To celebrate my blog's official first anniversary today (date of first post that other folk apart from me could read -I hit the publish button a couple of days earlier than intended) I would like to send somebody 'A Bunch of Sweet Peas'. Alas these will not be handpicked fresh fragrant flowers from my garden but a copy of a delightful little book of the same name. This is based on a real story about a gardener rising to a challenge and succeeding beyond their wildest dreams.
I originally created my blog in April 2005 but for various reasons posts were few and far between until November 2008, when I tentatively dipped my toes in the water as I revealed myself to all and sundry. This came about mainly because although I was enjoying reading other people's blogs I felt uncomfortable. It seemed as if I was visiting other people's gardens but not inviting them back to mine. Also from last July onwards I had more time on my hands after finishing work. I wanted to do something creative to keep up my word processing skills and the old grey matter ticking over, so more regular blogging was one activity that fitted the bill. I was greatly encouraged by VP at Veg Plotting who was my very first reader and then by comments from other folk in the blogging community. Then when I joined Blotanical the floodgates opened and the rest is history!
I would like to say a thank you to all you lovely folk who take time to visit and comment. Your words, thoughts, practical help and suggestions have given me so much pleasure. I am so pleased to have met you and would dearly love to send you all a bunch of sweet peas! However that not being possible there is one bunch on offer. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by the end of the day on Saturday 5th December and team greentapestry will then chose a winner. I will announce the name of the recipient in a post as soon as I can after that date. I hope that the rest of you will accept a virtual bouquet. You deserve it !
Anna:
ReplyDeleteOnly a year? Time does fly when you're having fun does it not. I am personally most grateful that you decided to garden blog.... my blog is incomplete without a wonderful post from my most cherished 'Garden Friend.' Happy anniversary indeed!
Anna - that is so sweet! And Happy Anniversary - I was so glad when you when you "came out in the open" because from my stats I could see that someone from Greentapestry visited from time to time, but didn't know who you were.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your blog, and look forward to many more posts from you
:)
K
Oh. My. Sweet Peas. I haven't planted them. The seed goes in here in November. Oh. My. And I have to make a little trellis for them. Wait. I have a little trellis. I don't know where I stored it. Oh, dear.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your Anniversary.
Congrats on your anniversary. I so enjoy reading your posts and looking at your lovely photos, and am looking forward to another year of flowers and colour:-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Your first picture looks lovely - the blue jar and flowers work well together. I never plant my Sweet Peas early enough - perhaps this year will be different!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on one year of officially blogging. I love Sweet Peas, and those are such a gorgeous color. Sadly, they don't like my garden. I might try again next year, but I think this was the year for them here.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a year since your first post. It is almost exactly a year since I started also.
Time flys too quickly
Rob
Congratulations on your bloggy anniversary! I'm glad you decided to blog, I always enjoy my visits, and your comments on mine too. Here's to many more years of blogging!
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy Anniversary, dear Anna. Looking forward to the start of our "Forums" in January.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your blogaversary...It's simply amazing that a year goes by so quickly especially nowadays! I soo remember when a day felt like a year!
ReplyDeleteGail
Anna, congratulations! You have created an amazing blog in a year. I love this "place" and visit here whenever I can :)
ReplyDeleteLook forward to the next year following your gardening and caravaning adventures!
Hi Anna~~ What a beautifully written post. Congrats on the anniversary. I know what you mean about Blotanical opening the flood gates. Beautiful sweet peas.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary Anna - although I have only just discovered your blog (through the award system which is great for opening doors)a daily visit here is a must!
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the sweet-peas is delightful - one of my fav cottage garden flowers which makes me long for spring and summer in all this dire weather!
Have a good day.
Jeanne x
Wow, time flies! I too blogged for a few years without ever receiving comments... I feel so historic! :)
ReplyDeleteAnna of The Hand. Must still go and follow the Hand.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary. I am a real lover of sweet peas and for the first time have sown some this autumn instead of waiting till spring. I still feel you should come over and say hello, I am sure we are quite close to each other.
ReplyDeleteAn anniversary!! That's great!! I love your bouquet of sweet peas. One of my favorites. Happy anniversary.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogiversary! I love reading your blog and seeing all the places you visit in your camper. This sounds like a really interesting book. I wish I could smell the sweet peas.
ReplyDeleteHappy blog anniversary, Anna. I find it really interesting how other people got into blogging. For me it was to keep a sort of diary of my allotment, the blog started at the same time as I got my allotment, bits about my garden pop in too though. The book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteDear Anna, a very happy blogaversary to you! It is incredible what happens when you push that publish button, isn't it? Scary and exhilarating at the same time. Blotanical really does change it all, from small potatoes to the big time. We are so glad you joined the group, and aren't the garden bloggers the best, most friendly and supportive people in the world? :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Anna,
ReplyDeleteThat picture is beautiful beautiful! the light in this photograph and the colors are stunning. Are they Cupani sweet peas? that's the variety I have planted this year. Herewith my terrible secret: I can't stand the scent of sweet peas! I adore their color and nonstop climbing wonderfulness from June onwards, but almost every one I cut goes over the wall to my neighbor, who adores the scent. Does anybody else out there feel the same? Do you find them just a bit too sweet?
Anna, I just discovered your blog! Heaven! What wonderful photos. I am glad you started blogging. One year ago I did not know what blogging was, although I had heard the term. Now I am having so much fun. My first post was on Oct. 5, and my experience with Blotanical has been much like yours. So thrilling to visit gardens from over the world and to get to know their gardeners. Your enchanted forest post was magical. I am looking forward to exploring your blog and am eagerly awaiting future posts.
ReplyDeleteI am fearfully late but Happy Anniversary anyway.
ReplyDeleteActually, have just read your post again and I am not nearly as late as I thought.
I love that: when I think I am going to be horribly late and then realise that I misread the clock and I am actually three minutes early.
Anyway...
Anna - unlike James I'm horribly late and you gave me a lovely mention too.
ReplyDeleteIt's been frightfully hard catching up with everything and everyone post holiday, but that's no excuse when a friend has the most important of blog birthdays: their first one.
Well done on such a wonderful blogging year and here's to many more to come :)
Congrat's on your anniversary! We must have gotten involved with blotanical at the same time...almost exactly. November 2008 is when I joined, too. I think that's when we found each others blogs and 'faved' them! Anyway, I didn't celebrate mine because I don't really know when to say I started blogging. I kind of did it like you...I began 'blogging' in 2007 but nothing involving other people until my 'blotanical' connections came along. You are so thoughtful to offer this thoughtful gift. It is very sweet of you;-)
ReplyDeleteWell, congratulations on your anniversary! I am not much of a gardener myself (much to the annoyment of my neighbours), but I love reading about them occasionally. Just so I know a tiny bit about it and don't look a complete nitwit!
ReplyDeleteKeep on going!
Anna
ReplyDeleteYour 'Namasté' always makes me smile!
Warmest wishes on hitting the 1 year mark,
xo
Alice