this is why I blog.....



The Dented Can in Wakarusa, Indiana

I'm sitting here watching the blinking cursor.  It's indicative in many ways of the way I'm feeling right now.  Feeling like life is an empty document - waiting to be filled with the words and paragraphs of my new life.

But that's not what tonight's blog is about.  Tonight's blog is about three of the most genuine, funny, talented, tough and tender hearted gals I've ever had the pleasure to keep company with.  It's going to be downright impossible to put my thoughts into any type of cohesive form - but we'll give it a go.

My pictures are all willy nilly and mixed up (much like my heart right now - but again - this isn't my whiny post about life's recent changes - you will have the pleasure of that drivel soon!)

Shannan of Flower Patch Farmgirl fame pulled into my driveway in early July of 2010 and pulled into my life and heart forever.  We'd been commenting back and forth on each other's blogs for about a year, and then started emailing, and the rest is history.  Going to her house felt like going home.  Visiting kinfolk.  She's just a seed spit away from me, and for this - I'm gladder than glad.  I'll be back there soon!  Cory is an absolute dream.  What a wonderful father.  It don't get no betta.  It was all I could do not to steal all of her children.  Calvin and Ruby entertained me to the moon and back.  Law have mercy - I could talk and sing with those kids forever.  Silas is even more beautiful in person than his photos let on. 
Her home is full of life and love.  She is who you think she is - and that my friends, is saying a lot.

 

Sign at the Flea Market in Springfield, Ohio



It was through Shannan's blog that I found sweet Jen of The Cottage Nest.  I won a giveaway on her blog with my first comment.  It was an instant connection between the two of us.  After meeting her in person, I know why.  She makes my teeth hurt - she's so sweet - and she's funny with a great wit about her.  I keep mentioning how beautiful she is too - it's the kind of beauty that is coming up from out of the well of her spirit.  Hearing her talk to her husband on the phone was so precious - you could just feel the love.

She's also a seed spit away, and we already have plans for an immediate visit.  I'll stroll The Village with her, and eat cupcakes and ride scooters.  We'll laugh and hug and share life stories.



Tag on Busy Bee Society Gifts

 It was through Jen that I found Teresa of Meadowbrook Farm fame.  I'm sure you had the same reaction to her blog as I did .  Her home is magazine worthy, her photography - life changing.  I didn't get to spend too much one on one time with her this trip - she stayed with Shannan and Jen since they are closer to one another and I'm a bit too far north to have made it work - but let me tell you this.  Teresa is the real McCoy.  There was such a clarity to her spirit.  I got the idea that she was a no nonsense kind of gal that could do anything she would set her mind on.  The kind of girl that would give good solid advice.  The kind of girl you could always count on.  She has some of the prettiest hair I ever did see, and I adored her clothes. Next time she's in the hood, she's stayin' here, up in the Squirrel.  I'm going to take her to the big city and to the National Lakeshore.  Can't. Wait.


Playing a prank on Teresa of Meadowbrook Farm

Over the past year - the four of us have become good friends via the Internet.  We've formed what we call the Busy Bee Society.  We chat back and forth, and support each other, and I feel incredibly blessed to be part of this group.  We are all in different stages of our lives, all so different, yet when blended together, we form a force to be reckoned with.
 

My Sweet Rubies

 If you would have told me when I started this blog - that I would be driving off one day to hang out with women I'd met up on the Internet - I wouldn't have believed you. 


Flower Patch Farmgirl Lane

 If you would have told me, when I posted that first post of my goofy Easter desserts that I felt the world needed to see - that my world would be changed by the kindness of strangers - leaving comments - supporting me - making me laugh - encouraging me - teaching me - I wouldn't have believed you.


Beautiful Jen of The Cottage Nest

If you would have told me that I'd be up in a hotel room making french toast, and sleeping at the Flower Patch Farmgirl's house - meeting a blogger from Montana - and loving every minute of it - I wouldn't have believed you.
 

My Dented Can Stash

 It's these beautiful recent turn of events that give me so much hope for the future.  So much hope for the things yet unknown, people yet unmet, places yet unvisited. 

Enjoy the rest of the photos - cause I'm just too filled up inside to type anymore.  To Shabby, Atresha and JenJen - thank you from the bottom of my bottomless heart for making room in your hearts for me.  I feel a lifetime friendship evolving with ya'll.  May we all end up at the same nursing home foreva!

To all of you wonderful gals out there that I haven't met yet - thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your comments.  They mean the world to me.  You mean the world to me.  This is why I blog -


Flea Market Shopping




Fabulous Old House Detail




Bread to pretty to eat




No caption needed!




Gifts I made for the gals




A sight you rarely see....



Lunch at the Bakehouse in Tipp City, Ohio