Thursday, March 11, 2010

Friday Fragments #2


Thanks to Mrs. 4444 for hosting Friday Fragments.
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The beautiful earrings you see below are an extraordinary gift from Izzy of Stone Spirit. She had a very generous giveaway in January for a necklace made with stones that would "help give love and strength for whatever challenges come your way".

I didn't win the necklace but sweet Izzy made a gift for each of the people who entered! She asked us to give her a suggestion of a particular challenge we were trying to overcome and then she designed a treat for each one of us! At the time I was flooded with funerals and sick loved ones so I asked her for something to give me strength to help us all pull through.

The beautiful deep blue-green stone Izzy chose for my earrings is called Dioptase. It brings forth and helps one to understand the message that "Yesterday is but a memory, tomorrow is but a vision, and today is real."* Izzy said, "Living in the moment is the energy of this mineral!" It's exactly what I needed.



I can't begin to explain how touched I was that a near stranger could pick the perfect stone for me. But after thinking about it further, I realized Izzy has an awareness about people that helps her match stones to the individual. My sincere thanks to Izzy for her thoughtfulness and generosity.

When you have time READ THIS about Izzy and her biological mother. It's stunning. And visit often because she has another giveaway coming up soon on her beautiful blog!

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One of the earliest blogs I followed is by Cindy LaFerle. She is a published author and a writing role model for me. Cindy has such a beautiful way with words that paint a picture as clear as a sunny day. She also has an article featured in the current issue (March/April 2010) of Victoria magazine! It's a full page opposite the inside back cover, which gives her story The Art of Midlife Gardening prominent placement.

This is the cover of the issue, please be on the lookout for it and, when you have time, stop by and congratulate Cindy on her success.

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And speaking of awesome bloggers, Kristina P. of Pulsipher Predilections has definitely reserved a spot in blog heaven some day! She's collecting Snuggies for needy senior citizens during the entire month of March. So far, more than 110 Snuggies have been collected! But there's still time for you to send one too. CLICK HERE for details. She's already received mine!


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Thanks to Hilary of The Smitten Image for awarding me The Post Of The Week for Joy Ride. I am very flattered to be in the great company of the other nominees and recipients.

Do you know Hilary? She's a fabulous photographer and an avid blog reader. I've found a lot of new blogs via her POTW selections. Please check her out!

And with that, all I can say is thank gawd it's friday so I can sleep in on Saturday!

What are you doing this weekend?
Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna

Photo Credit--

* From the book "Love is In the Earth"

46 comments:

  1. You are just too good to me!

    And stay tuned for Monday, where I am doing a really awesome giveaway for anyone who donates.

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  2. Joanna, you are so selfless. Spotlighting these blogs and their good efforts is just so......you.

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  3. Love the earrings you are gonna looking stunning wearing those. I agree with Matty you really are amazing and selfless! Have a wonderful weekend ...see ya Sunday!

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  4. What lovely earrings, and what a lovely lady Izzy must be.

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  5. will check all these out. happy weekend dear!

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  6. Lots of lovely links for me to follow. Thank you. :)

    Those earrings are very pretty - what a kind person to gift to everyone who had entered and to make each gift so personal.

    Have a wonderful weekend. (Weather permitting, I shall probably be gardening. Yay)!

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  7. The earrings are fabulous and as you say...perfect! And I have donated my snuggies and you are right...Kristina rocks!!! Thanks for the links too!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  8. congrats on the POTW...love the ear rings....hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  9. Pulsipher's a saint...she just doesn't want anyone to know that!

    Love the earrings Izzy made you JJ! Now THAT'S someone who is plugged in to humanity!

    Here on the right coast, it's no longer snowing; now it's raining. This weekend I am going to attempt to avoid becoming mildewed. xo

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  10. Thanks for leading us to some new blogs. Your earrings are divine.

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  11. I find it hard to believe you really do sleep in, Joanna. You are one of the busy ones. I don't sleep in but I am also not on the go and live a quiet life. The earrings are lovely. There are some beautiful people in this world aren't there? There are a couple blogs new to me here in your post so I will go check them out!

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  12. I'm going on a photo safari, yay! Did I mention I was a teeny bit excited?
    Those earrings are gorgeous, and that was very nice of Izzy to give away something to everyone who entered.

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  13. Beautiful earrings! I'm going to take a page from a friend's book. He says he only knows nice people! Warm, carring and loving people attractive the same my friend just like you.

    As for the weekend, we are getting ahead start celebrating St. Patty's day. With the name Gallagher how can we not start early?! Hopefully if the sun is out we can do some other fun things.

    I think a date night is calling you this weekend, to wear your fab earrings.

    Have a golden one! xo

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  14. Those earrings are beautiful. I love the meaning of the stones, too.

    I guess I'll spend part of the week-end checking out all the blogs you've just introduced me to.

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  15. How perfect that Izzy knew just what you needed, Joanna, and what a generous blogger she is. And Kudos to Kristina P. All I know about the weekend is that I will not be going to work and that is a good thing. Congrats on your award.

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  16. Aw, those are some gorgeous earrings--but even more gorgeous to get such an unexpected gift.
    Reading all this bloggy love was a great start to my Friday.

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  17. Those earrings are beautiful and the spirit behind them is even more so.
    I loved reading this happy post today!

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  18. What a wonderful gift!!! What a fabulous and generous heart!!!! And congrats on the POst of the Week!!! You are awesome!!!

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  19. Izzy's story is amazing! And Hilary - well, her pictures blow me away.

    Have a great weekend... love the earrings Izzy chose for you.

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  20. Izzy is amazing, and her story left me speechless. When I learn about amazing people like her, I feel selfish, and then I remind myself that we all have special things to give.
    Congrats to Cindy on the article.
    Kristina is an inspiration as well.
    I will check out Hilary's blog.
    Thanks for a great post today Joanna.
    Hugs. xo d

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  21. Love that you shared so many positive bits. KP's giveaway is awesome and everytime I see a snuggie ad I think of her.

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  22. Just lovely! this weekend I am going to play some tennis, do some reading, think about shampooing my dining room carpet (thinking...) xoxo

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  23. What a lovely gesture. Izzy is now on my reading list, thanks to you. :) And thanks also for the mention.

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  24. Your earings are beautiful! Lucky you!

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  25. How bless you are that Izzy know just what you needed in those beautiful earrings. She is something special.

    I haven't received the current issue of Victoria yet but I will be sure to take note of Cindy's article.

    I applaud Kristina for her awesome snuggie drive.

    I popped over to Hilary's blog yesterday and was just blown away by her post and pics. Congratulations on your well deserved award.

    I never know what Hubby has in store for me on the Saturday here on the Ponderosa. I think I heard something about takin' the feeder cattle to the wheat field. Woohoo...yet another cattle drive. Do we know how to have fun or what???

    God bless you Joanna and have a marvelous weekend!!!

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  26. I don't ever wear earrings but I really enjoy reading about all the interesting people and places you blog about.

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  27. The earrings are gorgeous! I love the meaning behind the stones, too.

    Have a fantastic weekend!

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  28. What a fun roundup. I have to admit, that reading about Izzy's sweet gesture was absolutely a wonderful experience, in and of itself. I could just hug the heck out of the kindness that people show to one another. That was a truly nice thing for her to do.

    I read the rest of the post, and realized I'd read Izzy's story through Hilary's blog...and I teared up because I realized, that's the person who worried whether or not her birth mother would be proud of her. Her mother must have been so, so proud of her. Anyone who would do something that kind is an asset within the world.

    And heck, I don't actually wear jewelry, at all (other than my wedding ring) ...but ...it's still such a kind gesture, that even a non-jewelry fan gets the "Wow, that was sweet." of it all.

    I babble like a brook in comment sections, Joanna...sorry, bad habit of mine. Have a great weekend.

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  29. How thoughtful, love the earrings!

    I think the fam and I are going to catch a movie this weekend. Maybe clean out our pool if the sun is shining.

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  30. There are a lot of caring and wonderful people in the blogosphere!

    Have a great weekend!

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  31. Beautiful earrings! You must go somewhere this weekend to show them off to everyone.

    You are really amazing and have introduced me to so many fascinating blogs! I guess that I, too, will spend the weekend reading, reading, a little writing, and more reading!

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  32. Sounds like some awesome bloggers you have mentioned! Thanks.

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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  33. Joanna ~ you are any blogger's inspiration. You know how to share the love so well! Hugs!

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  34. Yor blog looks so pretty with all the blingy. I loved the story of the earrings. Off to check out the links!

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  35. Thanks for your constant support, Joanna. I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately.

    I love your post. Happy Friday and happy weekend from me to you!

    Hugs!!

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  36. Have a wonderful weekend! smiles.

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  37. I know many will be turning green this weekend and maybe not just from their outfits.
    Have a great weekend and St. Paddy's celebration if you so desire.

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  38. Wow, talk about a giveaway! That is the sweetest thing.

    Joanna, these are very nice shout-outs.

    Have a wonderful weekend.

    xo

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  39. The earrings are lovely, but even more precious when I read the story of how they were given to you. Kindness is such a wonderful thing.

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  40. Top of my list this weekend was sleeping in (check!) Hope you got to do the same :)

    Loved Hilary's Post of the Week idea. Congrats on being featured; I will definitely check out your post.

    Loved Izzy's story; thanks so much for sharing that link.

    Thanks for playing FF this week!:)

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  41. I love your new earings. They are so beautiful! People can see your lovely heart and that is why they do kind things for you. It is one of the prettiest hearts I have encountered in bloggy land : ) And that is the truth!

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  42. I love those earrings. The green stones are beautiful. I hope you are having a great weekend! We saw Alice In Wonderland and visited with friends. Tomorrow is church and Zumba. Pretty exciting stuff here in KY. (ha!)

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  43. What a real pleasure catching up here.
    Thanks for pointing me to more beauty.

    Hope you have a great weekend.

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  44. Looking at travel trailers, cleaning house and giving a baby goat to a friend (in preparation for traveling!).

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