1 Year of Garden Blogging Bliss!!

February 21st is my 1-Year Anniversary of garden blogging --- the proverbial "Blogoversary" ("Blogaversary"? [sp?])!  I simply cannot believe it?!  My family can't believe it's only been a year - but then they are my 'blog guinea pigs', so I test drive posts with them 1st.

Celebrate !!
(thanks to Microsoft clipart)

First, I'd like to send a shout out to Anita ("Holla"!).  She is the person that introduced me to the idea of blogging.  I'd also like to send a shout out to Lizz & Judy - who threw me into gardening years ago, by buying me my 1st plants whether I was ready for it or not.

Thirteen months ago I knew of blogging, but had no idea what world it would open up for me?  A bit of Google research back then ("What is this 'blog technology' you speak of?"), and I jumped in - right in the middle of the pond!  (I'm kind of like that with technology toys - leap first, ask questions later.)

Right in the Middle!

My very first (non-family/friend) visitor that left a comment was Jean, of Jean's Garden.  If for some reason you have not had a chance to visit Jean, I highly recommend you do!!  Jean is one of the most effective and influential Garden Blog resources I've come to know.  She features a monthly post -- "Blog of the Month", which features 3 garden blogs that are new or under-appreciated in the Blogosphere.  At the time, Jean also recommended I join "Blotanical" (garden blog directory & networking website).  It is another networking resource that is great to connect into.

"Looking back"
(Microsoft clipart)

I looked back at my 'maiden' post.  Wow, what a difference a year makes?!  Twelve months later, this is what I know:

(01)  There are incredibly talented gardeners & landscapers out across the globe
(02)  Garden Bloggers are generous by nature
(03)  Garden Bloggers are each unique & bring individual gifts to the Blogosphere
(04)  Information and knowledge comes at the 'speed of light' online
        (only limited by the speed your internet provider brings to your home)
(05)  An online garden journal is a powerful personal tool
        (if your memory is fuzzy, posts will remind you)
(06)  A picture really is worth a million words
(07)  Latin names for plants are still intimidating to me, but I am no longer afraid
        (practice, practice, practice)
(08)  Sometimes it's best to step away from the PC
        (pull out the old garden planning 'tools' - like the graph paper & a pencil)
        (garden reference books are "golden" - there's always a new 'pearl' waiting for you)
(09)  Garden blogging is an adrenaline rush
(10)  There is still a LOT to learn

Oh, ya - lots to learn!
(Microsoft clipart)

Thank you for your inspiration, talent and sharing a corner of your garden world!  I'm all jazzed up for garden season 2011 - probably more than ever.  It's been a fantastic 'blog' year... on to the next!

Happy Garden Planning!