I have been remiss in not writing an enormous thank you to those of you who participated in this year's Homeschool Blog Awards. You would have heard from me sooner, but I couldn't bring myself to take The Timeline of Mercy off the top spot. (Many thanks to those of you who wrote to Brigid. Beautiful friend that she is, Brigid is Cottage Blessings' most devoted reader and was deeply grateful for your prayerful comments. Hi B!]
Thanks to you mothers, not to mention the loving support of friends and family, Cottage Blessings received awards for "Best Live-What-You-Believe Blog," "Best Encourager," and "Best Crafts, Plans, and Projects Blog." While I know I fall far short of being the best in anything, least of all those wonderful categories, I am grateful for every vote and the kind hearts beating behind them.
Congratulations to the dear friends and fellow bloggers who won awards, and many thanks to Laura, Heather, and Sprittibee, and the other mothers who graciously give of their time to host the Homeschool Blog Awards each year. A special thank you and hearty congratulations to Mary Ellen Barrett, who allowed me to participate in "O Night Divine," winner of the award for "Best Family or Group Blog."
More important than anything else, please pray for Heather, a young mother and coordinator of the blog awards, diagnosed with a brain tumor this week. May God hold her and her family in the palm of His hand.
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Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, particularly these friends:
Lissa, The Lilting House, Best Unschooling or Eclectic
Theresa, Lapaz Farm Home Learning, Best Unschooling or Eclectic, first runner up
Karen Edmisten, Best Cyber-Buddy
Dawn, By Sun and Candlelight, Best Super Homeschooler
Mary Ellen, O Night Divine, Best Group or Family Blog
Elizabeth, Real Learning, Best Mom Blog *and* Best Business and Curriculum
Love2Learn Blog, first runner up, Best Group or Family Blog
Suzanne, Blessed Among Men, Best New Blog
Cay, Cajun Cottage, Best Nitty Gritty Blog, first runner up
Danielle, Danielle Daily, Best Humorous
Jennifer, S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen, Best Geographical
Congratulations to all the nominees as well!
Hi dear. Please send me your address for the prize awards sheet so I can get it to the companies who offered their prizes. :) Thanks so much and congratulations.
Posted by: Sprittibee | April 17, 2007 at 11:59 PM
((HUGS)) I congratulated you by e-mail but wanted to tell you again how much I enjoy reading here.
Blessings,
Theresa
Posted by: Theresa ♥ | April 18, 2007 at 01:44 AM
Congratulations! Your awards were well deserved - I know that I've done crafts from your sites many, many times, and I find your faith and your gentleness shine through your lovely blog.
Posted by: Beck | April 18, 2007 at 07:00 AM
Dear Alice, I am thrilled you won! I am so honored to be in your company and blessed to learn from you! Thinking of you today, and thanking God you're in my life!!
Love,
Posted by: Dawn | April 18, 2007 at 07:29 AM
Alice,
Thank you so much, and another hearty congratulations to you! You do not fall short of the best in any of those areas! You are an inspiration to us all, and I come here every day to be encouraged, to see your witness in living what you believe, and to see what beautiful, inspiring craft will be next!
Congratulations, dear friend. It's richly deserved!
Posted by: Karen E. | April 18, 2007 at 07:49 AM
Not for nothing I've been calling you "Alice the Best" for over ten years!!! Brava, my dear!
Posted by: Melissa Wiley | April 18, 2007 at 09:15 AM
Oh, HOORAY! I am so happy to hear that! Congratulations, Alice! It is a pleasure and a blessing to read your marvelous ideas and your beautifully written reflections. Each new post enriches my life!
Posted by: Jeannine | April 18, 2007 at 10:41 AM
Dear Alice, congratulations. You deserve it. You are such a warm and creative lady. Your blog exudes that. xoxox Clarice
Posted by: clarice | April 18, 2007 at 11:27 AM
Congratulations, Alice! Well-deserved. Cottage Blessings is indeed a blessing for all "cottages" out there!
Posted by: Kristen Laurence | April 18, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Congrats, again, Alice! Now you are an "award-winning" blog. Sounds good, doesn't it? And well it should.
Posted by: Suzanne Temple | April 18, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Well deserved congratulations, Alice! I truly enjoy each visit to Cottage Blessings.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 18, 2007 at 02:06 PM
i've learned entirely SO much from you site. Keep up the great effort of keeping everyone informed in your community :)
Blessings !
Posted by: Praying | April 18, 2007 at 03:57 PM
Congratulations, Alice! I think Cottage Blessings is a beautiful, faith-filled place to visit. I am grateful for both it and you!
Posted by: Rebecca | April 19, 2007 at 08:29 PM
Congratulations! Nice to meet you!
Posted by: Mommy Dearest | April 19, 2007 at 10:03 PM
Warmest blessings--May God continue to use you, Alice--all for His glory!
All's grace
Ann V.
Posted by: Holy Experience | April 20, 2007 at 12:24 AM
Alice,
My warmest and most heartfelt congratulations! I want to also tell you that if you do come out with a book, I want to be notified! I would consider it on 'my must have list' and 'among my most cherished of all books'. Thank you so much for all you do for us. With much love and thanksgiving for you!
Posted by: Margaret | April 20, 2007 at 11:40 PM
Congratulations on your win! Just wanted to let you know that as a prize awarder, I'm dropping a copy of my book, Great Colonial America Projects You Can Build Yourself in the mail to you today.
Posted by: Kris Bordessa | April 21, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Congratulations Alice!! Well done everyone! I seemed to have missed the whole thing - didn't even get a chance to vote. I am SO behind on blogging (reading AND writing).
Congrats again Alice - I am so glad to see you recognized you (and so many other) deserve it!
Posted by: Michele Q. | April 23, 2007 at 08:45 AM
Many congratulations and blessings! Thank you for being such a model of graciousness for us all.
Sincerely in Christ,
Claire
Posted by: Claire | April 25, 2007 at 12:38 AM
Belated Congratulations, Alice. I love visiting your cottage. You are an inspiration! BTW, you've been tagged as a 'Thinking Blogger' chez moi.
Posted by: Marjorie | April 27, 2007 at 03:27 PM