Sweet Saturday

This morning its cool outside, but the sun is shining so beautifully. So I thought I would post a few links I think you'd enjoy, and then go for a nice long walk. Especially since the forecast is calling for snow on Sunday.

First a big thank you to Lindsey for the award above! 

Lindsey is Sammy's mom and I love reading her blog because I have always had a heart for young mom's (even before I had my own!). Lindsey probably isn't too much younger than me, but her Sammy is a toddler and I have such a heart for mom's with babies and toddlers. Those early years are fun, but not easy! Anyway, Sammy reminds me so much of The Boy when he was at that age, so it's fun to read about what's going on over there!  

Thanks for the Awards Lindsey!

Now for the links!

This post had me laughing so hard.  However the more I thought about it, the more I thought that maybe I shouldn't post it, because her service to her man raises the bar exceedingly high!

When you get done reading meh's post, click on over to Jen's post on Answered Prayer. Such a good reminder that God cares about the details in our life. 

All right, sunshine calls!

Have a good weekend!

Awards and Random Bloggy Business

I received a couple of awards over two weeks ago that i wanted to acknowledge.

First Kathalog gave me the Butterfly Award.

Thanks Kathy!

I thought somebody had awarded me another award, but i cannot find it on any of the blogs that I am subscribed to...so I might have imagined it.  But thank you! I did appreciate it! I did!

I am going to be a rule breaker and not pass this on to seven people because I read so many awesome blogs. Having to pick the coolest blogs I read makes me feel like I am picking for the dodge ball team in grade school P.E.  

If I read your blog then you know that I think you are cool, other wise I just wouldn't read!

...if I don't read your blog. Then you either haven't ever commented or I lost you somewhere in the switch between readers.

...if you write a blog at all, I think you are cool.

...because all bloggers are cool. Right?

...can I stop now?

On to other things....

...Do you know how hard it is for me to NOT participate in this quarters Bloggy-Giveaway???

It's KILLING me. 

But I have absolutely nothing handmade to give away. And not a whole lot of time in which to make something. (I have two "baby" projects in the works that must be finished before I start anything else!)

I have participated in almost every Giveaway for the last 18 months!!!!!

Deep breath.

Next time, I will participate. And it will be BIG!  

...I woke up this morning thinking about chocolate chip cookies. 

...I cannot stop thinking about them. I guess I will have to go make a batch.

Oh, one last piece of useless information. I have decided to use the time between 2:30-4:30 as scheduled computer time.

Meaning that I cannot under any circumstance check blogs or email (or respond to them) unless all other things have been done. Unless, its between the time of 2:30-4:30. 

Scheduling things in my day has always helped me to be more efficient, but I have never (consistently) tried to use self-control scheduling with regard to the computer. I am hoping that this will help me to maximize my time on the computer and keep me focused.  

We'll see. 

All righty then, Happy Monday!

I Feel the Love

A few weeks ago a friend in real life asked me this question:

Who are all these people who comment on your blog?  

This friend, a blogger herself, wasn't being derogatory, she was making more of a statement than anything else. But, I know that there are those out there who think blogging is a waste of time,; Time perhaps better spent in real (tangible) relationship.

Although I know blogging cannot replace real life realtionship with people. I do have an answer as to why I blog.

I could give you a long answer, but I'll just tell you in three words:

They're my friends. 

I may not have had a conversation face to face with many of these awesome ladies, but I have prayed for them, shared recipes with them, shed tears with them, and experienced their joy. 

Blogging is a sweet community. Some may scoff; some may say that community cannot happen without a place to gather face-to-face, and that's OK. 

Community is often built out of uncommon means.  Although, I am not sure blogging is all that uncommon anymore and I am so glad to have met people I would never have had the opportunity to know otherwise!

Anyway, somewhere in this crazy blogosphere, some creative gal started making awards. I have been the recipient of two this week.

First, Rae of My Life On the East Coast  has awarded me with the Smile Award:

Here are the characteristics of the Smile Award:

~You must display a cheerful attitude.

~You must show love to others.

~You must make mistakes.

~You must learn from others.

~You must be a positive contributor to blogging.

~You must love life.

~You must love kids.

Here are the rules for the Smile Award:

~You must link back to the award creator. (Oops...I don't know who the award creator is!)

~You must post the rules if you are a recipient.

~You must choose 5 people to pass the award to.

~You must fit the characteristics of the award.

~You must post the characteristics of the recipient of the award.

~You must create a post sharing your win with others.

~You must thank the giver of the award.

Wow! There are a lot of rules to this award! But I am grateful for the opportunity to tell you why I enjoy getting to know Rae through her blog.

First she has amazing style. She post often about things she sees and things she is doing to embellish her home. She is also a hip momma who isn't afraid to show the reality of motherhood!  

I happily nominate 5 sweet blogger-gals  for the Smile Award who aren't in my blog roll (because I always forget to update my blog roll!!)

Tiffani of Bear and Belles. If you look up the word Encourager in the dictionary, this girl's picture will be there. If er heart is as half as big in real life as it is via the Internet, I am uncertain how she contain it!  Seriously, this southern belle is as kind as they come.

Stefanie J: of Bike, Book, Bread is an in-real-life friend. Now, this girl is S-M-A-R-T. Really smart. But she is kind and tender-hearted, and has an amazingly great desire to honor God. She is also very talented. She is actually reading a book to learn how to crochet, and has made some amazing things for a wee beginner!  (I am always impressed with direction readers...I am not one.) Anyway, Stef also makes a mean loaf of bread. Bread is not just a hobby, It's her passion!

Meet Leslie from More from Les.  Les is a blogger who is always doing fun things with her kiddos. Whether it's leading her daughters Girl Scout Troop, to having tea parties with Buzzlight Year and a stuffed animal named Garth Brooks, she is having a blast!  

I am not even sure how Lindsey and I hooked up, but I am so glad we have.  You can find her at The Whitcomb Family blog. where she posts about her pride and joy, Sammy!  Lindsey is a hard working momma, juggling both motherhood and career.  She likes hanging out with family and she has a love for dogs!  (Although just between you and me, I have a hunch that her soft spot for animals isn't limited to dogs!)

And last but certainly not least, Life With Three written by Michelle.  Michelle is an energetic gal who is also a contributor to the ever popular Chic Critique productive review blog. I love looking at pictures of her family at the beach, or laughing while I read funny stories of her with her kids, but what I really enjoy are her Works for me Wednesday posts. My favorite one was on how she figured out how to pack a lunch with out having to sell one of her children to pay for it.

Whew! This post is long!  Sweet Janel of Dandylion Dayz also gave me an award but i think I will save that until tomorrow!

Until then,

La Vida Dulce!