Darkness and Silver Linings

It's just the beginning of a very crazy summer for me (and the temperature won't dispute that one bit), so with a little bit of sadness, I'm announcing that this blog will be dark from now until September. Between traveling (a lot of traveling including a 2 month stay in UT/CO), family obligations and the usual to-do list, something's gotta give and for the moment, the blog is getting the ax. I'll still check your blogs now and again because I'll miss you terribly if I don't.

To go out with a bang, I'd like to pass on my latest award. Thank you, Kayeleen, for giving me the Silver Lining Award! I find that quite a few of your blogs help me to see the silver lining, but I can't list all 100+ of my favorite blogs (and people). I figure you have all summer to look over this list, so I am going all out. I've picked 40 from my favorite's list- ten for each month I'll be away. I had to narrow it down somehow! (For the most part, I grabbed the first blogs google reader brought up.)

Jenni James - How she does it all, I will never know!

Susan R. Mills - Her cute shoe to writing analogies are awesome!
Sara McClung - Funny, cute and she's running a vampire contest at the moment! Go check it out!
Cheree Smith - The title of her blog is Justified Lunacy. Enough said.
Christine Fonseca - She's sweet and honest. You'll love her!
L. T. Eliot - Always has great posts.
Natalie Whipple - This woman has more talent in a single strand of hair than I have in my whole body and it's safe to say I'm not exaggerating.
Kelly Lyman - She is one of the most determined people I have ever met. It's truly inspiring!
Beth Revis - Ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in a high school English class? You will after you check out Beth's blog. She's amazing! ;)
Wendy Paine Miller - Wendy is one of the most thoughtful (as in deep thinking) people I know and I guarantee you'll instantly feel welcome at her blog.
Christina Lee - For a load of writing fun and fashion, check out this blog. You'll love Christina too!
T. Anne - Each post ends with a thought-provoking question, which I love.
Lisa and Laura - Hilarious. Every post is an adventure!
Shannon Whitney Messenger - It's always fun to read about her journeys into publishing.
Kiersten White - She is quite a storyteller and her blog shows her talent. I can't wait to get my hands on her upcoming book!
Terresa Wellborn - I don't know where she finds the photos, quotes and poems to go with her thoughts, but they're always spot on and amazing!
Laurel - One of the most kind people in the blogosphere and that's saying a lot because there are a lot of kind people in the writing community.
Tricia J. O'Brien - Not only is she a very talented poet, but she sure can point and click! Her photo/haiku combinations are breathtaking.
Sarah Bromley - Sarah is an amazing person with an amazing blog.
Rachelle J. Christiansen - Check out her book "Wrong Number" if you love a good mystery. It's great!
Jaime Theler - For a new word a week, run to her blog. It's a lot of fun for the word nerds out there like me. :)
Suzette and Bethany - These kind and funny sisters write awesome posts and host sweet contests.
Nichole Giles - Go here for a healthy dose of happy!
Ali Cross - She might be taking a blogging hiatus, but she's still getting a spot in my list because she's awesome!
Elana Johnson - If you don't know how cool Elana and her blog are yet, go now! Run, don't walk!
Michelle McLean - Friday just wouldn't be as great without the funny gems Michelle digs up!
Jeannie - Her blog isn't called Jeannie's Happy World for nothing! I love her Monet Mondays.
Elizabeth Mueller - She deserves a prize for being the sweetest blogger in the blogosphere. And she's got talent too!
Danyelle Leafty - Have you ever read her words? They're memorizing, enchanting! Another blog to run, not walk to.
Danyelle Ferguson - One very uplifting blog.
Christine K. Bryant - Between her great blog guests and her own awesome posts, this blog is well worth your time.
Shannon O'Donnell - She's more like pure gold than silver lining. I don't think even the dreary gray clouds could stay that way for long around her.
Shelley - One amazing author. We're all big fans at my house.
Katie Ganshert - If you ever have trouble counting your blessings, go to Katie's site. She is so kind and uplifting!
Windy Aphayrath - Her blog is a fun and informative kind of random. I love it!
Amalia T. - Besides having a gorgeous name, she is queen as far as knowing mythology goes. Her blog fascinates me. Plus, she's an amazing person. Don't you love extras? ;)
Lynette LaBelle - Her fun Fridays are my favorite, but all of her posts are great!
Daisy Whitney - Daisy is one of the coolest people I've never met and her blog is definitely a favorite.
Mercedes M. Yardley - She's quirky and creative. You'll love her blog and her whimsical horror.
Angie Lofthouse - Her posts are informative and inspirational!


And as a bonus, here are four of the best book review sites I've found:
Kristi at The Story Siren
Rachael at Book Love: Teen
The Literati Read and
Searching for a good read?


I hope you all have a fantastic summer!