MAKE THAT THREE POSTS IN ONE DAY!

Oh, my gosh, here I am....back again.

But this time it's all about me:)

I got an award!! How about that!

I got the Kreativ Blogger award from my dear friend, Maisy from across the pond.

Thank you, Maisy! What an honor!!

With awards come responsibilities, right?

This award is no different.

The responsibilities, which I take seriously, of course, are:

1. Add the logo to your blog (check!)
2. Link to the person from whom you've received the award (check!)
3. Nominate 8 blogs of your choice (check! see below...)
4. Leave a message on the nominees' blogs (check!) (oh, alright, I'll probably email them - don't sue me!)

*My* choices for the Kreativ Blog Award go to:

1. http://www.a-rbnsnest.blogspot.com/

2. http://www.halohill.blogspot.com/

3. http://www.mypetitemaison.blogspot.com/

4. http://www.rockinm.blogspot.com/

5. http://www.whimandfancydesigns.blogspot.com/

6. http://www.mendytexas.blogspot.com/

7. http://www.dalemclain.blogspot.com/

8. http://www.thewildraspberrysisters.blogspot.com/

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Gosh, I hate to stop there but the rules.........................

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Have a blessed Easter tomorrow. Praise God for his son and his son's resurrection!

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And praise God for my wonderful readers!

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XOXO,

. . .Jan

LIVING IN GRATITUDE

Today one of my dearest blogger friends, Tina of Sweetina, blessed my blog with TWO awards!
I am delighted and humbled to be so highly thought of by one of my readers.
I have been surprised recently, within the last four months or so, shocked, actually, to find readers *that I refer to as "lurkers"* that I didn't even know I had, when they have reached out to me for whatever reason. (I'm pretty sure my h.s. English teacher would be wincing after reading that sentence!)
I have been so blessed by all of my readers, especially the ones I "know" by their comments.
But, every time I post I am also very aware of the readers that choose to remain 'anonymous'.

My blogging is more than an online journal.
It's me sharing my life with you in an attempt to bless you.
My readers enrich my life and are the reason I fight for time to blog.

Thanks, Tina, for the awards, but more importantly, for being such a sweet friend.


THE LEMONADE AWARD is awarded to bloggers who show great attitude and gratitude.

Upon receiving The Lemonade Award, you are to pass it on to other bloggers that you think show great attitude and gratitude.


The authors say that the blogs who receive the following award are exceedingly charming.
This blog invests in PROXIMITY in space, time, and relationships.
These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends.
They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement (is that a word???).
Their hope is that even more friendships will be made.

Upon receiving these awards, you also pass them on to other bloggers that you think show great attitude and gratitude. They also care more about the relationships made through their blogging then they do awards, prizes or "strokes".

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logos on your blog.

2. Nominate at least 8 blogs which show great attitude and or gratitude.

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

In going through my list of favorite blogs, ones that bless me when I read them, I choose to pick the bloggers that are so good at staying in touch with me and my blog, even when I'm so busy with life that I feel like I'm neglecting them. What I'm trying to say is that these bloggers don't read my blog because I read theirs. They keep up with me because they have great attitude and live their lives in gratitude - and keeping up with me is one of the blessings that comes from the way that they live their lives.

Clear as mud, huh.

MY CHOICES TODAY:

1. Tina of Glue on my Fingers

2. Cindy of Yapping Cat Studio

3. Mindy of Primitiques 'N Poetry

4. Rhonda of Rhonda Mum

5. Chas of The Wild Raspberry

6. Pam of Pam Warden Art

7. Teresa of Cedar Junction Studio

8. Sally of My Little Blog Spot

Congratulations to all!!!

(I understand if anyone awarded does not accept awards or tags on their blogs. If that is the case, then simply know that you are very appreciated and adored!) *as are all of my readers!!*

XOXO,

. . .Jan

KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD....i got an award!!

For me, to receive an award that references my blog and shows me that someone appreciates the work I put into making it the best I know how, means a LOT to me.

Silly, I know, and it sorta reminds me of high school - the affirmation, the being chosen (and not being chosen last - horrors)

- anyway, my sweet friend, Heidi, at Everyday Cookies has presented me with an award! ....made MY day!

(Also, be sure and visit her blog because she has a nice surprise for you:)

The rules of this award are pretty straightforward.

I am to name 7 random things that I love and pass the award along to 7 deserving bloggers.

Now, naming 7 random things that I love is easy-peasy - I could make this list like 100 random things I love! LOL
So. What I'm going to do is list things that are not the first things that pop into my head.....like God, my family, my studio...........you get it, right? I'm going for random!

1. I love that all three of our boys (age 18, 21, 23) are letting God lead them in school, relationships and work. (pics of the Fab Three are in a post a couple below this one...)

2. I love that we have so many winter birds that they're eating us out of house and home.

3. I love that we live on a ranch and don't have neighbors. That I can spend days at home without seeing anyone or going anywhere.

4. However, I love going to the movies, so much so that I don't mind at all going alone.

5. I love that I'm having my very first blog giveaway - I think that's so cool!

6. I love that I've taken the plunge, which comes with great risk of failure, to open a shop on the new marketplace, Lollishops. (www.lollishops.com/velvetrainstudio)

7. I love junking. It's like a drug for me. The thrill of the hunt and then when I find a treasure and the price is right - it's a high.

Now, the rules state that I must pass this award onto 7 deserving bloggers and they will tell us 7 random things that they love. I think this is one of the better survey thingies I've been asked to do - I liked the random part.

So, ladies, I tag..............

1. Kathy @ http://www.alteredantiquity.typepad.com - she' a friend from Paper Whimsy and I just adore her!

2. Blaiz @ http://www.blaiz.blogspot.com - I met Blaiz at Art-n-Soul and she is the sweetest thing!

3. Tina Lee @ http://cherryhillcottage.typepad.com - I haven't visited her blog in entirely too long *however, I will very soon!*, but, I love it and Tina Lee, herself!

4. Theresa @ http://gardenantqs.blogspot.com - oh, my gosh, I adore her blog!

5. Keesha @ http://lemoncholys.blogspot.com/ - one of my dearest friends and even though we have both gotten so busy in so many directions that we're not in touch as much as we used to be, I still count her as one of my BFF. She's wonderful!

6. Pam @ http://pamwardenart.blogspot.com - a true soul mate. This woman is one of my closest friends. . .and we've never even met! How about that!

7. And, last but never least, Rande @ http://r2artstudio.typepad.com - she is my inspiration when it comes to art. Visit her blog and see what I mean...http://r2artstudio.typepad.com

I hate that I have to stop at 7 because there are more I'd love for you to get to know.

The only thing I ask of my 7 is that when you've posted, that you shot me an email so I can go read and learn more about you because you're all dear to my heart.

Don't forget my blog giveaway (the post is right below this one:) and thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog! I've just got the BEST readers!

XOXO,

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