I know, I know.

I have been a little absent lately. I read on a blogger-tips website that you aren't supposed to announce that to your followers, but guess what? I just did!

I've been feeling a bit... lackluster the past few weeks or so when it comes to my blog. I love it, but it takes so much time and energy and I think every one of us has asked ourselves at some point or other "Why the heck do I spend so much time doing this???" So, I figured it was a nice time to take a small break and reflect on that very question.

But, quite honestly, I know deep down that the "why" is not so I can show you pictures of my house and get positive feedback on every great or questionable project that I choose to tackle. It's not so I can show off my amazing cooking skillz (or lack thereof, as evidenced by my recently made "Warty Bread"- thanks Jane for that! Hehe!). It's not even so I can write about what I'm thinking.

The reason I am driven to blog, the one and only reason, is because of the relationships, and the friendships that I have made. It's the interaction here, in places like Twitter, through emails, and through reading YOUR blogs.

Without my blog, I never would have met some of you! So here's a shout out to some of my favorite bloggers (of course in no particular order!):

Jane: who never ceases to amaze me with her organized, beautiful space called The Borrowed Abode.

Ashley: who I got to meet in real life and drink Chai tea with (and seriously, check out her blog. She is one of the best photographers I have ever seen!).

Kristi: who continually encourages and uplifts women through her beautifully written, well-thought out words.

Jenn: Who is so talented when it comes to decorating her plates with food and helping people eat and live healthier, and will actually take the time to tweet back and forth with me about things like avocados. =)

Cindy: From "The Flipping Couple" who is a real-life friend and introduced me to Google Analytics and The Pioneer Woman. Need I say more?

All Things Jane- who also happens to be a real-life friend who blogs and has some of the funnest, most inspirational projects on her site.

These are just a few of the people I have met since I started blogging. I'm looking forward to interacting with all of you even more, and gaining more friends through this blog as well. After all, isn't that what blogging is all about?