I was informed yesterday that this blog had won the Homeschool Blog Award for
Best Homeschool Nature Blog.
Wow!
I have been thinking about the award and what it means, bringing back great memories from the last year and how much the Outdoor Hour has become the center of a great community of blog readers and participants.
Many of you follow the challenges and post your links faithfully, some of you pop in when you get a chance and blow me away with your great family nature study, and there are probably many of you I haven’t even “met” but who read through readers and email. I think all of you deserve a little bit of this award….without you there would be no real reason to keep this nature blog.
I think this award belongs to the community we have developed and nurtured. Behind the award is a lot of effort not only on my part but by all the moms and dads who have slowed down to take the time and value outdoor activities with their children. You all make what I do have meaning. The fruits of my labor are viewed in the smiles and great learning that I see each week when I open up my links to glimpse into your nature study.
Although the award is a great honor and I realize that you all supported me by voting, I think the real reward is the everyday, week-to-week sharing of nature study that I am privileged to be a part of with families from all over the world.
Thank you very much for your support of this blog, Handbook of Nature Study.
I didn’t take a single photo in this post. Here are the captions that go with each one:
1. Water bird at Lake Tahoe, taken by my son this past October.
2. Typical family nature outing….my youngest being silly and if you look in the background you can see me taking photos.
3.Another beautiful photo with mom and her camera…..my two oldest sons have inherited my photography passion.
4. Rare photo of all three of my boys standing still with their mom…..this year’s camping trip to Northern California and the Oregon Coast. (Please note that this photo was taken on the last day of a week-long camping trip with four guys so I am a little rough around the edges.)
Wonder where this year will lead us?
We know how much work you put into this tremendously high-quality blog. We love and appreciate both the blog and you. You have inspired and improved so many lives.
Dear Mrs. Rough Around the Edges (love the photos – my compliments to the photographers 🙂 Delight. Pure delight. These nature studies of yours have rekindled joy. The joy of learning in our homeschool. It’s what we look forward to each week.
Congratulations on this most deserved award and thank you.
You deserve it!
Yeah! I was excited to see your name pop up both in the nominations and in the Win. I hope would be that many families, just like ours, will happen upon your resources and use them this year! You have been a great blessing giving direction to our wanderings in the outdoors. I have three pine cones sitting on a shelf waiting to be photographed and a walk that got “colded” in yesterday. 🙂 Love the motivation you give us to walk in the snow. 🙂
Of course you won that award!
Voting for your nature blog was a no-brainer. I enjoy it very much and it is one of the blogs that I keep in my bookmark list.
Congratulations! You totally deserve the award.
Oh, Barb, congratulations! I LOVE reading your blogs (both of them!), and you provide so much inspiration and encouragement for us new(ish) homeschooling moms! This is a well deserved win!
Congrats Barb! So happy you won!
Congratulations. I have been so busy that the voting totally escaped me. Had I voted, it would have been to see how many categories I could give you credit in.
Thanks for all the hard work. Your blogs are some that I consistently recommend to new homeschoolers or to homeschoolers who are struggling with fitting in science. I love the new heart and eyes for nature that I am developing by looking at and caring about nature.
Yeah for you! Congrats! (I voted for you, of course.)
Well deserved – this blog is an absolute blessing all around. Congratulations!
Wonderful and deserving news for all that you do to inspire others to really get outside and in nature! Congratulations and gi-normous THANK YOU and wishing you tons of blessings now and in the new year! ~Becky