Special Friends And An Award

Before I began my blog last May I started reading some blogs that I enjoyed a lot. I often wondered if I would have enough to share if I had a blog. Like other blog friends have mentioned, I wondered if anyone would read it. I decided to give it a try. A creative outlet for my love of writing. A place to share myself and my heart with others. Here I am a bit more than eight months later and I can't tell you how many wonderful new friends I have made through blogging. I am very particular about what blogs I read. I have certain things I look for and I have found more blogs that qualify than you can imagine. I have 'met' many friends who share much in common with me and who have added to my life immeasurably through these months. Friends who have walked through the joys and sorrows of life with me. Friends who have sent sweet messages of congratulations, encouragement and comfort. Friends who have taken the time to send me a personal email. Friends who have offered advice when I asked. A friend who went out of her way to take pictures of our former home in another city. Friends who genuinely care even though we've never met. I have learned to see my world (and my home) through different eyes than before - and my camera is always close at hand. My family doesn't find it strange anymore when I take pictures as I prepare a meal. And they don't find it strange that I'm taking pictures of odds and ends of thrifting finds. Or ugly 'before' pictures of a soon-to-be-done project. They humor me by allowing me to photograph things they don't understand. And they love me and are proud of my blog, especially when I'm bragging about them.

In the blog world there are so many ways to honor each other. I am always amazed when someone mentions me or lists my blog as one of their favorites. Every day I enjoy the creativity and beauty of the lives of the special people I've come to know a bit through the past months. One of these friends is Rhondi at Rose Colored Glasses. I 'visit' her often. Her home and the things she shares have been graced with her talent and the beauty she creates. I would love to be able to sit down and share a cup of tea with her but the many miles between us don't allow that to happen. Perhaps someday! Rhondi sweetly and graciously gave me a blog award that I treasure. She gave me the "You Make My Day" award. I can't tell you how special that is to me, Rhondi, because you really do make my day. Thank you for your kind words and your friendship.

Now the hard part in accepting these awards it to decide who to pass it on to. That's the way it is with these awards. We don't keep them for ourselves - we pass them along and share them. I would like to share this award with Katherine at Yellow Rose Arbor. We have so much in common. Our faith. Our love of yellow roses. Our collections of yellow depression glass. And many more things. I've enjoyed sharing them with her. She is another far-away friend who I would love to visit with over a cup of tea in her home. I hope you will stop by and visit her soon. You will find a gracious lady whose blog shares her world in such beautiful ways. I'm sure you will enjoy her, too. Katherine, this one's for you - you truly do make my day!