Eat Locally, Make Friends Globally

If I were to label this summer, it would be the Summer of Blog Love. I have been inspired and touched by the blogs I have read and the bloggers I have met, and I have become closer to friends and family, near and far, through my blog.

Speaking of labels, Leigh Ann of Canada has been extremely generous. She mailed me an envelope full of jar labels, book labels, gift tags, and blank stickers for embellishment. It was so much fun to receive physical mail from a blog friend. If I had to work outside the home, I would want to work with Leigh Ann. I'd probably spend more time laughing than working. We'd probably get in trouble with the boss. Now that I have her address, she will have to watch her mail box for some goodies.

Wendy of Maine has truly set an example for eating local, a very popular movement throughout the blogosphere. Between growing fruit and vegetables, keeping chickens, and buying locally grown foods, she and her family have experienced a wonderful feast this summer, and she has been kind enough to share menus and recipes. I look forward to reading her blog as the seasons and menus change.

Stefani of Texas has become a bosom buddy, sharing book recommendations, canning secrets, ideas for personal and family projects, and the joy of homeschooling. How I wish we lived closer, but I'm grateful for the immediate gratification of email. Perhaps we'll even share some snail mail (just need a physical address). Stephanie will be a wonderful source of support and inspiration for the upcoming school year, and I can't wait to compare notes on curriculum and more.

Kirstie has been my bosom buddy for more years than I care to share. She and I share many tales in person, but we share different tales on our blogs. It's great to have something new to say, even after we've devoured each other's words. There's rarely a gap in our conversations, a wonderful benefit of a true friend.

I'm very excited that my dear friend and neighbor Marjorie (who prefers to remain unlinked) has started a blog as a way to share family pictures and anecdotes with friends and family that live too far away to see and hear about her beautiful family up close and personal. She is an amazing photographer and scrapbooker, and I'm sure her blog will be wonderful.

When I sit down at the computer to post a blog, I sometimes forget that I am sharing pieces of myself with friends, family and strangers. I am at times surprised when having a conversation with someone that they mention something from my blog. Oh yeah, I wrote about that, and you read it - weird. I love experiencing the impact of the written word, and the dimension it adds to my life. Blog on my friends. You all rock.