Today I want to take a minute to share some of my favorite blogs–I hope it will inspire you to go and look at them– I also have to admit that this is an assignment from my Zero to Hero Challenge! They are teaching us the concept of “sharing what we love”–and another way to connect to our community. I must say I think it is a great idea, but I don’t know if I would have thought to do it on my own. I have chosen five blogs to share with you today–three on genealogy (one – another challenge I’m working on which a lot of you might find interesting!), one on table settings and home decor, and one that is just hilarious! I think I’ll have to save the funniest one for last, because I’m afraid if you go there, you’ll get so caught up in his humorous stories that you’ll never come back!
The first blog I want to share is a blog I’ve been enjoying for a couple of years now! A lot of you might be surprised, because I’m not known as a domestic diva, but I love this blog! It’s called “Between Naps on the Porch” by Susan, and it is chock full of inspiring ideas for decorating your home, setting an awesome table, even decorating your rooms! I’m still lusting after the office she made for herself which you can see here.in her blog! I really want one just like it! She also gives home tours–like of her Governor’s mansion–of celebrities’ homes, and historical places. Mardi Gras is coming up soon, and you will be greatly inspired to decorate all out by catching a glimpse of this fantastic table setting! Really it is fun to see! She sponsors contests, and generally just keeps you entertained royally! “Between Naps on the Porch”–doesn’t that name alone just invoke visions of lazy days on the porch with a pitcher of lemonade! Well, lazy she is not– she writes, holds contests, takes pictures, publishes a newsletter! Gracious! I admire her work greatly!
Now–genealogy blogs! I have a million I love! but I’ve chosen three to share today–because I think some of you might just like what you find and be happy to see them! The first is a teaching blog I’d say. It is called Moore’s Genealogy and C.H. Moore Jr. who writes it, is a very talented genealogist. He talks about various subjects like breaking through brick walls, using your DNA test to help with research, and even how hard it is to trace your female ancestors–along with hints to help! Check it out my genealogical friends–I think you’ll like it!
The second genealogical blog I want to highlight tonight is another one of my favorites right now! The name of the blog is No Story Too Small! I love that very title , and wish I had thought of it first! LOL The author is Amy Johnson Crow and her blog is about the stories of her ancestors she says, and she encourages us to do exactly that–tell stories of our own ancestors! At the beginning of this year, Amy issued a challenge to all bloggers– to write 52 stories of ancestors in 52 weeks! I was excited to join the challenge, because that is what I want to do –write stories of the people in my family tree that I am beginning to know! Over two hundred bloggers signed up for the challenge! Poor Amy–I feel sorry for her having to organize all that, but as a professional genealogist, and a former librarian she seems to handle it with ease! Every Wednesday we get to see a “recap” of the ancestors written about that week! It is so cool, because she lists all of the ancestors’ surnames in alphabetical order–so you can quickly see if anyone else is writing about one of your own ancestors–look at this week’s list if you’d like ! In scanning this list just this week, I found someone writing about a name that was familiar. And sure enough, upon further investigation, we were cousins, unknown to each other before this–but talking everyday on facebook at this point! He is an awesome researcher himself, you might want to check out his blog as well!
Raymond Nichols is the cousin I met this week! He is kin to almost all of my mother’s family from southwest Virginia, so I was pleased to be able to invite him to a facebook page of those cousins! He has quickly become a popular contributor on the page, because he knows so much! His genealogy blog is actually titled “Questions and Answers” and is a great place for you to go with your genealogy questions! He is a professional genealogist with a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge to share! Check it out!
Last but WAY NOT LEAST is one of the funniest blogs I’ve had the pleasure to read in a while–it is called the Rush Hour Rant, go read it, you’ll love it! It is totally irreverent–so don’t go read it if you’re in a disapproving mood–or maybe that’s when you should–because you might just find your self laughing in spite of yourself! It just so happened that he, who calls himself the Rant, wrote about being late to events and meetings lately. This touched me personally, because I have always been late. The Rant taught me a new way to respond to my friends about my tardiness–take a listen…
“Sorry I’m late…
….but I was posing for an action figure of myself and the designer just couldn’t get the moobs right.
…I was practicing my impression of an unambiguous Koala and I lost track of time.
…but I was giving a family of hedgehogs a lift home and they lived way out-of-town. It was Gerald’s birthday bless him and he wanted to see the city lights.”
LOL, enjoy! Let me know what you think of these blogs if you look at them. Hope you have a great day and week, Come back and see me soon, Helen
PS I also learned how to “embed” all those links today, finally, so let me know if you used them to see the blogs!
January 25, 2014 at 7:01 am
“Rants” is a hoot, but really love “Naps”! You’ve mentioned that one to me before and I think I will share with my 13 year old granddaughter who loves design and creative cooking. Thanks, Helen, for sharing as you always do so graciously.
Love and hugs, Linda (cuz)
Sent from my iPhone
>
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January 25, 2014 at 8:14 am
Between Naps on the Porch has been a favorite since she first started! Great post!
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January 25, 2014 at 9:51 am
You are so precious to me, love you dearly!
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January 25, 2014 at 9:55 am
It is so cool Victoria–started to say “Janet”!–LOL. –that you like “NapsOnThePorch” also thanks for coming by!
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January 25, 2014 at 10:05 am
You are so funny! Yes I do love her site and yours too!
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January 25, 2014 at 10:46 am
Happy Saturday morning, Helen, I hope you are staying warm this winter day! It’s way too cold here in Georgia this morning. Thanks sooo much for those lovely words about BNOTP…you are a dearheart and much appreciated! ♥ I’ll have to check out the other blogs you mentioned, they all sound great! 🙂
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January 25, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Dear Susan, you honor me by coming by! I do love your blog so very much! Sorry not to have responded sooner, I’ve been doing genealogy research all day! We have just broken through a brick wall of many years in one of our lines–so it was an exciting day! Hope theat you will come back to visit! Helen
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January 26, 2014 at 7:42 am
Oooooh Helen, why oh why did you have to link to Between Naps? She just gained another follower thanks to you, especially since I am in the process of dreaming up my home that will hopefully one day come to be.
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January 26, 2014 at 9:43 am
LOL Ana Lynn! I Love it too! Sounds like you’ll be having some fun! Helen
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January 26, 2014 at 9:55 am
Thanks for the shout-out, Helen! I appreciate the kind words!
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January 26, 2014 at 10:03 am
Bless your heart Amy! You do amaze me!
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January 30, 2014 at 3:20 pm
Reblogged this on Grandson of Sam and commented:
Here is a post I found about me and some other bloggers written by a newly found distant cousin…….
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January 30, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Hi Raymond! Thanks for reblogging this! You do such an excellent job with your work–its quite amazing actually! Glad to be getting to know you! Helen
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February 3, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Woo-hoo I made the list! Appreciate the kind words but now you’ve put me under a bit of pressure. I didn’t think anyone was reading, you see. Thanks again!
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February 3, 2014 at 8:35 pm
Yea right! YOu are in complete denialof your popularity–and I am the psychologist to prove it! LOL
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May 4, 2014 at 4:23 pm
Thanks for the shout out and i mentioned this blog in mine…
http://questionsandancestors.blogspot.com/2014/05/one-of-her-favorite-blogs.html
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July 9, 2014 at 12:30 am
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site
before but after browsing through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!
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July 9, 2014 at 6:00 am
So glad you found me, Google! Looking forward to seeing you here!
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