The Ultimate Blog Party 2011 was a great experience!

So apparently the Ultimate Blog Party 2011 is history now--although the links are all still there, and I'm sure you can continue to check out the blogs listed there.

I've participated in the UPB for a few years now, but this year I put more time into checking out and commenting on other blogs, and it had such a lovely pay-off!

I've gotten some of the nicest comments from other bloggers--on both this blog and my book blog, Cindy's Book Club. And once again, I've been amazed at the sheer number of quality, beautiful blogs out there.

I want to take a moment to say thank you and welcome to the new followers I gained through the UBP! Many also were kind enough to "like" me on Facebook.

When you take the time to blog, and you try to make your content interesting and engaging, it's so nice to get the affirmation of other people enjoying it and appreciating it! That means a lot...and I can't thank you enough. :)

Men in Hats--A Style That Needs to Make a Come-Back

Jon Hamm on "Mad Men"

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(Scroll down for my Ultimate Blog Party 2011 Post! Welcome partiers!)

Not long ago, I blogged about men in ties. But while it may be true that not enough men wear ties (I think they look great in them), what about hats? I'm not talking baseball caps. I'm talking hats, like men wore when men were men. Is there anything more suave, more classy, more downright COOL than a man in a hat?

My husband, who is bald and beautiful, got a fedora a couple of years ago to wear with his overcoat. He looks FANTASTIC in it. You'll often see Justin Timberlake, Jude Law, or Johnny Depp rocking an old-school fedora or trilby.

Just peruse these photos and tell me if you don't think men's hats need to come back in a big way! (And yes, I'd love it if women started to wear hats more, too. That may be a subject for a whole 'nother post!)

Frank Sinatra was the hat king

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Some Google research on men in hats turned up several websites that claim men ARE wearing classic hats more. How do you feel about that? If you're a man, do you ever wear a hat? If you're a woman, is this a style you'd like your man to wear more?

Let me know in my comments!

Johnny Depp as John Dillinger in Public Enemies--gangsters were all about hats!

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Alan Ladd

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A hat for the modern young man

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Hugh Jackman

(Scroll down for my Ultimate Blog Party post!)

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party 2011!

For those of you who have never visited Notes in the Key of Life, THANK YOU and make yourself at home!



I'm Cindy Swanson. I'm a wife to a wonderful guy, mom to three grown kids, and grandmother to two precious little boys. I'm also a radio announcer and a voice-over artist who has a passion for reading and writing.


Me and my sweet hubby

So many things capture my interest, and whether it be matters of faith, current events, family issues, beauty and fashion, books and entertainment, health and fitness, diabetes issues, or a wide variety of other topics, it all seems to find its way to this blog.

(The books and reading stuff actually spills over into a separate blog:)

I try to keep "Notes in the Key of Life" entertaining, engaging and positive...and I LOVE feedback! So I hope you'll look around, check out the sidebar, peruse the archives, and check out my "tabs" above, that feature my bio, some family pics, and other stuff.

P.S.--I'd love for you to "like" "Notes in the Key of Life" on Facebook!


...and above all, COME BACK!

Oh, and before you go, do have a cupcake...



And a bouquet, just for you...



Be blessed! :)

It's the Ultimate Blog Party 2009! Welcome to My Blog

It's that time again--the Ultimate Blog Party, hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom!

This is a great chance to spread the word about your own blog, attract new readers, and check out other blogs yourself.



If this is your first visit to Notes in the Key of Life, welcome! I'm Cindy Swanson, and I blog about faith, family, fiction, entertainment, and whatever else piques my interest.

Here's what you need to know:

Cindy Swanson is a radio personality at 101QFL and Radio 91 in Rockford, IL, and a free-lance voice-over artist. Married for 30 years to the love of her life, Doug, she has three grown children and is the proud grandma of a 2-year-old boy named Payton (pictures here!).



The child of missionary parents, Cindy spent part of her early life in Beirut, Lebanon, and still dreams of traveling to places like Ireland and Scotland.

An avid reader (especially of Christian fiction), Cindy sometimes amazes friends and family with her vast knowledge of current events, pop culture and what she calls "useless trivia." She often shares her book reviews and author interviews here on her blog.



After being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2007, Cindy has lost 30 pounds, for a total of over 50 pounds lost since she was at her heaviest. Her fitness journey continues, and has become an integral part of daily part of her life. (See a before-and-after here.)

A one-woman crusader against e-mail spam and internet hoaxes, Cindy battles rumors and urban legends on the radio in her "Cindy Swanson, CyberSnoop" mode, and she shares that on her blog--here's an example.



Cindy says her Christian faith defines her, and she can't imagine living life without a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe.

She brings all these aspects into her blog, Notes in the Key of Life, which has been described as "positive, personal and uplifting."

Please stick around and check out some of my older posts...and do come back! The welcome mat is always here.

And if you're interested here is a video post I did last fall as part of a video-blogging event.