Monday afternoon brought me quite a surprise: a new blog award. The 7 x 7 Link Award was given to me by Dianna over at These Days of Mine. Thank you, Dianna. I’m honored for the nod! And at the end of the year, this offers me a chance to review and reflect on past posts.
Receiving this award is a bit different than the others I’ve been given. I am to review all of the posts I’ve written so far and select the ones I feel are the most appropriate in 7 different categories. Then, I’m to pass this award on to 7 other bloggers.
As we get to the year’s end, it’s been fun work to look back and reflect on these categories. If you missed any of these previous posts, I hope you’ll click on the link to take a look.
1.) Most Beautiful. Last spring I was reading the blog of my niece as she studied in London and took side trips to Europe. Sevilla, Now and Then captures her beautiful pictures of a city I remember so well. Creating a photographic duet I placed her spring, 2011 pictures next to similar photographs I had taken around her same age when I visited back when. “The Flowers of Balboa Island” was liked by readers, too.
2.) Most Helpful. Perhaps my most helpful post was a recent one on how to make lump free gravy. It appeared #6 in Google under the search term “lump free gravy.” The Thursday before Thanksgiving it received over 100 views as I imagine folks were thinking of Thanksgiving just a week later.
3.) Most Popular. “So You Think You Can Draw” brought the most comments.
4.) Most Controversial. “I’m Out of Chanel” was a subtle tip to Santa for what I want for Christmas. Many blogging friends commented on their favorite fragrances and others reminded us to be mindful of those who suffer from hay fever and migraines upon smelling fragrances.
5.) Most Surprisingly Successful. My first post was a happy birthday message to my aunt in September, 2010. Although it has received relatively few comments, perhaps because every one has an aunt, and every aunt has a birthday, it consistently appears in my search engine terms and has had several hundred views. The Good Greatsby was kind enough to explain that to me. Go figure!
6.) Most Underrated. “Bob Hope and Papa Charles” received relatively few comments. So if you were enjoying Memorial Day, attending a parade or picnic instead of reading this post, here it is.
7.) Most Pride Worthy. “Guess What?” was a tribute I wrote about my father and “What’s Next: The End of an Era” was a chance to reflect on my dad’s participation in the space program. “Can you be there by 9:00?” is a story about Daughter #2.
And now, here are the 7 blogs that are my choices to receive this award:
The Island Traveler Thank you to IT for a Liebster nod as well. Christmas is here sending cheer. If any of my recommendations would like to pick up that award, please feel free to do so but the rules are a bit different. IT explains well how to proceed to accept the Liebster award.
Fiftyfourandahalf
The Learner’s Edge
Priya
Shoreacres
TormaTake
The Self-Styled Life
Georgette Sullins's Blog 
Georgette, I’m so glad that you and I have “met”. I look forward to your blog everyday. Most of the posts you’ve listed sound familiar, and I KNOW I’ve read a few of them, but will check them out shortly to be sure. And will visit those other blogs on your list.
Have a wonderful day!
Dianna, I certainly have not written as many posts as you. This makes #90…10 more to a hundred. I started with one a week and have evolved to two a week. So far the stories keep coming and you have taught me in your daily posts, that yes, there is inspiration everywhere. Thank you, friend, for all your encouragement.
Well deserved!
Really? I can’t tell you how much that means coming from you. Thank you for visiting. I’m so glad I started this blogging journey and so glad our paths crossed if not in Essex County umpteen years ago, here.
Me too!
Looking forward to catching up with your blog….congrats!
Thank you for stopping by. So hard to choose which posts to recommend, but here’s a sample.
Congratulations, Georgette on your blog, on your award(s), on your writing and on the goodness that comes to us through your writing.
And thanks for recognizing me with 7×7! Now I need to put on my thinking cap because, while I am frequently underrated, I am rarely beautiful. Now if there was a piece for “snarkiest” I would have trouble paring down the numbers!
Thanks for everything.
haha…I wanted to come up with my own categories too but then it wouldn’t have been 7×7. Didn’t want it to become 10×10. You have a way with words and telling a good story. Your “Different Toy Story” was wicked…the way the kids mean it. Very funny and I will never look at train tracks the same.
Oh I remember those flowers! Great post and congrats on your award.
I can imagine they even look familiar coming from San Diego.
Congrats, Georgette! I look forward to checking out the links.
Thank you SAM. I hope you enjoy them.
I am looking forward to reading some of these posts as I do not get here often enough. Well Done, You!
I’m in awe that you post so regularly. I don’t think I could have worked, kept the family going and write a blog back in the day when the nest wasn’t empty. I do enjoy your site for all the good recommendations you make not to mention your perspective on things. Keep writing.
Congratulations, Georgette. Every time I read one of your posts, I feel like I’m right there in the middle of the action. That’s a sign of a terrific writer!
You are too kind. You, my friend, are the writer, in the middle of business action and I’m honored you make time to visit.
Wasn’t Dianna sweet to nominate both of us for this award? You’re a lot quicker in responding than I am though! I’m still trying to think which posts I want to name in the 7 categories. It’s going to take some time to ferret them out, and time has been a little short this week for me. I think I’ve read most of the posts you listed here, but I’ll have to make sure I didn’t miss any of these. I do enjoy reading what you write so very much, and you certainly deserved this award! I’ll also be sure to visit the 7 blogs you passed the award to because they are all new to me. 🙂
She is so very thoughtful as all her posts show. I must say she was among the first to “believe in me” and blow wind under my wings. You too, by the way. Thank you for reading and your encouragement. You write such clean, well thought out pieces. You truly raise the bar in my book. Good luck ferreting and I hope you are happy with your list. I imagine, it is hard to choose, when your heart is in every one. Congratulations to you, too. So much for “Wordless Wednesday”. (laughing)
Congrats, Georgette! Hope you allow yourself a good pat on the back.
Thank you for visiting. Your post yesterday was amazing and important. Thank you for synthesizing a real life story, the documentary and what you obviously have learned about the subject. It was an important post and I’m in awe of its depth of understanding. I love Latin American literature and found parallels between what you observed to what is called “el realismo mágico.” So glad we have connected recently and look forward to reading more from you. You know, your site certainly came to mind in making 7 recommendations, but I wasn’t sure you are into these awards.
Congratulations and well deserved. I’m looking forward to catching up with your 7 posts!
Congratulations on all your awards. Goodness you have been busy. I enjoyed your links to your own 7×7. 1,000 visits on the your Kentucky Derby post! Definitely your Most Helpful can be appreciated by those who were glad you threw your hat in the ring. Your story about the farm was emotional. Thank you for sharing. We have inherited a farm and it’s challenging to keep up our place and there. But thank goodness it’s a little over an hour away. Again, thank you for visiting after writing a novel and accepting all the well earned kudos.
Congrats on your award! You always have quality ‘entertainment’ on your blog.
Thank you, Patti.
Congrats to you, Georgette. I hope readers do go back to the Bob Hope post – it is one of my favorites. Actually, all of your posts pertaining to your family are my favorites.
Thank you, Lenore Diane.
Congratulations, Georgette! I will enjoy checking out posts I may have missed and reading new blogs you’ve recommended.
My friend from TormaTake, not on wp, is a writer and will remind you of Texas. IT and Shoreacres are also, from TX. I enjoy them and the ones not from here.
Congratulations. The honor is well placed.
Thank you, Barb.
Congratulations!! I will look forward to reading all of your highlighted posts as well as visiting the links you recommended. I’m a bit behind in my reading but my hearty “Way to go!” is as sincere as can be 🙂
Cheers!
MJ
Thank you, MJ.
Congrats! Don’t forget the little people in your headlong dash for crushing, blogworld domination.
Just read where a blogging friend had 10,000 views…Yikes! I kind of like my two digit-three digit world. Just enjoying the early hours of the morning and all the conversation. And, then later in the day at school, with a 5″ break…I check in. Thanks for dropping in…Glad I met you…you test my mettle and wit more than some high schoolers I knew. 🙂
Hi Georgette,
I’m playing catch up but never seem to “catch up” because everyone’s so busy writing which is lovely but as I said I never manage to catch up…
Congratulations on your awards. I like the 7 you chose. I think being #6 on google on thanksgiving for your gravy deserves a *special* award 🙂
I look forward to reading the others you selected.
Oh dearrosie, I am so behind. I have two Advent calendars to get in the mail by Friday!!! Not to mention they should have been mailed in November. Maybe I’ll write, maybe I’ll post pictures on Thursday. I’m a bit panicked but still my early mornings are dedicated to keeping up with my blogging friends. I feel your pain right now.
I accept the award with all humility , gratitude and appreciation for those who stood by me this year. I share this award for all those who journeyed with us till today. Congratulations my friend. Thank you for sharing your world and thoughts with us. thank you for giving me a lot of encouraging and inspiring comments. They always provide a sense of comfort. God bless you and your family always. Your blog is a gem that I will always cherish.
Wishing you and your family blessings of love , peace, good health and joy on Christmas and everyday thereafter.
I’m so glad you’ll accept still another award. I can’t wait to view and read your year in review choosing your favorite posts. So glad we crossed paths. Your site is always insightful, always a treasure in photography and expression, always genuine, authentic, and positive, bringing good news.