Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Blog Sites You Read that Aren't About Books


It's been a while since I've made a Top Ten List over at The Broke and the Bookish.  Honestly, for a while there I felt like the lists were a little repetitive...and then I just completely forgot :(  This is one of my favorite memes so I'm very glad to participate this week.  Even though this is bookish meme, I'm honestly glad to have an opportunity to see what other readers read about when they're not reading books.  (How about that sentence for monotony?)  Seriously, my TBR shelves are overflowing, Amazon is soon going to cut off my WishList and I will never have enough money or time to read all the books I want to read.  I also LOVE to explore new blogs...I can't wait to see what others have found.

From time to time, I find myself spending more time reading blogs than writing on my own.  So, one of my first tasks of summer vacation was to clean up my blogroll a little bit.  I had created such a monster list that I would frequently miss updates that I really wanted to see.  I've also struggled with whether or not to lump all my blog reading material into one blogroll or to separate them into categorized lists.  And, yes, I've tried Google Reader...I just don't like it :(  
Anyhoo, I separated the gargantuan blog roll into categories again and created a list of blogs whose updates I do not want to miss.  I call them my Daily Distractions :) Some are book blogs, but others are not, so here they are, my top ten blog sites I read that don't have anything to do with books:

1.  Pioneer Woman - Ree Drummond - Love her or hate her, she's my #1 bc honestly stumbling on her first cookbook right after it was released and reading it cover to cover while actually sitting in the bookstore is what really introduced me to what blogging could be...and then to this fabulous community of people I had been missing out on all this time.



2.  The 7MSN Ranch - Linda Carson, her dog Smooch, a host of cats, chickens, donkeys, a rawther large pig and a horse live "7 Miles South of Nowhere" in New Mexico.  I fell in love with Linda's black cat Deets (who unfortunately disappeared) but have come to love all of the animals.  Linda's known for her participation in donkey rescue as well as ranch antics with her animals participating/leading the conversations.  Funny stuff here on most days :)


**header created and owned by Linda Carson @ The 7MSN

3.  This Old House 2 - Karen lives in a big old house, which she and her family renovated.  She loves horses, dogs, her home, and finding unwanted animals new homes.  Karen's is a place I go to remind myself that one person can make a difference in the lives of shelter animals, even if she can't necessarily bring them all home with her.


**header created and owned by Karen @ This Old House 2

4. Pawcurious - Dr. Jessica Vogelsang is a fairly new discovery for me. She was a 2012 Bloggie nominee and provides vet advice as well as information pertaining to animals in an easily accessed, easily understandable way.  Dr. V., as she is called, is a personable vet and talks about all kinds of animal related issues, not just symptoms and diagnosis.


**image belongs to Dr. V @ Pawcurious


5.   Chronicles of a Country Girl - Kate, her husband and their Border Collie George live in an older home in the country in Maryland.  Kate's blog is the most peaceful of all the blogs I visit...while she has a job outside her home, and her husband is a recovering cancer patient, her blog focuses on her photography.  The pictures she takes of the nature around her are incredible, and Kate knows when to apply layers and techniques to photos in order to make them look like works of art.  Spectacular stuff here, but it never feels like a random photo blog or sales pitch.


**header created and owned by Kate @ Chronicles of a Country Girl

6.   The Coupon Goddess - Melanie Feehan is exactly what her blog title says.  She is a coupon goddess.  Her blog is not a list of specials at the store as some other coupon blogs are, and she is not one of those freaky people you see on tv.  Melanie blogs about life, her family, shares her commitment to the military in her area through community projects, and almost a year ago began sharing with her readers her long exhausting recovery from being hit by a car.  Melanie has a lot of spunk and gumption.  A strong, determined woman who refuses to give up and challenges others to live their lives to the fullest...definitely a pick-me-up :)



7.  Joyful Always - Roan Johnson - a friend of mine from college, Roan has 5 kids who she homeschools brilliantly, a husband, a beautiful home and extended family and is a runner.  Roan is concerned, as am I, about the food we feed our families, saving money, and faith.  Roan just recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and walked through the first part of her treatment and surgery with her readers.  Roan inspires me every day...I am honestly amazed at how much she manages to manage ;)



8.  Our Front Door  - Mindee is the mom of this blog.  She writes about family, school, recipes in a no-nonsense, non frilly sortof way...real life here, folks.  Mindee's sarcasm and humor keep me coming back for more, two characteristics one must have when raising kids :)


**header created and owned by Mindee @ Our Front Door

9.  Queen of My Castle - Paula is an army wife with grown children, some hers and some his.  Since I've been reading her blog, Paula has moved twice, first from Hawaii to Rhode Island and more recently from Rhode Island to Washington (the state, not D.C.).  Her blog is about life as an army seargant's wife, a stepmother, mother of the bride and brand new grandmother.  She throws in a little cooking, entertaining and home and garden from time to time.


10.   On the Way to Critter Farm - Danni was a big city girl who got tired of the high stress environment.  She moved her husband and two sons to the country and now takes care of her farm, her animals, including dog, cat, llamas, and donkeys. 


**snapshot from Danni @ On the Way to Critter Farm



So there you have it!
My Top Ten Blogs I Read that Have Nothing to do with Books :)


24 comments:

  1. Oh ho ho.  Girl, it was DANGEROUS for me to read these! I can't get anything done and all I read are book blogs.  When it comes to animals and cooking, I could sucked in pretty easily.  Uuuuuugh.  I'm going to have to check these out.  I may never get another review written again.

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  2. Believe me, I understand!! :)

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  3. Peppermint, there are so many wonderful blogs to enjoy! You've chosen some exceptional ones. I'm familiar with just a few of them, but may refer to others from time to time.  Your list is terrific!!

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  4. I LOVE the Pioneer Woman! She's too awesome. I'm going to have a little mosey on over to On the Way to Critter Farm, because it looks too adorable!

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  5. Thanks! Is it any wonder that we spend so much time reading blogs???  I have been on my computer all morning already reading other lists...and it's not looking like I'm getting off any time soon!! 

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  6. Laura, Danni has been away for a few weeks but she'll be back :) You can catch up on her story until then :) 

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  7. Melanie {The Coupon Goddess}May 22, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    I'm humbled by making your list. You've long been such a supportive reader and I so appreciate it. Thank you for all of your kind comments. I always enjoy getting your feedback. It's insightful. Have a wonderful week!

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  8. Oooh, the coupon goddess - yay for savings!  I'm definitely checking that one out :)

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  9. I love the Pioneer Woman too. Thanks for stopping by my Top Ten.

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  10. I love Pioneer Woman too.  fun list today.  kaye—the road goes ever ever on

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  11. Melanie, it's bc of your realistic look at couponing and how it fits into a normal budget conscious life that keeps me going!! :)

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  12. You'll love Melanie! 

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  13. a no brainer over there at PW's, isn't it?  I can get lost there for hours!

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  14. I have had the best time visiting all the new blogs on other lists!! 

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  15. yay!!! Thanks, Roan!

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  16. As the Crowe Flies and ReadsMay 22, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    Nice blog list!  I have absolutely no overlap this week with anybody that I've found, which makes for a definite change when there are book-related TTT topics. 

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  17. Laura @ The Traveling OwlMay 22, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    I absolutely love Pioneer Woman. Her posts make me want to run out and whip up a five course meal for a group of 10. She's so inspirational!

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  18. I haven't had much overlap either which has made it even that much more interesting reading! :)

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  19. Whoa! PW doesn't inspire me that much! But, she does make me want to get back in the kitchen.  I love to cook...just can't find the time during the school year :(

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  20. New follower! Ack! I totally meant to put Pioneer Woman on my list, and I completely left her off! I can't believe I did that! *smacking forehead* oh well...here's my TTT if you'd like to follow back: http://theonceandfuturelibrarian.blogspot.com/2012/05/top-ten-tuesday-favorite-non-book.html

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  21. Cool! Lots of new to me blogs here that I can't wait to try!

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  22.  I spent an entire weekend just reading through her Black Heels to Tractor Wheels installments...man, and her recipes, and THEN she went and launched Tasty Kitchen. Hours is right!

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  23. I like Ree's blog too, and I also like Post Secret. I don't read many blogs that aren't book related, but that's just because I don't have time, not because I don't want to! Great list here, there are a few that I really want to check out. Also, if you haven't tried Joshilyn Jackson's blog, Faster Than Kudzu, you are really missing out on the funny!

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  24. Happens to me every time...I always remember something vital to the list after I start looking at everyone else's lists :)

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