When I Grow Up

I sat down to post about the blog party I attended at the beginning of May and I realized that I had never formally spotlighted Jill – the blogger that is the reason I would voluntarily go to a party to meet people that had not a single clue who I was.

So, I have dusted off my, “When I Grow Up…” weekly/montly/semi-annual spotlight and am now going to explain why I want to be Jill when I grow up.

She changes her blog header semi-frequently and they are always so great!

Jill hails from Utah County and is seriously, one of my favorite people. I stumbled across Jill reading Kristi’s blog – Kristi had linked to an entry that Jill had made that talked about Visiting Teaching that really talked to me. I was curious about who it was who used her powers of blogging to talk about important topics (or who uses her blogging powers for good) so I started reading and then I discovered that she and her book club had traveled to Paris last year and Jill chronicled every day with the details of what they did and had dozens and dozens and dozens – OK, hundreds – of pictures documenting the trip. Anyone who knows me knows I love anything and everything French so after I finished reading all of her Paris entries I decided that we were best friends – and no, we had not met yet.

One thing I love about reading Jill’s entries is that she is real in every entry. If she is having a bad day, she writes about it. If she is having a fantastic day she shares it with us. Every Sunday she takes the time to post a Sunday Thoughts entry. She has some great insight and there are a handful of these Sunday Thoughts that I have book marked to re-read when I need a little spiritual pick-me-up.

Another one of my favorite entries she posts each week is when she documents Creative Friday. Every Friday she heads over to Michelle’s and they work on their crafts together. Michelle is an amazing cook and usually has some fabulous lunch prepared that involves her lovely damask dinner ware and a panini maker. I COVET Creative Fridays.

Jill’s blog has been a catalyst in creating a community of some amazing women from all over the world. For the past couple of years she has organized a blog party that brings together as many who can make it. The invitation is open to anyone who takes part whether by commenting or with their own blog or both.

I really enjoyed meeting Jill. I was a little bit uncomfortable at the party as I didn’t know a soul there and I am not the most frequent poster which makes it hard for people to get to know me. Jill was so nice and really made an effort to make sure I felt welcomed and I really appreciated that.
If you haven’t surfed over to Jill’s neck of the woods, please do – she truly represents the positive side of blogging and which is why

I want to be Jill when I grown up!