Blogs I read

Once upon a time I decided I wanted to be a part of this ...

12 Days of Community = promoting twelve blogs that we appreciate. I wrote two posts promoting fellow bloggers - Billy Coffey and S. Etole and then I didn't get anything else written. Today I hope to remedy that by promoting ten other blogs I read regularly ...

22 Words by Abraham Piper - Love the thoughts he expresses in 22 words (give or take a few)
Barefoot from Heaven by Dagmar - Beautiful photos and words.
Flowerdust by Anne Jackson - She's funny and real, plus she bikes and runs. And I got to be her driver for an hour this fall. (hope Anne doesn't remember I was late) 
History in the Making by Ben Arment - He's innovative, smart and (drumroll please!) he's my coach!   
Kids, Twins and Laundry Bins by Elizabeth Esther - She's sharp, sassy and has substance. 
Rachel Held Evans by Rachel Held Evans - She likes coffee and I was thrilled to find her site and realize I'm not alone in my non-Calvinist thoughts. Love this line from a recent post of hers ... "I believe that God is in control. I do not believe that God controls."
Ramblings and Such by Bryan Allain - He's funny, local and likes the Amish. And he recently ran a half-marthon.
Rants and Ramblings on Life as a literary Agent by Rachelle Gardner - Great info about writing and publishing.
Religion, Culture, Pocket Guides and The Life of a Working Writer by Jason Boyett - He's funny, and honest ... and honest and funny and he competes in triathlon. (did I mention he's funny and honest?)
Seth Godin's Blog by Seth Godin - Love his efficiency with words - his posts are short, but powerful.

Peace and Beauty - 12 Days of Community

Peace - Beauty

At first, I found it odd, but now it makes sense to me. I've found that if I'm missing either peace or beauty in my life, I'm probably missing both. And if I look for one, I usually find both. They seem to live close together.

 View from a bench at French Creek State Park -

a favorite place of peace and beauty for me.

There's many places I find peace and beauty if I am intentional. Outdoors in creation is my first choice - trees, plants, water, along with the moon and stars.  There's beauty/peace in words, art, music and delicious food. 

It helps to be intentional as I go through life, taking deep breaths and allowing myself time to think about what my five senses are absorbing. (I figure there is a reason I've been created with five senses and I try not to waste any of them)  And whether I see the beauty of the moment first or peace comes over me first - the other soon follows. 

Peace and beauty - I need both to be fully alive and thankfully I usually find them together.

Recently I found both in a new place - online at 

Just ... a Moment a blog by S. Etole.

S. Etole combines words with beautiful photos and whenever I visit her site, I come away breathing lighter. Thank you S. Etole - for the way you brighten my world with peace and beauty. 

Celebrating Just ... a Moment today in the 12 days of Christmas Community hosted by High Calling Blog.

Click the box below to find out more about celebrating others this season ...