Holy Compliments Batman!

You ever have one of those days when you're love bombed and you're just left glowing in sheer appreciation? I hope you have because ladies, it's a great feeling. I experienced this the other day when first I got a really encouraging email from Cari (thanks Cari) and then Never That Easy dropped a breezy little email mentioning that she awarded me a Thinking Blogger Award. I'd like to thank the Blogcademy, sniff, sniff...

But seriously, for me, it's a super big deal. I was totally floored and giddy. That's a pretty great combo. So, I read a little about the award and where/how it started and it made it even more cool. It's an honor, it really is. So, thanks NTE, you're the cats meow and then some!

Since the rules of this award/meme include passing the crown to other bloggers, I have compiled a few worthy candidates. It wasn't easy as so many of you have made me think about a lot of things since I've been writing here at Picture This (believe me when I say I am learning everyday from all of you!) I had to narrow it down to 5. These women's blogs constantly challenge the way I think about life and I so I am recognizing them for that here.

Melody at Slurping Life for the obvious reasons. She is sincere and kind and shares herself with us through words and photos and no matter what, seems to celebrate life amidst all it's spinning, swirling mystery. I'm not telling you what you don't already know. She's amazing. I love Melody for shedding light on the beauty many people miss.

Maile at Daily Relish is an inspiration. Her creative spirit and eye for beauty is unsurpassed. I feel that each photograph she creates is a work of art. Everything she touches turns to gold and I love being a part of that when I experience her blog.

Jen Lemen is someone I met last year at BlogHer yet somehow I feel I've known her forever. Her insightful and generous soul radiates everything that is hopeful in this world and I am grateful to call her a sister friend. When you visit Jen's blog, she offers her heart. She shares gorgeous visuals through her beautiful photographs (she uses a point and shoot!) and delightful illustrations. Her words encourage and inspire and her stories never cease to amaze me.

What can I say about Sweet/Salty Kate? I have been reading her blog for sometime now and have always been entranced by her poignant and poetic writing not to mention her gorgeous photographs. Ever since I came across her blog over a year ago I've been riveted. And then she delivered her twins, impossibly early and as many of you know her life has been turned upside down and her mother-soul inside out. Since then, she has posted the most incredible entries of despair, anguish, hope, and more love than I can even say. Kate is one amazing woman.

And lastly, this one is in recognition of an incredible photo blog I have begun to frequent called. The two sisters of 3191 offer no words with their daily posts; just two photographs lined up each day, side by side. One image from each sister. And somehow with such simple beauty and the obvious mystical connection of sisters, I am often left staring at the page pondering color, composition, light, and life. I don't know these women and I am not ever sure I've ever commented so I guess I am officially delurking as I offer them my last thinking blogger award.

And to the 5 of you awardees, you are more than welcome to just enjoy the award. But, if you so choose to continue the meme and award 5 others, then go for it. The buttons and rules are over at The Thinking Blog.

Comments

[Mike]

You deserve the award.

Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/

[Anna]

I agree, you deserve it!
I have enjoyed every minute of the time I spend here, thank you for pouring so much of yourself and your talent into it!

[Christina]

Congrats, you are most deserving! Thank you for sharing your talent and building such a wonderful community.

[allie]

Congrats! And thank you for your picks. I found a couple there I didn't know about to add to my long list of daily views. (and yes, Melody inspires me every single time I have the honor of bumping into her online:)