Tag...I'm it!

And now for something a little different...

So a couple of weeks ago, my sweet friend, Poppy from w-a-y across the sea, invited me to follow her on this blog tour. I have to admit I was a tad nervous but after I pondered it for a bit, I said yes. I mean, who could say no to that sweet girl, right?? Seriously, I am truly humbled and honored that she asked me to follow her. You can read all about her writing process on her beautiful blog, Poppy View. Anyone who follows her, knows that that girl can rock a Point & Shoot and has a wonderful way with words. Her blog is filled to the brim with fabulous photos of her lovely home and surroundings on the island of Crete, Greece. If you have never visited her blog, I highly recommend it!

Thank you, Poppy for choosing me to follow you...

you are a tough act to follow!

WARNING: The following post is a little long and wordy. 

If you choose to leave me now, I completely understand =[

Let me start out by saying that the girl in the cartoon above (actually, she looks more like a teenager) doesn't resemble me in the least. For one thing, my hair is not the color of a carrot, although I have had recurring dreams of becoming a redhead one day. I promised myself that I had to lose 50 pounds first so that's probably not going to happen! Secondly, I haven't worn my hair in a ponytail since I was in the fourth grade. But the one thing that I can relate to is the distance between her face and the computer screen! The only thing missing is the magnifying glass that I was also using in combination with the most powerful reading glasses that you could buy at Walmart!

It seems my eye doc (perhaps I should say former eye doc) had a little problem finding the cataracts that had been wreaking havoc with my vision for almost two years. They are gone now, praise God! No more looking at the world through waxed paper! (Have you ever tried that?) So, that's kind of how my journey into the Land of Blog began. Not because I couldn't see well, but because I could see... everything!  I know I heard the Hallelujah Chorus the moment I took that first step outside and was able see every leaf on every tree. I went and got out my little Sony point & shoot, removed the cobwebs and started snapping everything I saw! It seemed that I needed a creative outlet...a way to share God's the beauty and to celebrate my own re-discovered world. That was the beginning of My Favorite Things and I had  my one year bloggiversary last week! 

I am truly in awe of the many talented bloggers out there. But me...a writer? No, not really. Especially after reading some of the other's posts who have preceded me on this tour! Oh my gosh, I am w-a-y out of their league...or are they out of mine?? Regardless of how you look at it, I realize we are all different and have our own unique ways of putting our thoughts into words and our words onto "digital paper." So...let's get this show on the road, shall we? Now, according to the rules of this blog tour, I will need to answer these four questions... 

#1. 

What am I playing with working on?

As usual, I am working on a little bit of everything or nothing at all...and not getting much done. That's the way I roll, unfortunately. I am not one to post a lot of crafty, cooking or decorating projects, although I do enjoy all of these things. You can find a few if you scroll through my old posts but it really isn't what my blog is all about. Since we are on the subject, I will share a recent one with you. A couple of weeks ago I was looking for a red floral-ish print fabric for new window treatments for my great room. After a trip to the Goodwill Store, I found what I knew would work just perfectly. It was a new, crisp bed ruffle (Ralph Lauren to boot!) in the perfect print and color. I carefully photographed the project from beginning to end in preparation for a post, including a full tutorial. The beginning of it still sits in my drafts. It will probably never see the light of  Blogland.

#2. 

How does my work differ from others in it's genre?

Now this is kind of a confusing question I think. Anyone can look at my blog and tell right away that it is not about decorating or crafting, it's not a cooking blog, and although I usually like to put a spiritual spin to most of my posts, it is definitely not where you would come for your daily devotions. I really don't think my blog has a genre, but if it did, I think it would fall under the category of a photography, not that I compare myself in any way to some of the real photographer's blogs that I follow.

#3.

Why do I write what I do?

I write pretty much the way I talk—as far as my thoughts and feelings go—but if I really need to say what is on my heart, I sometimes struggle with the spoken word. Writing down my thoughts, my dreams or my deepest emotions is a form of prayer for me much of the time. Writing this blog has put me in touch with my own soul's desire to be more like Jesus, as I have gleaned so much truth from others. I write only what I think would be pleasing to Him because I want to encourage anyone who clicks on.

There have been a couple of different times since I started this last summer when I asked myself "What do you think you're doing...having a blog?" In the beginning it was taking up way too much time and I could hardly get to sleep at night—my brain would not shut down because I was worrying about my next post. After a time, it did calm down a bit but I still questioned, not just myself, but mostly the Lord if I should continue. I got my answer when I started receiving comments here and there from several fellow bloggers—about how either a photo or something I had written or shared had blessed them in some way—that it was just what they needed at that moment. I decided right then that I wanted no glory for myself for anything I put on this blog. My soul purpose is to encourage, provide hope and bless anyone who reads it.

#4.

 How does my writing process work?

Process?

There's supposed to be a PROCESS???

I have no idea how to answer this question, but I will try. I don't really have a certain process that I follow. Every post starts with inspiration that can come from anywhere—a song I might hear in my car on the radio, a storm cloud brewing in the sky, the birds I see from my window, a pink sky, a calm lake glistening in the sun, a beautiful rural scene with cows and fences...oh yes, the fences—and the list goes on and on. Sometimes a random thought will prompt me to take certain photos, other times it's the random photos that will inspire a thought or scripture. I most always have my camera with me, where ever I go, whether I am going to work, Walmart...wherever. There you have it...that's my process...the three W's! :) My dashboard is lined with many unwritten posts. Sometimes they materialize and get posted and sometimes not. Then there are those times when I really do have a plan and take photos on purpose to go along with my anticipated post! So, that's pretty much what I have to say about that. Well.... I guess I'm done here except for introducing you to the next VICTIM! Some of you know her already as that Crazy Chicken Lady! Let me introduce my, sweet friend...

Lisa Tucker

from

Lisa has been my buddy from the get-go and I just love her! She helped me through those "why am I even doing this?" moments that were so frequent when I first started out. As you can see, she's a country girl, also from the south who raises chickens...along with her husband and two grown sons. Lisa has a very special gift of translating her incomparable wit into humorous, often hysterical posts, many times about those crazy chickens of hers, Rod Stewart and the Kardashi-hens! Here are just a few examples:

Chickens, Crocks and Quiche

Fairy Godmother was here...



All About the Chicken Coop (again)


Lisa's post will be up next Monday, June 30.

I for one, will be looking forward to it! 

And for any of you who actually stayed with me,

THANK YOU!

Well, that's it for this chick...I'm flyin' the coop! 

But there's just one last thing I want you to see. Just one.

(scroll down please)

Should I go red or not?

Thanks to Picmonkey, 

I didn't even have to diet!!

Whatcha think???