Although I still consider myself somewhat of a “virgin” in the blogging world, I realized recently that I’ve racked up an incredible 10,000+ hits on my “Everydaywoman” blog . . . thanks to all who have been following, reading, and commenting!

So . . . if you’ve been one of those quiet, “behind-the-scenes” reader and haven’t yet left a comment, why not do that now?  I’d LOVE to hear from you.

It’s  ironic, too, as I’m noticing this 10,000-hit blogging milestone, that I also find out that Farmer’s Daughter has hit me up in another way.  She’s awarded me the “Kreativ Blogger” award for managing my three blogs (personal, educational, and family farm).  Aw, shucks, Abbie, you’re my real inspiration!  Thank you!

Here’s the deal.  I need to list 7 things I LOVE and then send this award onto to a few more creative bloggers.  So, here goes . . .

I love:

1. My family, for putting up with me (most of the time!)
2. My DH for challenging me to follow my dream by changing my career course in my 4th decade of life!
3. My daughter, who has grown up to be my friend. . . who I learn so much from on a daily basis!
4. My rewarding, challenging, totally-consuming career, working with elementary school children.
5. My candy-apple red, “ragtop” ’stang, especially on a day like today, when I feel the breeze in my hair!
6. Country music, which makes me smile, sing out loud, laugh, and cry!
7. Hot, sultry summer, which is right about the bend!

I pass this “Kreativ Blogger” Award on to:

1. Lisa at Retro Housewife Goes Green, who’s hip, creative, and green.
2. Kayla at My Polychrome Life who’s been blogging from Italy while studying fashion there.
3. Imelda at Greenish Lady, whose “green” take on things comes from the green land of Ireland.
4. Aisling of The Quiet Country House,  who organizes  a “Sunday Stroll” for fellow bloggers each week.

Congrats, ladies, and ENJOY!  You deserve it!

It’s not a secret that Abbie over at Farmer’s Daughter is my daughter in real life!  That being said, can I brag just a little?

Abbie was recently recognized as a “Woman Taking the Lead to Save our Planet” by the League of Women Voters.   She was honored at a  reception where she was lauded for all her efforts in Environmental Education as well as how she lives her everyday life as a role model for her students, family, and community.  Read all about by clicking here.

I couldn’t help but notice that,  of the small group of six women honored, Abbie was by far the youngest.  Other recipients were about twice her age, so I can’t help but think this is just the beginning of great things for Abbie!  So proud of you, honey!

OK, I’ve been tagged by the Farmer’s Daughter.

Here are the rules:

–Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
–Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog – some random, some weird.
–Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their    blog.
–Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So, here goes, probably way more than you want to know:

7 Facts about myself:

1. BK (Before Kids), I had a career in publishing as a writer/editor for an international technical magazine.  I traveled to interview mostly old men in wire mills and I usually got questions like “What’s a nice, young girl like doing in a place like this?”  (I secretly hoped I’d get a really exciting writing job for Cosmo or at the very least Good Housekeeping some day!)
2. I’ve walked with Grizzlies in Alaska . . . yes, I really can’t believe that I did that, too!
3. I also rafted the Colorado River for 5 days, sleeping in the canyons at night in thunderstorms, with the river or a pail as our only bathroom.  (#2 and #3 were my husband’s ideas, but I’m glad I lived through them because now I can impress people who think I’m a risk-taker, even though I’m really not!)
4. I learned how to use a computer back in the DOS days.  (“What’s that?” you youngsters are asking.)
5. I’m probably addicted to three things: coffee, the sun, and my Blackberry.  (I know this because I get a headache if I don’t get my DD in the am and I got a Blackberry so I could check my e-mail on the run.  I am trying to change my habits re: the sun due to the negative effects of too much exposure.)
6. I started college at age 40, when my husband challenged me to pursue the teaching career that I had always planned.  It was one of the best decisions of my life (second to marrying that dear guy!) and now after my 8^th year of teaching (and two more degrees) I’m planning on starting a doctoral program.
7. My crazy, wonderful family gave me a brand-new, candy-apple red Mustang convertible for Mothers’ Day a couple of years ago, which I enjoy driving “topless” more than I ever imagined!  The ‘Stang’s tucked in the garage for the winter next to their ‘66 classic mustang.  (I think they gave me mine because they didn’t want me to drive theirs!)

 OK, that’s probably way more than you wanted to hear, but I’m tagging:

 Margaret  at Periodic Pearls

Aisling at The Quiet Country House

Cloudhands at Uncarved Block

Nan at Letters From a Hill Farm

Ernestine at My Journey to Mindfulness

Dee at Red Dirt Ramblings

Linda at Vulture Peak Muse

Thanks for playing, everyone, and I hope you have a little fun with it!

~~Ruth

. . . make lemonade!!!

Thanks to Abbie, over at Farmer’s Daughter, who presented me with “The Lemonade Award.”  According to Joyce, from  Tall Grass Worship, who awarded it to Abbie,  it’s given to someone who is ”positive or grateful, always turning lemons into lemonade!”

Here are the rules for the award.  The receiver must:

•  post the graphic
• write a post about it that links back to the giver
• select up to 10 people who deserve the award
• let these folks know they’ve won by leaving them a comment

Therefore, abiding by these rules, I’d like to pass the Lemonade Award on to:

• Aisling, over at the Quiet Country House, who loves gardening and poetry, and who shares these beautiful genres of art with others.  She also hosts a weekly Sunday Stroll at her site, which is always uplifting and positive.
• Margaret, from Periodic Pearls, who always has a most positive, intriquing take on the world around her, and is currently blogging from London.
• Jena, at Married to the Farm, who is an energetic, newlywed living the farming life, and is rebounding from a recent fire that damaged property on their farm by planning to rebuild.
• The Crafty Gardener, who loves all things that grow and is quite positive and crafty–especially when she’s snow-covered in Canada at the moment!

 Congrats to the winners!  Keep serving up that lemonade!!!