Sunday, February 20, 2011

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!

25 comments:

  1. Happy blogoversery! It is always fun to visit. jim

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  2. Happy 1 year! Keep it going and enjoy!

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  3. Shyrlene, Happy blogiversary. I really liked that you remembered and thanked those that helped you when you started. I have seen Jean's blog many times but never realized that her three blogs selected were those new or under-appreciated. I have often heard of them, so never made the connection. Thanks for letting me know. I am glad I found your blog and enjoy seeing what you are up to. Keep up the good work and go for two. Your clipart today fit your post so well.

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  4. Congratulations and Happy Blogversary! (That word will definitely make it into a dictionary sometime soon!)

    It's been an absolute pleasure reading your blog so I'm very pleased you took the plunge into the blogging world a year ago. I always look forward to your posts and I'm looking forward to many more in the years ahead ... imagine what the technology might be like then!!!

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  5. Woo Hoo!!! Celebration time! Congrats on one year of blogging! I relate most to the "fuzzy memory" part where the online journal is most useful! HAHAHA!!!

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  6. Happy happy blogoversery! It just gets into your blood doesn't it. Like you are taking a shower or driving down the road and you wish like heck you had a tape recorder for important blog-type ideas that just come popping into your head.

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  7. Congrats on your first year of melding your two favorite things...words and gardening...oh wait make that three...photography. If I get you beads for your birthday this year...will you do jewelry with me?

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  8. Congratulations on 1 year - I've sure had fun...thanks for the gnome contest and the beautiful pic of my flower at Xmas. As for you being "ready or not"? You were SO ready, just didn't realize it. If I get you paints and garden stones for your birthday this year...will you paint with me? (Hi Lizz!)

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  9. Shyrlene, Happy Blogaversary (the 4th spelling of the word in these comments -- we've made it up, so I guess we can spell it any way we want until someone pins it down in a dictionary)! Many thanks for linking to my blog; you're a sweetie (and I believe also my #1 fan :-)). I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of both your garden and your blog. -Jean

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  10. Jim - Many thanks!
    ONG - Back atcha! (1 yr goes fast doesn't it?)

    GWGT - I appreciate your kind words; my friends are just gems - and they even share plants from their gardens! Before Jean stopped by my blog, I didn't even know 'who' or 'what' was out there! I keep saying I've learned more about gardening in 1 yr than I had in the previous 6.

    Bernie - I remember the 1st time I stopped by your blog and found out that you had kangaroos as 'furry little animals' in your garden! I was amazed! Looking at your Aussie gardens had me speechless. Now I look forward to the "tools" we'll have to blog & keep in touch w/ in the future... 3D video? ;D

    Kyna - Thanks! Big congrats to you too!! I can't wait to see what you are going to be up to this year!!

    Kimberly - Thanks for the party whoop!! Too bad we can't be sipping a few margaritas at the same time! (Who needs memory anyway?)

    LifesHwy - Thanks! It's SO true - getting ideas when you least expect it, or getting "writer's block" when you are staring out the window, AT your garden.... Irony - gotta love it! (I still don't know how you come up with all the stories for your 'field reporter' submittals?)

    Anonymous #1: THAT is pure evil! (you know me too well!) BTW - big thanks! xo

    Anonymous #2: Thanks, Girlfriend! Painting, huh? ...does it come with a frozen cocktail?!

    Jean - I hope the 'hero worship' isn't too much? I just admire your facilitating skills! Thanks for all you've done - to open up my eyes to the Blogosphere!

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  11. Congratulations on staying with it for a year;-) I am sure there will be many more!

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  12. Congratulations! And I bet you'll never stop--not once the garden bug has bitten, you won't!

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  13. Happy Blogversary! I'm so happy we have crossed blogging paths. You are a true joy!

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  14. Jan - Thanks! Year "1" was a wild ride, and I'm really looking forward to "Year 2".

    Dianne - Thanks so much for stopping by and the kind wishes! I am so "bitten" & hooked on gardening. Waiting for Spring to come is making me crazy!

    Tufa Girl - Thank you! It has been a total blast, and we've barely gotten started. Here's to 2011!

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  15. Happy First Blogaversary Shyrlene! I'm glad you took the plunge, I enjoy your blog very much.

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  16. Hooray for you! I am so glad you are still blogging. It makes me sad but I understand when some fabulous bloggers have to quit. I hope you have many more years to come!

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  17. Plantaliscious - "plunge" is the perfect word! Thank you so much!

    Rosey - I know how you feel about bloggers that drop off the grid. In the short time I've been online, a few are no longer writing - a big loss! Thanks for the encouragement. I feel like I'm just amping up!! :)

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  18. Happy Blogaversary! To me blogOversary sounds like controversy. As the non-driver this morning, I was scribbling out the next blog post. Uh where are we now?

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  19. Happy blogaversary! I loved reading this post.

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  20. EE - Thank you! Excellent point on the word association - here in Illinois we also have a former corrupt Governor who's nickname was "BlogO" so another reason to embrace "Blog-a-versary! (BTW - I envy your opportunity to compose your next post!!)

    HolleyGarden - Thank you so much for stopping by and your feedback on my post! (I still can't believe it's been a year already.)

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  21. I enjoy reading and have learned very much here.

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  22. Congrats on your 1 Year Bloggerversary! Here's to many more :)

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  23. Indoor - thanks for your visits! Always glad to have you stop by!

    Christine - Great to have you come by! I love your blog, very cool!

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