Calling all Upstate NY bloggers and blog readers!

I have a widget on my blog called MapLoco. This little guy allows me to see how many people click on my blog...we'll call them 'blog readers'. It also tells me where they are from...a general idea...no specifics. I know a couple of people that click on my blog are from places called Manlius, North Syracuse, Cortland, Fayetteville, Rochester, Buffalo and many other places in and out of New York.

I also know a couple of 'bloggers' from my area...only a couple though. We'd like to try to plan a get together sometime this summer. Maybe just an afternoon...not sure where or when or what it will entail.

So...here's the plan...If you're within driving distance of Syracuse, comment on my blog...let me know where you're from and if you'd be interested in attending. Even (and especially) blog readers are welcome. Even those of you that don't have your own blog will be able to get together and exchange ideas and maybe we'll find more Upstate NY blogs! If you'd rather not comment...click my 'email' button and send me a note and I'll make sure that you are included.

Spread the word to your friends and let's see if we can get an UPSTATE NY blog network started!

(P.S....to my reader in "Soddy Daisy, Tennessee...every time I see that you have read my blog and your town name is listed....it makes me smile. What a great name for a town!!! Drop me a note and tell me who you are...)

Serenity Sunday...week 40

(Image created using 'www.wordle.net')

“What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.”

Henri Matisse quotes (Artist regarded as the most important French Painter and Artist of the 20th century, 1869-1954)

Serenity Sunday...week 39

Groundhogs Day is right around the corner. When it's this time of year and February 2nd is upon us...who cannot think of this movie?

The Old Painted Cottage: Living Room Redo – Fireplace Makeover

Jennifer at 'The Old Painted Cottage' has the right idea....with a teeny bit of varathane and pretty much nothing else but a surround, she's made over her ho-hum fireplace into a show stopper! Look back into her archives for the before and after of the ranch style home she and her husband purchased about 1 1/2 years ago. You have to take a look! This girl has got such vision....

This is one of my favorite blogs...

check out this post...
The Old Painted Cottage: Living Room Redo – Fireplace Makeover

Barnhouse Marketplace...now open!

You have to check this place out! The Boys of Barnhouse, who hail from the upper northwest, Battle Ground, WA, and have an awesome blog, have opened a new online shop. Stop by their blog and enter to win Barnhouse cash! I have been reading about their events and sales for a while and I'm so excited that now I can have a little taste of BarnHouse style from the east coast!

So...go straight to the marketplace, and see if I'm right! Awesome stuff!


http://BarnHouseMarket.com/

Serenity Sunday...week 38

"The path to our destination is not always a straight one, Ed. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn't matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark."

- Leonard to Ed, Northern Exposure

I don't know what it is, maybe just that it's WINTER, but the TV show 'Northern Exposure' keeps popping into my head for my Serenity Sunday series. I always loved the show and one of my favorite characters was Chris, the "Philosopher, radio show host". I always found his message to the good people of Cicely, Alaska, relevant and insightful. His monologue on his radio show always made me think...and isn't that what it's supposed to do? Make us think about those things that motivate us. Those things that move us into action, or make us stop and think about what's going on around us. I realize that this quote, itself, isn't from Chris, but it is one of those quotes that makes you think....

Serenity Sunday...week 37

"The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer. Minute by minute they lengthen out. It takes some weeks before we become aware of the change. It is imperceptible even as the growth of a child, as you watch it day by day, until the moment comes when with a start of delighted surprise we realize that we can stay out of doors in a twilight lasting for another quarter of a precious hour."- Vita Sackville-West

** Yes folks, that's right...the days are getting longer. I can attest to that! We've had what you might call a "January thaw" this week. The temps have been hovering around 40* and that puts a smile on this bloggers face. Winter may have started later than usual this year, but when it started, it got intense quickly. All I can hope for is that SPRING follows suit and comes in like gangbusters...but early... ~ Tami