Feb 20, 2009

One Year Of Blogging - And A Give Away to Celebrate!

I published my first post on March 9, 2008. My friend CeeKay, Thinkin' of Home, had been blogging for about a month and she begged me to start my own blog. She said she knew I would just love it. Frankly, I was happy C had found something she loved doing so much, but I couldn't imagine I would like it that much. I couldn't picture myself "talking" to strangers online regularly, actually making friendships. My husband and I visited CeeKay and her husband in mid February last year. Several times during our visit she sat me down in front of her computer to see her blog and interactions with other bloggers. I could see that C really enjoyed it and that all of the people she communicated with and the blogs she visited actually seemed quite normal - even nice! So when Hubby and I came home after our visit to Arizona I created my own blog. The rest is history!

How did I choose the name for my blog? First of all, my granddaughters call me Mimi. I knew I wanted to be Mimi as a grandmother from the time our son was a toddler. Our daughter and all the children on both sides of the family called their grandmothers Grammy - except Jacob. He called my mother and my mother-in-law Mimi as a toddler. I thought it was cute and loved that he had chosen a unique name - at least unique in our families. The Garden attachment to Mimi happened because I adore flowers and I've always loved gardening. I work at creating several gardens each Spring, adding new plants and accessories. Whenever our four year old granddaughter visited as a toddler she always asked to go out to see Mimi's garden. So it just felt natural when naming my blog to choose Mimi's Garden.

I am still quite stunned at my involvement in Blogland! I, Kathy, check my blog several times a day. I take pictures of my house and dishes and crafts and projects to post for perfect strangers to see - and comment on! Ok, CeeKay, I admit it...I LOVE it! Thank you for relentlessly encouraging me to create my own blog :) !

I have gotten to know some perfectly wonderful ladies during this year of blogging. You are all so incredibly creative, talented, generous, and kind. You encourage and inspire me, you pray for me, you provide incentive to accomplish more and reason to believe that the world is mostly made up of good and kind people! I am truly thankful for all of you!

To celebrate my one year blogging anniversary I would like to host a give away. To enter, leave a comment on any post between today, February 20 and midnight March 8, leaving your e-mail address and expressing a desire to enter the give away. The winner will receive an original watercolor, painted by Yours Truly. I'm not going to advertise the give away on other blogs because I would like the winner to be someone who already visits my blog rather than someone who just enters give aways. I'll post the winner's name on my one year blogging anniversary, March 9.

Finally, if you do not already have a "Mimi's Friendship" graphic pictured below, please take it now and link to Mimi's Garden. I would be honored to see it on your blog!

29 comments:

Blondie's Journal said...

Kathy,

It was wonderful to hear how you started blogging and I would personally like to thank C because we would be missing a pretty good thing had she not convinced you! You are a creative writer and photographer with inspiring ideas and creative projects. I love your tablescapes and look forward to seeing your gardens (I hope you can give me some much needed advice this summer!)

You said it so perfectly, blogging allows you to see that there are many kind and wonderful people in the world and I am glad I got to know one of them!

Would love to be in your give~away, only because it will be your own original creation.

Much love...

xoxo
Janie

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Congrats on your 1 year blog anniversary! That is wonderful!

Susan

Oma aka Meme said...

and a lovely blog you have- I am not quite up to par yet with pictures etc but one day I will surprise everyone
spring is coming and Meme is always brighter in spring-LOL

hugs from Meme

~CC Catherine said...

Mimi, (Another name we share), Happy Birthday! I never turn down a chance for a giveaway...but, more importantly, I just wanna say how blessed I've been to get to know you this past month. I look forward to growing as friends in the future sharing stories about our grandchildren, our gardens, and our faith., plus so much more, like TT, Meta Mondays', etc... ;) Hey, stop by my post today, I've got something very special with your name on it! Yep! I do! ;) ~CC Catherine

~CC Catherine said...

Ms. Mimi/Kathy... ;) You have my email address already, but I did want to tell you that I put your lovely decorated MiMi's Garden logo on my side bar. This is stunning...and I'm SO impressed that you are an artist! I have another dear friend that is an artist as well., and my mother paints beautiful water colors. ~Ciao for now~ ~CC Catherine

Neabear said...

Congrats on your one year anniversary! I have enjoyed following you since I found your blog back whenever it was I found you. I can't remember when now. Of course I would love to be entered in your give away.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Here she is...the Ceekay that started this whole thing!! Congrats Kat...you have a wonderful blog. Taking the pic for my blog.

Lois Christensen said...

Congrats on your one year anniversary. Blogging has been something special to me, so I know you enjoy it as well!!

Pink Slippers said...

What a nice post. Such sweet words for all the blogging ladies.
I would love to be entered in your give-away.
Heres to happy blogging.
Wendy

Elizabeth-Plain and Simple said...

Congratulations on your upcoming 1 year blog anniversary. Your blog is wonderful and I look forward to more of your posts. Thank you for sharing.

I would love to have a chance to win an original watercolor by you.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

sounds fun ~ count me in!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

forgot to mention I posted your button to my blog.

Stephanie said...

Congratulations!! I have enjoyed your blog very much!

Stephanie

Jane said...

I, too, have gotten hooked on blogging since last summer. I was a full time mom until 11 1/2 yrs ago when I went to work full time after my husband was disabled. I love reading other blogs and meeting new freinds. It is better than buying a magazine. I would like to enter your give away and thank you. rickr456@bellsouth.net

Jane said...

In case my email did not come through on my previous comment I am checking the box below.

Karen said...

Kathy~
Thanks so much for visiting me at my blog! I have enjoyed my visit here with you. This was my first time to your blog, but if you don't mind, I would like to be entered into your giveaway also. My email is homespunsimplicity@gmail.com
God bless, Kathy, and I will be back!
Karen

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

You have learned and done so much on your blog in just a year! I've had mine three years, and don't know how to do many creative things at all!! LOL!

Congratulations!

Katherine

Heather said...

That's so awesome! Happy 1 year anniversary. I would love to be entered in your give-away. A very special give-away!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

I would love to be entered in your lovely give-away! Cindy

Chandy said...

Wow, you are talented! I'd love to enter in this giveaway! I'm so excited!

I just started my tablescape blog, too and just got done with my first giveaway.

I'm so excited for you!

Carolyn of What Now? Tablescapes

Anonymous said...

I didn't know Ceekay got you started blogging. My story is similar. My niece Ginger of Enchanting Cottage got me started while she was visiting in our home. I was reluctant to start, but wow how it has changed my life. I do spend way too much time at the computer now though, but boy is it fun.
Love that beautiful cake giveaway. Of course I would love to win it. Who wouldn't?
BTW I love the name Welcome to Mimi's Garden.
Happy Blogging Anniversary.
Charlotte

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

Thanks for sharing the story of how you got started blogging! I am new to your blog but would love to be entered if it would be okay. I love the Met Monday posts that Susan does, it means I can find more great blogs to stalk. :)
~Michelle

Kathy said...

Dearest Kathy, I really enjoyed your story of how you starting blogging. I can say that it has been a blessing to me. I will never forget your encouragement and kind words last summer as I prepared for my daughter's wedding. Now that you have a wedding in your own family, I look forward to hearing about it and cheering you on! Happy Anniversary to you. Love, Kathy

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

What a neat story as to how you started blogging! And you said it so beautifully about the friendships we find here. I too was surprised that that was a much added benefit of blogging! You have a great blog! :)

I would love to be entered into your give-away. You are offering such a treasure and no matter who wins it, I am sure they will cherish it because of the artist behind the brush! :) ~hugs, Rhonda

Justabeachkat said...

Congrats on your blog anniversary. I'm so glad you decided to blog. I've sure enjoyed getting to know you. Here's to many many more years.

I'd love to win!

Hugs!
Kat

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

Congrats on your 1 year anniversary! I've enjoyed visiting you and look forward to more! Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathy! I don't think I've asked to be entered into your give away! Oh, please put in my tiny name and happy anniversary.

Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

congrats and would love to be entered into your giveaway.. and I love surprises.. hehehehehe have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Kathy: Thanks for all your creative efforts to provide such a wonderful blog!