Blog Award!!! (trumpets here)

Here, I tell something of a secret: I fall apart at the mere thought of public speaking, let alone actually doing it. All the cliche things happen to me, I freeze, go blank, get all sweaty and mushy in the knees and belly. Just to add insult to injury, if it's reading I have to do, I have some freak thing in me that keeps on reading, despite the fact that the words aren't registering, so I end up feeling like I have read garbled gobbledeegook.

There. That being said, I am thrilled to win this blog award, from Amy Nicols Thank you Amy!
I will not stand at a virtual podium, if you don't mind. I have discovered that it suits me fine to visualize a cup of tea in my hands, and in those of whom are here to witness, and a comfy small circle of chairs in a brightly lit room----scratch that, if it's my visualization, we're in the woods, with dappled brilliant green light, the smell of fresh rain and the sounds of a couple bees doing their scrumptious job of collecting pollen on the dandelions, which have just popped their heads up and the frogs singing their hearts out in the distance. (I will not be winning an award for the lack of run-on sentences, thank you). You and I can chat about meaningful things during this award ceremony, and we will all leave feeling full, and sweet, having spent that time together.

I had not seen nor heard of blog awards before winning one, so it has taken me a couple of days to sort it out. The idea of winning something is of course lovely (the name of the award is "Lovely Blog Award for my Favourite Bloggers" by Heather) and the rules are here

But the best thing about it is that it has helped me to continue a thought-stream that sprung up, out of the soil and has been burbling along with copious amounts of input ever since. It seems that everywhere my internet travels take me, I find people who support the idea (inadvertently or not) that in order to receive the most pleasure from life, one must give of themselves. They seem to know and express freely that in order to live well in this world, they must contribute wholeheartedly themselves.

So, in the spirit of this wonderful, lovely blog award, and in following the rules set for winning, I introduce to you 14 of my favourite bloggers (not all, but a good sampling):

I am new to following Alicia's  blog, but can't wait to see more. The first post I read was one about how to brighten people's day. That she sells her handmade cards is not at the forefront of her blog, although she has cleverly intrigued me with them. It's apparent that her intent is to share good things with people. Heartfelt and catchy, are these lovely cards. And to top it off, she readily supports the work of other artists (as seen in this picture of a handmade journal).

Another new one, and keeping the same strain, is Michael's blog. He writes smart advice about finding your creativity. Fun and challenging all wrapped up in 20 minutes. 

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Chris Zidel , the sexy mamma has so much inspiring, intentional, beautiful stuff on her blog and site it blew me away. I love looking at her ideas, and one day, ONE DAY, I will go down to one of her workshops. Much LOVE.

Connie is great. She is currently calling me, pulling me, sharing with me her funny, charming, exciting, and sometimes scary walk thru this life of being daringly creative. I value her lessons learned on life, womanhood and being an artist in this day. Good job, Hon.

 

Lisa's take on how to live your life productively as a Creative has shone some pretty incredible aurora borealis-type lights on my life. I am inspired. Truly. 

Jo Lynch is pretty clever. She's figured out a way to quench the thirst of a person's eyes. Very cool, creative work.  Not sure that this is really a blog, but she tells stories with her art.

There is a calm coolness to Emerson's posts. Being visual, I love her photos. At one point she claimed that she disliked the title of her blog, An Apple a day but I think it speaks of the old-worldiness about what she writes.

Bumisehat Haiti is an organization that I did a little (very little) volunteer work for last winter. Their mission is so good. My daughter wishes to be a mid-wife, so I am particularly interested in their efforts. 

Wow! Creative. Giving. Prolific. Awesomeness! Dose of Creativity. Scroll down Melanie's memory lane near the bottom on the left and see how much she's put into this blog. 

Ever wonder where strange stories from deep deep in the forest came from? Rima Staines ' back pocket! I feel like a child again, soaking up every image, every word in her blog. Check out her clock gallery too. The tic-tocking will have you in the room with the clocks 

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This man's wisdom is amazing. It's also the first stuff I guzzle with my morning coffee every day. Greedily. (and he doesn't even have pictures)

And since we're talking about famous guys, lookee here . Michael Pollan sings to my choir. We are both about local food production. I love that he travels N. America for me and then reports back to me on the most important issues. Thanks, Michael.

 I appreciate the newsletters, personally addressed to me, in my mailbox periodically.Rhodale Institute 

has been around for a long time, fighting the good fight, educating, and pumping out excellent information. Thank you.

here , check out Twilight Calls the Dream of Art. Maria has gobsmacked me. This art is so delicious. Page after page of yummy, steampunk-esque, art nouveau-ish, lovely images. Enjoy.

The Art of Non-Conformity. I like it. Chris Guilabeau is a guy who's makin' his way in the world in an entrepreneurial manner, yet without scratching and clawing his way to the top. He travels excessively, and likes to keep his business small.  He's got some class, this fella. 

Sandy Dempsey  is an amazing woman. I gather so many flowers of wisdom from her blog every time I read it. She's candid, a wealth of information and REAL. Her journey through a transition between the corporate world and being her own woman is shared generously. 

Well, that's it. My take on award-worthy blogs. Enjoy.

P.S. Oh! and thank you again, Amy!