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January 16, 2011

NEW WEEKLY EVENT.......SUNDAY'S SHINING STAR!!!

WELCOME!!!
I would like to explain how this came to fruition.  Hubby and I were having a discussion about the old days, (for the young'ens reading this..a little history lesson) but before the dark age.  When Sundays were special and had traditions and rituals.  Sunday mornings Church, come home to a big gravy (sauce) cooking on the stove, a big Sunday dinner, then either off to visit relatives/friends or wait  for relatives/friends to drop by.  We would spend the afternoon sitting around the table, talking, catching up, having coffee, pizza, calzones, etc etc, dessert.  And now, how sad, all those traditions are gone.  And then I got to thinking, why not have something similar here on my blog.   This past year, I have met so many amazing and wonderful people (some I now call friends) through blogging, and how I am in awe of what they do and accomplish.  How much respect I have for them, for their honesty, integrity, credibility and so enjoy when a bit of their personality shines through.  So every Sunday, here at my place, the coffee will be on, the dessert is on the table and friends will be stopping by.  And I will be rolling out the red carpet for my Sunday Shining Star Blogger guest. 
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I hope you enjoy getting to know a friend I have met this past year that I think is very special and maybe you might think about visiting her place to see why I think she is a Shining Star!  Please welcome this week's guest, LORI FROM DOLLYCAS'S THOUGHTS.

*When and why did you start blogging?
December 31, 2010

*How and what made you decide on the name of your blog?
My husband has always called me Dolly (like Dolly Parton and I don't mean her hair) and Caswell being our last name, several years ago when I set up my first email accounts it fell together to be Dollycas. When I first started the blog I didn't have an exact direction but thought no matter where the blog took me it would include my thoughts on something or everything. Since starting the book review path, I have tried to leave my political opinions/thoughts on my Facebook page.

*What would you say is the main content of your blog?
Book Reviews, Recommendations, Random Thoughts and Giveaways.

*If books, what genres do you mostly read?
Mystery both cozy and thriller. I will read everything with the exception of books with vampires or werewolves, don't need the nightmares, but I really love the cozies!

*How often do you post?
At least once per day, I try to skip Sundays for family time.

*What are some of the things that you love about blogging?
The people I "MEET"!!! That is the best thing of all!!

*What are some of the negatives?
Not enough time to read all the books I want to read, I have set my goal a little lower this year than what I actually read last year because I hope to be able to start making quilts again. If everything comes together right. God Willing.

*Name 1-3 favorite items/postings that you have/do on your blog?
I love It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and my Enquiring Minds and I love hosting giveaways!

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*Any advice you would give to new bloggers?
Start slow and build, I started with books from my own collection and PaperBackSwap and some self published authors. Use Facebook as a tool to reach out to authors you love if they have pages. Always no matter what if you like a book, post about it on Amazon.com, but also send an email to the author telling them you enjoyed their work. The authors work very hard to get a book published that we read in a few hours and they love you telling them you enjoy their work. It can get awfully lonely behind a computer screen trying to hit their daily writing goals and it's good for them to know people enjoy what they are writing.

*What draws you to follow some one's blog?
   The content, are their tastes similar to mine, are they really putting in the work, actually reading the book or just copying from Amazon or the book jacket. If they are not showing some creativity I don't really value their opinion.
   Is their blog pleasing to look at, I have told you Cheryl the comfort your blog brings to me just from the background.

*Do you have any "pet peeves" that other bloggers do?
Just one and I guess I already addresses it above. Bloggers not reading the books but offering reviews.

*Would you please share 5-7 things about the person behind the screen so that we get to know the "real" you!!
1. I AM OLD! I will be 50 in July or I AM YOUNG in an old body. I believe my life started over when I survived the auto crash in 2001.
2. I am addicted to High School Basketball and my youngest graduates in June.
3. I have a wonderful 3 year old grandson, Kaden.
4. I recently had to admit "I am a BOOK CHALLENGE ADDICT!" Fun
5. I watch Days of Our Lives EVERYDAY!!!
6. I have a wonderful and amazing family.
7. I spend way too much time at this computer and you will always know when I have been here too long and worked my left hand too hard because that's when the typos start to appear.
8. THIS BLOGGING WORLD HAS SAVED MY LIFE LITERALLY and I truly appreciate each and every person who reads what I write, follows my recommendations, leave me comments and enters my giveaways!!!!

*Any other info you would like to share.
Cheryl, it is people like you that keep me going everyday, I am so glad we met in this internet world!!!

I hope everyone enjoyed getting to know Lori.  I think you understand why she is a Shining Star!  She has faced, dealt with and has overcome major obstacles in her life with a sense of humor and determination.  And always has a thoughtful word to say and a big heart as you can see with her advice to new bloggers about contacting authors.  Thank you Lori for the kind words you have said about me, they truly warm my heart.  And if it makes you feel better Lori.......I am older than you lol !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Thank you so much for being my Shining Star, you truly are one!!!
P.S.  Not sure if she has the coffee on, but if you want to drop by and visit her place, click on her blog's name at the top of this post, I'm sure she will offer you a cup of coffee or tea!!!

21 comments:

Kaye said...

This was a such a fun visit with Dolly - a kindred spirit with our love of cozies. Have a peaceful Sunday.

Carol said...

WooHoo! Loving the new feature and the Shining Star logo is fab!

I am lucky to have 'known' both yourself, Cheryl and Lori since I began blogging.

I agree that blogging keeps me going, as being at home with kids doesnt stimulate my grey matter enough.

great interview. looking forward to more.

carol

Misha said...

This is such a wonderful new feature. It's good to know more about you, Dolly! :)

Gigi Ann said...

Great interview, Cheryl, I like getting to know other blogger buddies. As far as old, I have children older than Lori. Now I'm telling my age. You both are still spring chickies.

Thanks for something new to look forward to each Sunday.

bermudaonion said...

I love this post, but I have to say that 50 is not old!

CMash said...

Kaye: I'm so glad you enjoyed getting to know Lori. Hope when you have some time that you stop by her place. Have a relaxing day!!

Carol: Thank you for the kind words...and as you know...well..we don't want to give away our little secret about one of my future Shining Star guest that will be on the red carpet lol. And oh...btw..grey matter? just a warning...wait til you get to be my age lol.

Misha: Thank you!!! Lori, aka Dolly, is special, don't you think? She has been through so much!! She is an inspiration!!

Ann: So glad you enjoyed and look forward to Sunday's new event. And as you know, we also have a little secret lol. From getting to know you this past year, you can run circles around me, even though you say I'm a spring chickie. Come to think of it...thank you...have never been called that before lol.

Kathy: Thank you...so glad you do. Plus we also have a little secret lol. I agree with you.....50 old???? we are just getting started....right? please tell me yes...lol.

Julie P said...

I love Lori's blog too! One of my faves.....

dollycas aka Lori said...

OMG Thank you Cheryl so much!! This is a great new feature and I am so flattered you chose me to me first. I knew my answers but I still sit here with tears in my eyes because of what you added.

Thank you everyone for the nice comments. My sister would tell you I am a terrible hostess, lol, I always forget to offer a beverage when she comes to visit because we hug and start talking and I forget, but please stop by Dollycas's Thoughts. I am a much better virtual host, coffee, tea, Pepsi, Mountain Dew and maybe even some cookies or cheese and crackers. Pull up a chair and let's visit.

As far as old for me each day is a gift so 50 isn't really old unless you are under 40 :)

Natalie W said...

Enjoyed reading about Lori and love her blog too.
Natalie :0)
www.thebookinn.net

CMash said...

Lori: I hope those are happy tears!!! And for those stopping by her place...just remember...she said it here..if you get thirsty or hungry...demand that you want something. Lori..the pleasure was mine that you agreed to be my guest today and to visit with all my other friends. Thank you for sharing your life with us....you truly are inspirational and have touched many lives. And don't forget...now that you are 50 and are part of the "senior moments club", every Sunday, I will be rolling out the red carpet for another Shining Star!!

Natalie: I am so glad you enjoyed today's "Star". Stop by next week to see who will be my guest.

Jackie said...

I have one year and a half to join the 50 years and older club, hate to say it but that makes me 48 years young!

Lori it has been a pleasure to get to know you online, if only we did not live so far apart as have said before! But cyber hugs your way and thanks so much for sharing with us today, even if just a small bit like Cheryl said these traditions of the past really do need to be celebrated in our ever changing too fast paced world!

jackie>_<

Yvonne said...

This is a great idea for a meme. I love it! It's so much fun learning more about our fellow bloggers.

CMash said...

Jackie: I so agree. I really wish the younger ones knew how special those days were. That's why I wanted to bring it back in a virtual sort of way.

Yvonne: So do I...sometimes you just click with online buddies in a way thet you know that if you met in real life you would be friends that would "hang out", visit with, go to the mall with and let's not forget...hit all the book stores with.

Michelle (Red Headed Book Child) said...

Well, I have finished my coffee but that's okay, it was still a delight to read and I made a note to remember to stop by here!
Lori is a gem in the blog world. I recently discovered her blog due to our tastes in cozies and I have come to really enjoy reading her reviews.

Thanks for this lovely way to spend a Sunday. !!

Nise' said...

I've enjoyed a cup of tea sitting here getting to know Lori better. Lori, you have inspired me to email authors and let them know how much I enjoyed their books. My kids played basketball as well, and I thought I would miss it so much when they graduated, but quickly filled that time with other things.

Cheryl, I remember those Sundays!

I agree with Kathy, 50 is not old!

CMash said...

Michelle: I am so glad that you decided to spend your afternoon with us gals just sitting around chatting about everything, anything, solving the problems of the world and having some laughs...that's what Sundays used to be like years ago and what I envision what I want them to be like each and every Sunday from now on here at my place. So stop by, the door is always opened.

Nise: Weren't those Sundays the best!!! And I agree with you...I would never have thought to email a distinguished author from me, a little old (lol over 50) blogger. Today getting to know Lori a little bit better and reading the comments and responding does seem like, I can imagine us all sitting around the kitchen table all talking, with many conversations going on, trying to follow them all and of course, picking on all the goodies on the table, just like those old days.

The1stdaughter said...

Oh, how fun! I love Lori to pieces and thinks she does such an excellent job with her blog. Always, always something good to read can be found on her site. Also, I love that she quilts (or is trying to...so am I!).

Fantastic feature! I can't wait to see who else you bring in and share a little bit about! ;o)

Unknown said...

HEY! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!?! That is still what I do every Sunday!!
We get up, go to church, go visit my Grammy, take a long drive down back roads until I get sick, visit hubby's Grandma, speed down the highway, have dinner at hubby's parents, visit & then go home & fall into bed wishing I had the next day off!

dollycas aka Lori said...

Thank you all for the wonderful messages. I'll be here every Sunday for a chat and a relaxing visit getting to know everyone better. I truly believe if we all lived closer we would get together often. Right now I would like to go visit someone in Hawaii...brrrr it's cold and snowy and yucky here today!!!

Carol N Wong said...

I love Dolly's blog and comment often on it often. I agree, 50 is not old. I thought so when I was 12 years old, but it's not!

Loved learning more about her. I think the Shining Star is a great idea.

Carol Wong

Aisle B said...

This is a great way to meet the bloggers and wow have to say Cheryl you always make my day with these new get to know you moments. It was an absolute delight to meet Dolly and PS I love DAYS OF OUR LIVES! I haven't been watching it diligently but BO still makes me heart flutter.