Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Meeting Blog Friends

One of the greatest joys on our recent trip out west was getting to meet BLOG friends for the first time... We met Becky (and hubby Mike) on June 10 at Jackson, TN at Logan's for lunch.  Then,  on June 12,  we met Vadarae (pronounced Vada Rae) at Cheddar's in Amarillo,  Texas for lunch.  AND--on June 24,  we met Linda (and hubby Terry) at Grand Junction, CO for lunch at the Golden Corral.

All of the gorgeous mountains,  canyons,  and even the snow don't EVER take the place of good friends in our lives... Seeing these wonderful folks was truly a JOY for George and me---and gave us some much needed breaks throughout the trip.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.  Above is a picture of Becky and Mike.  Becky's blog is Thoroughly Blended Hearts  and I encourage you to check it out --if you don't follow her already.  She takes incredible pictures...  Below are more pictures.




Here is another picture of Becky and me ---as we stood outside after our lunch.




On June 12,  as we went through Amarillo, Texas,   we met one of my wonderful email buddies,  Vadarae,  at Cheddar's for lunch.  Vadarae doesn't have a blog --although she visits mine regularly.  I am trying to talk her into starting one herself.  She is known as the Cotton Lady to those who know her through blogging.  We had a wonderful time together ---and it was hard to leave that day!!!!




Here's another picture of Vadarae and me  in the restaurant.




A nice man volunteered to take our picture together when we were outside the restaurant following lunch.




Then, on June 24,  as we traveled through Grand Junction, Colorado,  we met blog friend Linda and her hubby Terry for lunch.  Linda has a great blog,  Life on a Colorado Farm,  and I have learned so much about farming from her and Terry.  (I am known to ask a bunch of stupid questions to her --since I know nothing about farming... ha)   Check out her blog.  She gives the history of her area in western Colorado in addition to talking about the trials and tribulations of farming.




Here is a picture of Linda and me --standing outside the restaurant after our meal.   Linda, Vadarae and me not only are into blogging ---but the three of us have a fabulous email relationship.   I hope that the three of us can get together sometime for a Girls' Week....  I don't think that any of us would EVER stop talking!!!!! ha

George and I are so blessed to have so many friends --through blogging and email.  We have met quite a few ---and these special friendships are for LIFE I'm sure.   God Bless Becky, Mike, Vadarae,  Linda and Terry.... They are such special people to us...

Hope you get to meet Blog Friends sometime too... It is truly such a joy...  You 'really' know each other ahead of time ---but meeting in person just makes the bond even stronger.

Hugs,

58 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hi Betsy, it is so nice that you were able to meet your blogging friends along the way on your trip. I visit Betsy's blog often and enjoy her photos and post.It is nice to put faces with the names and blogs.

Twilight Man said...

You are so fortunate to meet lovely bloggers as friends. They are always interesting people who have so much wonderful stories to share. Their photos showed their sincere and very friendly looks! I would love to meet all of you someday too, can I ??
Before I dream on, I will start visiting their blogs first... I am off to airport soon and Happy Weekend!

Darla said...

This was a huge bonus to your already wonderful trip!!

Tabor said...

How nice of you to take the time to stop and meet them all.

RoeH said...

I am absolutely intrigued by this blogger thing that takes total strangers and turns them into close friends. We've never met (usually) but we get involved in each other's life and if feels like we've known them for forever. And then meeting them? No awkwardness at all! That's what is interesting.

Is their a psychologist in the house? I want to know why it works like this.

And thank heaven it does. You find out that there are just great people in this country and the bad ones do not outweigh the good ones.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

That is great. There are so many wonderful people out there. Glad you could get together in person with your friends.

Jo said...

Hi Betsy, How wonderful to meet up with blogger and email friends. Glad to have you back after your trip. Blessings. Jo

Ruth Hiebert said...

The smiles on each face show tell the story.I do hope that sometime I get to meet some of my blog friends.

From the Kitchen said...

All of you look like long-time friends who are overjoyed to see each other again. Well, I guess you are! I'm still amazed at the friendships I'm making in the wonderful world of blogging! Thanks for sharing them with us. And, if you ever come this way, I'll be waiting for you.

Best,
Bonnie

Big Dude said...

I really like getting to know my blogger buddies in person. Glad you had the opportunity to meet up with several.

Anonymous said...

As you know I have met a couple blogging friends in person as well. It is a wonderful experience to meet in person someone whom you have gotten to know on paper. I have not felt any awkwardness in meeting my blogging friends. I'm happy that you met three blogging friends on your trip out west! How wonderful!

Arkansas Patti said...

The beauty of meeting blogger buddies is that it is more like a reunion as you all ready know a lot about them.
You and Vadarae look like you might share genes.
What a nice add on to a long trip.

Betty Manousos said...

Hi Betsy,

how wonderful! you're so lucky to meet those wonderful blogging friends in person!

i do hope to get to meet my blogging friends sometime!

love how happy you all look in these photos!
so lovely smiles!

have a great day!
hugs
betty xx

MadSnapper said...

thanks for letting us share your blog friends, the photos are great and almost as good as meeting them. this was a big part of your most incredible trip. wow

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

You really did have a great trip, didn't you!? Sounds like fun; I've often thought I'd like to meet some blog-friends...and you're right...you really DO already know them!

TexWisGirl said...

wow! whirlwind blog tour! that is so neat you got to meet them in person! they all look and sound like fine folks. LOVE your short hair. :)

Beth said...

The happiness is evident not just in your smiles but in your eyes and body language! So glad you got to do this. I can hear the laughter just by looking at the photos! :-)

LV said...

I think this is wonderful. I hope someday I will meet some of my blogging friends. I feel I already know some of them, just not in person. You and George are so blessed in so many ways. I trust you will always have the good life.

Dorothy said...

Nothing like having good friends!!! It must be really special to meet your blogging friends!!

Becca's Dirt said...

I love that you and George were able to do this. I know it was a lot of fun meeting these wonderful people. I think that I'm already following these blogs. I love that blogging has become so popular and we have made so many friends. I still intend to get up there and meet you guys and also make plans to visit other bloggers as well. There are a lot of people I want to meet. Haven't gotten down to Darla's yet but that is coming soon. Thanks for sharing Betsy.

CottonLady said...

Betsy, I so loved seeing you and George in person!! As one said, it WAS more like a reunion. Yep, you and I do look like we could be related...with our red hair! I think back with a broad smile on our time together in Amarillo. My next "best friend" to meet is Linda and I look forward to that also.
Just will need the WD-40 when we all get together again!
Blessings to you, my friend
CottonLady

Fred Alton said...

What a fantastic way to enjoy one's vacation! Meeting "strangers" who are really friends sounds like my cup of tea.

amelia said...

That must be so nice to meet people for the first time but already be friends!!

I Am Woody said...

So glad you were able to meet. The blogosphere is such a wonderful place:)

KathyA said...

Meeting blogger friends is so very exciting! Looking forward to meeting you and George one day -- perhaps at Dockside in Calabash? :)

Anonymous said...

That's so nice to be able to travel across America & meet some blogging folks along the way! =)

Tes said...

Aww... so exciting to meet blogging buddies! Blogging revolutionize the word "virtual." Friendship goes beyond mere blogging. Such a joyful trip. Good to hear you and George had a wonderful trip! :) *hugs*

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

This is so nice to meet blog friends! Neat...

Connie said...

What fun to have the opportunity to meet blog friends while on your vacation trip, Betsy! I'm sure that made your trip all the more special. :)

Cheryl @ TFD said...

You and George have such great smiles, Betsy. It looks like you both are really enjoying your vacation and getting to meet blog friends. How neat! I hope to meet you one day, too.

Ginny Hartzler said...

How exciting this is, you got to meet so many!!!! And really good pictures, though I did have a hard time taking my eyes off that crab on your t-shirt!! Cute little fella!

Sally Wessely said...

This is just great! I am so excited that you were able to meet some blogging buddies on your trip.

Ms. A said...

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

Terry and Linda said...

You are so right...meeting new "old" friends is just perfect. It's like we have always known each other forever!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Chatty Crone said...

You all look like wonderful friends. I'm glad you got to meet them. I have been able to meet a few too - right here in Atlanta and have become friends with them.

BLOGS ARE AWESOME!

Diane said...

It's great that you got to meet some of your bloggers and e mail friends. Nothing like it. I'm sure it brightened the trip up a lot. Diane

imac said...

Its a real highlight to meet Blogging friends.
Your friends look happy, and pleased.

Neal said...

You are 100% correct...nothing can take the place of good friends.

Hidden Haven Homestead said...

I am so jealous you met Linda!!! Have been a blog friend of hers for years but never met her in person. It was so great seeing your and her photo. I can just imagine all the wonderful conversations you had with all your blog friends. That is always a special part of any trip. Have a great weekend my friend and love the photos!!

Janice K said...

I'm sure meeting these blogging friends will be a very special memory from your trip. One of the special things about blogging friends is that you share some similar interests--That's why you usually follow their blog. Often our regular friends may have known us for life, but are not interested in things we have in common with our blogging friends.

Lynda said...

I can tell you all had a great time. It is written over everyone's face. Blogworld has enlarged all of our circles of friends. LOVE it!

Ann said...

what a treat to meet all those blog friends while you were on your trip. Love the photos. I'll have to check out their blogs.
I haven't had the chance yet to meet any other bloggers

Leontien said...

Ohh that looks and sounds great! You can come here anytime and we can hang out! ;-)

I'll go check out everybodys blog and thank you for sharing AND your sweet comment on my 4th of July post!

Leontien

Catherine said...

How fun is that ~ meeting some of your blog friends! Very fun! Well Betsy, you know the moment I head down your way I will be giving you a shout!! ;)

Sweet dreams friend!
xo Catherine

Anonymous said...

What a blessing to have met with these folks in person! The photos are just great - love the happy smiles!

Shug said...

What a Blessing...This is absolutely the best of the best, meeting friends all across the country...I am so proud for you to have had this wonderful opportunity to fellowship with those you have been in contact with via the internet...
Blessings to you Betsy...
shug

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Awww shooot...meeting you and George was extra special for us...true friends through the blog are wonderful!!! Now I can blog about meeting you two!!!
Have a wonderful weekend Betsy!!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This is so wonderful, Betsy! I love all your photos and it looks like you all had a fun time together!

I was very disappointed not to be able to meet Diane B. from Australia when she and her husband visited NYC recently. I was still in a lot of pain from my eye injury and I was worried I wouldn't be able to see well enough to travel from Brooklyn into Manhattan to meet uuo with her. We did speak on the phone and Diane has a lovely voice.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Blog friends certainly have enriched my life...as yours too.
Love the happy photos. I love that your one friend is just a blog reader...certainly she has something to share as well. Right???
xoxoxo

Loren said...

Oh Betsy...what a heartwarming post! I can tell how blessed you were to meet your blog friends but I am certain they were just as blessed if not more so! :) You and George are so precious and I am so thankful to have met you both in this bloggy world!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

One of the unexpected benefits of blogging is the new "virtual" friends one meets.

Rebecca said...

How awesome is that, Betsy! Maybe you three will get to have that girl week soon.

Waving from Our Back Porch,
Rebecca

SquirrelQueen said...

How exciting it must have been to meet blogging friends on your trip. From all of the smiles in the photos above I can tell everyone had a great time.

happyone said...

How nice you got to meet so many of your blogger friends. That is always such a pleasure. I've met some of mine too and some even live close.

Janie said...

How fun to get to meet some of your blogger friends in person. They all sound like interesting folks.

Donna said...

I have met several and that just makes the friendships even more special! Hopefully, we can meet up sometime!

Linda said...

It sure is nice to see a picture of Linda and Terry!! Thanks!

Cicero Sings said...

So nice that you could meet up with fellow bloggers ... always so fun! I'm particularly happy to see a picture of "Cottonlady" as she comments sometimes on my blog.