Angels And Saints: Keeping It Real

ANGELS & SAINTS

Warning: I make no apologies .. this is a long, wordy post.. choose the exit door now if needed

The beautiful Meredith from Count It All Joy recently passed me the 'REAL Award - My Blog Is Me'. I have to say I was quite touched as Meredith described me as one of her Fairy Blog-mothers. How sweet is that? I often think of her as my blogging Angel. Meredith always sees the best in me whatever I attempt creatively, which fills me with encouragement and inspiration to keep trying. Just visiting her blog invariably brightens my day and allows me to enjoy that warm feeling one has when surrounded by caring and joyful people. She is one of the true nurturers in this world and it shows in her colourful posts about her family, life and cooking session that will make your mouth water...

So onto the award which is described as follows;

'This is an award is for those who are brave enough to expose just enough to reach, touch, and possibly help someone else to see something differently. I am giving this award to only 3 blogs. The only requirement is authenticity. Use these awards wisely and do a post on the award telling why you wish to pass it on. Please link the award on your sidebar to this post. *Then the meaning of this award will not get watered down or changed.* And believe me, when I see this award on a blog, I will STOP, READ, and LISTEN to the message, and the messenger. Maybe others will too'

Pay It Foward

Now the part that I always find difficult. Trying to narrow down the sea of inspiring and thought provoking blogs to just three! Harder still as I have made some wonderful friends in blogland who support, encourage or amuse me daily [you know who you are]. So I am choosing based on authenticity [as required], but also that these individuals have inspired me to want change in my own life... Their blogs dedicated to their lives and craft have given me hope that I too can take 'the road less travelled' . ... One Day! Maybe! haha

Meredith - Count It All Joy

[here]

Meredith is the real deal.. For all the reasons I have mentioned above.. I am gifting this award back to her... So thank you Dear Meredith.

Meredith's posts are about as real as it gets. Sure she throws in humour to keep it light, but in between those lines of text one gets a real sense of the caring person she is. She doesn't frighten away from telling it warts and all and posts about the simple daily things that perhaps we all take for granted. From Meredith's clever pen [or perhaps index typing finger] she consistently brings us her love for her family, friends and faith and a good warm glow that makes you wish you lived in her house! If Meredith sees a shining light within you... she will foster that light until it burns just a bit brighter.. Thank you Meredith for your constant encouragement.

I should also mention she is one of the wittiest bloggers I've come across. Everything she tackles she does so with unabashed wit, humour and an abundance of beautiful beautiful colour, bursting out as bright as her own personality. She is one of our very own earth angels.

Cathy - Simple Things Small Joys

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Now anyone who has read my blog for a while will know how much I admire and appreciate Cathy's blog and creative talent. Hers was the first blog I ever found and inspired me to start my own. Her gorgeous charms spoke for themselves and found their way into my life. Not only is Cathy's work adorable, but her lifestyle is one I envy. She incorporates her creative talent into her daily life, her business and her love for her family and home. She has strived to live her dream and has taken us along with her via her blog. A simple beauty filled life lived with creativity. I do believe she has found her niche ... and this inspires me to try and find my own. Cathy is another nurturer who encourages me and other bloggers to move forward and pursue their creativity. If you'd like to read my previous post on how Cathy has inspired me you can find it [here].

Coty - Styling by Coty Farquhar

[here]

And finally, I pass this award to Coty. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who isn't delighted and awed by the beauty that is found on entering the magical world of Coty. She has one of those blogs that is just packed with image after image that mesmerize and delight. All of it being her own work.. The photography, styling, artwork... all exceptional and from her own hand.. In fact the whole family is talented. A wonder-world of talent going on there in the Southern Highlands. Now here is the thing... Coty is also very down to earth... modest about her achievements and happy to share and encourage others.. She will show you the glamour but also explain the work and effort that goes into creating her dreams.. I like this.. it's keeping it real.. and by doing so it presents itself as potentially possible for mere mortals like ourselves... ha ha ha.. Another nurturer and encourager... who sees a light in others and will readily jump in to encourage their growth.

Saints

Now in case you were wondering where the Saints comes in.. Australia finally has it's first Saint.. Mary MacKillop of the Cross. Announced by Pope Benedict last week in Rome. I am not very religious but do have a healthy curiosity with religious artifacts, saints and e-votos. Symbols of hope. As there are a few people in my life right now that need that extra serving of hope, I find this quite inspiring, not to mention extraordinary as Australia is such a relatively new country and I always think of Saints as those cloaked in mystery from centuries ago. Mary MacKillop was a true struggler and fighter for the truth. A dinky-di Aussie. She also kept it very real so fits into this post perfectly.

Congratulations For Getting To The End Of This Post!!

Thanks for hearing me out.. Now in someway I believe every blog is a reflection of oneself. Unless you have someone out there doing the posting for you! ha ha The bloggers I have mentioned have somehow inspired me on my own personal journey and that is why I have chosen them today. I have one more award to share given to me by the lovelyJeanne from Collage of Life.. I'll do this sometimes in the near future, but meantime pay a visit to all of these wonderful bloggers and brighten your own day.