Although Lee from Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, Australia won the coveted "Blogger of the Year" award at the big bash in Orlando on New Year's Eve, several other bloggers were recognised for their work through 2015 and they are listed below. All are henceforth officially entitled to proudly display the exclusive 2015 Laughing Horse widget within their blogs or sidebars.
TOP LONDON-BASED BLOGSteve Reed for "Shadows and Light".
The Awards Committee also noted the quality of photography within this thoughtful and accurately written blog. Mr Reed has an eye for the unusual and shows visitors many fascinating alternative views of England's capital city.
Jennifer Barlow for "Sparrow Tree Journal"
The Awards Committee noted the regularity of Jennifer's posts and her enthusiasm for the medium. Her openness was appreciated. She gives visitors an honest view of her wholesome working life in South Carolina with Gregg and her two dogs.
TOP WELSH BLOG
John Gray for "Going Gently"
The popularity of this well-maintained blog was noted by The Awards Committee. Mr Gray's honest and often self-deprecating posts provide both belly laughter and a clear window upon life for a mature couple and numerous pets in a Welsh village.
TOP PHOTO BLOG
Adrian Ward for "Adrian's Images"
The Awards Committee noted Adrian's continuing technical development, his occasional testiness and his production of fine, appealing imagery. Life in a camper van with two Westies gives this interesting blog a fascinating backdrop.
TOP GERMAN BLOG
Meike Riley for "From My Mental Library"
Though she was the deserved "Blogger of the Year" in 2014, Mrs Riley's committment to blogging did not wane in 2015. Country walks, photos, book reviews, history all added to a great blog that was again much appreciated by The Awards Committee.
TOP HEBRIDEAN BLOGGER
Graham Edwards for "Eagleton Notes"
Though his posts can be infrequent owing to dodgy internet connectivity, Mr Edwards provides readers with a fascinating view of his life on the Isle of Lewis, interlaced with recollections of earlier times and adventures. Noble, sensitive and sometimes very funny, "Eagleton Notes" continues to impress The Awards Committee. The quality of his photography was also appreciated.
TOP CANADIAN BLOG
Red for "Hiawatha House"
The Awards Committee recognised the eminently readable, varied and interesting nature of Red's posts throughout 2015. In addition, the kind and supportive nature of his comments on other people's blogs was given special mention.
TOP BLOG BY A MATURE BLOGGER
Janice Blawat for "Cosumne Girl"
Having only recently crossed the line into maturity, Ms James-Blawat continues to display a youthful enthusiasm for life in her well-expressed and well-illustrated blog. The Awards Committee referred to her as a feisty blogger with strong opinions on a range of subjects but also a patient country woman who shows great expertise as a poultry enthusiast and cat lover.
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The Awards Committee noted the invaluable services of several other bloggers who may not have received Laughing Horse widgets for last year's work but nevertheless deserve special mention. Some of these bloggers would undoubtedly have won awards were it not for large gaps or disruption in their blogging activity. They include Carol Cunningham for "A Small Life", Helen for "Helsie's Happenings", Bob Brague for "Rhymes With Plague", Brian Cutts for "Tannu Tuva", Mama Thyme for "Peace Thyme Garden and Weather Station", Ian Rhodes for "Shooting Parrots", Libby for "D-scribes", Mistress Hilly for "Hilltop Homesteader" and last but not least Kate Steeds for "The Last Visible Dog".
Congratulations to all the worthy recipients and can we just acknowledge the Grand Master himself (YP) who has tirelessly written and snapped interesting material for us to enjoy throughout the year. Carry On.
ReplyDeleteOh, be still my beating heart! Thank you Carol. You are so kind.
DeleteThanks YP. It's a good job you haven't seen the results of the festive season or I would have been an also ran.
ReplyDeletePS. It looks reet posh in my sidebar and if you click it it goes to your blog.
Delete"Reet posh" is an excellent expression. I am so pleased that you value your latest award Adrian. Richly deserved sir.
DeleteCongratulations to everyone and best wishes in the new year!
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling by Blogoratti. I must remember to visit your blog more often.
DeleteI agree with Carol...well done everyone and well done to YP...and this year I will try to 'do better'.x
ReplyDeleteIf you don't "do better" young lady, you will be seeing me in my study!
DeleteWell thank you YP. I'm honoured. I also agree with Carol because if there is one person in the Blogland I inhabit who consistently posts interesting prose, poetry and photos; is sometimes controversial; but always eminently readable and enjoyable it is you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind fellow you are Graham. Thank you. Regarding your award, you were up against some stiff opposition up there in the Outer Hebrides including "Storm Force Twelve", "Splatted By A Seagull", "A Fishy Smell" and "Confessions of A Presbyterian Gigolo".
DeleteI am in great company
ReplyDeleteMy thanks to the academy
May I say how brilliantly you compered the awards evening John? You looked so smart in your suit but did you realise your flyhole was unzipped? Fortunately the horse did not poke his head out of the stable door!
DeleteMy sincere congratulations to all the worthy winners and 'also-rans'. As a previous recipient (twice) of these esteemed awards, I know how much your lives will be change from now on. Keep your heads; do not let the wealth and power overwhelm you, be wary of unscrupulous paparazzi and journalists lurking and most of all keep supplying the world with fine words, beautiful pictures and supreme wisdom. In all things look to the Master - YP - whose modesty and clean living ways despite his billionaire status are a true example to us all. x
ReplyDeleteHow truly gracious and comical you are Elizabeth - like your namesake, our much loved and respected monarch. To me you are in fact Queen Elizabeth the Third! Co-incidentally, is your beloved husband called Philip? ...No? More likely Wayne or Brett.
DeleteWonderful choices as usual. Kudos to your award committee, Mr. Pudding. They did an outstanding job this year.
ReplyDeleteShame there wasn't an award for my favourite blogger dame. You would certainly have won that one MT but please don't tell The Big Bear!
DeleteThank you!! As John said, I'm in great company. In fact, I feel that my modest little blog hardly deserves a mention compared to the truly wonderful offerings of the other nominees. I especially view Yorkshire Pudding as a shining example of an interesting, creative blog and I love reading here every day!
ReplyDeleteAnd may I say thank you for the fifty bucks you sent me in order to secure the "American Blogger of the Year" award Jennifer! You are very kind.
DeleteI don't quite know what to say, so I'll simply say "Danke, vielen, vielen Dank" and return to my German blog (which is, funnily enough, not in German), hoping to come up with posts well worthy of the award.
ReplyDeleteNever in the long history of the Laughing Horse Blog Awards has a blogger won two years running so I hope that you are not too bitter (bitte?) about losing out to Lee this year. I also hope that The Awards Committee have not offended you by referring to "From My Mental Library" as a German blog. As was pointed out last year, your English surpasses the literacy levels achieved by very many bloggers who claim English as their first language.
DeleteI'll second the last sentence YP.
Delete'Tis worthy company within whose presence I wander. I'm humbled and honoured. I will try my utmost to behave myself during 2016 in an effort to uphold that worthiness.
ReplyDeleteI will try...I promise...I will...I definitely will...
Let's forget my wayward behaviour of New Year's Eve...I beg of you. After all, half of it occurred before midnight making it still part of 2015!
And if I can't remember any of what transpired...surely, out of the goodness of your most generous hearts...you can forget it, too!
If The Awards Committee had seen your lewd behaviour whilst in the company of roughneck Gnasher Steelman, they might well have reconsidered their decision. However your contrite comment is befitting of a true champion. I understand that a reporter from the "Tamborine Mountain News" wishes to interview you later in the week. The editor said, "We have never had a true international celebrity living on our mountain before. We are all so proud!"
DeleteThat was me interviewing me...I write a weekly article for the "Tamborine Times" and have done for the past 13 years! (This is true what I write)!!! lol
DeleteBy interviewing myself I can get away with lots!!!
Interviewing yourself? I think that's called schizophrenia!
DeleteWow! I've never won a blogging award before, so thanks for breaking that barrier! And to have it come from someone in England is even better -- it makes me feel like I'm not Just Another Annoying American destroying the mother tongue. (Despite my frequent lapses in correct usage of the Queen's English.) I hope I continue to be thoughtful and photographically interesting enough to merit your recognition. The pressure's on!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve the award Steve and personally speaking I am pleased that I stumbled across your blog.
DeleteSteve,well done. I love the Covent Garden image on your current post. A fabulous picture.
DeleteWhat a pity you have to excuse yourself from the list YP. Your commitment to blogging daily is a credit to you. I am in awe of your ability to find a topic every day. Well done !
ReplyDeleteNow I am blushing like a beetroot Helen. Thank you.
DeleteWell, thankyou. You had a very long drum roll for these awards. You very accurately described the character of the blogs. Many thanks for the description of my blog. I will have to take a look at all the blogs you described.
ReplyDeleteA long drum roll is necessary these days Red. Congratulations on raising the blogging flag for Canada!
DeleteI do not wish to appear ungrateful but thanks for nothing.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a bit harsh; I mean it more tongue-in-cheek.
Lo, how the mighty (meaning me) have fallen. It's a long road from Best Whatever Of The Year to Might Get A Mention In A Footnote As An Afterthought. Still, I thank God for small favours.
It was with regret that The Awards Committee decided to opt for Californian Jan Blawat as the "Top Blog by a Mature Blogger" winner but you came a close second after much heated debate. With your whizzy new computer you may be able to boost the production of blogposts and earn more than a footnote next year Bob!
Delete