Reflecting on Five Inland Empire Bloggers

I was touched recently to be awarded the Blogger Refection Award from La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality. When I was thinking about beginning a blog hers was one of the first I read. Through beautiful pictures, scripture verses, quotes, and good writing she teaches all of us about gracious hospitality and how to take time to enjoy your surrounding, rest, and reflect. If you haven’t visited her blog take time to experience it. This award was started by a sixteen-year-old girl at Lothlorien, Realm of the Lady of Light! This is how she describes the award:
As for my award, it is called The Blogger Reflection Award. Why? The reason for the title is because this award should make you reflect on five bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and have been a Godly example to you. Five Bloggers who when you reflect on them you get a sense of pride and joy... of knowing them and being blessed by them.

My five nominees are women who blog about things that matter here in the Inland Empire (one of which has been named honorary Inland Empire Girl). When I was in the early stages of my blogging each of these women encouraged me with thoughtful comments that gave me the confidence to continue each day. Each of their blogs have reflected encouragement, humor, and love plus set an example for me.

Silver Valley Girl: Yes, this is my sister at Silver Valley Stories. She has shared stories about her Christian faith, her love for the history in the Silver Valley where we grew up, and impacted others with her stories about events such as the Sunshine Mine Fire, saying good-bye to her former house torn down to make room for condos, and daily events in her family. She created the sibling writing assignment the three of us do once a week and still finds time to work, be a mom, perform in theater, and garden. She has also been an encouragement and source of love to me.

Mommy Dearest: After I met MD on Brodh2o through my brother’s blog I also began to read her insightful articles in the Spokesman-Review. This is a woman that does an incredible balancing act of covering crime for the paper during the day and being a mom and wife to a family that means the world to her. Her blog shares the simple joys of motherhood, great tips for quick housecleaning, videos of her many talents, and her views on topics of concern today. I was moved by her post about daycare centers in Idaho. I always know when I go to this blog I will laugh, cry, or leave with something to think about.

Katrina at Notes on a Napkin: Again, Katrina was a blogger I began reading even before I joined the blog world myself. This mom takes everyday events from family life and turns them into fascinating prose for all audiences. I have seen her son dance on YouTube, teared up when she paid tribute to her husband on their anniversary, and laughed at her posts on toilet paper, Spam,and conversations with her children. She has moved to fewer posts to balance her work and family, but the quality reins! I always leave her blog wanted to read more.

J’Belle at Notes from the ‘Kan EWA has her chows busy typing up posts that reflect on beautiful places around the world, her love for family and friends, gardening, and her North Idaho roots. Whether she is sharing personal views of a recent novel, displaying beautiful pictures of her roses, sharing recipes with a new dad, or taking us on a bike ride along the Hiawatha Trail she reveals a keen knowledge of the world and what is happening around us. I have been touched by her prayer to the nation, picture collections of her children on their birthdays, and her words about the garden she created in memory and hope. Those chows do amazing work!

My last is Marmite Toasty at Twaddle Everyday Rubbish. Marmite would say “this is the ramblings of everyday life in a madhouse”, but she gives us stories that make us laugh until we cry about toilets, her chicken Janet, and a gift from Starr. She reveals her “memories that are stacked on the shelves of her mind” which show a woman that is full of love, strength, and gentleness. She is a forgiving soul that has a house in England full of sons, laughter, animals, jugs of flowers, and smiles. Her Mother’s Day post impacted me that day and still does today.

Thanks to each of you for encouraging me. If you want to pass on this award return to Lorthlorien's site for what to do.