Excellence in Blogging award

I have had the honor of being awarded the "This Blog is Rated E for Excellent" award by Leslie at The Pedalogue. I've been reading Leslie's blog since January and we've been visiting each other back and forth. Leslie lives in Vancouver and in 2006, took an early retirement from teaching, although I think she must miss it some because she still continues to tutor young scholars. I enjoy reading her interesting posts and she's been one of my 'role-model' blogs.

I started this blog on December 26, 2007. I began blogging because I wanted to share my pictures with my sisters and some friends. I thought a blog would make a nice backdrop for my photographs. Although I'm not much of a writer, I really did it more as an outlet for my photography rather than my writing skills. I didn't open it to the public until a short time afterwards and now am enjoying a regular stream of visitors that I love hearing from. When people comment to tell me they really like a post, it makes it all worth it. I'm also liking that I can share my love of nature and the simple pictures I enjoy taking. One person wrote me and told me that she lives in the city and the only nature she sees is the two trees in front of her apartment building, ending by thanking me for sharing my pictures and my life. If my blog can make people smile, then I'm happy.

I read many interesting blogs and it's going to be so difficult to just choose ten of them to nominate this Award for Excellence. So I won't even try. I'm awarding everyone who I think deserves this award. So here goes:

I'd like to award the following, in alphabetical order, for the Excellence in Blogging Award.

To Josie at C'est La Vie, whose site I can't go a day without. Like Leslie, she lives in Vancouver, and they know each other and are friends who met through blogging. Josie is an accomplished artist, and posts her work on her site. She's an excellent writer and always has something interesting to say and I find her charming. I've learned so much visiting both her site and Leslie's.

To Miriam Lovell Dyer, a professional photographer who lives in Queens, NY. Miriam's photo assignments are always interesting and her photographs are inspiring. I love visiting her site and seeing what's new in her life. She posts some of her subjects and her pictures of children and weddings are my favorites.

To Christine, at Hogue Chronicle, who has been instrumental in helping me achieve the confidence to continue to post every day. Through her kind words and the visitors she has sent my way, I began to have a small following of people who frequent my blog. Maybe she never knew how I felt, but she will now. Visit her site which she's had for many years, and look at the pictures she takes. She's always suggesting interesting blogs to visit, as well. And if you're into organization or need to acquire those skills, this is the site for you.

To TJ at Humble Origins. Now, TJ doesn't post every single day, but it doesn't matter. When she does, it's witty and interesting. She was my very first visitor to leave a comment aside from my sisters and she's always been so supportive of me. Go visit her site and see her wonderful primtive creations made with her antique treadle sewing machine. TJ lives in a rustic log home in Missouri.

To Russell, at Iowa Grasslands, whom I met through Josie and Leslie. Russell tells us that he's a recovering attorney, who is now teaching law at a local community college near Des Moines, Iowa while helping to care for his aging parents some weekends. Russell was raised on a farm and has a lot of interesting posts concerning the old days, but not only that. Russell gets you thinking and I do enjoy visiting his site. Sometimes it just takes me back to a simpler time.

To Mary at the Little Red House, whose site is also a must-visit for me on a daily basis. Her photographs are artful, tasteful arrangements of her belongings from beautiful dishes to gorgeous flower arrangements. The other day she posted a picture of her cat lapping at a bowl of cream with the post that she just wanted us to feel as good as a cat who's found the cream bowl. Mary has exquisite taste and is a kind-hearted soul. She's a joy to visit.

To Jeannelle, at Midlife by Farmlight. Don't you love that name? Jeannelle lives on a dairy farm in Iowa and assists her husband in its management. She's involved in her community and her church. She posts every single day and is quite the photographer in her own right. I think maybe she doesn't think so. But if you visit her site, you'll see what I mean. Jeannelle's light shines through both her pictures and her words and I find comfort in visiting her site.

To Tammy, over at The Color of Home, who's got a really interesting ghost story going on at her place. In fact, she's got me hooked on it. She's had so many inquiries about it that she began a new blog just about the story itself. It's called My Paranormal Journal. Now normally, I don't go for that sort of thing, but if you start at the beginning, you'll see why it's such a good read and you'll understand why I got hooked. The Oklahoma Paranormal Society has asked for permission to film the current happenings at her home. Tammy and I have been visiting each other's sites since the beginning, too.

To Meg, at Lucchese to Louis Vuitton, who is a new blog that I've just begun visiting. Meg lives in Texas and is just such a fun person. She's a go-getter and a networker. She's on a health kick right now and is inspiring me, once I get off this bum knee, to get back into shape in both my health and my life. Her site is different from any of the others I visit and I feel really girly when I'm over there. I find myself getting the urge to shop, maybe for a designer purse or some flip flops! I just can't help it.

To Cathy, at Noble Pig, the Californian who is new to blogging but who is gaining quite a following already. Cathy's blog is a little about food, a little about wine and a lot about nothing. Now, mind you, these are her words. She and her husband are building a vineyard in Oregon from the ground up and she's invited us along for the ride. Cathy is a wine enthusiast whose reviews leave me in stitches. She also posts recipes the likes of which I've never seen before. You'll see what I mean when you visit.

To Kacey, at Wine On the Keyboard, whose blog I've been visiting daily since I began. Kacey bills herself as a boomer-blogger and has so many interesting tips and sidebars on the business of blogging. She's also an avid photographer and lives with Super Guy. He builds her things. You'll see what I mean when you go to her site. I also like it when she posts pictures of Super Guy. Did I just say that out loud?

There are many more blogs I visit and they can be found on the left tab of this page.

To these blogs I've nominated:

By accepting this Excellence In Blogging Award, you agree to award it to 10 more people whose blogs you find Excellent Award worthy. You can give it to as many people as you want but please try to award at least 10. You deserve this! Feel free to recognize blogs that have already received this award.