When I first began to blog 9 months ago, I would see and read about a variety of awards that bloggers would give to one another. I was curious but didn’t know much about them. At that point (and truly, still to this day), I was just thrilled if someone other than a family member or friend liked or made a comment about something I posted!
Then I was nominated for my first award and I felt so validated! Even if it was just one person, at least that one person liked what I was doing. How cool!
I know that there are those who do NOT want to be nominated for awards, but I was pretty tickled.
And then came Meg (http://athomeworkplaydotcom.wordpress.com/ ). Like me, Meg was cherishing the new friendships she had found since joining the blogging world and she decided to let those friends know how much she appreciated them. This wasn’t an “official” award … just an incredibly lovely message that made my day. And the funny thing? I had just been telling someone about Meg the day before.
Then came another nomination, this time the Beautiful Blogger award and it was just as exciting as the first nomination. I mean really … it is so rewarding to have someone tell you that they like what you are doing.
THE RULES:
Copy the Beautiful Blogger Award logo and place it in in your post – CHECK!
Thank the person who nominated you and create a link back to their blog – CHECK!
Thanks so much to Susan at Gasm Travels for nominating me for the Beautiful Blogger award http://maedetera.wordpress.com/.
A traveler, photographer, writer and water color painter, Susan describes her love for traveling this way: “I was searching for the right word that would best describe my travel experience and my feelings whenever i am planning a trip or visiting a new place….that ‘ahhhh’ feeling when something excites me every time i see new things….that ‘oohh’ feeling whenever i have satisfied my curiosity….that ‘wooow’ feeling whenever i am awestruck with a beautiful scenery in front of me….that kind of exhilarating feeling that i always get every time i am on the road or upon arrival to my destination”. Be sure to visit her blog and by doing so, vicariously visit many fun and interesting places!
List 7 Things About Yourself – CHECK!
1. I love the Gonzaga Bulldogs Basketball team (Ranked #1 in the NCAA – first time in the history of the University!)
2. I have an amazing family!
3. I’ve been a nurse in one setting or another for over 27 years and for the last 17, I’ve worked as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
4. I’m passionate about reading. I NEED to have books all around me in my home (I am not an e-reader – yet)
5. I’m a community activist, especially when it comes to green initiatives.
6. I served on Radford City Council, an elected position for 8 years; this helped me to learn that I am an ACTIVIST, not a POLITICIAN
7. I did not find out until the age of 40 (yep, 13 years ago) that I am absolutely restored by water – river, lake, ocean, pool, bathtub …
Nominate 7 other bloggers for their own Beautiful Blogger Award – CHECK!
NOW comes the hard part? How do I choose only 7 out of the many, many wonderful blogs out there?
And what qualities make a beautiful blogger anyway?
In my opinion, a Beautiful Blogger is someone who not only has a talent for writing or photography but who also has the ability to interact and connect across the blogging world … they have made me feel welcome in that world, and I look forward to hearing their comments and reading their posts. All these bloggers go beyond the likes … they engage, they comment, they share … and I love that!
http://ionicphotography.co.uk/ – Beautiful photography and conversations about our efforts to improve at the craft
http://beachbums1.com/ – a wonderful blog about one family’s travels and currently, their lives in London
http://badsphotoblog.wordpress.com/ – I love viewing Bryan’s photography and chatting about techniques / what works / what doesn’t
http://athomeworkplaydotcom.wordpress.com/ – – be sure to check out Meg’s blog … you’ll see why I like it!
http://unistudentsoutlook.wordpress.com/- I love the honest writing of this young woman and her efforts to move beyond the end of a relationship
http://boomdeeadda.wordpress.com/- While I’m not the crafter / artist that she is, I enjoy reading her blog and sending comments back and forth. Enthusiasm personified!
http://retiredruth.wordpress.com/ – a diverse blog, full of information, recipes, stories and opinions!
and just one more!
http://greenhornphotos.com/– Scott is endeavoring to post a picture a day, yet he still finds time to make and respond to comments.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
Wow, congratulations on your award LB and for nominating Boomdeeadda too. Awesome of you! I love chatting to Blogging pals about all their interests and travels. You’re right, we don’t all have to be passionate about the same things, how boring would that be. I also love everything about being on, near, in water and photography too. I have a nomination page that I’ll add this too and link it back to your fab blog. Thanks so much for thinking of me, I really appreciate it. Cheers
A nomination page! Great idea (of course! you have many great ideas!!). Enjoy this day!
I can’t take credit, I’ve seen them on many other Blogs. It’s a way to acknowledge a gift and showcase the nominator….thanks again, so nice of you.
You are the kindest person Laurie! Thanks so much for the mention here, trying to keep up with all this blogging adventure and my new friends here is taking up a lot of time! Who would have thought it would become so fulfilling?
I love what you’ve said about me and my blog, and will endeavour to make it worth people’s while to come and read it.
Congratulations on your well deserved Award. I expect it will be the first of many. There are so many photographic blogs, and not many stir me the way your photos do. You have a mighty talent for picking the emotion out of a scene, and highlighting it for your readers. I love that unlike many other photo blogs, you provide a personal story as well.
Through your many comments back and forth between our blogs, I feel like I have begun a new friendship, and have found a caring soul, who understands, (because of your nursing?), what it’s like to be unwell or in pain for a time. Thank you Laurie x
Meg. thanks for your words and thoughts … how lovely to read them this morning! And I loved your comment about keeping up! I wrote a post about just that thing a few months ago! Blogging is addictive and fun, but I had no idea the connections I would make! Take care my friend!
bloghttps://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/blogging-time/
Thanks very much Laurie for mentioning me and your kind words re my photos,,,,,,,x
I’ve been wondering when I’d see more of your photos … no pressure 🙂 just wondering how things are going (didn’t you get a new camera?). Hope all is well!
Congratulations on your award and nominating Displaced Beachbums. Appreciate it. One of my favorite things about blogging is finding interesting & inspiring blogs such as yours ~ I love the way you describe your wonderful adventures. My family don’t always understand when I refer to my “blog friends” but that’s how I feel once I’ve followed a blog for awhile and get to know them a little better. It’s a big world and I love reading about different perspectives (and the ones who completely agree with me). Thank you!
You are so welcome and I’ll look forward to reading about the next London adventure!
I have found out that I need to sell my lovely home, which has knocked the stuffing out of me rather – and put paid to my photography for the time being whilst I try to find a new place. I have arranged to buy the motorbike I mentioned – so will do photos of that asap, so bear with me on the posts – they will return !
Oh! I wondered what was up! So sorry about your home … but excited about the bike!! Good luck finding a new place!
Well congratulations and I always enjoy stopping by your blog!