1st of the month featured bloggers: february

When I kicked off the new BleedingEspresso.com a couple weeks ago (is it really only a couple weeks ago?), I told you I had some new ideas. One of them is:

1st of the Month Featured Bloggers

While you can always find my favorite blogs in my Links page (just click “links” in the above bar), I also want to take time each month and point you to particularly wonderful places that I know you’ll enjoy.

I’ve chosen two fabulous artists for February’s featured bloggers. Their work always amazes, inspires, astounds [insert more similar adjectives here]; I can’t tell you how often I’ve smiled, laughed, cried, etc., while visiting their blogs because they transmit so much energy and emotion with their words, images, and creations. The blogosphere is truly lucky to have them.

* Seamus Kearney of Shameless Words *

The first blogger is none other than the fearless (and shameless) leader of the Shameless Lions Writing Circle, Seamus Kearney, who blogs at Shameless Words. Remember the part of the collective short story I wrote some months ago? It’s still going on, so check it out here.

Seamus is an Irish Kiwi, i.e., a New Zealander with Irish heritage, who does just about anything artistic that you can imagine–and does it fabulously. He writes, paints, takes photographs, plays the piano, and also composes.

Recently Seamus posted a collection of his photographs of Ireland set to one of his original piano compositions entitled “The Magic of Ireland.”

I truly don’t have the words to describe how beautiful, moving, and simply gorgeous “The Magic of Ireland” is. I tried to embed the video here but it’s not working without messing up my columns even when I adjust the size (I always have this problem with YouTube–it’s not you Seamus!), so you’ll have to head to Shameless Words to see it.

Go! Enjoy! And read lots of his fabulous short stories too!

And tell Seamus I sent you!

* Debbie Egizio of Debbie Egizio’s Creatively Inspired Blog *

I found Debbie’s site through my good blogging buddy somepinkflowers who never, ever steers me wrong. Debbie is an artist, designer and owner of The Beat of My Art shop in Naperville, Illinois and she always has such wonderful creations on her site like these Artist Trading Card heartfelt messages:

Debbie Egizio Artist Trading Card heartfelt message

Debbie Egizio Artist Trading Card heartfelt message

Visiting Debbie is the virtual equivalent of brewing a cup of Earl Grey and curling up by the fireplace with the doggies. Indeed, sometimes I do these things *and* visit Debbie. So wonderful!

In a twist of blogging fate, Debbie has just awarded me with a “You Make My Day” award. Thanks Debbie! I think it goes without saying that you make mine as well.

You Make My Day

I hope you’ll visit Seamus and Debbie and enjoy your time with them as much as I do–and I’d love if you would choose some bloggers to feature on your blog as well–why not start a 1st of the Month Featured Bloggers at your place? (No penalties if you post on say, the 2nd or 3rd or 14th this time around!)

We all only have so much Internet time, so it’s great to get recommendations from bloggers we read regularly as well.

Or, in other words, share the blog love peeps!

Buon weekend!

11 Beans of Wisdom to “1st of the month featured bloggers: february”
  1. 02.01.2008

    Ciao Sognatrice! I love your new site! It is so well organized, and three columns- how nice! This featuring of bloggers once a month is a fun idea! I will be sure to check them out. Buona giornata πŸ™‚

    Ambra Celeste’s last blog post..Moment Of Realization

    Ciao! Good to see you–I can only *imagine* how busy you are these days! Glad you like the new place and the new idea…more to come πŸ™‚

  2. 02.01.2008

    You are THE blogger! Michelle, always sharing the blog love. I will make sure to visit your featured bloggers. It is funny, I came by to let you know that I am awarding you with a “you make my day” award! Twice in a day!!! I am not surprised. Visit my last post to read what I had to say about you. (I think I am not supposed to write links on comments, as they will be considered spam…?)

    Beatriz’s last blog post..You make my day

    Thank you *so* much! For future reference, you can put a link in your comment to me without being marked spam–two links get you put in the spam folder, but I go through it anyway just in case something falls in accidentally. But with the CommentLuv plugin, your last post comes up anyway…so look! Your link is there anyway πŸ™‚ Thanks again!

  3. 02.01.2008

    I am lost for words, Sognatrice … which is so unlike me! πŸ™‚ Wow, what a nice boost to my day. Thank you so much for this mention. You have made me blush. πŸ™‚ I am so happy to be able to spread some creativity, and it’s always a buzz and an honour if people are touched by it. What a wonderful medium this blogosphere is. You are also one of my must-reads every day! πŸ™‚ Thank you again, Sognatrice.

    Seamus’s last blog post..The Magic Of Ireland

    Seamus I just hope that people will listen to me and come over and see you because it’s always such a pleasure for me to see what you’re up to even though I don’t get to comment very often. You’re very welcome for the mention–I only wish I could’ve put that wonderful video up here! Dang YouTube!

  4. 02.01.2008

    Great idea..thanks for the links!! I am Irish and I always love creative blogs πŸ™‚ Have a great weekend….I’ll be cookin up something a little special for ya…remember? Breakfast will be around 10 tomorrow, if you can make it πŸ˜‰

    My Melange’s last blog post..A trip to Provence…

    You’ll definitely enjoy Seamus’s video Robin–it’s *so* beautiful! And I can’t wait for breakfast πŸ˜‰

  5. 02.01.2008

    Congratulations to Seamus for her well deserved award, and to you too Sontrice!! SPF finds the good ones for sure, and so do you!!
    Have fun today. Hi to your pupster!

    Constance

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting Constance–I *finally* linked to you today πŸ™‚

  6. 02.01.2008

    I’m so completely honored by your wonderful mention. You have not only made my day, you’ve made my month!!! Thank you so much for your kind, kind words. They really mean so much to me! How very interesting that we had this serendipitous occurance. It must be an Italian thing, there is no other way of explaining it. Well thanks again my wonderful blogging friend. So glad that we found each other! Ciao, Debbie

    Debbie Egizio’s last blog post..Friday’s ATC Heartfelt Message

    Hah, I think you’re right Debbie…who says Italians are superstitious?! Thank *you* for sharing your wonderful creations with us; I’m coming over now to see today’s post πŸ™‚

  7. 02.01.2008

    Golly, I was just about to ask you to join me in a monthly dedicated post! When I see how many you manage my head whirls.

    Judith in Umbria’s last blog post..The more things change the more they remain the same

    Well my Monthly Musings are over (I started in February last year but missed December and January, so I’ll get them next time around), so this is replacing that essentially. I’m intrigued Judith…do tell!

  8. 02.01.2008

    These both look like wonderful sites – I’ll have to check them out. And I think this is a wonderful idea!

    jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Flashback Friday: Snow Day

    Thanks Jen! And enjoy your visits πŸ™‚

  9. 02.02.2008

    What a lovely, lovely idea!

    I may just snatch it!

    Kimberly’s last blog post..It’s a Sickness!

    Feel free Kimberly! The more the merrier!

  10. 02.05.2008

    I love your new site Sognatrice and now that I have officially joined 2008 will be visiting more often. I am also a lazy blogger and rely on you to point me in new directions. Thank you

    african vanielje’s last blog post..Edible Art

    You are most certainly not a lazy blogger, but I’ll be happy to share my finds with you anytime πŸ™‚

  11. What a terrific idea! This is something that I could really get into. I often find little “gems” on the web that I enjoy. It would be nice to share them. I love the way you try to foster the “community” aspect of blogging. I think it’s very rewarding to discover interesting new blogs and connect with people from all over the world.

    Susan at Sticky,Gooey,Creamy,Chewy’s last blog post..Easy Almond Brioche for a Special Valentine’s Day Breakfast

    Thanks Susan! For me it’s one of the few ways I’ll get to meet lots of interesting English-speaking people, so blogging sure has been good to me too πŸ™‚

Michelle KaminskyMichelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived. 

Calabria Guidebook

Calabria travel guide by Michelle Fabio

Recipes

 

Homemade apple butter
Green beans, potatoes, and pancetta
Glazed Apple Oatmeal Cinnamon Muffins
Pasta with snails alla calabrese
Onion, Oregano, and Thyme Focaccia
Oatmeal Banana Craisin Muffins
Prosciutto wrapped watermelon with bel paese cheese
Fried eggs with red onion and cheese
Calabrian sausage and fava beans
Ricotta Pound Cake