Honored to be in Artful Blogging Magazine

I think the title of this post says it all...

I am so unbelievably honored to be featured

in the new issue of Artful Blogging Magazine,
on newsstands this week.

For those who might not be familiar with how it all works,

those of us who are selected to contribute 

write our own article and our own photographs
and / or artwork are featured.

I was blessed to be given eight pages in the current issue
of this gorgeous publication ( one of my faves! )

to share some of my innermost thoughts about blogging,

and to open up a bit about how it has forever changed me
and enriched my life beyond measure.

It is a joy and an honor, but a bittersweet one, too...

I sent the completed article off to the editor
only 4 short days before my mother entered the hospital
for the very last time.

She never got to read it, she didn't even get to see a rough draft.

I think of the tears of joy she would have shed over seeing

that two of my photos even made the front cover!

But still I know....she sees. She knows. 

She's smiling down, so very, very proud.

So to Artful Blogging,
I say thank you so very much.

To the readers and friends of this blog,
I treasure you beyond words.

And to my dear mama...

as I said in the dedication of a book
I once wrote for her...

" For Mama...I learned to read
and write
and draw
and dream
on your lap...
I love you."

If you like anything at all about me
or this blog, thank the lady in the photo above.
She's the reason.

I hope you'll grab the issue,
as I'm pleased as I can be to be featured alongside
some pretty impressive company...
my friends Tricia of A Rosy Note,
Tracey of French Larkspur
and Mary of Urban Farmgirl.
Congrats, ladies!

For those who can't locate the issue in their area,
I plan on offering it in a giveaway
in the days ahead.

Have a wonderful week!

linking with

inspiration friday at the picket fence
feathered nest friday at french country cottage

vintage inspiration friday at common ground