Angels And Saints: Keeping It Real






.
.
.


.
.
.


ANGELS & SAINTS


.
Warning: I make no apologies .. this is a long, wordy post.. choose the exit door now if needed
.
.




The beautiful Meredith from Count It All Joy recently passed me the 'REAL Award - My Blog Is Me'. I have to say I was quite touched as Meredith described me as one of her Fairy Blog-mothers. How sweet is that? I often think of her as my blogging Angel. Meredith always sees the best in me whatever I attempt creatively, which fills me with encouragement and inspiration to keep trying. Just visiting her blog invariably brightens my day and allows me to enjoy that warm feeling one has when surrounded by caring and joyful people. She is one of the true nurturers in this world and it shows in her colourful posts about her family, life and cooking session that will make your mouth water...
.
.
.
.
So onto the award which is described as follows;
.


.

'This is an award is for those who are brave enough to expose just enough to reach, touch, and possibly help someone else to see something differently. I am giving this award to only 3 blogs. The only requirement is authenticity. Use these awards wisely and do a post on the award telling why you wish to pass it on. Please link the award on your sidebar to this post. *Then the meaning of this award will not get watered down or changed.* And believe me, when I see this award on a blog, I will STOP, READ, and LISTEN to the message, and the messenger. Maybe others will too'

.
.
Pay It Foward
.

Now the part that I always find difficult. Trying to narrow down the sea of inspiring and thought provoking blogs to just three! Harder still as I have made some wonderful friends in blogland who support, encourage or amuse me daily [you know who you are]. So I am choosing based on authenticity [as required], but also that these individuals have inspired me to want change in my own life... Their blogs dedicated to their lives and craft have given me hope that I too can take 'the road less travelled' . ... One Day! Maybe! haha
.
.
.
.
Meredith - Count It All Joy
..
Meredith is the real deal.. For all the reasons I have mentioned above.. I am gifting this award back to her... So thank you Dear Meredith.
.

Meredith's posts are about as real as it gets. Sure she throws in humour to keep it light, but in between those lines of text one gets a real sense of the caring person she is. She doesn't frighten away from telling it warts and all and posts about the simple daily things that perhaps we all take for granted. From Meredith's clever pen [or perhaps index typing finger] she consistently brings us her love for her family, friends and faith and a good warm glow that makes you wish you lived in her house! If Meredith sees a shining light within you... she will foster that light until it burns just a bit brighter.. Thank you Meredith for your constant encouragement.
.
I should also mention she is one of the wittiest bloggers I've come across. Everything she tackles she does so with unabashed wit, humour and an abundance of beautiful beautiful colour, bursting out as bright as her own personality. She is one of our very own earth angels.

.

.
Cathy - Simple Things Small Joys
..
Now anyone who has read my blog for a while will know how much I admire and appreciate Cathy's blog and creative talent. Hers was the first blog I ever found and inspired me to start my own. Her gorgeous charms spoke for themselves and found their way into my life. Not only is Cathy's work adorable, but her lifestyle is one I envy. She incorporates her creative talent into her daily life, her business and her love for her family and home. She has strived to live her dream and has taken us along with her via her blog. A simple beauty filled life lived with creativity. I do believe she has found her niche ... and this inspires me to try and find my own. Cathy is another nurturer who encourages me and other bloggers to move forward and pursue their creativity. If you'd like to read my previous post on how Cathy has inspired me you can find it [here].


.

.
Coty - Styling by Coty Farquhar
..
And finally, I pass this award to Coty. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who isn't delighted and awed by the beauty that is found on entering the magical world of Coty. She has one of those blogs that is just packed with image after image that mesmerize and delight. All of it being her own work.. The photography, styling, artwork... all exceptional and from her own hand.. In fact the whole family is talented. A wonder-world of talent going on there in the Southern Highlands. Now here is the thing... Coty is also very down to earth... modest about her achievements and happy to share and encourage others.. She will show you the glamour but also explain the work and effort that goes into creating her dreams.. I like this.. it's keeping it real.. and by doing so it presents itself as potentially possible for mere mortals like ourselves... ha ha ha.. Another nurturer and encourager... who sees a light in others and will readily jump in to encourage their growth.


.
.
.


.
.


..
Saints
.

Now in case you were wondering where the Saints comes in.. Australia finally has it's first Saint.. Mary MacKillop of the Cross. Announced by Pope Benedict last week in Rome. I am not very religious but do have a healthy curiosity with religious artifacts, saints and e-votos. Symbols of hope. As there are a few people in my life right now that need that extra serving of hope, I find this quite inspiring, not to mention extraordinary as Australia is such a relatively new country and I always think of Saints as those cloaked in mystery from centuries ago. Mary MacKillop was a true struggler and fighter for the truth. A dinky-di Aussie. She also kept it very real so fits into this post perfectly.




..
..
..
Congratulations For Getting To The End Of This Post!!
..
Thanks for hearing me out.. Now in someway I believe every blog is a reflection of oneself. Unless you have someone out there doing the posting for you! ha ha The bloggers I have mentioned have somehow inspired me on my own personal journey and that is why I have chosen them today. I have one more award to share given to me by the lovelyJeanne from Collage of Life.. I'll do this sometimes in the near future, but meantime pay a visit to all of these wonderful bloggers and brighten your own day.


.

.

Julie b
.




.



IMAGE SOURCE: Text, Photography and photo editing by ME - [Being Ruby][with the exception of the award image and description]

The Angel photo was taken on a bridge in Roma. This angel is one of ten that lives on the Pont Sant'Angelo - Roma.

.
.


.
.

27 comments:

sweetcheeks said...

I want to thank you for visiting my blog. The compliments are good too. Congratulations on receiving the "Real Award". Very commendable!
I would like to think there are bunches of "real" people but alas, I haven't found but a few. The others are entertaining at least.......or most of the time they are. I shall visit the blogs you honored with your award. That is after I add a picture of my very first paper poppy. I saw a book with wonderful paper flowers and decided to slide those into my to learn list.

Styling by Coty Farquhar said...

Oh my Julie,

I'm touched,

It's funny you know, I was just shutting the back door after watching 'Brothers and Sisters' and noticed the beautiful moon & sky tonight and thought I must contact Julie and just tell her to just jump in the car and come down and have a look at this glorious sky. Then I thought to myself she is probably already out there looking at it as well. Then I get this message from you tonight.

I am honoured to receive this award from you, I love Angels, always have, they travel everywhere with me, I talk to them and they talk to me and they come with me where ever I go and I know they with you!!

This is a very special award to receive and thank you for your very kind words.

Thank you Julie,

xxxx Coty

Mise said...

I'd just like to be a full chorus of cheerleaders here, in my best fluffy skirt and pompoms, feathers in my hair, Diana Ross and the Supremes on the backing track, to say HURRAH for Meredith, who is certainly all you say she is, and one of the brightest, kindest sparks on the good old internet.

And I'm on my way to visit the other two wonderful people.

the old boathouse said...

Hey Julie, My computers interenet has reached its cap last week and is so slooooow...I have been trying to comment but it hasn't been letting me on your blog. So who knows if this one will work...should I blame Ginger??Yes I know very boring but so frustrating! Beautiful blog, so many lovely people out there. Do you know the Steely Dan song " I know a girl and ruby is her name..Ruby Ruby Ruby baby" anyway I seem to always hum this when i read your blog...yes I am a worry, have a fabulous week, now fingers crossed this will reach you, xx Katherine

La Petite Gallery said...

Well Julie,
You still have wind in your sails. lol
Great post. Beautifully done.
I will check these posts out..

vicki archer said...

I love all those blogs you mention Julie. A huge congratulations to you for your awards, so well deserved. xv

Unknown said...

Congrats on a well deserved award, Julie! There are few like you in this world.

xxx
Pam

Dash said...

'Well Done', You deserve it, I think your blog is one of the most original in the blogosphere.

Angie Muresan said...

Congratulations, Julie! :) I will head over to each one of these blogs because I know that if you recommend them they are absolutely stunning.
And how cool that Australia has a saint! I am fascinated by saints too, although when I was a child my tante's icons frightened me with the intensity of their gaze across the room.

Tamerie Shriver Halliday said...

Congratulations to the recipients of the awards. Isn't it nice when we can be inspired and even profoundly changed by another's words and/or deeds? I'm off to check out the winners blogs. Thanks for sharing them with the rest of us!

Hugs,
Tamerie

Sue said...

Congrats on your award! I'll check out the bloggers you mentioned, I'm sure they are wonderful. I hope you had a good weekend and you find some time for yourself this week!

Sue

erin's art and gardens said...

ooohhh...i can't wait to check out those deserving bloggers! with your exquisite taste, they have to be good, indeed! i guess i didn't realise that australia did not have a saint or two? they obviously have not met YOU......yet.

count it all joy said...

Oh Julie....you made me cry...then blush...then cry again. I don't know what to say, other than thank you dear friend for your lovely words of encouragement.

I've just dropped the kids off at school....screaming into the driveway and watching them pour out of the car with numerous bags, hats, sporting equipment, hair brushes (didn't quite have time)...Missy Moo was still holding a school shoe in one hand (!), and now I've returned to a kitchen where quite clearly a cereal bomb has been detonated. Thank you for cheering me on....I can't tell you how much it means. See? You really are a Fairy Blog-mother.

Hope you're having a great week and all your ducks are in a V. Meredy xo.

p.s. I'm off now to visit the other sites to meet your friends....any friend of yours etc

Carole said...

You are as real as it gets Julie and it's great that their's an award that's made just for you!
You picked wisely these ladies are just like you indepentant,inspiring and always encouraging!
You are a true blog star in my book....but then who am I??? What a big head! haha

Are you proud of me??? I made it thru your looonnnnggggg post! lol
is there an award for that? ya funny!
xxx....C

myletterstoemily said...

i love reading about people's inspirations, especially
human ones.

yours sound wonderful, and i can't wait to see for
myself.

thank you for sharing!

Unknown said...

Very sweet...and said with grace....thank you...smiles.

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Hey Julie...
You are so deserving of this very special award...authentic? for sure...truth in blogging! I admire some of your choices and look forward to visiting those that are new to me...:)

Oliveaux said...

Well deserved! There is so much inspiration and many wonderful people out there - thanks for sharing them and look forward to visiting their blogs! Ax

Elaine said...

Congratulations on your awards! I simply have to visit those other blogs. They all sound phenomenal. Isn't it nice to find blogs of likeminded people who inspire you?

Lovely post.

Bree Oliver said...

Three great blog suggestions!

Mélanie A. said...

You deserve it so much. I'm going to check the blog you are mentioning.
Your photos are always so meaningful and inspiring

desde my ventana said...

Congratulations Julie on your well deserved awards.
Have a nice week,
Hugs,
Cecilia

Ange said...

Yep - Julie - You are so deserving of the award and if it's a blog post I never miss it's definitely Meredy's !!! Now - off to meet the others ;-) Keep on blogging girlie. It'd be a sad place without you!

Alison Gibbs said...

Congrats. on your award Julie. What wonderful people you have passed the award onto.
Alison

Pooch Purple Reign said...

ruby
it wasnt hard at all to get to the end. its really quite beautiful!
i wish you a really good day
~laura

Brabourne Farm said...

How perfect that you should receive this award. Your blog is incredibly unique - there really is no-one else like you out there. Just promise you will keep doing what you're doing! Leigh

cathypentonatelier said...

thank you sweet lady...you write so, so beautifully. I am just an ordinary girl that believes that each day is truly a blessing and living simply but with passion is the most important thing we have....I say to my daughter sometimes when she has to deal with a lot of degativity at school that we see the world in full colour but some people only see it in black and white and they miss out on alot of joy because of that.... Thank you for always brightening my day....smiles and hugs C xx