Well, I spent yesterday cleaning the debris and branches from our yard. I drove out to try to do some shopping, only to find that we’re the only people in town with power. Store after store was dark and closed.
When I spotted a Target with cars in the parking lot, I pulled in. Turns out they were out of power, too, but were open anyway. I shopped in the dark, squinting to see price tags and find what I needed (they had the emergency lights on).
The refrigerated shelves were empty, and I overheard an employee saying, “Well, I just had to throw out $10,000 worth of food.” What a waste! I could’ve used some of it. We’re down to crackers, bread, and a half gallon of water at our house (okay, slight exaggeration).
So I returned home without all of the things on my shopping list that I had gone out for. But there was a package at my door. I love getting packages!
When I opened the box, these adorable acorn salt and pepper shakers were inside. Ms. Tee of Delightful Home had sent them to me as a thank-you for linking to her blog. Isn’t that sweet? That small act of thoughtfulness totally made my day. Thanks, Ms. Tee!
As I drove around our town and realized how bad the damage from yesterday’s storm was, I grew increasingly grateful for our good luck. We only lost a couple of trees.
There are still hundreds of thousands of people without power. It’s “the most massive power outage in Cincinnati history.”
This is all to say that, geez, I’m feeling really grateful today, so I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of my faithful readers, wonderful commenters, and amazing blog friends.
The counter on my blog passed the 600,000 mark this week. I’m not sure how that’s even possible! When I started this site on a whim in January, I was excited when 20 people showed up. So I just have to take a moment to say thanks for coming and hanging out with me here!
I’ve also been meaning to say thanks for some blog awards that have been passed my way recently, and now seems like a good time.
First of all, thanks to Jan over at Jan and Tom’s Place for this BFF Gold Card:
Both Sue at Country Pleasures and Jen at Sanctuary Arts gave me the “I Heart Your Blog award.” Thanks, guys!
Nikki at The Scarlett Rose Garden passed the Smile Award along to me, and it made ME smile. Thanks, Nikki!
I know I’m forgetting some of your awards and I apologize! I should start keeping track of these things instead of relying on my memory. Let me know if I forgot your award and I’ll add it a.s.a.p.
Instead of trying to follow all the rules of each of these individual awards and pass them around, I created my own “I’m Hooked on Your Blog” Award. My husband Dave spent the last two hours designing it for me and now he’s late for work. (Thanks, Honey!)
I think he did a good job. Here it is!
I’m giving it out to 5 bloggers I really enjoy but haven’t had a chance to give an award to yet:
1. Kimba at A Soft Place to Land
2. Bella at Bella Casa (I swiped the cute “Thank You” sign above from Bella!)
3. Sandra at Canyon Wren Cottage
4. Amy at Living Locurto
5. Linda at Lime in the Coconut
Feel free to take this button and wear it proudly. Pass it along to five blogs you’re hooked on if you want, but I’m not going to put a lot of rules on it.
Thanks again for being such wonderful readers and blog friends! Now I’m off in search of stores that are open and have food and water to sell me. Wish me luck! -Julia 
{ 27 comments }
Awww. Thanks, Julia. You already know I’m hooked on your blog. When it’s not the Monday after “Design Star” or the Wednesday after “Top Design,” it’s every other day for your celebrity house tours and other wonderful decor tidbits.
How about that IKE? We had a lot of downed trees up here too – glad you got by with minimal damage!
Thanks for the birthday wishes – had a good day…you know, being a mom, doing laundry etc…..the world doesn’t stop when your having a big birthday!!
Have a good week!
Karla & Karrie too
Hi Julia, I read your blogs every day, I really enjoy them. I hope you find some stores open today.
Julia, sending good thoughts your way- i hope life returns to normal soon! Want me to send you some food too? Poor things!
Good luck restocking your pantry – I’m thankful you’re doing well.
Thanks Julia!! My first blog award:-) I’m very honored to get this! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you through your awesome comments and email. You are a breath of fresh air and I look forward to reading about what you’re up to each day:-)
Thanks to you Ms. Tee for making us other linked gals look bad. If I link to you will you send me something too? ha. No, that was very sweet. I wish I had thought of it.
Julia- I noticed your blog header was gone. I would be happy to design something for you. I love that stuff. Oh, did you notice I tagged you today?
I still can’t believe the power has been out that long. What a mess. I’m going to stock up on some food… you never know when another storm might come. Licorice and chocolate lasts a while right?
I couldn’t believe how bad the weather was until I watched the Bengals & Browns games on Sunday! Crazy! I’m glad to hear you had no bad damage, and it’s amazing you are still keep up with your blog, too! I really like your award, and I’d take it and pass it on except I have no clue how any of the connecting/linking/award stuff works when it comes to blogs!
Have a great day!
~Angela
ps – I’d send you some lemon poppy cake to help fill your pantry if I knew how to ship cake….do people ship cake???
Angela–Why don’t you just drive that cake on over here? I had popcorn for lunch. I could really go for some cake right now.
Amy–I wondered if anyone would notice that my blog header disappeared. I don’t know what happened to it and haven’t had time to investigate (or replace it). I told my husband I’d wait to see if anyone mentioned it. You win the prize for being the first! I wonder if the storm on Sunday blew it away? -Julia
Ah, Julia, come to my house for dinner. It seems we were the only people we know that still have power, so I invited all the non=power people to empty their freezers and come cook at my house. My refridg. is so full things fall out when you open it. I hope folks remember what they brought me, and remember to come and get it! Everyone said “just eat what you want”…should I?
We have some pretty bad roof damage, I finally got the call from the insurance agent today..how is this for high tech “Just email me some pictures and I will email you a estimate!!”
We haven’t had phone/cable/internet until I got home this afternoon!
Take care,
Melanie
Thanks, Julia, I am hooked on your blog, too! I will definitely pass this along as soon as I can, what an honor:)
I absolutely LOVE those salt & pepper shakers, they would have made my day, too
Sorry about the power outage and storm, too. We only had monsoon rains here in my part of MI…I guess we got lucky this time. I hope your power is back on SOON!
Bella
PS: 600,000 + ????? WOWZA!!!
Hi,
Thanks Julia, I am HOOKEd too. So glad you have power you don’t realize how much you need and depend on somethng like that until you don’t have it !!
Are you changing your header ?? Or did IKE take it ??
Happy shopping,
Kathy
600,000! WOW! Congrats
Those shakers are adorable. Good luck w/ the supplies search.
Congratulations on 600,000 – that is some achievement!
I hope things get back on track in your town soon – thinking of you all x
How sweet of Tee to send you those S&P shakers; they are adorable!
Love your blog! You selected some of my favorites! Fun fun!
600,000?!? That’s fantastic. At this rate, we’ll be able to have a Million-a-Rama (like Home-a-Rama) party at your pad in no time.
How awful about all the food that gets chucked…When so many people need….Sigh.
On a happier note, I’m all caught up on all things DVR, so will be able to play along with this week’s Top Design recaps in real time. I’m a little too old for this, but I’m thinking a Top Design drinking game is in order…every time Rick Schroder is mentioned, take a swig.
Oh my good~blog~golly! 600,000! I am proud to count myself as some of those numbers! We all know when we have found a good thing. God speed with the power and supplies…as my Mom always says…”this too shall pass”…and you are in all of our thoughts.
Think Autumn…
Smiles ~ Ramona
Ike! What a guy! Hope you’re out of the dark sooner than later!
Congrats on the ginormous numbers!
How long have you been blogging?
And if you tell me it’s been only a coulpe of months, I would really appreciate getting some of what you have.
xo xo
Wow! Thanks! I noticed a bunch of traffic coming from your blog today and wondered what was up.
Now I know. Thanks!
Ohhhh,what a benevolent soul you are…passing out awards when you are in the middle of yucky hurricane stuff!
Thank you Thank you!!! Wow…How sweet to be considered.
LOVE you and your “full to the rim” blog….and all of your big hearted bloggies! Man, those salt and pepper shakers are adorable!
I will pass it on and keep the love flowin’…..you’re the best!!
That is just unbelievable that Ike has caused so much havoc that far north! I”m sorry about all the mess you have to clean up. We lost a beloved dogwood from Fay this year.
Congrats on your stats and awards–you deserve them all!
Hi Julia,
I just awarded your award to 5 lovely ladies, just wanted you to know
Bella
The S&P shakers are adorable!
So glad the storm spared you of major damage. I don’t envy you the cleanup!
Those shakers are adorable! Congrats on all the awards girly! I adore your blog!
I’m glad you didn’t suffer at the hands of Ike too badly. It was really something else wasn’t it?!
Congratulations on your awards! You took the easy way out like I did and made my own LOL I feel like a braggart accepting them, so I never know what to do. Anyway, you deserve them
rue
I’m so glad you liked the acorns and glad they got to you so quickly. Yay, postal service! You deserve all the awards, too – congratulations!
hi – congrats on your numbers! going great on your blog – isn’t blogging just the best?!!!
sorry you had weather t roubles too – and thank you so much for your comments! they really mean the world to me – seriously!!
thanks again,
Joni
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