I got an Award and so did they

This has taken me forever to post. It's not that I've forgotten, I haven't but somehow it just didn't make it to a post yet. Christephie over at Sprouting Flowers nominated me for a Kreativ Blogger "award" back in February.  Getting this notice in my comments (getting comments makes me giddy) made me really happy. It's nice to be noticed for my small contribution to the internet ether.

I've read some stuff online of other people recieving this nomination, mostly people feel this is a "chain letter' type thing. The rules for the initial recipients could make it seem that way, I suppose. Except there is no dire warning or empty promise of luck or love attached if you fail to follow through. In all honesty, I could have accepted the acknowledgment with a tip of the hat and merrily went on my way. One of the reasons I haven't posted this yet was because I didn't know what I was going to do with it. Nominate or not? Walk away with a smile that someone likes me (they really like me!) or lead on with the trend and show others I really like them?

To me, this is a "pay it forward" type of thing. Like giving someone a hug and they hug another in return. Or paying for the guy behind you in the toll booth. Just a little random act of kindness that doesn't cost anymore than a few minutes of my time. I'm all for kindness.

So, without further explaination, here are four blogs I nominate for Kreativ Blogger and why. (in no particular order)

1. A Mountain Hearth - for her incredible nature themed crafts

2. Mystic Orb - for their amazing woodworking skills and homesteading handicrafts

3. Trina's Doings - for her inspiration and tutorials and her super cute quilts

4. Twenty-one Tomatoes - for her food, her sewing, her gardening and her many thumbs-ups

There are many others out there that inspire and stir me. You've not been forgotten and your blogs are not any less important to me. To those that have been nominated this round (if I get it again by some happenstance, I'll choose four new blogs), and want to play along, just right click on the photo above and save to your computer.

Support System

I know this photo is ridiculously large but I wanted to really show these tiny tendrils to you. I was outside today taking photos of the garden and kids. The weather is still accommodating for new growth and these snap peas have really taken off over the past few weeks. I hope they make it through and give me something before the cold sets in for good but what will be will be.

Getting back to the point, what dawned on me while I was snapping the snap peas is their ability to support themselves. Epiphany struck and I started thinking about human support systems. You see, these little seedlings don't have any inhibitions; they need a lift up, they reach out, they seize the closest thing that will help them. Sometimes it's a sturdy branch, one that will support them throughout their lives, never wavering. Other times it's a neighbors own outstretched hand. The bond may last. They may grow apart. They make multiple anchors throughout their lives just in case one fails, they won't fall. They provide a strong support system for the babies they produce.

They reach out, grab a hold and hold on. They don't apologize for needing help. They're not ashamed when the weight of their lives gets too heavy for them and they need support.

It got me thinking about the times in my life where I've needed assistance. Did I ask for help or try and shoulder things too heavy? Who was there to grab my hand? Is there anyone in my life now, extending their hands looking for support? Even if I can't be someone's sturdy branch, can I link with someone as we help each other?

It may be silly, finding these little life altering gems of realization, in things as innocuous as a snap pea tendril but maybe it's taking the time to find those things