I tend to be a play-by-the-rules kind of gal. Yes, I’ve lived in off-the-beaten-path, God-forsaken locations, but generally I’m not much of a risk-taker. I play by the book for most of the year.
However, during this holiday season, even this semi-straight-laced, borderline-buttoned-up blogger knows when a bit of recreational rule breaking and bloggerly gift-giving are in order.
And if ever there was a time—that time in now. It’s getting close to Christmas, after all.
Plus, in the past week, I’ve been the reluctant proud recipient of not one, not two, but three of those blogging awards we all despise adore—each of which come with their own onerous perfectly reasonable set of rules for acceptance and passage to other suckers worthy recipients.
We all know no writing Santa worth her Christmas cookies could possibly follow three separate sets of guidelines and still manage to pass along these lovely gifts in time for a fast-approaching holiday—
—So, I’m throwing caution to the whirlwind that is Christmas, thanking my fellow elves for their gifts, and using this opportunity to, instead, update my blogroll, restock my sleigh, and mention some brilliant blogs you simply must explore.
It’s in this spirit of blogger lawlessness and Christmas cheer, that I thank Debra of “Bagni di Lucca and Beyond,” Miranda of “Scatteringmoments,” and Laurel of “Rockin’ the Purple” for the following fine prizes: the “Reader Appreciation Award,” the “Liebster Blog Award,” and the “Kreative Blogger Award” (respectively).
And it’s in that same spirit of holiday giving that I highlight some blogs I’ve come to love—blogs that just might belong in your Christmas stocking, as well.
(If your site is listed below, would you mind describing your blog in the comments, and if you were not already on my blogroll or don’t find yourself highlighted here, please let me know, so I can add you. I worried I’m going to inadvertently omit somebody.)
Among the Crystals, Dragons, and Fae
Let me take this opportunity to thank each of you for your friendship, for so faithfully reading what I write, and for maintaining blogs that make my desk a more festive place this holiday season—blogs I’m honored to enjoy and want to share.
I hope you will give the blogs above the gift of your subscription this Christmas. They’re free. They’re fun. And they are truly gifts that keep on giving.
God bless your blogging, everyone!
Kathryn M. McCullough 
Marry Christmas, Kathy! What a wonderful holiday gift, the gift of people’s stories.
This post made me think of your beautiful ornaments. Have you sold any yet?
❤ Lisa
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Yes, yes–it is the gift of “stories.” I love that you put it that way–that’s perfect, Lisa! Happy Holidays to you, too, my friend!
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What a great homage to other bloggers. We should all do this on a regular basis.
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I’m glad you appreciated this post. It’s a little silly, but it’s sweet–and I mean it. Blogs just give and give and give. I love them for that!
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Wonderful Christmas gift Kathy 🙂
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Thanks, dear Mark. Your blog is a gift that gives to me more than once a day. And I love it for that. How wonderful to have laughter come into my house from what your write. It’s a huge gift, my friend.
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You’re a rebel! I like that in a person!
Kathy, your post, sharing the wealth, is what I’ve been thinking about. Truly, those blog awards should remind us to share! And it ain’t just about Christmas! It’s an easy way to pass on the happiness, which can only be could for our troubled world.
I get so much from being here in blog-world, something I never expected, because I started my blog to have a consistent place to go to write so my head doesn’t explode! Never occurred to me that anyone would READ my essays! >:-D
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Isn’t it fun? I felt the same way when I started my blog–did for me, but now it means something to a good many other people. That is totally cool.
Thanks for being a part of my online life, Laurel. I’m honored to have you on my blogroll.
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Thank you, Kathy. What a lovely thing to say! So happy I was haunting Bagni di Lucca and discovered you there!
I love that folks read what I write even when it isn’t all sunshine and flowers! (Still can’t believe they do, but there you go.)
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Oh, wow. I had no idea that’s how you came upon my blog. How cool!
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Kathy – I love discovering a blogging treasure and I’ve found a few through the year by participating in a blog hop for the first time ever – apparently they’re addictive, more followed. Thanks for giving me another list to work my way through. I’m looking forward to a weekend of discovery. Thanks!
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Ryshia. It was great to have you visit, and I’m delighted you will take a look at the blogs my friends have created. They are well-worth your time, I think. I hope you will come back soon————–
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What a lovely idea for a Christmas gift…quite delightful.
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Thanks, Charlie. I’ve been proud to have you on my blogroll for a long time. I appreciate the gifts your poems are to me every day.
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Way to kill three birds with one blog post! 🙂
This really is a great way to thank those who awarded you and to highlight the blogs you enjoy reading. Thank you for sharing your reading list with us. I’m always looking for another good read!
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Isn’t that the truth. It’s a busy time of year. Sara claims I don’t know how to multi-task, but I beg to differ! Thanks, Terri, for being on my blogroll for a long while now! Hugs—————
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I’m thrilled to be included in your blogroll! Thanks so much!
And you’ve just introduced me to several new bloggers whom I can’t wait to get to know more about. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. 🙂
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Jackie, I’m honored to have guest blogged for you and to have you on my blogroll. I love you blog–especially the Shine series. Happy holidays, my friend————-
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Yay! What an awesome Christmas gift! Blogging has become more of an adventure than I gave it credit for when I started. I’ve met so many funny people, and people like you, who touch my heart. Your post yesterday about Kimmy brought tears to my eyes. I love your blog so.
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You are such a sweetie, Miranda. Thanks so much for the award, and thanks for being a delightful part of my blogging family. Oops–better thank Mark for introducing us–sort of.
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great idea…& what a surprise to be included on your blogroll! thank you…
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You are so welcome, Ulrica. I love the dog photos you post. Nothing like a canine to brighten ones morning. Hope you have a great weekend.
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Thank you for including Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on your blogroll. I hope I can live up to expectations. The blog is about our gorgeous village in Italy and our travels between there and Brisbane, Australia.
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I’m so happy to have you on my blogroll, Deb. Your posts about Italy are stunning. The photos in and of themselves are worth the visit to your blog. Thanks so much for allowing me to link to you, my friend.
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I`M Glad to read this nice post 🙂
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Thanks so much for reading. Great to have you stop by. Hope you’ll come back soon!
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Thanks for adding Lame Adventures to your blogroll Santa Kathy. My blog is about my own tales of Manhattan, essentially goofball antics set in the city that never sleeps. From what readers have told me it is a reliable source of brainless workplace escape.
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I, for one, love your Lame Adventures–great escape in the Big Apple. Too funny. It’s hard not to appreciate your sense of humor and fun! Thanks for being a part of my blogroll.
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Kathy, you are too sweet! Thanks for the mention. 🙂
Not sure exact;y how to describe my blog other than it’s full of random stuff that’s rattling around in my brain. Lots of tidbits dealing with what’s gong on and as I think of them, I’m sharing some things I’ve learned working with crystals, herbs, and energy in general.
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Oh yes … almost forgot … have a wonderful holiday season! *hugs*
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Thanks so much. Happy holidays to you, too!
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Thanks so much for describing your blog for anyone who might not be familiar with it. And thanks so much for being part of my online family. It’s an honor to have you on my blogroll.
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Always on the hunt for cool new blogs to read – thanks for the recommendations, Kathy!
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You are so welcome, Mark. Hope you are recovering comfortably this weekend. Be sure to take it easy.
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Thank you, Kathy!! What a wonderful blogging Christmas present you’ve passed on. How cool!
My blog–Lake Superior Spirit–is about living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, in a little House in the Big Woods. (I read too much Laura Ingalls Wilder as a child. In fact I read some of the books again last month.) It’s got a little bit of everything and can go off in photography directions or turn backwards and write a memoir of older days, thanks to this here blog. **grin**
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Thanks for taking the time to describe your blog, Kathy. Yours is one of new favorites, for sure. And your memoir posts are a hoot! Everyone should read what you write! Stay warm this weekend, my friend!
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Thank you, Kathy. Do you ever get exhausted after you write a memoir? I wrote today’s and slept for an hour!
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Oh, Kathy, I find it totally exhausting. I don’t know that anything has ever exhausted me more, in fact. That’s something about this process I had forgotten to share. But, gosh, I loved the piece you posted today. I just loved it!
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Wow, what a great gift! I’ve explored a little bit of your list and found some real keepers. I’ve be coming back to check out the others.
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Oh, cool, Sandy. So glad you found some new blogs to follow. I think they all have a lot to offer–for very different reasons.
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Thank you so much for including me here! I take forever to get around to reading, but I do eventually get there. Most the time. (Sometimes I get so far behind, I have to start with a clean slate!)
My blog is about how most of the monsters in our closets would be happy to leave (or join us for coffee) if we’d just open the door and face ’em. 🙂
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Oh, Deb, let’s face it. It’s just not possible to read everything. I have more often than I’d like just had to start over and miss some posts. It happens when you follow a lot of blogs.
I’m honored to have you on my blogroll, though–truly honored!
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That is a great selection of blogs on your list.
Congrats on your much deserved awards! 🙂
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Thank you, Robin. I’m excited about the new blogs I’ve been discovering. I love my “blog-mates”–as you call them.
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Thanks for all the blog links! Going to have to check out those ones I’m not already following.
PS: Great idea to say thank you to the bloggers you’ve enjoyed following. Might just have to steal it . . . 😉
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Theft can be a good thing, my friend! Steal away————
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Thank you, Kathy, I feel honored.
Sorry I’m running behind. I wasn’t able to keep up after my surgery. I’m going to have to do some skipping and hopping to catch up. Glad I didn’t skip this one.
I have multiple identities on the web, but use my married name, Christine M Grote on my blog (that I really started by calling it Random Thoughts from Midlife, which is actually still the URL). You might find me commenting as CMSmith, which is my maiden name. My Twitter name adds the number 57, which is my birth year, but which I think people may believe is my age. As I soon will be 57 in a matter of years, I don’t worry about it too much. Eventually it will be to my advantage.
I self-published a memoir called Dancing in Heaven about the life and death of my severely disabled sister. She filled our lives with light. I blog about my indie experience.
I also blog about my father who has Alzheimer’s, and whatever else may occupy my mind when I awake in the morning, for I am in the middle of my life and I believe these years deserve to not only be recognized, but celebrated.
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You write about a lot, and you do it so well. Sometimes you just have to skip ahead and miss posts. I’ve had to do it Glad your recovery has gone well. I’m honored to have you in my blogging life, Christine.
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A wonderful Christmas gift, Kathy! (workign on getting caught up)
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Thanks for reading, Rose. I bet you’re glad the sememester is over!
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