“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
I know you come here to read about real estate and look at houses, but sometimes I have a few other things I want to talk about. Today I have some blog news, some people to thank, and some blog love to share.
My entire family was pretty much flattened this week by the flu bug. Ugh. All four of us have been out of commission. This was the second time in a month that my poor husband (aka Handy Dave) had it, and he’s the only one of us who bothered to get a flu shot this year (so unfair)!
Anyway, when I woke up from my flu stupor this morning, feeling (almost) like my regular self again, imagine how happy I was to see that Hooked on Houses had scored some “Major Awards.”
First, thanks to Courtney at Nesting Instincts for giving me this “Excellent Blog” award. I love her blog, too. If you haven’t seen it yet, go there now and check it out.
I hereby pass the “Excellent Blog” award on to Restyled Home. I’m in awe of everything Linda, a professional home stager, does.
And thanks to Marie at Watch the Wind Blow By for giving me the “You Cheer Me Up” Award. Marie is so much fun. She showcases some of her own decorating projects on her blog, so pay her a visit. She’s a loyal reader here, so you probably recognize her name if you read the comments. One of hers made my list of the Top 10 Comments for March.
Who cheers me up? It’s hard to choose–there are so many great blogs out there that I visit every day, but I’d have to say Daisy Cottage for sheer cheeriness. Just try to look at the photos of Kim’s yellow cottage without smiling (shown below). She makes me want to paint everything yellow and red!
I also have to thank Ramblings of a Renovating Couple, another of my favorite blogs, for highlighting Hooked on Houses in a post about blogs they love. This has been such a rough week. You guys don’t know how much it did my heart good to get some blog love!
I was pretty thrilled to have my Dolly Parton post (Dolly Parton’s Childhood Home in Tennessee) linked to from several sites, including Country Music Television’s online blog. Welcome all CMT fans!
I can’t forget to thank Desire to Inspire, one of my all-time favorite sites, for telling their readers about Hooked on Houses. Their generous mention drew hundreds of new readers here, and it’s been great getting to know so many of you.
From Here to Maine posted some very kind praise about Hooked on Houses. She also gives her take on the book House Lust, which I reviewed here (she liked it, too!).
Teri at The Brick Ranch wrote a post praising this site. She writes about real estate and housing news. Thanks, Teri!
Remember how I told you I was writing an article about Coco Chanel for the magazine Kiki? Ann Kroeker wrote a post that mentions me and Kiki that I appreciated. I hope it brought in some new readers for that wonderful magazine for girls.
Hooked on Houses reader Amy said some awfully nice things on her site, Lemons and Roses. She says “It’s an entertaining way to put the ol’ thinker on neutral.” That made me laugh. Thanks, Amy!
“The Nester” (such a creative girl, and so talented!) generously added me to her blogroll over at The Nesting Place, and I’ve been thrilled to have so many of her readers stopping by. In case you missed it, check out the post I did about her house in February: Curb Appeal (that’s her house, shown above).
My philosophy of life is that it’s all about having an attitude of gratitude, which is why I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your support and encouragement. Thank you! I appreciate you all so much.
(If I’ve forgotten to thank anyone, I apologize! If you have mentioned my blog and I failed to notice, please let me know so I can give you a shout-out, too!)
I’m always surprised that so many of you want to read what I have to say. And when you go the extra mile to add me to your blogrolls or mention me on your own blogs, it warms my heart and makes all the late nights I spend blogging feel worthwhile.
Now I’m heading back to bed to try to sleep off the rest of this lingering bug. While I’m snoozing, why don’t you take a moment to visit some of these sites I’ve listed and make some new friends!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
So nice of you to say that about my blog…right back at you
Hope you feel well soon!
Julia,
You deserve these awards. I am amazed that you manage to find and write something entertaining every day and that you “stay on task” so well. I started out to write about houses and related domestic things and now I seem to be on a bird and e-mail joke bit. Go figure. Keep up the good work and hope you and your family feel better soon.
Janet
Hi Julia,
Thanks for coming by to check on the new baby! I just spent a few minutes getting caught up on your blog…
1. I can’t believe I made “Top 10 Comments for March!”
2. You totally got me on the April fool’s post. I was willing to let the colorful quilt slide, but the bird feet had me wondering if you had bumped your head. I was so relieved it was all a joke!
3. And yes, I definitely smiled when I saw Kim’s yellow cottage.
I hope you guys are all feeling better…the flu is the PITS!!!
Tracey
Hi Julie!
Well, I hope you all feel better soon…we had a bit of a sickly winter, so I feel for you…
Thank you so much for the award. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have found your blog. It is such a good read and I love how light-hearted it is. So, you more than deserve the Excellent Blog award, but I am happy to receive it from you!!
Take care,
Linda
Julia, I laughed when I saw the phrase “Major Awards”. Do you love the movie “A Christmas Story”? If so, we may be kindred spirits. (In fact, this may be too much info, but my mom actually had a leg lamp made for my dad just like the one in the movie!) I do realize that if you haven’t seen the movie, or have, but don’t like it, I’m looking like an idiot right about now. Ah well. I guess it wouldn’t be the first time.
I DO love that movie, Courtney! I wasn’t sure if anyone would catch the reference, but I’m glad you did. (I wanted to post a pic of a leg lamp but was afraid it might be too much for people who didn’t know what it was.)
Thanks again for giving me my “major award.” I’ll be looking for my leg lamp in the mail! -Julia
Thanks for the blog mention. Emailing you those pictures are probably the one highlight of my blogging career and I’m glad everyone liked them.
I tried so hard not to smile at the Daisy Cottage, but it was too impossible.
I mentioned your blog to a group of writers this week as a wonderful model for aspiring writers even though they are focusing on other matters. In order to write about anything the art of saying it well is the key.
Thanks for all the things I am learning from you.
Ps. Don’t let anyone start cleaning that major award lest it get dropped and broken.
When I saw that you’d read my blog and I’d said that it was a “good way to put the ‘ol thinker in neutral” I was actually mortified thinking that it could be taken as an insult
Thankfully you took it as it was intended. Maybe what I shoud have said was that I get to think about stuff I *like* to think about instead of the 1000 things I *have* to think about.
Keep up the good work!
Julia…
I wrote a comment on Cobble Court earlier today and made reference to the town I grew up in being similar to A Christmas Story. You replied in kind and mentioned that you liked that movie as well. Then I came back to read more of your (new to me) blog and wanted to read more about ” A Few Things To Say…”
Then I read Courtney’s comment where she mentions A Christmas Story and I about fell out of my seat. What a coincidence! I never really thought about my old hometown being like the homes in the movie until I took my kids back to see it this past summer and that’s what it reminded them of.
I guess that just goes to show what an impact that movie has made on people’s lives. I knew there was a reason I liked Hooked On Houses the minute I stumbled upon it…and now I know why.
ahhhh – THANK YOU SO MUCH JULIA!!
How nice of you to think of Daisy Cottage and I really appreciate your sweet words!! I’m still out of town, but checked in on my blog tonight and saw your comment, leading me here. YOU made me smile!!! Thank you! AND congrats on your deserving award!!
xo,
Kim
Julia, I’m honored you would mention my humble blog. And then Dan wrote me. So now I’m honored and thrilled! Thanks so much.
Aw schucks girl, you are the bomb!
Awww….thanks, Julia! I’ve been mia lately due to more visitors and well… LIFE.
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