Illuminating.  The dictionary tells me that this has to do with supplying or brightening with light, making understandable, enlightening.  What I have learned in the past year is that there are so many bloggers out there who do the same for me – and to whom I continually return to for illumination.

One of these bloggers is Helene, of Graphicality UK, who nominated this site for the Illuminating Blogger Award.  It’s not enough to say that I’m honored or humbled.  The fact that this came from Helene means so much more, because I would use the same word to define her.  She is absolutely illuminating.

As you know, there are rules to rewards, and the rules here are a little different than other awards.

1. 1. The nominee should visit the award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/) and leave a comment that they have been nominated and by whom.  (They keep a blogroll of winners, so this is a very important step.)  This will be a check as soon as I click “publish,” I promise.
3. The nominee should thank the person who nominated them by posting and linking back to their site.  Check.
4. The nominee should include a courtesy link back to the award site in their blog post.  Check.
5. Share one random thing about yourself.  Let’s see.  One illuminating fact about me.  When I was little, my family thought that I would become a priest – I think because of a very holy-looking Communion photo of me.  That career path never crossed my mind.  Instead, I wanted to be a farmer.  Then, a paleontologist.  I also wanted to be Dick Clark, but the closest I ever came was to interview him for Kidsday, an insert in our local newspaper.
6. Select at least five other bloggers who write illuminating, informative posts that I enjoy reading.  Please feel free to add more – okay, if you say so. 
7. Notify your nominees by leaving a comment on their blog and a link to the award site.

When I think of bloggers, I think of this amazing community where there is support and guidance, laughter and wisdom – and illumination.  So, without further ado, here are my nominees, bloggers who enlighten me as a gardener and as a blogger.

1. Lee May’s Gardening Life – When I decided to start a blog, the advice was to find a blog that I would like to fashion myself after, a blog that I think my eventual readers would enjoy – and Lee May was the first.   His posts are well-written and honest and full of style and wit.
2. Hortus 5 – Along the way, I discovered Mario and his blog – and it is an absolute treat.  Well-written and absolutely beautiful looking.  Each time I visit his site, I feel that I am meeting my friend for a drink on his patio while overlooking his amazing garden.  Just gorgeous.
3. Jean’s Garden – Jean is a college professor, and each of her posts is thoughtful, well-written and compassionate.  One of my favorite features on her blog is her highlighting new gardening blogs.  Hers is a truly sensitive and insightful place.
4. Tidy Gardens by Jane – Ahhh.  Jane.  What can I say about Jane that hasn’t already been said?  I wish Great Britain and Long Island was a little closer – her humor is not only illuminating, but it’s the perfect antidote to a rough day.  I appreciate all that Jane offers in her posts and comments.
5. Daylily Soup – Please pop over and visit Beth.  Her passion and dedication to daylilies is impressive, and her warmth and sincerity are positively contagious.
6. Enclosure Take Refuge – Thanks to Cindy, a part of the world of which I am not too familiar has opened up for me.  Based in Africa, she posts not only about gardening, but also about the culture and life in that part of the world.  Amazing.  Amazing.  Amazing.
7. Arigna Gardener – Bridget is the writer of this blog from Ireland.  With honesty, she shares so much of her life as she and her husband cherish life and land.  Each photo and each word is chosen for the sole purpose of creating a sense of peace and tranquility.  Every post holds you.
8. Promenade Plantings — When I’m looking for an escape from life in Long Island, I head on over to Claire’s site and enjoy looking at life through her eyes.  There’s gardening, travel, and dining.  It’s a vacation on a laptop.
9. Altroverde – I am a relatively new reader of Alberto’s blog, which comes from Italy – and I cannot get enough of it.  His words and photos are beautiful – and if I could make one wish, it would be that I could read his posts as I sit in his garden so that all of my senses can be involved.  Stunning.
10. Rainy Leaf – The beauty of this site is Elaine, the woman behind the blog, and her passion for all things green and the ease in which she shares her love.  Educational.  Fun.  Informative.   Lovely.
11. The Last Leaf Gardener – Patricia never stops surprising me.  She’s a gardener.  And an artist.  And a photographer.  And she does it all from a rooftop garden in New York.  What she accomplishes in pots is truly illuminating.
12. The Sustain Blog – Nicole is a gardener and a landscape designer.  Her site is full of inspiration and information on how we can all make our spaces greener.
13. Kelly Ash – Kelly is a triple threat: horticulturalist, writer, and photographer.  But don’t be intimidated.  Her site is stylish, her images are stunning, and her words are informative. 

At this point, I really have to stop myself, because I could go on and on about bloggers who illuminate me.  And now that I have aimed a spotlight on some blogs for you, I hope you will take advantage of the lighted path and go on a journey to visit some amazing sites and people.  As for me, I am off to notify all of the nominees, pack up the car, and head out on a summer vacation road trip.  I’ll try to post from the highway — but I make no promises.

Have a great day, everyone!