With heavy eyes & heavier heart I rolled over to hit snooze on my abrupt iPhone alarm at 6:40 this morning. Third day this week I’ve had to will myself out of bed with my memorized ‘this is the day the Lord has made’ speech. The one I tell my groggy self when my to-do list and/or trials I’m facing would send me back undercover until tomorrow or maybe the next not-so-burdensome day. It always works, that speech.
With just one eye opened as if not fully committed to rising yet, I tapped the email tab on my phone to see what the world had been up to since last night. I was hoping for something fabulous enough to entice me to take the final plunge to the land of the living & coffee consuming.
And there it was. The tiniest little gesture of love that I needed. (Isn’t God good! His timing is always perfect.) A completely unexpected accolade from another blogger. An awesome blogger.
Lisa at The Warming House had given me my first star in this chain reaction Blog of the year award phenomenon. It’s kind of like the People’s Choice of blogging if you will. All of us bloggers have the chance to give an award to our favorite .com writers, who then have the opportunity to pass on the award to their favorites and so on and so forth. Each award received gets you one star, and there are six to collect.
I’m overjoyed to have just one. 
The best part, now it’s my turn to nominate my favorites. In no particular order…
Le Zoe Musings: Meet Kellie. To me her blog is all about the photos. I seriously could reach in and just eat them up, they are that gorgeous. A lot of posts are all about her beautiful daughter Zoey who just exudes wonder & joy and makes all who see her want to be a mommy to a toddler again. Then there’s the food. You all know me & food. I love to talk about it, shop for it, eat it, cook it, photograph it and write about it. I adore all things food. Kellie’s blog is so awesome with beautiful food & food photography that some days after seeing her post I just want to pack up and call it a day forever. Or sign up for a photography class in hopes of learning just a twinkling of the camera magic that happens at Le Zoe Musings…you must go see.
5 Second Rule: Cheryl Sternman is my favorite. food writer. EVER. She has a way with words that is akin to popping a perfectly ripe raspberry picked from my own grandmother’s garden, into my mouth on a hot august day. It just doesn’t get any better.
Jo’s Corner: You may have heard me mention Jo before right here. Her blog makes the list for Blog of the Year because of one, huge, factor- it is SELFLESS. She writes from a wheelchair, her body wracked with the ‘C’ word, alone in an apartment. She reaches the world with Jesus’ heart and hands from the trying circumstance of her chair, better than most (myself included) do with seemingly unlimited resources. She is a Godsend with a heart for orphans and has a fighting spirit like I haven’t seen before, but I know she ‘s tired. And alone this Christmas. If you get a second, go bless her on her blog for all she does for the Kingdom. Or better yet-please take a moment to send her a real, paper Christmas card this year. It doesn’t matter that you don’t know her personally, I know her and it will make her smile from here to the North Pole to know some stranger out there cares for her, because that, my friend, mirrors her very heart. I know it takes time, yes, but the feeling you will get from your sacrificial- ‘just because’ love is absolutely priceless and so, very worth it. Send to: Karen Jo Moseley, 802 Troy Rd. #105, Albert Lea MN. 56007 (You can even send them right from your computer by going to zazzle.com!)
The Warming House: I know what you’re thinking, but no, even if my award had come from somewhere else, Lisa at The Warming House would make my list every time. If I want to be engulfed in scripture & LOVE, this is where I go. As far as I know this would be her second star, but in my book-she should have all six already.
To read the rules of the Blog of the Year Awards and to present your favorites with an award, visit The Thought Pallet.
Thanks for being here,
Coming up on Friday-The perfect Cookie Box Cookie #2, Aka The Love Cookie!
Santa remembers the real reason for the season as he looks to the North Star that lead the Wisemen to Jesus so long ago.
Sherri ~ So I was reading your post with great delight just hearing how God has blessed you today. Made me smile inside and out. I was loving the stories of the blogs you’ve nominated . . . then I got to the last one. Wow! Thanks so much for your kind words. Now you’ve totally encouraged me today. We pour our hearts and souls into these blogs for the glory of God and the good of others. It’s so wonderful to know it makes a difference somewhere. Thanks again!
Lisa, you’re a Dear and your blog a blessing! I’m so glad I listed The Warming House last so it was an unexpected surprise as you read! That was a happy accident
Merry Christmas to you sister, & thanks again for blessing me today!
Sherri
P.S. Did you create the “Have yourself a merry little Christmas” artwork? It’s beautiful.
Yes! Thank you! Glad you like him. I usually watermark my paintings for online posting but was in a hurry today! Lol
Congratulations on your Blog of the Year award and thanks for sharing it!
Thank you so much & Merry Christmas to youuuuu