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My Favorite {Blog} Friday!

favorite

This is new "posting" theme for my little bLoG. Do you visit blogs and think...

"I wish that person would come and decorate my bedroom"

OR

"I wish that person would tell me the secret in entertaining without 'stress' "

OR

"I wish that blogger lived right down the street b/c we would have a blast together"

Well, a few times a month I am going to be featuring some of my FAVORITE "reads". The first "blog" I am featuring is a lady who I wish DID live down the street. She is witty, funny, true and her life just seems "fun"!

THE LONG ROAD TO CHINA

Maybe you know her as "Half Gaelic, Half Garlic".

She has a big "heart" and her love for her family shines in every POST.....

Her husbands COOKS, yes ladies, COOKS!!!

Her daughters "stove" is cuter than my real one...

She says she loves lots of cheese and pasta and every picture of her cooking makes me want to EMAIL her to see if she would "deliver" or overnight a dish....She has the cutest aprons and makes "cooking" and the "kitchen life" glamorous... all while sipping on a glass of wine...

Her kids are just adorable and their smiles melt my heart every time her blog pulls up on my computer....

I asked Lisa a few questions about that thing we call "BlOgGiNg"....

{What made you start a blog?}

Back in January of 2006 we were just starting to put together our paperwork to adopt a baby from China and were required to go to a couple of meetings with other families who were starting the adoption process. At the very first meeting we attended, I had met a girl that asked if I had ever seen or followed blogs of China Adoptive families. My answer was no, but it struck my curiousity, so when we got home I started doing some investigating and was instantly hooked!! I lurked in the shadows for a long time and never commented. As time went on, I kept telling myself that when we got our referral, I would start a blog of my own....after all, what did I have to talk about on a blog!!

In November of 2006, we were still waiting for our China adoption to come to fruition and we were presented with an incredible opportunity to adopt domestically. We were in the middle of building our new home and were not prepared at all for this new little bundle of you, but to he honest, the timing could not have been more perfect. We adopted Sarah, and then moved 2 months later. I really had my hands full juggling a career, our new home, and my two children. In the back of my mind, I knew that there were many opportunities that I should have been documenting, but just did not have time. I was still checking in on blogs, but never thought I could handle one on my own.

By April of 2008, Sarah was just over a year old and our extended family constantly asking for us to send updated photos of Sarah and Nick. Our family is spreadout amongst a half dozen states, so I thought there was no time like the present to bite the bullet and start my own blog. My sole purpose was to email the web address to our immediate family and close friends so they could check in and not feel like they were missing out on all the special moments and milestones in our lives. Little did I know, where this blog would lead me.

{How has the blog enhanced my life?}

In the beginning, I did just have family and friends checking in, they did not even know how to leave comments, or that they were even supposed to. Little by little, I started picking up readers and meeting other women and Mothers like myself who had similar interests and stories to tell. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have made the friendships that exist today.....all because I started to blog!!

I have had the opportunity to meet a couple of these amazing ladies in person and when we have met, it was like we were long lost friends.....they were just as wonderful in person as they are on their blogs.

Blogging has brought me into contact with people I would never have never met otherwise. Day after day, I turn on my computer and feel like I have my giant group of friends rallied around me and there to share the joys of my life as well as the hardships. We are there to support one another through whatever life hands us. In addition to the moral support, it has been a wonderful resource for decorating ideas, craft type projects for the kids, and recipes to try out on my family. My blog has become more than a place to showcase my childrens pictures, it is a huge part of me and an extension of my home. When new people visit, I like to welcome them with open arms and make them feel right at home.

Today, pop over and say "HeLLo" to Lisa! You will keep coming back for more!


p.s. I have NO idea why my font is so big..can't change it!




43 comments:

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love blogging, except for the fact that I don't know these ladies that I'm sure we could be good friends. Can't wait to pop over to that blog. Thanks
Laurel

Elizabeth said...

Oh, that's great. I'll check it out.

Melissa Stover said...

that is a neat idea!

Jenni said...

I love her blog! I always enjoy my visits to it. :) I think this is such a fun blog post idea, too. :) I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Anonymous said...

This is a really neat idea! I never thought that I would enjoy blogging as much as I do either.

Heather said...

I am playing blog catch up and darn you - you have me curious now and will most likely be blog stalking this cute gal!

what a great idea!

Jessica said...

Keep doing these! Great idea!

April said...

What an excellent idea! I don't believe I've ever "met" Lisa (but, of course, my memory is slipping a bit these days!). She sounds like a fun person, wife, and mom....and the fact that her hubby cooks is THRILLING, to say the least! I'll be sure to pop on over and say hello!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for indroducing us to Lisa, I will go over for a visit. She looks like a fun positive person. I like your idea of a posting theme. Keep it up, please

Hugs,
Chris

The Blonde Duck said...

That's so lovely! What a great blog to feature!

Sarah said...

I have seen her comments before but have never checked her out before; will for sure be doing that today! Have a wonderful weekend!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

You know that I am so honored to be featured on your blog....I can't thank you enough for thinking of me!!

I love this idea of featuring blogs that you enjoy and look forward to reading your next feature blog....keep them coming:)

I wish you lived down the street from me too.....oh the fun we would have together!!

Enjoy your weekend!!

Lisa

Jeni said...

I love her blog too. And she always leaves the nicest comments too. I agree she makes some super yummy dishes and to bad I am not her neighbor.

Tobi said...

I love this idea and I loved that you interviewed her for this post. Well done you!

Christy said...

What a fun idea!

Have a wonderful weekend!

duchess said...

I'm heading over right now - thanks.

Jodee said...

What a fun "Friday" idea! As you probably already know, I adore Garlic Lisa too!

Montee said...

I am familiar with Lisa. I really like her kitchen!

LuLu said...

I've only been blogging for such a short time and feel like I have missed so much by reading all these new blogs, I can't wait to visit her blog.great idea you had.

LuLu

Jboo said...

Lisa's is one of my favorite blogs too!! And like you, I wish she lived down the block from me. Hmmmm -- also wish YOU lived down the block from me!

Have a fun weekend!

Janet

Mari said...

Great idea for Fridays! I'll go visit her.

Brittany said...

Great idea to start this!

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is great...she sounds just amazing...as well as you too.
I will take some time and pop over to read about her life!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!

jennykate77 said...

What a great idea! I've seen the name around blog-land, but never stopped by. I'll have to go read and check out her blog today! Thanks for the introduction!

Hope you have a fabulous Friday!

Lindsey said...

Love this idea!

Jan said...

Blogging has connected me with fab people like yourself and also we are then rewarded to other shares from you as well.

That is such a great thing Sandy. Thanks for the share and your starting a blog.

Wendy said...

This is a fun feature...I will look forward to it!

Darlene said...

What a neat Friday post idea. I have never been to her blog but you can be sure I will now. She sounds so wonderful! I never DREAMED my blogging would turn into the "friendships" that it has. The connection is just unbelievable!

Joanna said...

Great idea! Can't wait to see who all you introduce us too! I always love finding new bloggey friends!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

What a neat posting idea! I enjoyed learning about Lisa! I will check out her blog!

vicki said...

I want to meet her ..
since my replacement for you never has time to return my calls...
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE (LS) :-)
...
i am thinking about starting ablog ..you girls are getting me hooked

Tami said...

What a really, really, REALLY great idea!!!! I now feel like I definitely owe her, and myself, a visit to her domaine!! Looks like a wonderful place to hang out for a bit:-) Thanks.

Mammatalk said...

I think I have heard of this blog. I will pay her a visit. Thanks for visiting me on my big, bloggy day!
I love your sandy toes, btw!

Sandy said...

Yay for Lisa - and she just won my GIVEAWAY! She is a doll - it's been fun to get to know her a bit!

Happy weekend!

Unknown said...

Thanks, I have visited this woman's blog before, it's great to have some background info. Now I'll have even more fun!

Sandra said...

Great idea Sandy and what a great blog you featured too. I'll have to go visit her :)

Our Complete Family said...

I love Lisa's blog as well! She is the sweetest person and sends the nicest comments and emails. Isn't it fun to peek in on her days?
Just like I have fun peeking in on your days here, too!
Happy weekend hun~ Les

Chasing Dreams Photography said...

I love Lisa!!! She has been a good friend to me...and hey, did you know I made those little pants that Sarah is wearing : ) ok so I'm giving myself a pat on the back.
Lisa's blog makes me smile and I feel like I know her so well. Funny how blogging can introduce us to so many people that other wise we would of never met.
This is a wonderful post...you are so creative!!!!

Ashley said...

How fun!! And a great idea!!

Free Art Printables said...

I think blogging is a wonderful thing and I am so happy you had such a great reason to start one!

Beth@Pages of Our Life said...

Sandy,

Thanks for the introduction! This was fun. I don't have time to find blogs a lot and you seem so great at that! :)

Isn't neat to hear how blogging has impacted others?

Katie said...

I will have to check it out what a cute Idea. I love your blog...

Jennifer said...

Great post! I love Lisa and her blog too :)



Jen