I don't know how I missed it

Thank you to Sandra at Ravenhill Cottage for giving me another Thinking Blogger Award. I don't know how I missed it! I was reading her lovely blog today (commenting about peonies and Lilly of the Valley) and came across her post. Some days, when I am particularly busy, I read only on Bloglines and once in awhile the posts are cut short...perhaps it was one of those days that I read too fast!

I've appreciated reading the five nominees from other blogs because they have led me to some wonderful new discoveries. To me, there are many different ways one can "think" and finding a blog with beautiful pictures or new ways to decorate are just as important as those who write about politics or theology.

So...here are five (of many) blogs that "make my heart sing" and receive a Thinking Blogger Award for making me think of lovely things and beautiful places...


Pleasant View Schoolhouse ... Anna reminds me of someone I once knew who didn't talk a lot but when he did...we all listened! The photography, the recipes, the vintage look...wonderful.

The Sparrow's Nest ... I love the way she lives what she believes, her creative projects, and her honesty. I have a feeling if we ever met in person, I'd feel like I've known her for years. Like Anna, I'm always expecting something interesting when Bloglines shows a new post! I've often sent one of Mrs. Wilt's posts to my daughter, especially with decorating ideas (for their taste is very similar).

Gracious Hospitality ... I know I'm in for beautiful photography, great recipes, and good ideas whenever I visit "Lateada". I want to visit for a tea party...soon! Another person whose sweet nature comes through her blog and I wish was a neighbor.

A Place Called Home ... Susan P. is a person who thinks like I do (she'll consider that either good or bad!). It's another blog that when I go there, I know I'll find something to make me smile...whether a pretty picture, a recipe, something about tea time, or "just" her thoughts on a subject.

Smilnsigh ... Mari-Nanci's blog would be beautiful if just for the pictures. However, she's one of the most delightful and honest bloggers I've come to know. One can tell she has put a lot of work into place at "pretty Blogland".

So...I must admit the above won't get you to thinking deeply as if I'd sent you to the Crunchy Con site in my sidebar. I already led people to the "Places That Make Me Think" section of my links. No, instead...try out these five blogs when you want some joy in your life or a spark of creativity.

Another Thinking Blogger Award

Thank you to Sallie at A Gracious Home for nominating me for my second Thinking Blogger Award. Sallie's blog is one of the first I had bookmarked when I first started "blogging". Once again, it is an honor to be nominated by someone whose own blog I enjoy (just like Seasonal Soundings). How true it is to know "We read to know we are not alone".


In the first few weeks of Coffee Tea Books and Me, I wasn't certain which road to take. I knew I wanted to write about the things I love, the experiences I've had, what I learned the easy way and the hard way (mostly the hard way) and, of course...books! However, should I concentrate on writing from a Christian perspective? After all, many who are Christians write to include people from all walks of life.

The more I wrote, the more I knew I had to write from a Christian perspective because...that is who I am. I knew I'd have far more people reading the blog if it weren't so...uh...Christian. But then my writing would never be honest or from the heart. For truly, "It is not I who live but Christ who lives within me".

Furthermore, the longer I live, the more I realize it is only that part of me which has become consecrated to Him which is worth writing about, anyway. The significant part that remains trying to do things her way and who is not obedient...well, you wouldn't want to read it, anyway. So...anytime someone makes a good comment or gives such an amazing award...I know I've done the right thing.

Won't it be something when That Day comes when we lay our crowns at His feet? As a young person, I didn't "get it". Why would we lay crowns at His feet that we've earned? As someone who has now reached the early fifties...I know...we'd have never earned them in the flesh...without Him...it is He who deserves the crown.

So, as for those who make me think, just look under on the sidebar that says "Places That Make Me Think". Okay, okay, it's taking the lazy way out but I figured I could do it that way this time. :)

Thinking Blog Award

I received a Thinking Blogger Award from Seasonal Soundings (who sponsors the great Seasonal Book Challenges). I am very thankful for her award and the way she inspires my reading.

I'm a little late posting my five choices since my computer time was limited this week. It's hard to choose just five but here are my choices (in no particular order), which you can see are rather eclectic...

I'm king of cheating because my first "blog" is actually...two! However, they are so similar I can't separate them. I actually do read them one right after the other. I have long lost my interest in following politics but I can read both of these blogs and at least know all the major "players".

J-Walking is David Kuo's very interesting political blog. David wrote the book called Tempting Faith and worked in the Bush White House. Joel Rosenberg also has a great political blog. Although known as a writer [THE LAST JIHAD (2002), THE LAST DAYS (2003), THE EZEKIEL OPTION (2005), THE COPPER SCROLL (2006), and EPICENTER (2006)], his take on what is going on from a Christian perspective is very interesting.

The other four are blogs that often teach me something new and fresh are...

I love reading Copperswife's blog, just darn good information in such a chatty way that I feel I know her. As a homeschooling mom, she often makes me think!

Lainiersbooks always makes me think...sometimes of music, sometimes beauty, often about books. She doesn't post a lot but when she does...beautiful!

Homeliving Helper always makes me think about what it means to be a wife, mother, and maker of the home in today's world.

Sallie at A Gracious Home is always interesting to read. You can tell she is a very thoughtful writer, especially when that cute baby lets her have a good night's sleep.

So...these are my five-ish picks for the Thinking Blogger Awards. All "winners" are challenged to think of their own five.

(It would have been easier if I could have picked 10!!) :)