Saturday, September 26, 2009

Honored and Humbled

As a garden blogger and Blotanical member, I've been pretty lazy and 'absent' for most of the summer. I spent a lot of time getting to know so many of you when I first joined Blotanical. There were so many hours spent in front of my computer, visiting your blogs and leaving comments, excited every time you'd 'fave' my blog or 'pick' one of my posts. I never missed a chance to comment back or fave you in return (if I had any faves left)!


Then the summer arrived and with it, time to 'play' outdoors! As the months rolled by I've spent less and less time visiting all of you and it's gotten to the point where I haven't picked your posts in quite some time. I haven't even said 'thank you' to those of you who continue to pick my posts! And I'm amazed and shocked to find that my blog is still receiving 'faves'...even though I haven't taken the time to welcome any of you newest Blotanical members!


I feel appreciative, and most humbled by these acts of kindness...because I know what it feels like when you first join Blotanical and just how 'precious' those faves are! After all, you are only allowed so many in the first place, and when you give someone one of your precious faves, it seems only appropriate that they at least take the time to visit you and leave you comments in return! I have to say, I haven't been good about doing those things lately, having withdrawn somewhat from much of my previous activity.


HOWEVER, I am greatly honored by every 'pick' you give one of my posts, and by every 'fave' you give to my blog. What's more, I want to say THANK YOU to every single Blotanical member who nominated "Thanks For 2 Day" for an award, placing me among the top 5 finalists for best blog in Virginia. It really is not a small, insignificant thing, and I want you to know that I do not take this lightly! For your giving spirit and your vote are acts of kindness and faith, on your part. I am again humbled and realize that I haven't been giving as much as I am receiving. I do intend to change that in the future, by visiting many of your blogs more often!


The weather is getting a bit chillier here in northern Virginia, and playing in the garden is becoming less and less 'fun' these days, so I will be starting to spend more and more time playing on the computer and on Blotanical! Please know I appreciate you and thank you for your faith in me. If I haven't 'met' you yet, or stopped by to welcome you to Blotanical, please come over and visit me so I know who I've neglected! I've been a Blotanical member for almost 10 months and have loved every interaction I've had, and found something fabulous on every blog I've visited. With so many more blogs and so many more people to meet, it seems to get more difficult to stay on top of everything...but I am going to try to get back to my previous level of blogging, visiting and commenting. All of us, in one way or another, have things in common, and I look forward to many more moments sharing with each other!


And finally, thanks for your votes. I know I don't deserve them, and that's why I'm humbled and honored!

--Today I am thankful for blessings beyond measure;-)



Words and photos by Jan Huston DobleThanks For 2 Day.

30 comments:

  1. Congratulations on being nominated as Best Blogger in your state. At least you've continued to blog. I noticed some nominations for folks who haven't posted to their own blogs in the past year!

    I joined Blotanical just recently and didn't realize I would have messages there -- spent the past few days trying to catch up once I found them. That was after I was looking around and found my blog was nominated, What?

    Your fall blossoms are lovely.

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  2. Congratulations Jan! We all have our busy times. I believe this winter we will appreciate and have more time to share with our fellow gardeners.I also hope you are feeling better. It has been a rough summer.
    The picture of the Lantana is just beautiful.Have a wonderful weekend.

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  3. Congrats on your win! Hope you are feeling better these days.

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  4. Congratulations Jan! You reaaly deserve it - your blog really is very nice!
    And about Blotanical - I know exactly what you mean. I haven't checked any posts there (not even my own to see if I have got any picks) in months! There just is no time for it. But now the fall and winter is coming, with plenty of time to read blogs and get to know new and old bloggers. I'm especially looking forward to read your blog!
    BR Helen

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  5. Jan....congratulations! I'm not surprised:) All the best! Always a pleasure to see your lovely photos!

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  6. Beautiful written, and a nomination well deserved. :)

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  7. What a lovely post and congratulations Jan. I too have been a bit absent of late but busy doing other things close to my heart.

    Do let me know how you and your son get on I often think of you.

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  8. Jan, your are very deserving of the recognition. I'm always going to be a fan of you and Thanks for 2 Day.

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  9. Lots of great color in your garden now Jan.
    Congrats on the Blotanical nominations.

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  10. What lovely blossoms you have showcased.

    Congratulations on your nomination! I must say, I understand your dilemma concerning Blotanical. I haven't had the time to keep up with it, but keep hoping someday I will.

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  11. Congrats and don't fret about not being active at blotanical or blogging. Things change that's just how it is.
    I slack off regarding reading blogs and voting all the time...just run out of energy. :(

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  12. Lovely pictures and you deserve your nomination!!

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  13. Congrats! on your nomination. I hope you win. It is such a joy to view your plants. Have a great weekend. TTFN ~Marydon

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  14. Congratulations nice lady with the gorgeous garden :-)

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  15. Congratulations on the nomination, Jan. It's okay if you take a break from blogging once in a while to garden, you know. After all, we get to read your wonderful posts all about it later :)

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  16. Jan, Congratulations! You deserve this accolade. Meanwhile, Happy Blogging and Good Luck!

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  17. Congratulations to you Jan!
    I happen to think that you DO deserve this award, and good luck to you! Everybody gets busy, and since most everybody who has a garden blog tends to be obsessive about their garden, then I think everybody can understand the neglect of other things that don't need as much attention as a garden.
    Did that make any sense?
    Hope this comment finds you well.
    Rosey

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  18. Hi Jan, I'm like you, have been absent from Blotanical for a long time. Perhaps in the winter I'll visit more. I find it hard to keep up with all the new blogs there, it was so much easier at the beginning when there weren't as many. I have my own list of favourites that I visit (yours included) but I need to check out the new members as I'm sure there are lots of informative blogs that I haven't seen yet.

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  19. Congrats! I LOVE the cosmos photo.

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  20. Congrats! I love all the color in your garden. Looks great.

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  21. Beautiful pics and nicely written post, Jan ;) Hope all is well for you and your family. Yes, as our gardening weather winds down, we'll definitely spend more time blogging so in that regard, I'm looking forward to winter!

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  22. Nice to see you back, Jan. Big hugs and a hearty handshake on your nomination, much deserved. Good luck! :-)
    Frances

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  23. Congratulations on your nomination. I admit I can't keep up with Blotanical; I bookmark the blogs I like and read them that way... and communicate via commenting or email... Blotanical seems to me yet another place to check and I don't do it often.

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  24. A very nice and sweet post... punctuated by series of beautiful buds and flowers. Congratulations ~ bangchik

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  25. You are too modest Jan! Of course you deserve all the accolades. Take them with a smile. :-)

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  26. HI Jan: told you I would let you know when I visited your blog, well I just Did. Excellent, Great Job.

    Congratulations on your nomination! hope you win.

    Have a wonderfull day,
    John

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  27. A very hearty congratulations goes out to you Jan and good luck!

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  28. Hey there! Congrats on your well deserved nominations! gail

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  29. Jan,

    Wow nice photos as usual. You commented on my blog that the tickseed sunflowers look like coreopsis. The difference it that tickseeds stick to your clothes (everywhere) with two little hooks and they can grow 6 foot tall given the right conditions. I'm sure you have seen them before, here in NC they grow wild everywhere.

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Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment! Please enjoy your TODAY and all of the gifts in YOUR garden of life!

Jan

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