'm okay with that. You can call me any of those versions of Kathleen...just don't call me Kathy. I'm not a Kathy. So I like my first name. My middle name, on the other hand...

(I'm named after my Mom who was named after her Mom..."Gertrude" ain't one of those old-fashioned names that is making a comeback. Ha!)

6. What is your go-to/favorite outfit?

I just tried on a super cute skirt the other day at Anthropologie. Granted, I was too cheap to buy it (they wanted $100 for it) so I guess that doesn't really count as my go-to outfit, does it? A girl can dream...

So I guess just skinny jeans with a t-shirt and cardigan would be my go-to outfit these days. I just bought some TOMS shoes a few weeks ago, so those are cute with that outfit. (the t-shirt I'm wearing up there is from this Etsy shop...I LOVE it!)

7. Your favorite or life-giving quote or verse? 

Even though there are days when I feel like a failure as a mom, wife, or simply just a person in general, I know that God's grace is new every morning. And it's because of His faithfulness and love toward us that life is worth living!

8. What's your dream job?

Working from home with my man by my side. We've talked about starting some sort of business...just gotta figure out what that could be. Oh and win the lottery so we can actually make it happen. 

9. If your life were a movie, the title would be...

How to Train your Dragons while Baking Strawberry Shortcake 

...wait, what??

10. Would you rather sing like Jennifer Lopez or dance like Derek Hough (from DWTS-my guilty pleasure)

I'd have to go with Derek. That guy is pretty much amazing. And he's solid muscle. So who wouldn't want to have some kick-butt dance moves and be totally in incredible shape? So yeah, Derek it is. (says the girl who is drinking a cup of coffee and eating vanilla snaps as she's typing this...)

So instead of passing questions along to other bloggers like I'm supposed to do (I'm a slacker like that), I thought it'd be fun if Mitch answer the same questions. So take it away, Mitchell Todd.

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1. How did you decide on the name of your blog?

I think I may have had some influence on trying to pick the name when she started the blog a few years ago but I am pretty sure that she came up with the name herself as she stated above. 

2. Is there a cause/project you are passionate about or support, let us in on it?

About three years ago, the announcement was made that more help was needed in our church AWANA program. When one of the coordinators boldly asked my wife to be involved, she boldly said no (Hey she’s with kids all day) and then volunteered me. Three years later, I actually look forward to Wednesday nights. I love seeing my and other local kids being involved in a great program where they have tons of fun while learning Bible stories, principles and verses. These kids are our future. We need to INVEST in them now.

3. What is a guilty pleasure TV show you watch?

Other than what my wife stated above, the show that I have watched every episode of but don’t tell my friends was Desperate Housewives. Now you can all judge!

4. What inspired you to begin blogging?

Since this is really her blog, I only blog when my wife tells me to. I think she is pretty great at it so I am glad she started. 

5. If you could re-name yourself, what would your name be and why?

Don’t know why I would ever rename myself, but if I were forced to at knife-point then how about a unique modern name like Hash Taggleson.

6. What is your go-to/favorite outfit?

Pretty much anything that goes with these pants:

7. Your favorite or life-giving quote or verse? 

Hebrew 4:14-16 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

He's been in my shoes and I can boldly ask Him for the grace to get through any trial.

8. What's your dream job?

Since I love sports and stats, I probably would love being a statistician for the Flyers or Phillies. Or the guy who opens and closes the penalty box door. Best seat for every game!

9. If your life were a movie, the title would be...

Pretty DIY for a White Guy!

starring Hash Taggleson!

10. Would you rather sing like Jennifer Lopez or dance like Derek Hough (from DWTS-my guilty pleasure)

I have absolutely zero desire to sing anything like Jennifer Lopez. I am not exactly into dancing much either but since we think Derek Hough looks like my nephew Cole, I guess I would go with him. He can move!

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Since my posts seem to be few and far between these days, follow MLST on Facebook  (click on the "like" button below) and Instagram to stay up-to-date on all our fun-filled family adventures and sweatpant-wearin' outfits.