Getting to know authors through their blogs

A walk through the grocery store yesterday brought my mind the blessing of blogs... explanation to follow.  When I created Coffee Tea Books and Me in the summer of 2006, it was partially intended as a place to write ponderings (and the recipe blog to park family recipes) as well as to replace the daily letter I sent out to Stephanie, Busy Bee, and Uncle Gibby (Jean's late hubby).  Little did I know the blessings I would find in blogs and blogging.

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

Of blogs and blogging

I almost titled this post The things I do for you but that sounded too much like complaining.  You see, I had promised long ago that I'd take a picture for the recipes on that blog when I make them (as I did not have a digital camera when I posted the earlier recipes).

I made these pumpkin bars to take to the Parent's Day celebration where Christopher lives on campus.  I had them all nicely covered with Saran Wrap when I remembered... the picture!  Fortunately, it came off easily and I could keep my promise.

I LOVE this pumpkin bar recipe and so does everyone I've served it to, you can find it... here.  Since I stock up on cream cheese when it goes on sale, it is a very inexpensive way to serve dessert to a lot of hungry people.

I am so glad that Anna is blogging again.  I missed her.  I recently found out Bloglines is shutting down soon and while I switched to Google Reader, I had recipes saved on Bloglines.  A lot of them were from Pleasant View Schoolhouse! 

I don't mention often enough how much I appreciate you all who read this blog.  Your kindness, generosity, and friendship are so valued.  From your kind words, to your generosity, to taking the time to enter Amazon through my widget (which adds up!).

My son was asking me recently how many people read this blog.  I don't know exactly but the numbers I do have access to surprise me as they are high for this type of online journal... for I break many of the rules of having a successful blog.  As I told him, I write about my life and my interests instead of concentrating on one segment of Blogdom.

I have watched the numbers go up and then drop suddenly when people who come by to read about one subject... for instance deepening the pantry... suddenly realize I'm spending a week about books to be followed by pictures of tea cups and even the occasional homeschool post.

Then there are those who decide to Follow or Subscribe during the week and they hit Sunday Afternoon Tea which quotes... the Bible For Goodness Sake!  :-)

What have I learned in these years of writing?  To just be me and people will either stay or go... and over time more stay than leave... becoming friends... even those who lurk.  If I were to write to please, then this would no longer be easy or fun and I'd have given up long ago.  It would require too much thinking.

I have turned down multiple offers to increase the traffic of Coffee Tea Books & Me (nothing was a good fit) and I even stopped reviewing books for publishers when it got in the way of reading for enjoyment.

Except for writing quite often, I break all the rules and who is left in this fifth year of blogging???

You

I do take blogging breaks from time to time but life has a way of giving me something to talk about... in the midst of good times and bad times, seasons of tears and seasons of laughter, holidays and everydays... I appreciate you.  Thank you, muchly.