"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Saturday, January 2, 2010

My one year Blogiversary!

It's hard to believe it's been one year of blogging already. I started this blog in the winter when I didn't have much going on in my yard and was as usual, daydreaming of warmer days when I could see my garden in bloom. I had wanted a way to keep track of all the projects we had worked on in our yard. My sister Erin, who has a family blog and a cake decorating blog Girl with the Cute Cakes (visit her if you want to see some beautiful cakes), is the one who got me started. My first post was called "Why I Garden". When I reread it I was surprised at how it sounded, probably because at the time I didn't think anyone besides me or my family would ever read it. I hadn't done any "writing" since college. The only writing I had done over many years was charting in my job as a nurse. Charting is mostly short, to the point sentence fragments full of observations and medical results and outcomes. Blogging has helped to improve my writing some I think.

Peony 'Festiva Maxima'

A few days after my first post I found Blotanical while looking for other garden blogs to read. I listed my blog there having no idea what Blotanical was about, just thought it would be a good way to find other bloggers that had pretty garden pictures to look at since I'd pretty much memorized all the garden books and magazines I had. Once I started finding my way around there I couldn't believe all the great blogs I found. Then I started noticing the people were visiting my blog. The first time someone left a comment I was surprised and excited that someone found something interesting in what I had written or shown. Karen of Greenwalks, a fellow Seattle area blogger, was that first person to comment on my posts. I was lucky enough to meet her at one of the SAGBUTT (Seattle Area Garden Bloggers United to Talk) meetings.

Rose 'Abraham Darby' and Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber)

In the last year I've gotten to know people from all over the world through blogging. I've learned how to use the macro setting on my camera (something I didn't know existed on the camera I had), html on the computer and so much about plants that it's mind blowing. Never in a million years would I have thought I would learn so much and meet so many people. Like most bloggers I've had my ups and downs with how I feel about blogging. There were days that I thought I might just stop for different reasons. But, I had fellow bloggers that I "talked" to via email that told me that others often felt the same way and offered encouragement to blog at my pace and in my style. Not only are we putting our garden out for others to see, but we are putting ourselves out there too. For someone like me that can be a hard thing to do. I have to say that it really has been worth it.
When I started I thought I would post every day, then as the year went on I realized I had to cut back on posting. Now my goal is to try to post 3 times a week unless I have time or something I find exciting to share.

Sunflower 'Mammoth'

Thank you to all of you who visit me, leave comments and those of you who have been support to me. Thank you to all of you who've taught me more about gardening in different parts of this country and around the world. Thank you to those of you that have had great plants on your blog which has increased my wish list and my garden beds. Thank you to those of you who I've learned about seed saving, cuttings, heat mats, winter sowing and other new techniques. Thank you to those of you that have taught me more about photography. All of you have made me a much better gardener, although I think I'll always be A Gardener in Progress.

Water Lily 'Charles de Meurville'

Here's to another year and I wonder what else I will learn?
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59 comments:

  1. Well, Catherine, you definitely have the writing skills to bring some tears to my eyes. I have had the same feelings as you off and on about blogging. It does cause me to get behind in my housework at times. Still, I enjoy it and the people I've met enough that I just need to find a good balance with my time so I don't have to give it up.

    Happy blogiversary and New Year!

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  2. Happy Blogiversary, Catherine! It's been fun to watch you blossom over the past year, and find a rhythm that works for you. I especially love your photos and your sense of joy in the gardening world around you. Here's to many more years of posting!

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  3. Hi Catherine

    Congratulations

    You've got quite a following there in such a short space of time.

    Happy New Year

    Rob

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  4. Well Catherine, you certainly have not lost your writing skills by any means. The feelings that you convey in this post are true for so many of us. I know you feel as though your life has be enriched by the people you have met and became friendly with through blogging, Please do not forget how much you have enriched our lives as well. Congrats!! I, for one, look forward to more of your beautiful photography and informative posts!!! Air hugs...

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  5. Congratulations on your 1 year accomplishment. Your writing is outstanding and one that I enjoy to the fullest. I learn so much from you because of the way you write. Keep up the great posts and have a great 2010. Think I'll go look at your sisters cakes and drool.
    Sorry the girls are so disappointed about no snow. I kept saying go away, head up north to see Catherine's girls but it just kept coming down. LOL

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  6. Happy Blogiversary, Catherine. Your blog is a favorite of min, and there's no doubt that you have learned how to use that camera! -Jean

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  7. Good Afternoon Catherine, I am so happy I found your blog to follow. I always enjoy your awesome photography and your knowledge/introduction of plants and of course your two adorable assistants. I appreciate your visits/comments on my blog as well. I've never even travelled to your part of the country, so your friendship is a special and unexpected blessing. My husband's health has deteriorated and we are putting our home on the market next week for something more handicap accessible. As you can imagine, it is a bittersweet time and I will miss my plants I've collected BUT I know that God has something special in store just for us and maybe I will have a new garden in a different growing zone! Maybe that will give me new material to blog about and maybe you can give me some tips. Anyway, I look forward to your garden and your blog in this new year.

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  8. Congratulations! Yours is definitely one of my favourite blogs so I hope you have many more blogiversaries.

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  9. Catherine, I didn't realize this was your first year. Your blog seems so polished to me. You are a fantastic photographer and writer. Keep it up and if you need to take a break..do it..but please come back. From one Kathryn to another, Congratulations.

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  10. Catherine:
    Happy 1st Blogaversary!
    Its wonderful reaching the one year plateau isn't it.... I think the honeymoon will last the entire year! I am especially happy to have come across your wonderful blog...... I will forever lust after A.p Orindo Nishiki (sp?)Here's to many more years of wonderful posts and photos.

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  11. Not being a major garden blog, I have the best of you. I don't think you can learn much from me. I enjoy seeing how things go there in your neck of the woods. I haven't been up a year yet, but the friends that I have made are so great and the learning is so good too.

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  12. Congratulations on your blogaversary, Catherine! I'm really glad you started blogging, as I so enjoy visiting here, and seeing your beautiful photos all around your lovely garden. You are an excellent writer, conveying the excitement and love of gardening. Here's to many more years of blogging!

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  13. Congratulations on your one year! I am so glad we have met-albeit thru blogging-but I feel as though we know each other and have connected in some small way. I look to the next one year and many more to come!

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  14. Happy Blogiversary Catherine! I found you on blotanical ... where I am right now. I am so grateful to have discovered your fabulous blog. Your writing is great and this post is quite wonderful in its thoughtfulness and generosity. Looking forward to getting to know you and your gardens over the coming year! Carol

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  15. How could I have forgotten to mention your photography! Stunning! Lush and delicious! I have the same experience with the macro mode! LOL ... digital is so different from 35 mil. film. Lovely blooms on todays post!

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  16. Congratulations! I love visiting and seeing what plants, projects and birds you have going on in your garden. Now we have a new year of gardening and SAGBUTT outings ahead. Best wishes!
    Paula

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  17. Congratulations!!
    What a spectacular sunflower. I have my seeds ready to plant - I hope I can achieve some like this!! Enjoy your next year of blogging :-)
    Cheers and Happy New Year!!

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  18. Darling-sincere congratulations.

    Yours was the first blog on gardening I found on the web and I've enjoyed reading every post you've made.

    I should like to thank you for all your encouragement and help over the past few months-getting to know you has been one of the unexpected joys of blogging for me.

    Congratualtions once again!

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  19. A red letter day Catherine. It has been a pleasure to meet you, the Little Gardener and Sweet Pea and to share your photos and experiences. Long may your blog continue to grow and flourish:)

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  21. What a beautiful post, I enjoyed reading about your evolution over the past year. It's touching to know that you have blogging ups and downs, I think I know how you feel. I am someitmes overwhelmed by the spectacular gardens and blogs out there, and feel quite inferior. But then I remind myself that I started blogging for myself, to keep a record of my garden. It's been wonderful to meet people (like you!) along the way, but it's not a popularity contest, and there are no right or wrongs.

    Your first peony picture is so beautiful it brings a tear to my eye. I think it's the most beautiful flower I've ever seen.

    I look forward to more of your posts in 2010, it's always a pleasure to stop by here.

    Now I've got to go and see if my camera has a macro setting! :) Rebecca

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  22. Congrats Catherine! It has been such a pleasure getting to know you through your blog this year.I always look forward to reading your posts. Thanks again also for sharing your seeds this fall. I am looking forward to starting them soon.
    I hope daughter enjoyed seeing the New Year come in.

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  23. Yay! Hooray! Congrats! I am very happy to have found your gorgeous blog..keep creating it is fantastic and magical!
    Kiki~

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  24. It's hard to believe you've only been blogging for ONE year! Time really does fly, doesn't it?
    I'm glad you've continued to find time to blog. Sometimes I feel like giving it up - for one reason or another also - but then I'll cut back for a while and eventually look forward to reaching out again.

    Great flower pics! Makes me wonder, AGAIN, why or why don't I have an Abraham Darby rose??????

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  25. Happy happy happy blogiversary! Isn't it funny how different we were when we started? I look back and chuckle with my early posts. If you didn't know about macro settings prior to this year, honey you have come a long way!!
    Good luck on your next year and don't overwhelm yourself with posting or reading more than what you want to. You have a lovely blog and I certainly look forward to some more scrumptious photos (like that one of the peony at the top!) Happy Day to you!

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  26. Hi Catherine, you have made such a gigantic contribution to the garden blogging world, it hardly seems possible that you have only been at it for a year. Your narrative expresses what so many others feel about the whole experience. We are all lucky for your jump into the blogging pond! :-)
    Frances

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  27. G'day Catherine ~ Congrats on your first anniversary. You have such a gorgeous presentation, you write beautifully ... I so enjoy my visits.

    Happy New Year! May your year bring beauty, joy & blessings ...
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  28. Happy blogiversary to you!!!

    You were the first bloggers that I visited since I created the "Furigheddagardening" and you taught me many things.
    I only regret not having known before, but from now on I will follow all the progress of your beautiful garden.
    What most excites me about this world of blotanical is that you can share and accept or make suggestions and also exchange opinions from across the globe! It 'fantastic!
    Hugs!
    Tiziana

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  29. Wow, Catherine! It's been such a pleasure to read over the past year's worth of blog entries that you've made. I find it interesting to see how others are gardening in different areas of the U.S., relative to my area of the U.S. (Cincinnati, OH/Southeast IN/Northern KY). For example, while you're enjoying some lingering blooms, I'm freezing my butt off with dead-looking twigs. Can't wait to see what your blog holds for 2010.

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  30. You've evidently got that camera mastered, because your photos are out of this world! I don't know piddly but to point and shoot. It was hard for me to "put myself out there." But I've made so many friends. Learned so many things. Wanted to tell you: Today I was in the store where I bought all my birdhouses last week, and I was thinking about your hummingbirds. But the guy in there said we don't get them this time of year in Texas. I was looking to buy a feeder.
    Brenda

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  31. Isn't it amazing how much we learn from reading garden blogs from around the world?

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  32. Your blog is definitely a magnet Catherine.... and is definitely progressing hand in hand with the gardener herself!!... my blogiversary is months to go.. Cheers,.. ~bangchik

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  33. Happy Blogiversary. What a great collection of photos. I love the one with Abraham Darby & the red Valerian.

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  34. Hello Catherine,

    Happy Blogiversary. Your blog was one of the first I read when I joined Blotanical and I love your format and wanted mine to look like yours :-)

    I can only hope that my new Abraham Darby rose (in the mail) will look like yours someday.

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  35. Hi Catherine - WOW, has it only been a year?! It seems like you have been a fixture on Blotanical for much longer, such is your impact. I am humbled to be mentioned here and so glad to have met you! I know you are a busy bee but hope we can snag you for another SAGBUTT meeting one of these months. We miss you! Keep up the great work, however often it may be. Love that peony, I can almost smell its delicate scent half a year away!

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  36. I am so happy that you started a blog, it is truly one inspirational place to learn from. I am in awe over that hummingbird header. That should win some contest, if it hasn't already!
    Keep on blogging, sister.
    Rosey

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  37. Preciosas las flores y preciosos las fotos

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  38. Catherine I didn't realize you'd only been blogging for a year also. I have always enjoyed your writing and your comments and think that your blog is one of the best out there. It has been wonderful to experience gardening in your part of the world.

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  39. Happy blogiversary. I always enjoy reading your posts and seeing what you are up to. Hope you find the next year as rewarding

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  40. Thank you everyone for your comments and compliments! You are all part of what has made this such a fun experience!

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  41. Congratulations Catherine on making it to your one year anniversary. I am so happy that you did. I have learned so much from you and am grateful that you stuck it out through the drag times. I am also thankful to hear that others have drag times when they wonder why they started blogging in the first place. I have enjoyed your blog immensely. Thank you for taking the time to share your garden and yourself with us. Thank you for enriching my life in particular. :-)

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  42. Hi Catherine - I very much enjoy your blog. I had to smile when you say you learned how to use the macro on your camera....I've been wondering how to do that myself. There must be stages of learning at blogging, somewhat like gardening, a bit of trowel and error. Gloria

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  43. That peony looks good enough to eat. Exquisite photos.

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  44. Congratulations on completing one year of blogging! Please continue to blog. I find your posts very interesting and heart-warming.

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  45. Congratulations on your Blogiversary. I've been going less than a year and have already had to taken some time out because of the level of commitment required. I admire those like yourself who can stick at it. Well done.

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  46. Happy Blogiversary!! Yours is one of my favorite blogs. I always look forward to reading about your garden and seeing it change with each season. And, your warm personality comes always comes through in your writing and your comments on other people's blog. So glad you are a blogging friend!

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  47. Congratulations Catherine on your blog's first anniversary! Happy Gardening and Happy Blogging! I love the peony picture, it's so lovely!

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  48. Congratulations!
    You always have such great pictures and information. Your hummingbird pictures, are amazing.
    Keep up the good work.

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  49. Hi Catherine! Just wanted to chime in and add my congrats on your blogaversary! You do an outstanding job on your blog and it's reflected by how many people comment and follow you. It's like you're the "girl next door" in the garden world ~ we'd all love to have you as a friend and neighbor. I wish you many happy days of blogging and gardening ahead.

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  50. Happy Blog Anniversay! I am a follwer without being a follower..make sense? lol You have a beautiful garden and awesome pictures. Thank you for sharing...

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  51. What a well-written post, Catherine. I too believe blogging helps boost our writing skills. Your blog has always been a joy to visit and the fact that you're a fellow PNWer is the icing on the cake. Happy Blogiversary! And many more.

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  52. Congratulations, Catherine.
    I have loved your blog and your wonderful pictures of your awesome flowers.
    What is nice about blogging is that you have the freedom to do what you want. I started out just writing humor and then got into photography and now it has both...as far as how often you post..that is entirely up to you! Sometimes I post daily, other times I do 3 X a week, too...it is not supposed to be a burden...it is supposed to be fun and a way to express yourself.
    You have lots of people that your garden pictures inspire and they love looking at them...me included!

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  53. Catherine, congratulations lady! on your milestone and great accomplishment. 'Like fine wine', comes to mind... 'with age it becomes better'. ;) You have always had it in you and it shows in this result.

    Blogging requires time and it can take on a life of its own. We write for ourselves, and if we're not careful it can become all consuming. There are other pieces of our life that require attention, and I'm doing the same thing right now... rethinking the balance of ones life... "there are only so many hours of the day, and this is how I choose to use them".

    Catherine, I'm looking forward to whatever gifts you have for us. ;)

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  54. Catherine, Happy Blogaversary! I am so glad you started a blog. I love visiting your blog. You have very beautiful pictures and interesting blog posts. I love the way you blog!

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  55. Happy Blogiversary Catherine ~ Your garden is always such a treat to behold. No matter what the season, there is beauty and charm.

    FlowerLady

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  56. Congrats, Katherine! I think all us bloggers are staving off Alzheimer's with the many new skills we are learning. I'm impressed you still post 3 times a week. Once a week is plenty for me (and I took last week off, which was a nice break). Best wishes for the next year.

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  57. Happy Anniversary Sister! You have always been an amazing gardner, I think you got that from Poppa. Thank you for sharing your beloved plants with me. As I have told you before, I have a "TiTi" garden. All plants from you and your yard. Its the only part of my entire yard I love. Its been amazing to see your blog bloom into what it is now, thank you for sharing, teaching and showing me that rain, snow or shine, there is always something I could be doing outside.

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