What sparked this walk down memory lane? A magazine on display, one which I had made a special trip down that particular aisle to see if it was on the shelves. Yes... and despite having to explain to my husband the expenditure... it went into my shopping cart. ;)
For the picture on the front cover of the latest Country Gardens is the California garden of my blog friend, Sharon Lovejoy... not to mention a delightful article within the pages. Sharon's latest book is Toad Cottages and Shooting Stars; Grandma's Bag of Tricks
but I first heard of her with the book Sunflower Houses
.Sharon's blog posts gives those of us who love her books a chance to really get to know her. If California wasn't quite so far from the Midwest, I'd show up at her front door with tea and homemade scones for a chat. :)
Another lovely author who has become a blog friend wrote one of my all time favorite books... Frugal Luxuries
... perhaps my most reread book. That, of course, being Tracey McBride. I'd love to chat with Tracey face to face and I have a feeling the chat would last for hours and hours. She is a lovely person!
Then there has been online correspondence which created face-to-face, person-to-person, special friendships, as happened with my friend Sally Clarkson. Sally's books were proof to me we do "read to know we are not alone" and her tapes (now CD's) were sources of inspiration in my homeschooling years.
When Stephanie was growing up, even her friends would at times think we were rather odd. We loved old books and used words they didn't always understand (picked up from our reading and not to impress), we loved chatting together over coffee and came to love tea parties, we loved all things "English" and were rather "Old World"... and if that were not enough... our faith was at the center of all we did. We also moved around a great deal and Steph grew up away from her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
We found another family similar to us in the pages of Sally's books. She is Velveteen Rabbit real. In her books and on her blog, she shares her wisdom and experience as well as her imperfections. Having spent time with Sarah and upon meeting Joel, they are proof that Sally and Clay have practiced what they preached... good people... none of us perfect but all on the journey to become more like Him.
Just a few other blogs by people whose books I have read...
Karen Andreola
Karey Swan (with links to her other blog)
Susan Branch
Mary Englebreit
Nancy Lindemeyer (Victoria Magazine)
While blogs will never replace my love of books, they do bless us with opportunities to get to know those who write them.
Picture: A Good Book; allposters.com
11 comments:
thanks for this wonderful information!! I'm going to check out some of those blogs today.
Ooooo! Ooooo! Thanks for all the great links. Can't wait to check them all out. I went to Susan Branch's blog first because wow! Somehow I missed the fact that she even had a blog (where have I been??) So especially thank-you for hers. :) Blessings, Debra
I have a feeling that tea with Karen Andreola would be of great joy to you. She is such a sweetheart!!!
And through your blog, I've gotten to know you, a very lovely person and sister in the Lord whom I would not otherwise have met. Thank you for taking time to write to us!
Oh, I agree! Blogs allow us a different kind of connection with an author or artist that we just don't always get to enjoy looking at a magazine or book (or painting). It's wonderful to add a touch of humanity with those relationships!
Oh, my blog has moved. If you'd like to check it out again, it is now at www.janhatchett.com.
I knew I recognized that garden and house on the cover of the magazine! :) Thanks for the links to the other sites. I love Karey's book and reread it time and time again. I had no idea that she had a blog too.
Be blessed!
I love this post!
Love books, blogs and blessings and this is a blessing to read. I featured Sharon Lovejoy's books on my blog last summer and she was kind enough to leave a comment.
I really appreciated that!
She is so down to earth and yet so brilliant in her art and observations of nature etc.
Will look into the other links and keep my eyes open for that magazine.
Love Susan Branch too as well as Karen Andreola and Sally Clark!
(through my homeschooling adventures)
Thank you for your inspiration!
Joanne
I have only been blogging for a year and constantly amazed. Sally Clarkson...I attended her first conference and have read her books through the years...in fact I just removed my coffee cups from her conferences from my cabinet the other day..others you have mentioned I have meet through books or seen in conferences, but I need to step over and see their blogs...thanks for sharing.
I am not familiar with these American writers, so I feel like you are opening up whole new worlds for me to explore, which is what makes blogging so exciting, the dynamic nature of these relationships, which do not rely on geography, but on kindred spirits meeting on the page. I feel like you have given us all a wonderful gift, and a new adventure.
I don't know, Brenda, I've been trying to get to my book all day practically, but have been totally consumed by Blogdom. Oh I love blogs. I looked for this magazine, but have yet to find it. I'm not giving up.
i have the same magazine, and if you ever do make it out to california, you better show up on my doorstep too, but i will provide the scones and tea. :)
joanna
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