Things to Read - Blogs I'm Thankful For (Part III)

(Other than the fact that I took these pics in November, they have absolutely nothing to do with the following post. But I like them, so just go with it.)

Just putting this out there - November has been crazy. Lots of work (awesome amazing work, as I love being invited into a family's life for an hour or so - seeing what makes them laugh and how happy they are together, hoping they'll almost forget about me for awhile and just be themselves, sort of the polar opposite of when I was a lawyer and everyone always seemed to be at their worst), but still lots of pictures, lots of editing. And then the cold came (and, for the last two days, the rain - freezing rain!). And two dogs and three kids. And Dan working even more than usual. And right before the LON party Coco attacked the couch - full-throttle with a green permanent marker - pillows, rug, everything - completely destroyed. Luckily, Target sells slipcovers (crazy expensive slipcovers, but still . . . ).

So I spent the month feeling overwhelmed and a little bit crazed, but right now I'm feeling overwhelmingly lucky for all of it - the work, the kids, this life - especially after I watched this movie with the kids and we all became really sad and thought how is this possible? HOW? And I realized I have to get over myself because really food (esp. good food) is a luxury. One that I should not take for granted.

So HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!! Thank you for reading this, thanks for following and sometimes commenting and emailing (I LOVE emails!!). And really, thanks for it all.

Anyways, on Thanksgiving, as this is the day I usually post on Things to Read, I try to write about my favorite blogs (click here for past years). This year I had big plans to make this a "pretty" post, but it's 9:30 pm on Wednesday so hyperlinks will have to do. Here goes, my new(ish) reads, and by no means all inclusive -

BLOGS I'M THANKFUL FOR:

* Julia's Bookbag - In the last year or so, this has been my favorite find, it has books, it has photography, it has TONS of randomness, and (most importantly) is has sarcasm and an ability to laugh at oneself. I love it all. My new favorite morning read.

* Still + Life - Beautiful pictures and amazing writing. Very honest. Makes me want to curl up with a cup of tea and read the archives for hours.

* A Feteful Life - Rebecca and Suzanne have such a good eye for design, but they also don't take it too seriously. I love that their projects and suggestions are simple and yet incredibly creative. Plus they saved my party :)

* Cherish This Day - It seems a little self-indulgent to include a blog I contribute to on the list, but I feel so privileged to be in the company of such a wonderful group of photographers. And I love the weekly dose of inspiration they bring. On a similar note, I also love the group that puts together You Are My Wild, they shoot crazy good photos on that blog.

* Enjoying the Small Things - I know there are a lot of Kelly Hampton naysayers (as always happens when one become uber-famous in blogland), but I can't help admire how Kelly always nails the perfect shots (so in awe), plus this year she's really opened up about religion and life in general, which can't be easy when you have about a million followers. And I'm loving her for it.

* Bleubird Vintage - Everyone on this blog is so pretty (how do you have four kids and stay that f***ing pretty?), and everything about this blog is so pretty that I want to hate it. But I just can't. Because if the world has to have pretty people, well, at least these people seem to do a really great job at being fun too. (Plus, I find it really hard to take great product placement photos, whereas they make it look so easy (so jealous)).

* Jessica Stanley - Jessica's read.look.think feature is a must read. Seriously. MUST. READ. (though grab a glass of wine, it will take you all day).

* National Geographic Found - We are all connected. Really.

* Olivia Bee - Her photos are amazing. Absolutely amazing. And they capture a sense of nostalgia for a youth I never lived.

Okay, now go eat some turkey! Speaking of turkey, remember this? (And, seriously, how could you not remember?)

Things to Read - Mom Blogs that I'm Thankful For

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

On the topic of thankfulness, I must say how completely honored I am that one of my friends nominated me for Babbles's Top 50 Reader Nominated Blogs. And how excited I am that all of YOUR VOTES put me in the top 25 for awhile (I haven't checked lately, but I'm pretty sure I've slipped quite a bit, which is always a problem when you stop campaigning). Thank you everyone!! I spent some time over the last week reading other mom blogs. Everyone seems to have a lot of stories. Do I need more stories? Honestly, my life isn't that interesting. But I can try.

I also noticed, and was somewhat saddened by, the fact that mom blogs seem to fall into two distinct camps - (1) those devoted to worshiping their children and celebrating every smile, every frown, every move from birth onwards and (2) those devoted to complaining about how hard life is. This sort of worries me - has the two party system moved onto motherhood as well? I try to ride the line, but, obviously, I tend to fall into camp #2. Maybe it's a glass is half-empty type thing. Or maybe I just like snarkiness. I do, I really do. Stephen Colbert is my hero. But, on the other hand, I appreciate the love that celebratory moms have to give, especially when no judgment is attached. Oh well, this is just to say, can't we all get along? I mean regardless of HOW you parent, you have TO PARENT. That's the point, right?

So in the spirit of thankfulness, here are links to six of my favorite momblogs (and one dadblog) - all of which contain tons of GREAT PICTURES (of course) and all which operate very honestly and non-judgmentally (or at least there's been no judgment that I've seen).

1. SouleMama - Back when F and P were quite young and I was still practicing law (if a third year associate can really be said to be "practicing"), I would read SouleMama every day. Seeing how much fun Amanda Soule had with her kids and how full their days were, helped me take the leap and become a stay at home mom. I still look to Amanda Soule daily for inspiration and entertainment. And she never lets me down.

2. A Day that is Dessert - I love the pictures and the snapshots of life on this blog. The author has a wonderful way of appreciating the little things.

3. Fine Little Day - I never know whether to characterize this Swedish woman's blog as a mom blog or a photography blog. The photos are amazing. But the short, wonderful anecdotes make it great.

4. Jelly Jar Daisies - A numbered list of life's joys (with pictures, of course). Always inspiring.

5. Sweet Fine Day - I discovered this blog a few months ago and I've become addicted to reading it. The blog has some of the most honest reading I've ever encountered (about parenthood and life in general), almost like reading someone's journal. And always well-stated.

6. Made By Joel - Best craft projects ever.

7. RummeyBears - I'm not sure why I can't stop reading this Australian women's blog, but the pictures of her baby are divine, plus she has a very succinct writing style that makes every word feel precious.

What are your favorite mom blogs? I'd love to hear them!

Have a Great Thanksgiving everyone!