Saturday, November 6, 2010

Celebrating Blog Friendships

Welcome to my section of the
"Celebrating Blog Friendships" blog hop!
It's been one year since I participated in Shimelle's "Blogging for Scrapbookers" class. When I registered for the class I was thinking, "Oh, I hope I learn how to add buttons to my sidebar..." and various other things that now seem fairly simple. And you know what? I did learn how to add buttons to the right side of my blog {see?}. And I learned the importance of post labels, and giving credit where credit is due, and some simple basic rules of blog etiquette. I'd say, all in all, that I really got my money's worth from taking Shimelle's class.
.
But wait! There was more!!! There was a bonus feature of Shimelle's class that hadn't been advertised in the syllabus; a bonus feature I wouldn't have believed if she had advertised it. A bonus feature that is worth more than any extra money I could have paid with the registration fee. The bonus?
,
Blog friends.
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This is not to say that all of my blog friends have come from Shimelle's class. No, some have come from people I've met along the way while blog hopping and leaving comments, as well as those who happen to land at PaperTurtle and leave me a nice comment.

So, how do you describe the importance, the dear-at-heart, the affection that you feel for friends you've met while blogging? How do you explain it to someone who asks straight away, "What's a blog?" {~sigh~ Never mind.}
.

One of the aspects that's been particularly fun and interesting for me this past year is having made friends with bloggers who live outside of Arizona... outside of the United States even! Yes, through an unexpected perk of blogging, I have friends all over the world.

It's been really interesting having friends who live on the other side of the planet...or way down under...or across the very country I live in. I've learned that we don't use the letter U as often as my friends across the ocean (colour, favourite...) and that if I've learned something I have learnt it. I've learnt that not every one has tried candy corn, and that minced meat is widely used at Christmas time in other parts of the world; that football is soccer, played with a round ball not an oval shaped one; and that biscuits are cookies, not breakfast bread to be eaten with gravy. Most importantly, I have learned that even though our traditions and our accents aren't always the same, our hearts are, and that we all have the same issues, similar history, creative hearts, and lofty dreams. We support each other in times of need, and we applaude each other's successes.
We are friends in every sense of the word
and I couldn't feel more grateful.
About this post: Two of the friends I have met through blogging (Jo and Lizzie) have organized a little blog party and I'm participating in it. There are three things you may like to know:

1) I'm doing a little giveaway for those of you who wish to put in for it. I'm giving away a set of American measuring cups to anyone who doesn't already own a set but would like to have one. I'd love for you to leave a note anyway, but if you want to be included in the drawing just mention that in your comment.

2) Lizzie and Jo are sponsoring an additional prize if you'd like to play along (info will be at the end of this blog hop). You'll collect letters at each hop-stop to form a final phrase, and the letter for my post is "R"; and now,

3) Head on over to Amy's blog to continue your journey with "Celebrating Blog Friendships." Hold on to your hat! This blog hop will take you around the world!
♥ ♥ ♥

November Attitude of Gratitude
* I am so very grateful for the wonderful people and kindred spirits I have met through my blog. It has been such an unexpected blessing getting to know each and every one of you. My gratitude for blog friendships has been multipied countless times this past week with all of the love and support you've given with regard to the loss of our dear friend and my aunt. Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. Words simply cannot express my gratitude on this one.

41 comments:

JO SOWERBY said...

ah measuring cups, i have just treated myself to a new set. i love how u guys have cups and we use scales. plus try working for the health service with spelling issues u talked about, it's scarey!!!!!
Jo xxxx

nancy said...

Your blog is so pretty! And your post is just lovely; so well-worded. xo!

Melissa said...

Great post! I can totally relate to learning new things from our friends in other countries. What a great idea for a giveaway - I know someone will enjoy them. (As for myself, I believe we have three, maybe four sets on hand at all times!)

Anonymous said...

Your words are perfect, so well done. There are so many lovely benefits here in blogland even though it's a bit of a pain to explain what it is we're doing! So much fun travelling all over the world every morning :) So nice to get to know you!

Sian said...

What a very clever idea for a giveaway! Deb, yours is one of those blogs I wouldn't miss for the world. It has been a real pleasure getting to know you and learning about your wonderful warm, caring nature - and that's before I start on your fabulous crafting! Here's to many, many more years of blogging support x

Amy said...

Deb, that is the smartest give away idea I have heard of in a long time! Very apt for us all I would say.
I'm finding it hard to put into words how grateful I am for your friendship - it is a wonderful thing to have found you and I love to visit your beautiful blog.
I'm looking forward continuing this great journey with you Deb :-)

Rachel Brett said...

Great post! Such lovely words :)

furrypig said...

I have measuring cups but thanks for the kind offer your post was extremely eloquent thanks xxx

Lizzie said...

Deb, yours is definitely one of the blogs on my "must visit" list! I really enjoy coming here and reading your great posts, I like to see your projects and share what you have been doing. And I really enjoy having you for a friend.
And as for the spelling issues - we forgive you! (hee hee!)

I just read your post about your friend and your aunt. So sorry to read your sad news - it's a shock to lose someone you care about, even if they have been ill for some time. It is an even greater shock when someone's death is so unexpected and incomprehensible as your friend Ron. I pray for peace for them both; and also for you, Doug, your mum and Carrie (who must also be sad to lose an auntie).

Thanks for joining our Party, especially when you are sad and grieving. I will be thinking of you. XX

The Scrappy Tree said...

Have to agree I have learnt a lot from my friends across the pond through scrapbooking and blogging :) I have actually bought measuring cups already so that I can make the US recipes I find! :)
Gayle xx

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

I don't need any measuring cups, but you just cannot have too many friends. We didn't meet at work, or school, or at a party. But we did meet, and I would be hard pressed to find anyone lovelier to call my friend. I popped over one day from a comment you left on Traci's blog, when I thought it was sweet and cute. So I came over and there you were - sweet, cute, AND crafty. And I won a beautiful surprise from you that first day. And here we are ... friends...
xoxo,
Steph

Jennifer Grace said...

Ooh, I'd like to be in with a chance to win some measuring cups please. American recipes do confuse me! Just like some of our wierd spellings confused you at first I bet!

I've been very glad to visit you as part of this blog hop! xx

Liberty :) said...

Hope you are doing well after your losses. Deb, I love your crafts and your words. I love that you live in Arizona and I'm always amazed by the things you share and your amazing photographs. Thanks for being my friend and you know what....I think you are........... FAB!!!!!!!!!!!! There I said it, you can say FAB too whenever you want!! ;)

humel said...

I've cried a lot through this hop, and most of all here I think! But oh, they're happy tears. So pleased to count you as one of my friends, Deb xx

And please include me in the draw for the measuring cups - they're on my list of 'Oh, I must get that soon!' so I can try out American recipes properly. It would be very special to have some that came from a blogging friend in America :-)

MarleneMAZ said...

Deb, I think we met through the class but I did not know there was a blog hop to celebrate the 1 year anniversary, was it really a whole year ago, lol!
Hope you are taking time to be with your family and managing to comfort each other through the loss of your aunt and friend. Still sending comforting thoughts your way.

Mom said...

Love this! Everytime I read one of your post--especially one like this--along with the comments, I wish everyone out there in blog land to meet you and see for themselves what I have known for "almost" 50 years! You are amazing! xo

Anonymous said...

I just recently found your blog and feel so grateful for it.

Unknown said...

Hi Deb... cool rocks! I am a rock "collector" although as I've gotten older, I pick them up because I admire them... then put them back. Weird trivia about me. :) So glad to have hopped on by, although I have been here before and will be back again!! :)

melissa said...

This post is wonderful and so heartfelt. I adore your photos of the rock hearts.

Salnclts said...

I love your pics! I love baking as well, so some measuring cups of my own would be nice!

Unknown said...

Beautiful post!

Cate Brickell said...

I'm behind in reading blog posts this week, I'm sorry for your recent loss.

A beautifully-worded post.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Deb,
I love how your blog gives me such an insight into your life in Arizona. I feel like I step into your world when I check out your blog. And it's such a lovely world; especially the trips to your property up north!
Looking forward to many more years of blog friendship,
Rinda

Amy said...

Love your blog....another great blog discovered through this hop! Such a lovely post....I too am grateful for the friendships made on the web!

Rhona said...

What a beautiful post Deb, I agree with everything you said and have loved making friends through blogging. I so enjoy coming to your blog, seeing what you've made or where you've been and just generally getting to "know" you. I look for to years of continuing to meet up with you :)
As for the measuring cups, they're something I should have bought last time I was in the States to go with the recipe book I got :(. I'd love to be entered into your draw :)
xx

scrappysue said...

Hi Deb, glad I found your blog through the hop. Arizona is one of my fav places in the World, I would live there if I could! What a fun prize, thanks so much for the chance to win!

Margie S said...

What a great give-a-way! I love sharing recipes across the world but the conversions can really be a headache. Great way to make it easier for those non-Americans to try out American recipes. Being American, though, I have several sets of my own. : ) I live in Beijing and have lots of friends here from around the world and many of the items in our stores are from all over the world and I tell you, trying to make my own recipes let alone any shared by friends, is confusing.

I love your writing, by the way. Very heartfelt and engaging. I also happened to read the post below this one and want to say how sorry I am for both of your losses. Peace and love to you and your family.

sharyncarlson said...

Beautifully written, Deb! So happy to have met you through our blogs!!

scrappyjacky said...

A wonderful post,Deb....I always love visiting your blog....and am so pleased I discovered it.And what a great idea for a giveaway...perfect for us friends across the pond!

Susanne said...

I've been in classes off and on with you, so it's nice to reconnect through this hop. I love your Attitude of Gratitude addendum at the end of your posts. It's so important to appreciate life as we live it.

Lisa said...

Great post. And yes, the things we learn about each other though these blog connections is so interesting - especially those of us who all speak English but it's not the same language at all. Your heart stones are so beautiful

Nat said...

so nice to meet you too! Really looking forward to reading your blog from now on & getting to know you.
I loved your post and your words about how we're all so different but still have so much in common.
Nat x

debs14 said...

Once again, I read your blog and nodded my head in agreement at all you said. I have to say that yours is one of my favourite blogs, and we have so much in common, not just our name! I am so happy to have 'met' you via Shimelle's class and hope to follow your blog for many years to come.

Cheryl said...

Oh Deb such heartfelf words but so true, I have loved following your blog your caring happy attitude to life and and great crafting projects shines through, and I feel honoured to of met you through this experience. What a fab idea about the measuring cups they are on my list to buy and I have been looking on ebay so fingers crossed x

Miss Smith said...

I'd love to win measuring cups! No more guessing how to convert recipes on line!

This is a really great post- glad to have found your blog!

Cal said...

Hi, This is my first visit to your blog. Its lovely!! I'll be coming back often to read your words! I'd love to be included for your Measuring Cups prizedraw x

Tracy said...

Such a wonderful heartfelt post, I have really enjoyed this bloghop

Denise said...

Hello Deb, I misseed the blog hop but wanted to say hi and thanks for being a bloggy friend x

Beverly said...

A beautiful post and an awesome idea for your giveaway, I continue to hold your family and friends in my prayers.

Catherine said...

Hi Deb,
Shimelle's class was wonderful, I was unfortunately traveling and did not get to participate as much as I had hoped.
Your blog is delightful and a joy to visit.
Catherine

Clair said...

I couldn't manage to visit everyone over the weekend, but I've been 'doing the rounds' - this is a beautifully written post, my blogging friend! x

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