Liberty Cafe- Renton, WA

Remember the post about Jet City Expresso? Well, good things have come out of that little shop. 

Mike Moskowitz was a former barista there and now he is the co-owner of the Liberty Cafe in Downtown Renton. 
 

Liberty Cafe is more than just a coffee shop. It is a place where community gathers. 
It is a place to sip a drink, chat, find out about what is happening in Renton, or be entertained. Liberty Cafe is a ' must stop at' destination when visiting down town Renton.

Happy Delusions- Renton, WA

Where does a person go if they want to purchase a really unique craft, piece of jewelry or an awesome work of art?  Happy Delusions is a wonderful store in Downtown Renton. The owner, Mary, has done an amazing job of setting up a store which features local artists, jewelery, crafts and designers. Her love for downtown Renton is more than evident. 

Mary says, "We believe that the more committed we are to our community the more successful all of us become."* She really walks the talk and is very involved in community.

 If you aren't in Washington State, you can still visit Happy Delusions via their blog.

*Quote taken from the Happy Delusions website 

A Splendid Maze - Part 5

24. Sleepy, beneath clouds - 

This is another of my daughter's photo blog. She rarely updates it, but when she does, I enjoy looking at all the photos she has uploaded. 

25. You're A Great American-

This was the blog formerly known as "Dialogue with Stone"...It is a blog by a journalist/writer. I won't even begin to try to explain how I came to be an avid reader of this blog. The creativity and ability to mold words into literary sculptures is amazing to me. I enjoy both David Weir's blog and this blog for what I am able to learn. Again, I don't always see eye to eye with the ideas or thoughts of the writer, but I do enjoy the marvelous talent demonstrated. 

26. Windy Skies  

This is an exceptional blog. Each post not only has magnificent photographs, but the words paint their own pictures. Anil has a way with words which draws the reader right into the center of the post. Remarkable blog!

And for now...those are the blogs I am following...I'm sure I'll be adding more in the days or weeks ahead.  

A Splendid Maze - Part 4

Hold on tight, there are more blogs to explore...

20. Reflections - 


How do I begin to tell you about this wonderful blog or the woman who authors it? Nancy takes each blog post very seriously. She makes sure it will cause  you to laugh or cry or learn something. She never just throws out an update; you can tell every new blog post was well researched and well written. 


In my opinion, she was the one who got me into this whole blogging maze! hah! It was because of her wonderful blog that I became an avid 'blog reader' ... I can't even remember how many blogs I've been introduced to as a result of Nancy's blog. Nancy if you are reading this- THANK YOU!!!! (and please keep updating)


21. Seat of Our Pants -


This is one of my 'lurking' blogs. I only comment from time to time...but I don't miss reading every single update. They are short but very interesting. I've enjoyed traveling from Nepal to India to Southeast Asia and now to Europe and Turkey with this delightful couple.

22. SEO Tips- 


Bob has been someone who has commented consistently on my blog. I never could find his blog until today- So far- one post is up and I found it very informative! Although I'm an avid comment maker on many blogs, I didn't realize this was a tool which enabled more inbound links- how interesting! I look forward to reading many more posts.

23. Simply Speaking by "A" Simple Blogger- 


This blog offers such variety. I love each and every post. I've learned new things...I've enjoyed pictures..poetry...and more. I beg to differ with the title of the blog: this is by no means written by a simple blogger!


There are only three more blogs to go...

A Splendid Maze - Part 3

I'm excited to be able to introduce you to a few more of the blogs I love.

14. Le Monde- A Poetic Travail- 

How do I even try to give justice to this blog. Nisha is an amazing woman who not only blogs about travel but actually gets out there and does it! I love her spirit and her attitude. Her blog has been the portal into many other blogs here in blogland. Also, I know I've had many visitors to my blog who say, "Oh I came over here via Nisha's blog" I can't say I have seen even one post on Nisha's blog I did not like. They are all wonderful.


15. life, lime and lemons- 


I have such a fondness for this blog. Although the posts are few and far between, each and every one of the posts speaks to me. I 'get' what is being said. It has been great watching a single woman become a wife and now going back to work. No matter how short the updates are they are packed with insight.


16. Music Road -


Kerry Dexter outdoes herself in this blog. She introduces the readers to great talent. I have gotten to know singers and music styles I would have never known had it not been for this blog. I especially love the suggestions for music on various road trips. Kerry and Vera partner each other with suggestions on books and music for each place you might travel to. 


17. One Life- 


Sneo has a love for travel which very few people have. She has done a marvelous job introducing her readers to great eating places, or travel spots. In the midst of her introductions she is not afraid to bare her soul. She is authentic and this is what draws me to her blog.


18. One year. 156 Fears. Life Changing- 


Here is a woman who knows how to face her fears. I was introduced to Joy's blog through the blogathon I've been participating in. I did not only read up on her recent posts, but I went back and read her back posts to bring myself up to date. It is wonderful how she has chosen to embrace life. Recently, she did a guest post on my blog. 


19. Popcorn Homestead -


Here is another blog I came to know via the blogathon. It has been wonderful reading about Joan's life in Japan. She loves vegetables, gardening, and plants. I enjoy learning new things and having memories of Japan being brought back to me. 


Can you believe we are still NOT done...there are GREAT blogs coming up...to be continued...

A Splendid maze - Part 2

Are you ready to explore more blogs? 


8. David Weir-

David Weir is a journalist/writer. He has lived a full life and now in this blog he shares with the reader his thoughts on life. His thoughts don't always mirror mine, but I've learned much from reading this blog. I hope one day he will choose to write an autobiography. I stumbled on his blog via Dialogue with Stone (which is now called- "You're A Great American")

9. Ed Pilolla-  


This is a blog I just stumbled into (as a result of a comment made by the author)- and I've already fallen in love with it. I still need to explore more of it....but so far, I do love what I've read.

10. Encounter with a Super Star -


Here is a blog which I enjoy every time there is a new update posted. The reason I get excited and rush to read what it says, is because I never know what direction the blog update will take me in. It might introduce me to a great new invention, or open up new doors into what life is like somewhere else in the world. Often it takes me down memory lane. Whatever the post update, it is never disappointing.


11. Feeble Fingers -


My daughter Katrina has three blogs, which I know of. She hardly updates them, but when she does I enjoy reading what she has to say. This particular blog features Polaroid pictures she has picked up from thrift shops or friends. She posts the picture and then writes a haiku to accompany it. I love her creativity and insight into each picture. Often she will see something I never thought of noticing.


12. FoXnoMad -


Okay, you know how there are people and then there are PEOPLE...well there are blogs and then there are BLOGS! I would have to put Anil's blog into the category of a BLOG. It is outstanding. The amount of information I have learned via his blog is astounding. Also, he is the culprit for introducing me to so many other blogs. (He probably doesn't know it- but his recommendations woo me into the mazes of many a blog)


13. Frugal Kiwi- 


Here is another excellent blog in which I just lurk. I don't think I've made many comments, but I do enjoy each update. 


Can you believe we are NOT done yet...to be continued....

A splendid maze - Part 1

When I first started this blog, I decided to call it "Blulbhulaiyan" which can roughly be translated as maze or labyrinth. These entries were not going to be perfectly laid out, but rather spots to jump off into topic after topic. Little did I know, the title of my blog would not only refer to my own posts but other blogs which I have come to love reading. 


As I read some blogs, a link or a mention of another blog would draw me into more blogs. Sometimes I meander around and get lost in those blogs. There are blogs I click on and never return to and then there are those which I go back to time and time again. Some I comment on every post. Other blogs I simply lurk in, savoring every post and never commenting.


When you enjoy something you want to share it with others. So, I decided to do a short series on the blogs I love to follow. Due to how many blogs there are, they will be divided into a five part series ..."of blogs I love to read"...They aren't going to be put in order of which I love the most, but rather in alphabetical order. This will be the easy part of the maze...once you start exploring each blog, you will definitely find your own labyrinth. ENJOY!

Ready or not...here we go...


1. A travel blog of an Indian Backpacker- 

This is a blog I recently started following. Another blogger friend of mine, Nisha*, tweeted about one of my posts and this led Lakshmi, the author of the above blog, to leave a comment...which in turn, caused me to go visit her blog and I have never wanted to leave. The pictures are to die for! You MUST at least visit this blog.


2. A Traveler's Library- 


I'm an avid fan of this particular blog. If you are a reader and a traveler, this is a must have blog on your list. The only problem is the reviews on the books are so good...I have too many books on my 'must read' list. Seriously though, Vera, the author of the blog, outdoes herself in every post.


3. AweZim God-


This is a blog by my dear friend, Heidi. She and her family are now stationed in Zimbabwe. They were formerly in Ghana and adopted a precious little boy from Ghana- their miracle baby. I love to follow the progress of this precious family. 

4. Bike with Jackie -  


This is a new blog I've recently come across as a result of the blogathon. If you want an inspirational blog, then this is the one you need to read! I'm still exploring; I love what I've seen.

5. Border town Notes-


This is a blog of a woman in Botswana. She doesn't update that often, but when she does the updates are great. The pictures are wonderful. 


6. Chezsven Blog: Wellfleet Today -


Alexandra Grabbe runs an inn, keeping as true to 'green' as can be! Her posts are both informative and entertaining. Her blog has taught me so much. I believe I found her blog via one of Vera's posts. Alexandra is fellow blogathonner. In fact, I think it was through her blog I found out about the blogathon.


7. Color Me Sunshine! -


Okay, I can't say enough about her blog. She hasn't been updating as frequently lately, but every update is great. I love her "take" on life. I love the recipes she posts. She and I have communicated outside of the blog world. I no longer just consider her a 'blog I read' but I count her as a friend. I believe I stumbled onto her blog through "Reflections".*

...will continue tomorrow...


*Nisha's and Nancy's blogs will be featured later- remember I'm doing this in alphabetical order (by the name of the blog)