Howdy friends!! Thanks for stopping by for this month’s Where Bloggers Live 01.2023: Favorite Bloggers. January finds the gals and me sharing our favorite bloggers – outside of our intimate Where Bloggers Live posse. I have put off writing this post because…well, because that’s what I always do…I work better under pressure!! Ha! But also because I hate to list my favorite bloggers. I hope all of the bloggers I follow know that I follow them for a reason or two, or ten. And if I follow you, it is because you ‘feed’ me in some way. Your words, your photos, things you share speak to me.
But – yeah, here’s the but – I am hoping to blog more this year about life. Which may mean less participation in link-ups because I want to be sure I am staying true or getting back to being true to why I decided to start a blog to begin with. And that was to chronicle my adventures in life after retirement. Rediscovering myself after taking down my librarian shingle. And after looking about and realizing our home is an empty nest.
I enjoy all the link-ups because, in general, I don’t have to think as hard when I have pre-determined questions to answer, or a prompt to respond to. The Ageless Styles gals and our link-up encourages me to get dolled up at least one day a month!! That’s never a bad thing. And Bettye’s themes for Where Bloggers Live are always fun. In addition to them, though, I want to get back to sharing books, and recipes, and the activities that I am enjoying in this season of life. My thoughts about getting older and growing gray. Silver. I mean, silver. My love of family.
Big Oooops
So, last night I was reading blogs. I have all of the blogs I follow saved to Feedly. Used Bloglovin’ to save my faves for a long time but then began having trouble with that ‘app’. Made the switch to Feedly a year ago and all was going well until I deleted all of the blogs I follow last night. Have absolutely NO IDEA how I did that. I was actually trying to add a new blog to my Feedly when, instead, I erased every.single.one. Did get the new one added, though. Geez.
Spent the rest of the evening trying to remember the names of all of your blogs. And I am sure I have missed adding some back to Feedly. But will continue to work at that over the weekend.
How do you keep track of the blogs you follow? It was so easy to delete all of mine last night that I am almost thinking twice about continuing to use Feedly. Certainly open to suggestions for something else.
Where Bloggers Live 01.2023
Let me begin by saying I have not met any of the bloggers I follow in person. Really haven’t had the opportunity but even if it did present itself, I am so socially awkward. It would be hard for me to do a meet up. I’d no doubt step on someone’s toes or spill my drink or get a very rare case of the hiccups. It’s best I stay right here at home. And keep in mind, we agreed that the WBL gals would not include each other in this post of faves.
I do have what I would classify as real friendships with several gals, and feel especially close to Carrie at Curly, Crafty Mom, Laura at I Do DeClaire, Kellyann at This Blonde’s Shopping Bag and my sweet friend Deb at Deb’s World. The first 3 of those bloggers are true fashionistas where I am a wannabe. But they are also very genuine people.
I discovered Deb’s blog through a search for bloggers writing about retirement. And discovered that she and I have much in common. We chat now and then on What’s App and share pictures of our families with one another. Deb and I are contemporaries, although I think I am a little older than her. I am lightyears older than Carrie and Laura, and decades older than Kellyann living in a different season of life but I sincerely like and admire all 4 of these women. I appreciate their big hearts and love for their families, friends and communities.
The Bloggers I Want Most to Emulate
Wish I could name the reasons I follow all of you but I am so scared I would inadvertently omit someone and that would break my heart. And since I deleted all of my bookmarked blogs, I am sure I would do just that. Leave out someone I really truly love but just couldn’t remember as I was typing this post. So, I am not going there.
However, when I started blogging and reading blogs, I met several gals (through their blogs) whose philosophy on retirement, life after retirement, family and even blogging matches what I am hoping to emanate. Their writing resonates with me. And I admire what they are doing with their lives in this chapter we all 3 share.
Write of the Middle
Min is the author of Write of the Middle. She describes herself, her blog as:
…a vertically challenged zen seeker and homebody. I’m an art & photography enthusiast; nature lover; mum to three kidults; adorer of my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ‘Ava’ and two foster fail rescue cats ‘Axel’ & ‘Amaya’, and I can’t get through the day without my coffee! It is so lovely to have you visit. Please do enjoy a good look around. Make yourself at home and feel free to chat to me in the comments! I’ll just go put the jug on shall I?!
She lives in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia so the chance that I might run into Min at Walmart are slim to nil. Thank goodness. Because I am quite certain she is as polished in person as she seems to be online through her writing. And I would absolutely trip at her feet, or sneeze all over her if we were to meet IRL.
Sometime mid-pandemic, I think, Min began painting or started painting again. I am not sure if she had always been keen on art or if it was something she picked up in quarantine. In either case, she is quite talented. Truly. For the 2021 #The100DayProject, Min decided to sketch each day. Check out her work, here. Just amazing.
And here’s one of the big reasons I love Min. I talk about wanting to paint, draw, sketch, and write. Min does it. Insert Nike swoosh…just do it. I need to get busy.
Cresting the Hill
Leanne is the author of Cresting the Hill. On her home page, Leanne encourages readers to reflect on midlife and beyond. She says:
Are you over 50 and wondering what’s next? If you’re looking for some positivity and encouragement now the nest is empty, or since you’ve decided to retire, then you’ve come to the right place. The second stage of life is wide open and how you live it is completely up to you. This is a great place to find inspiration as we toss out Midlife crisis and replace it with Midlife contentment and connection.
I discovered Leanne’s blog when I searched blogs about life after retirement. She and I share the unhappiness of an early and somewhat unplanned retirement. (I believe Min experienced something similar to our shared experiences that had her retiring unexpectedly, too.) I handled my retirement by wallowing around in bed (recovering from an unforseen cervical spine surgery) and missing my students for months. Leanne may have allowed herself a little time to grieve but then she got real busy creating this wonderful life in retirement. And developing a very healthy attitude toward midlife. She writes about all the things I am only thinking about but don’t take time to share.
Coincidentally, Leanne is also an Australian. She lives “southwest of Western Australia – about 2 hours drive south of Perth (our capital city).” [source] Could I be living in the wrong country? On the wrong continent? Would I be more an artist and writer if I lived say in Alice Springs or Port Fairy? Guess I probably can’t blame being American for my inability to find time to paint and write.
Leanne’s series of posts about becoming unbusy and embracing unbusiness in retirement really hit home for me. I am just beginning to learn how to say ‘no’ and ‘no, thank you’ when asked to sub more than I like or do something else I am not that excited about doing. Those are the kinds of things I want to write about, too. And then to share what I am doing that keeps me busy being unbusy!!
When I think about blogging in 2023, I am hopeful. I hope that I can find time to blog the way I intended when I created this ink blot on the Internet. Looking forward to finding more time to read, write and craft. Hoping to enjoy more time with those I love most doing what I love doing best. And then tell you all about it!! Hope you will stick with me to see if I can realize those dreams.
WHERE BLOGGERS LIVE
Ever wonder where the ideas for this series come from? Well, let me tell you!! Each month our fearless leader Bettye comes up with a prompt for the gang to respond to. This has been one of my favorite series in which to participate and as I look forward to the quickly approaching new year, I hope to continue to join these fun-loving ladies for 12 more months of thoughtful posts.
If you’ve missed any of the Where Bloggers Live posts last year, you missed a treat. Here’s a list of 2022’s posts:
- a look at our ‘rides’ in January
- our furry fam in February I
- in March we described our dream house
- for April the gals wrote posts about their favorite piece of furniture, but I was struggling with LIFE. I still hope to do that…someday
- shared my photo albums and scrapbooks in May June’s post,
- my favorite movie moments in June
- in July’s post I detailed my longing for temporary escape from life, make that LIFE – while predicting that one was probably not in the stars for us this year.
- after a 2-month hiatus from blogging, I returned for October’s day-in-the-life post
- November’s post was a favorite recipe…maple bourbon chili, but of course
- and offered this peek at my family jewels – SCANDALOUS – last month
Your Turn
Would love to know which bloggers are your favorites and why. And then let’s all pop in to visit the blogs of my Where Bloggers Live buds to see which bloggers they enjoy following most. Maybe we will all make some new friends.
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Em at Dust and Doghair
Iris at Iris’ Original Ramblings
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Sally at Within a World of My Own
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Hope you will take a few minutes to visit Carrie, Laura, Kellyann, Min and Leanne. Tell them Leslie sent you.
I need to get off my big booty and get something done. PC will be home soon and all I’ve done is eat and write this blog post. As I type, the flooring guys are here updating our upstairs with new laminate where there was old carpet. Can’t wait to see the finished the project. Off to supervise!!
Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day with me. I appreciate your friendship.
Hugs and kisses,
Joanne
Oh no! I hate when that happens… then I’m looking for an undo button and muttering that there should be a pop up that warns me and says “are you sure you want to do this?” I hate writing a favorite bloggers post because inevitably I forget someone from the list. It’s bound to happen! I read almost all of the ones you mentioned too; at least on a weekly basis. I have never met any bloggers in real life either and each time I hear of one coming to our are I do think about suggesting it…but then chicken out. LOL
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I wish everything came with an UNDO button. I hope I have remembered to add back all of the blogs I follow.
Wish I could have listed all the blogs I follow and love in this post and the reasons why I love them. I think you and I would be friends in real life. Bless your heart, not to say you are anything like dingy, forgetful, mixed up me. But you feel so easy and friendly and forgiving!! Maybe you could overlook my dinginess, forgetfulness and like me anyway. I think we would talk books and trade WW recipes, and hike together. I so enjoy your photography. The views from your porch. The lake. Your hikes. And I admire the wonderful job you have done raising and homeschooling your sons.
Joanne
Oh definitely! I heartily agree.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
XO
Dara
I enjoy following bloggers that I have a relationship with – meaning they comment on my blog and I comment on theirs as we get to know each other. I need to find more like this as my number has gone down!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I so wanted to name a large number of my favorite bloggers, each for different reasons. You are one of my favorites for the books, the Jewish culture and heritage, and the sweet family you share with your readers. Thank you for coming by!!
Mireille
Well, I don’t keep of a list of my favorite but I do 2 link ups a day so those would be on my list. Then I would add Jtouchoftstyle, and gracefulrags as the 2 that I read every single posts. I typically catch up with other favorites through their posts they link up! So I guess my list would be kind of long. It ever I am close by, I absolutely want to meet up with you!!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I could have listed so many gals and their blogs. I love each blogger for different reasons. You and your blog are beautiful. You share pretty clothes and pretty places. I so admire you blogging in a language other than perhaps the one you learned first as a child. Perhaps you learned English early, and I am mistaken. So enjoy hearing your pretty accent on Instagram in your reels or videos or whatever they are. And I appreciate that you are kind, easygoing and a runner. I used to run. Hoping maybe I can get back to that again this year.
Sally in St Paul
“13 Life Lessons from My Cat” is the kind of post I can’t leave alone, haha. It’s astonishing how easy it is to accidentally delete everything from various apps/software – like, can’t we have a confirmation button here, people??
jodie filogomo
I decided to join the email list of the blogs I love. It’s one of the reasons that I include other information in my emails, so it’s a fun read besides just the reminder that my post is live. In fact, I think that’s the best support we can give each other.
And you and I definitely need to meet up. We are both introverts but the social interaction will be good for us.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Helen
Hi Leslie –
Like you I have been wondering how I can keep track of the blogs I follow! I have reached a point that occasionally I get an email notification about a new blog post – and I can’t remember whose blog it is! There are bloggers I wish I could meet but like you, I am an introvert and I don’t think an in-person relationship would be quite the same as what I have through my blogging relationships!
Helen
https://www.agelesspossibilities.org/
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Grand introvert here. In fact, I am reading a book about introvertedness written by an introvert and she coins the phrase shintrovert. Not sure of the spelling as I am listening to the book. But not only am I an introvert but now I discover I am a shintrovert. A shy introvert.
Check out Feedly for keeping track of the blogs you read. It works well until user error deletes all the saved blogs. But I feel certain I am the only one doing that!!
Hey, tell me about your spring courses!! I want to make this the year I write. Have so many crazy life stories to share. Not sure with whom!! Ha! But would like to get them down. Which course would be the best fit for me?
Bettye L Rainwater
OH NO!!!! Not the dreaded “everything disappeared”!!! That’s THE WORST! I did that last month with a really long, highly detailed “catch up” post…it was there…and then it was not. I even did a system restore to try and bring it back…but no. And then you try to recreate it…but the second version is never as good. So I can really empathize with you on that.
I never had a good system for keeping track of blogs to follow, either. It’s so much easier on the social platforms when you “follow” or “like” an account and then they send their new posts into your feed automatically.
Bettye
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, so frustrating, Bettye. Why doesn’t everything in life come with an undo button. I could have saved a lot of money in divorces!!
You are so right that when we have to rewrite something we’ve lost, it is never as good the second time.
Looking forward to another year with you leading the way for the Where Bloggers Live gals again.
Joni
What a great list! I need to discover new to me blogs so this is great!
Gale
Hi, Leslie! I keep track of blogs I follow two ways. One is that I subscribe to their site so that I get an email whenever they make a new post. I do that with yours, and I do that with Kellyann’s, too! Then there are others that I just keep on a paper list, and I visit that list from time to time to catch up with what they’ve written lately. Cresting the Hill has been one of those! When I first started being interested in blogs, I liked it when bloggers had a list of their favorite blogs on the sidebar of their homepage. I don’t have that on my blog, but perhaps one day I will as I seek to improve mine.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey Gale!! I belonged to a group of bloggers for about a year and many of them kept a running list of the blogs they followed. I tried to set it up on my blog but wasn’t able to. Decided that I didn’t want to have the pressure of adding new blogs and deleting blogs I no longer followed anyway. So it all worked out!!
I wanted to list every single blog I follow for this post because there is something about each of them that makes them special to me. Can’t remember how I found your blog. But was taken with some of the similarities in our lives. It was sometime before your daughter and her family returned to the States, I think. It hurt my heart for you that Cara and her family lived so far away. Now they are closer but your son is far away. And expecting their first child. Exciting times. Will you travel for the birth?
Thank you for your friendship and for coming by!!
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
Hi Gael – thanks so much for being one of my “gang” – I love that you pop in now and then and feel honoured to be on your paper list xxx
Leslie Roberts Clingan
So glad you guys know each other. Two of my favorite bloggers!!
Christie Hawkes
Hello Leslie! I also enjoy the blogs you mentioned here, and I have noticed before how many great bloggers reside in Australia. I can imagine how hard it was for you to choose just a couple as favorites. I can’t do it! I have never met any of my blogging friends in real life. If I ever make my way to your neighborhood, I would love to meet you. We could be awkward together!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hi Christie!! It was so hard to narrow my favorite bloggers down to just a few. There is something or many things I love about each of the bloggers I follow. I am so glad to have discovered your blog. Your gentle calmness is so good for me. Have enjoyed following along as you built your new home, then your pool, then adopted your latest pup. I appreciate your interest in living the healthiest, most wholesome, best life. And wish we could get together for a hike in your neck of the woods and then mine. I even remember how sad I was when you sold Hawkes Landing…I think that’s the right name. It seemed like the best place to escape to; a wonderful place to relax and BE.
Thankful for your friendship, sweet one.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Oh, Leslie! You made my day!! I love that you mentioned me here, because I feel the same way about you. You are def. one of my faves and I love how you always check in on me, my kiddos and even my dad. I’m so excited to see you blogging again, although I know it can be challenging at times to stay with it… trust me, I know!! I need to check out these three blogs you mentioned. 13 Life Lessons from My Cat looks like a good read!! Ha!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
So glad to have made your day. And so tickled by your sweet comments. There is a reason we have crossed paths in the blogging world, I think. Maybe just to encourage each other through the trials and tribulations with our parents. Who knows? But from the start I have felt very close to you. And you have always been nothing but authentically YOU.
Hoping I can find the time to blog more often this year. I miss connecting with you and my other blogging buddies. Thankful for the blessing of your friendship.
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
Hi Leslie – you made my morning!!! I opened my email and saw you’d added a new post (that’s how I follow other bloggers – I subscribe for email updates) and when I read through (secretly hoping I’d make your list) I was gobsmacked to see myself being featured loud and proud! Thank you so much for your kind words – I truly believe we’re on similar paths and it all boils down to accepting unexpected upheavals and turning them into blessings. There’s not a moment that goes by where I regret leaving my job – the life I have now is so abdundant and I am beyond grateful. I do hope you blog more about retirement etc because it’s so encouraging for others who are new to it. I only attend 2 link parties these days because I’m not a fan of “prompts” – but it’s nice to connect with other bloggers.
Welcome to being an Honourary Aussie – I am often surprised by the similarities between us despite being on opposite sides of the world. xx
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Leanne, thank you for the kind comments. I am so honored to know you and to blog beside you. Hoping this year I can do more blogging about my retirement journey. Your posts have so helped me adjust to retirement and I am thankful these days that I am away from the toxic environment that was the poor little elementary school where I last worked full time. I still enjoy subbing but even that is more for the extra money than the need to work or an interest to be around children anymore. I do get to see my Lucia whenever I sub, and that is a huge plus. But now that I have grandchildren living in the same city, my love of children and need to be with them is being met. Hope this year allows me more time to do the things I love to do.
I am tickled pink to be an Honourary Aussie!! Maybe someday I will be able to visit the beautiful Down Under.
Debbie Harris
Hi Leslie, it was great to read through your post and find some of my favourite bloggers listed too! Us Aussies are taking over the world by the sounds of things :). For a minute I thought it was my Deb’s World blog mentioned but read on to see it was the UK Deb’s World which is fine with me as I enjoy catching up with what the UK Deb is doing too! You always write so honestly and sincerely and I really would like to catch up with you one day 🙂 It’s always hard to list favourites but you’ve done a lovely job of making us all feel special. I want you to know how much I appreciate your comments on my posts – you make me smile. All the best xx
Aussie Deb
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, my sweet friend, I wanted to list all of the blogs I follow because I love them all for different reasons. Your energy, your philanthropy, your love of family as always inspired me. I have so enjoyed watching your Dottie grow and thrive, and absolutely adored that you wrote her a darling book to celebrate her birth and early struggles. You live your words of the year and inspire everyone else to do the same. I am so thankful for the Internet that can give me friends and mentors as far away as Australia and make them feel as real as if they lived next door.
Donna Connolly
Hi, Leslie – I can totally relate to the technology frustration. l also desperately wish that our blogs had undo buttons that put everything back right again. I know that it’s old school (very, very old school) but I follow all of my blogs by email. I know that this is not for everyone, but it works for me.
I hope that the flooring turns out perfectly. Please keep us posted.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Donna. I think I have managed to get almost all of the blogs I follow back on Feedly. But wondering if I also need to follow everyone by email, too. It seems to be the preferred method. The floor guys should have finished last night but didn’t so I am waiting for them to come this morning and put the finishing touches on things.
Donna, I have so enjoyed getting to know you through your blog. You, Sue, Debbie, Christie and Leanne have inspired me through your writing and your lives. Your book posts, the book-related cooking some of you gals have done together. It has been a treat to watch you and Deb get to know each other in real life and develop a great friendship. I appreciate your love of family, your tranquility, your positive energy. So glad to know you.
Deb
Oh I am so touched by the mention of my blog – thank you! I just know that if you decided to move countries and happened to end up in the UK we would definitely be ‘in real life’ friends!
I am always open to following more blogs so I am definitely going to be spending part of today popping over to the ones you have mentioned to ‘meet’ some new people.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Deb, I treasure your friendship. I think we would be real life friends, too. Somehow, some way I am going to get PC to go with me to England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. And maybe, just maybe we can meet. Happy new year, my sweet Deb.
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy
I always loved link-ups too, since it was less thinking of what I should write. But I am all about getting back to why you wanted to blog. Although I am far from retirement (in fact I am just now getting back into teaching through subbing), it’s always fun to read about what other do. 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sugar plum. This is going to be the year that blog for me. Subbing has been very good for me. The teachers where I am subbing are well prepared and I always take a few things to do and books to read just in case. Good luck with your assignments.
Iris Smale
Ahhh Leslie – you have such a writing style. I wish I could think of as many things to comment on as you do. My world seems pretty limited. Loved your post.
Iris
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Sweet Iris, I went back to reread what I had written. I don’t see that I have a writing style at all. Unless it is sleep-inducing. But I LOVE you for saying that. You are a precious friend. And I have so enjoyed getting to know you through Where Bloggers Live. Hope you have maybe gotten a few of your Barbies out and set them about. I would love to see them. And I always enjoy seeing pictures of your cross-stitch projects, your crafts, and your warm, inviting home. Can’t wait to see what you share for this year’s prompts. Happy new year, sweet one.
Laura Bambrick
I read this the other day and finally have a chance to come back and comment! Isn’t it crazy how you get to know people so well through blogging?! I’ve been following you for years. I made the switch to feedly last year and will have to be careful I don’t delete them all! Yikes! Hope you were able to get it all sorted. Thank you so much for the shout out and sweet words! You are so kind! You follow such a nice variety of blogs. I definitely need to check a few of these others out!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey sugar plum, my pleasure to extend a shout out to you and your blog. I have so enjoyed following your life and your family. I remember reading about your fertility journey. And learning you were pregnant with Avie. You are Carrie are very special to me. And I am so proud of both of you for all you do and the way you manage to stay balanced.
Yes, be careful with Feedly. I was trying to add a new blog I want to follow and I got it added and lost everything else!!
EM D
As always, so much on which to comment! I feel like we should have zoom happy hours after these posts. (I’m currently racing against the problems I’m having with this computer to get through reading and commenting on everyone’s posts…random scrolling and reloading, so fingers crossed.)
Anywho, I am SO much better at virtual friendships than those IRL. I connect easily with the people I choose to follow, and become instafriends, at least on my end. I think it’s because were are able to share more freely through the posts than we are able to in person (at least I am). After in-person encounters–ESPECIALLY those when I’ve had a wonderful time–I review and second guess everything I did or said, leaving me feeling like I was the only one who had the wonderful time. Weird, right?
Like you, I am trying hard to get back to my blogging roots, although these monthlies have been the few times I actually do publish a post these days. So many fascinating people out there, but I try very hard not to find new blogs. You and the WBL ladies are my faves!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
My blog, in its infinite wisdom will not allow me to post the reply I have written to your comment. What in the world??? Who is the BOSS here? What is an error 406???
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Error 406 – Not AcceptableError 406 – Not AcceptableGenerally a 406
I keep getting this stupid error in trying to reply to your sweet comment. Now I can’t even remember what I was trying to say. Except I think we would be fast friends in real life and could share some laughs talking about out social insecurities. Like the time I ate potpourri. Why couldn’t I tell it wasn’t mixed nuts? Or the time I called my good friend’s very nice, double-wide mobile home a trailer. Geez, it’s a wonder I still have friends at all.
Have so enjoyed getting to know you over the years, your beautiful family, watching your progress on projects inside and out of your lovely home. If Bettye hadn’t made the rule that we couldn’t include each other among our favorite blogs, YOURS would have been at the top of my list. Thank you for being my friend!!
Joanne Tracey
Well, I’m fortunate enough to have met Deb, Min and Leanne in real life lol. The connections we make through the blogging world are so very valuable, aren’t they?
Marsha Banks
I just heard of Feedly so I’m beginning to rethink it. Most of the blogs I follow I have now become a subscriber so I receive an email notification (but not all of them…I think WordPress is having a problem). Others I follow but don’t subscribe to I just bookmark on my iPad and read there. I’m so glad to be reading your blog, sweet friend! Here’s to many more posts this year!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hey sweet friend, thank you for your comments and support. I don’t know if Feedly is the best answer or not. But I think I have everyone back into my Feedly feed again. Fingers crossed.
I am so thankful to have come across your blog. I wish I could have listed all the blogs I follow and the reasons why I love the blogger behind each one. You make me smile with your sense of humor in each of your posts. I have enjoyed getting to know you and I think we would be fast friends in real life. We both love L’Artiste shoes!! And were teachers!! Great start to a good friendship. You have a sweet heart and a lovely sense of style. Thankful we are buds!!
Nancy
The blogging worls can be so warming! So many lovely women and friendships! I have met a few irl and that was so wonderful. Love to read this Leslie!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Nancy. Glad you enjoyed this post.
Cindy Anderson
So frustrating about deleting your blog list. I add mine to my side-bar. That’s exciting about the flooring upstairs, can’t wait to see the finished look!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am so happy with our flooring. Now I want to rip out the bedroom carpeting. But don’t tell PC!! We had Lowe’s install the flooring and they did a very good job. Thank you.
Min @ Write of the Middle
Hi Leslie, Leanne of Cresting the Hill drew my attention to the fact you’ve mentioned me and my blog here on your blog and of course I had to come and see! Thank you so much for all the kind words you said about me. It truly made my day, and I really needed a pick me up! I’m so glad you enjoy the blog. This year should be an interesting series of posts with an upcoming trip to New Zealand and some planned new art challenges so I hope you continue to visit. Lovely to see other Aussie bloggers featured here too. I’ve been very fortunate to have met Leanne (just once but hopefully again one day). I haven’t met Deb yet but hope to one day! I’ve been a slack blogger (and slack with my art too) lately as much as my time has been spent caring (& worrying) for Mum. Hoping to get better balance with it all this year. I will share this post on my FB page and thank you so much for your kindness and putting a pep in my step. xoxo
Jennifer Jones
Hello Leslie this is my first time visiting you but I loved your post and will be back for more. I enjoy many of the blogs you mention.i Iused to read Feedly but would get behind with checking in. I now follow the blogs I’d like to read and get their email updates. Will be following you.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Jennifer, thank you for discovering me. I will add your blog to my Feedly and then pray I don’t lose all of blogs again!! I am hoping to do more real writing this year, although the posts so far don’t indicate that!! If you ever want to do something together, please let me know. Thank you for stopping by.
Kellyann Rohr
Leslie, you are the sweetest and I treasure YOU! One of these days we will meet IRL. I completely understand the feeling you had when things ‘disappeared’ – that sinking feeling – ugh. I used to read all my favorite blogs on Bloglovin but I think it is now down for the count. I am using feedly but having a few issues getting that squared away, I am someone who just doesn’t like change I’m afraid.
I am excited for your new laminate – I love house updates, they make the whole place feel brand new!!!
xo,
Kellyann
Janet Camilleri
Both bloggers I follow coz they are awesome … and live in Australia like I do!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ahhh, we have good taste. It seems I need to take at least an extended vacation to Australia!!
Natasha
I just use Blogger to help me keep track of all my blogs. And it’s been such a treat to see your posts in my feed again. I hate listing my favourite bloggers because everyone I follow is my favourite — that’s why I follow them!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
What a thoughtful comment. Thank you! I am glad to be back to blogging and hope I can keep it going again for a while. I enjoy your blog because you do great things with the kids as a family…like walking the goats through the forest. And you recommend some great books. Then there’s your photography. Always a treat. I have enjoyed watching your babies grow up. They sure aren’t babies any longer.