My Favorite Blogs of 2011

This is my first year of blogging and the best part of the experience is finding the whole world of wonderful blogs written by creative, witty and talented women.  I have been inspired by many of them and this is a list of the best of the best.  I follow all of these blogs on Bloglovin.  They are in no particular order because I had a hard enough time picking just 10:

Songs Kate Sang - I'm proud to say Kate is a personal friend and the person who got me started.  She can inspire with the fewest number of words and the best photographs.









Simply Simon & Company - These ladies are the most creative and talented clothes designers I have seen.  There clothes are extraordinary and their web design is sleek and calming.

The Girl Creative - Another great creative blog.  Diana designed my blog - thank you again - and she does so many creative endeavors, it's hard to know where to start.

Ruffles & Stuff - All I can say about Disney can be summed up in the immortal words of Wayne and Garth:  "We're not worthy!!"  I honestly don't know where she gets the time and energy to make so many beautiful things.


Quilted Euphoria - This was the first quilting blog (and only so far) that I have found and Amber creates gorgeous quilts!  Because I'm trying to learn to quilt, I know I will be visiting this blog more in 2012.






An Irish-Italian Blessing - Katherine writes a witty, hysterical blog that I just recently discovered.  (She's the Italian one.)  I can't wait to see more of her family in 2012.

Craft-O-Maniac - The name says it all.  How Jen can make all the beautiful crafty items she does with four kids is nothing short of amazing.

It's a Crafty Life - Kim has lots of cute projects and "Ten on Tuesday" a super linky party.  She's got some big changes coming in her blog design and resolutions I'm happy to join.




Aesthetic Nest - This is another AWESOME sewing/crochet/crafting blog.  The designs and photographs are stunning and I can't wait to see the next project (and try to look at the patterns from this past year in hopes of making one or two)


The Shabby Nest - This is the only decorating blog I follow, mostly because I don't have as good of an eye and sense of style as Wendy.  Her style is so classy and subdued, it just makes you want to invite her over and save your home.  This is also the blog that drove the most traffic to my humble blog from her linky party.



These are all blogs I will be following in 2012.  They make the internet so much more interesting and are a constant source of ideas and inspiration.  Thanks for sharing.

cindy

My Personal Best of 2011

Unlike many people, I am ending 2011 feeling rather satisfied with the year.  2011 was the year in which I regained (or found) my emotional stability.  It was also the year I embraced the fact that I am getting older (although I'm not sure these two things were related).  I also had three jobs this year, each one better than the last.  I started writing this blog in June of 2011 and I'm really enjoying it.  Thanks to my friend Katie (SongsKateSang) for suggesting it.  While I don't have a full year to choose from, here are several posts I am proud to say I wrote.  I've divided them into three categories: 

1.  Craft projects:  I personally like the "No Sew Bed Canopy" I made earlier this year because I thought of most of it myself.  Mackenzie still loves it, which is a sure sign of a successful project for a kid.  The most popular craft project in terms of hits is definitely my first Rag Quilt.  I made it before I started writing this blog and I thought there must be a lot of rag quilts out there, but evidently not.  I'm also fond of the "Scrap Fall Wreath" which can also be adapted for any time of year.

2.  Reflective/inspirational/philosophical/religious posts:  I'm very proud of "Musings of an Older Mom".  Of all the things I have written, I would recommend it to women in their 20's and 30's raising preschool children; not so much for your kids, but for you.  Some of my other favorites are  "Chats with God", and "A Woman of Value."

3.  Photography:  I'm not a photographer, but there are a couple of posts I surprised myself.  I'm thinking of "Lilies in Indiana" and "Winter Solstice".


Even though the year ended with a bit of a whimper in this area, I am very happy with my 30+ pounds of weight loss.  It was (and is) the most personal stuff I have written on this blog, but based on the number of hits, it is popular.



It was a pretty good 2011.  I'm looking forward to 2012.


cindy

New Adventures - Part 5 Stabilization

The last time I posted about my weight loss journey, it was right after Thanksgiving as I began the "stabilization" phase.  During the 6 week stabilization phase, you are asked to stay within 2 pounds of your current weight.  The first week went really well, but then the holidays kicked in and kicked my butt.

It's the sweets that kill me.  Wow, we had sweets.  It seemed as if Kentster received A LOT of chocolate tributes this year.  Let's just say that my "stabilization" wasn't very stable.  I've gained a total of 6 pounds, 4 pounds over my allowed weight :(  Not much more to say about it.  I did finally dispose of all the remaining chocolate, banishing it from our house.

I'm going to take the last couple weeks of stabilization to get rid of some of the weight and then get started in earnest again.  I'm trying to stay positive because that's been one of my biggest problems in the past - the "all or nothing" attitude that makes me a complete success or a total failure.  No failures this time, just setbacks and hopefully small ones.

Here's to staying positive in the New Year!

cindy