This blog is dedicated to the discovery of beauty in all its ordinary and extraordinary manifestations. May we all learn to become more present with what is inside of us and around us, the subtle nuances of experience, the savoring of simple pleasures, and the celebration of what makes us unique and life worth living.
My name is Annette. My passions include nature, health, simplicity, self-reliance, truth, and life-long learning. Originally from Germany, I now live in Virginia, USA; however, having travelled on five continents, I feel that I belong to the international community rather than any one country. I am a (retired) therapist, life coach, writer, photographer, and organic gardener.
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© BeautyAlongtheRoad, 2013-Present. Please be aware that all contents of this blog are the property of BeautyAlongTheRoad. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without written permission from this blog’s owner is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to BeautyAlongTheRoad with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
How can there ever be a better, more real, wish for anyone? This is most lovely. 🙂
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We seem to share lots of interests and passions…on top of all the obvious ones I love gardening as organically as I can too. However you have lived in so many amazing places, while I’ve grown deep roots….like the oak 🙂
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I don’t think my first reply came through…. I was saying earlier that I may have travelled to a lot of places but ultimately, the outer travels only made the inner travels more visible. Trees don’t travel but still gather lots of wisdom and are connected deeply to all the other trees in the forest thru a fungi network that helps them communicate with each other. Deep roots, shallow roots… eventually they all lead to the same place, I think.
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Beautiful thoughts, beautifully written. Roots are roots I guess, and all of them are about connections 🙂
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Thank you for stopping by. My father was born and raised in Germany and his family still lives there. If I may ask, where in Germany did you live? My family lives in Northern Germany near Rendsburg.
PS – Love the snowy pictures! However, after having snow on the ground since October and receiving more snow this past week, I’ll be glad to see it gone! Haha!
Take care,
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I was born in the Black Forest, near Baden-Baden. I can relate to your being tired of snow. I am also ready for spring….
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Annette, where do you live in Virginia? I will be back there in August, and I live in Oakton, in Fairfax County. I love your About Me post and relate to all of your passions. 🙂
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Fairfax County – the world is small. I live near Staunton. Will you be “stateside” for a while or preparing to fly off to another country?
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Would love to meet you when you return and also introduce you to my friend who lived in Oman in the early 80s….
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Yes, I’d love to meet you too! I’ll be home by early to mid-August and start my new job the last week in August. It would be interesting to meet your friend too. 🙂
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We’ll definitely be in touch by then and I’ll send you my e-mail address and phone number. Oh, and my friend, who was in Oman in the early 80s is also interested in meeting you and comparing notes!
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OK, it all sounds good, Annette! I’d be interested in comparing notes with your friend too. I’m sure a lot has changed since the 80s!! 🙂
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Hi Annette, I don’t know why I never got your reply in my notifications. Yes, I know Staunton. I am planning to stay in the USA indefinitely. I don’t know if I have it in me to live and work abroad again. If I could just travel without working, now that would be a different story!!
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I’ve perused your blog and am excited to look through it some more. It was wonderful meeting you today. Thank you for looking up my blog, it means a lot that you remembered! I’ll stop by again!
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Kirsten – what a pleasure meeting you (again) in the blogosphere!
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Looking forward to reading more of your posts too! So far I’m on a roll on your blog. Great stuff you have here. Nice meeting you. Best wishes!
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Thank you, Metty. Where are you in Ghana? I spent time in Accra and Kumasi a long time ago….
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Oh great! I live in Accra but currently live in the States.
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Ah, so you are a traveler, too. Where are you now in the US? I live in Virginia.
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I am currently in college in Connecticut. Virginia too is a beautiful state! 🙂
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Hi Annette, I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award: http://catbirdinafrica.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
I hope you’ll accept but if you feel it’s too much work, I certainly understand!! 🙂
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Catbird/Cathy (Is that your first name?): Thank you so much for nominating me. Coming from you with your massive blog experience and long-term dedication, that is truly an honor. My blog has only been in existence for 2 1/2 months! So thank you, this is really motivating me to continue and give it my best. Now if I can figure out how to go through all of the hoops (I mean, “steps”), I will feel very accomplished:-) I don’t think I will have any trouble nominating other blogs – I have seen many I really appreciate and admire, yours among them. Can YOU be nominated again, say for your Oman blog?
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Yes, Annette, I’m Cathy. Cathy Birdsong was my maiden name, so I use catbird for most of my blogs! I know, these awards have so many steps, sometimes I’m temped to never accept one again. But then, it’s nice to get some recognition, to have the badge to display and to highlight other bloggers. I’m on the fence about them in general, especially these that have so many steps; they’re quite time-consuming. And yes, I’ve never been nominated for this award for my Oman blog, so I’d be happy to accept. It just might take awhile! I still have more of other awards that I’m still months behind in accepting. 🙂
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Thanks again, Cathy. I will make time to accept the award and look forward to network with other bloggers in the process.
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Great! I’m happy you’ll accept. 🙂
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Thank you for the visit to my blog Annette. Indeed beauty is everywhere if only we open our eyes and learn to look.
I love your photographs and your words. I’m looking forward to reading and seeing more.
Warm regards,
Mary
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Thank you, Mary, for your positive feedback. You are welcome anytime. Thank you for sharing your beauty on your own blog….
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I nominated your blog for a Liebster Award! I invite you to do what you like with the nomination, and feel no obligation to respond, but know that your blog is read and enjoyed. You can read about your nomination in my post: http://travelgardeneat.com/2013/05/01/blowin-in-the-wind-or-where-do-all-the-bloggers-go/
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Wow, Kat, thank you so much. You are offering the third award in the last couple of weeks and I haven’t had time to respond to the first two – yet. But thank you, I’ll review the “requirements” and see if I can handle it… but, truly, I feel honored. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment….
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Needless to say, I was a bit backed up in responding myself — no worries, blog on!
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Hi!!! I’m awarding you the blogger to blogger Sunshine award! Love your blog and you deserve it! 🙂 You can see it here 🙂
http://thediaryofsugarandspice.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/channeling-my-inner-jennifer-lawrence/
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Hi Kaitlin – thank you so much for your nomination. It’s lovely and validating to be recognized by your fellow bloggers. congratulations, also, on your own nomination!
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Guten Tag Annette,
What a pleasure meeting you, dearest. Thank you very much for your comment. It gave me the chance to discover your amazing blog.
Cheers, Frances
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Hi Frances – I was wondering about some of your photographs – they had a very European feel to them. Thank you so much for stopping by and following my blog. I read some of your stories but didn’t have enough presence of mind to really think things through, so I didn’t leave a comment (i.e. the Banana story) – though, definitely thought provoking….
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Nah, don´t worry about it. It´s nice to know that there are people out there who like what I write. I don´t need the comments ^^
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No worry, I will be back 🙂
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You are more than welcome!
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Hello Annette, thanks for visiting my blog which in turn guide me to your amazing blog. I’ve read some of your posts and enjoyed the way you tell your stories and also your pictures. I think I’ll often come to read your posts 🙂
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Hi Chris – you are so welcome. Thank you for stopping by and giving feedback.
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Wow.. You’ve traveled to so many places 🙂
I guess you can see the world through many perspectives.. Many life experiences makes a person wiser.. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog.. I’m new to wordpress 🙂 hehehe…
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I was “new” myself in January this year. You’ll find your way around quickly and attract readers, especially if you participate in the weekly challenges.
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Thank you for your recent visit! Vielleicht ist die Liebe für und das Interesse am Detail etwas, das die englisch- und deutschsprachige Kultur besonders verbindet 🙂 ?
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Bertram – I am only getting your gravatar. what is your blog address?
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http://fotorichter.wordpress.com/
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Thanks for visiting my blog!
I love yours and will stay tuned! 😉
Greetings from Germany,
Norbert
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Great sentiments and look forward to future posts. MM 🍀
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I just ‘met’ you through the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge, and look forward to scrolling around and reading more. I suspect I will feel inspired, and maybe challenged a bit more, as I follow along with your posts. 😀
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What a compliment, Patti. Please feel free to look around and comment….
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I have the great pleasure in nominating you for the “Very Inspiring Blogger Award” which I hope you might accept. Please see my home page or use the following link http://meticulousmick.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/another-award-ii/ to see further details. MM 🏆
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Mick – I feel honored when people nominate me for these awards; however, I’ve had 4 previous nominations and still haven’t found time to address them and fulfill the criteria. So I may not formally respond to this. But thank you for enjoying my blog and deeming it worth an award….
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That is no problem BAtR. MM 👍
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I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award. There are no judges and no special rules, and no trophy, you were simply chosen. And we all like to be chosen every once in a while, don’t we? This award is what you want it to be. Your mission, if you chose to accept it, is to go to my blog post titled “The Liebster Award ~ Wow, it’s a little bit of work.”, read it, follow the rules and pass along the love.
Best,
Karen
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Hi Karen – thank you so much for the nomination. The nominations keep coming for various awards but I haven’t had the time to fulfill the various requirements… I am considering declaring myself an award free blog at this point.
However, I do appreciate that you believe Beauty Along the Road deserves this award. Thank you again. Annette
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I am looking at more of your blog this morning and it is just so beautiful! Thank you so much for stopping by ISLAND VIGNETTES and leaving such thoughtful comments. You clearly have been globe-trotting and it is always a pleasure to meet others who have sampled the beauty of the Caribbean. Happy Friday!
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Thank you for taking your time and appreciating my blog. I have noticed that kindred spirits eventually meet in the blogosphere, just like in the “real ” world. Glad we crossed paths…. the Caribbean was my second home at one time and I’ve got lots of memories associated with that period.
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No problem. I know it takes an inordinate amount of time to complete these things…it was a great project for a rainy day for me. 🙂 Participation it totally optional.
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Thanks for understanding…..my rainy day today was spent taking houseguests on a train ride!
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Hello Anette. I want to thank you for dropping by my blog and commenting. You’ve a lovely blog and I look forward to reading more of your posts.
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Thank you, Uzoma, for stopping by. BTW, where did the name of your blog (85 degrees) originate?
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It came to me on the day I wanted to start a blog. Hours earlier, I’d performed an experiment at 85 degrees Celsius and achieved a result that thrilled my colleagues. So, during lunch break, I said to myself: “Hey, this could be your lucky charm, you know.” And yes, it has been so ever since.
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Very cool – your work inspired your creative passion…
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Just love your photos. I lived in Virginia for 23 years. I first moved to Staunton and lived there for 7 years then I moved to Manassas for 7 years then I moved to Yorktown then Hampton and then Newport News. It is a beautiful state and your photos made me a bit homesick.
Lisa
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Hi Lisa – Staunton is the nearest point of “civilization” for me… I’ve also lived in the Washington DC area (on the MD side). Where are you now?
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Hi Annette,
It’s a pleasure to meet you and be introduced to this beautiful inspiring blog you’ve created. You’re photos are stunning… I’m looking forward to visiting often!
~Cheers 🙂
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Andrea – welcome and thank you for your compliments and visiting.
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I want to take a moment to thank you for being one of my strongest supporters. I’m also on FB as loca gringa if you have a FB account and want to be a part of that page. It contains a few smaller posts as well. Thank you so much!
https://www.facebook.com/locagringaDR
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You are welcome, Gringa. You are fighting a worthwhile cause and I love the Caribbean and its people; under different circumstances, I might do what you are doing….
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Yes I understand circumstance! If not for raisng my children, I’ld have found my way to Africa. Everything happens for a reason, this is where my reason is.
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Hi Annette 🙂 Thank you for the beautiful oasis you’ve provided for everyone here on WordPress 🙂 It’s lovely to meet you 🙂
Willow.
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Thank you, Willow, it’s been my pleasure to “play” with the theme of the blog.
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I love beauty and your blog is beautiful, great you visited me so I could find you! Thank you Annette 🙂 Love Ute
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So glad you are enjoying my blog so much that you are now following it! Thank you, danke schoen, gracias, merci…:-)
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Thanks for stopping by and leaving your footprints… followed you back here and looked around… hidden gems… and beautiful images.
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Coming from you, DJ, this is a big compliment! Thank you and welcome….
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You have a beautiful blog. Keep posting amazing pictures. They’re a sight to the sore eyes! 🙂
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Thank you, Mabyang, so glad you are enjoying and now following my blog.
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Annette-I really delight in what your blog is about and look forward to seeing more! Thank you for visiting wahinewednesdays and happy blogging!!!
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THank you, Karen. It is nice to meet you here and I am happy that you are enjoying my blog.
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I am awarding you the Inner Peace and Sunshine Award for the inspiring quality of your work. I realize that it is a tremendous amount of work to accept this award and of course do understand if you do not have the time to do so!
Congratulations! Keep up the good work. I enjoy your work immensely! Thank you for helping to provide me with pure sunshine and inner peace!
Please refer to the following for instructions:
http://locagringa.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/inner-peace-and-sunshine-award/
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Hi Diana – thank you so much for your nomination. Peace and Sunshine, no less! However, I decided a while ago not to accept any awards. Thank you for thinking of me.
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That’s quite all right! They are a tremendous amount of work! Whatever happened to receiving awards without the added fuss!
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Yea – let’s create a “lazy” award – you get it because someone thinks you deserve it but you don’t have to do anything other than say “Thank you.” 🙂
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I’ve actually thought of that lol. Pay it forward as you wish 🙂
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Hi Annette, thank you for visiting belgradestreets! I will enjoy exploring your blog…
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Andy – I so enjoyed coming across your blog and learning a bit more about Belgrade. Thanks so much for your follow.
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My pleasure and thank you 🙂
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Thank you for visiting my blog. Your presentation is talking to my heart. I will be back.
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Thank you, Leya. Glad you stopped by.
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Hello
Thanks for stopping by in my blog.
“I am a therapist, life coach, writer, photographer, and organic gardener. ”
You have a lot of good job 🙂
Cheers,
Winda
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Hello Winda – yes, I wear many hats and enjoy them all (most of the time).
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I love visiting your blog. Your photos are beautiful. 🙂
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Thank you so much, I enjoy your blog also.
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Thanks for finding my blog, looks like we have lots in common.
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Thank you for your visit and follow, Anarette!
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Beautiful thoughts Annette, and a lovely blog! 🙂
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Thank you, Elina, happy you stopped by and enjoyed what you saw.
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We don’t have many places here in India, where people can enjoy the 2 hydrogen atoms combining with an Oxygen atom and then subsequently freezing to change its state from solid to liquid.
Phew! Bottomline is: Your photos are great, and I love them. Someday I would like to spend my mornings just looking at those snow-covered mountains, wondering who lives there, and in the next instant, being lost in those mountains… Nature at its best!
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Thank you, Crazy about EPL in India 🙂 I suppose you would have to get into the mountains up North to experience snow. It is a strange substance, fluffy and light sometimes, pressed down into ice other times. If you want, I can send you some….we got more than enough 🙂
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Definitely! I could use it to build an igloo! 😉
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Ah, there’s an aspiration for the Indian subcontinent!
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Well, you could say there is. I like winter very much, but our editor absolutely hates it! (Having lived in Shimla all his life) he just hates cleaning up all the snow..
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Annette, everything you describe here, resonates! And thank you deepest for always being so generous and encouraging with your comments on my blog! it’s immensely appreciated.
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You are so welcome, Hanne. I enjoy your pictures and writings and sense a kindred nature spirit 🙂
By the way, you have just become Follower No. 500 on my blog. So happy it was you.
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I think your sense is spot on!
nr. 500! I’m certainly glad I landed right on time 🙂
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What a wonderful dedication for a blog, as well as a great reminder to appreciate the beauty in the moment. I’m glad I came across your site — it’s delightful. 🙂
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Thanks for taking a look at Modes of Flight a while back.
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Thanks also for spending a little time with the Hammer Home Street Photography Project.
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i am sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyy lol i couldn’t find your comment section. then went back and i saw it was there. sorry annette.
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Glad you found the comment area, Sagar. Different blog formats have the comments in very different places, sometimes at the top of the article, sometimes at the bottom. To me, it seems more intuitive to have the Comment section follow at the end of the article, under the “like” section, so people don’t have to scroll back up to the top to leave a comment. Sorry if this was confusing – glad you found it 🙂
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no that confusing. but i was looking at your blog posts carefully so didn’t saw that comment section. i am glad you reply. we will be good friends i hope.
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Heya Annette,
Great Blog, beautifully written and all photographs have been beautifully captured! I love the feeling of solitude and tranquility that nature brings with it.
I have recently started my Blog: FaithIsWhereTheHeartIs. Check it out, inshaAllah. Let me know about what your thoughts are on the Articles I have written. 🙂
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Beautiful blog. I look forward to receiving your posts.
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Welcome, Catherine, and many thanks for the follow!
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because your blog is beautiful 🙂
http://afterthephoenix.wordpress.com/to-phoenix/
it’s a gift, so please feel free to alter the rules to what works for you 🙂
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Hello Phoenix: thank you so much for deeming my blog inspiring. I am not accepting blogging awards, though….
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not a problem I know this is difficult, some hate, some ,love 🙂 I will remove you from the list 🙂 have a happy day.
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Hi Annette, Thank you so much for visiting my blog 🙂
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Hi Annette! Thanks so much for taking a look at my blog! Looks like we swapped countries 🙂 I can’t wait to look more at all you have posted!!! Viele Grüße aus Stuttgart! 🙂
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Oh, you are in Southern Germany! I grew up in Baden-Baden, Black Forest terrain.
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Hi Annette! Alas, another Virginian! I’m just south of Richmond. Your blog is lovely. Your photographs – stunning! I look forward to perusing your blog. All the best. ~Karen~
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Hi Karen, so nice to hear from you, and glad you stopped by.
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