Saturday, March 14, 2015

Saturday Spotlight #10: My One-Year Blogiversary!

There are 525,600 minutes in a year.
 
I hit publish for the first time on this blog five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes ago, give or take a few. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into!  


A year and about a weekend ago, I had just one question: “What's a blog?”  Seriously, I didn't even know.

A blog, for anyone who many still not know, is a regularly updated web page or website.  The word “blog” comes from the term web log or weblog. It also may interest you that each update is called a "post" or a blog post.
Today, I can answer that question, but now I have a bunch more!



Starting a blog was one of the more impulsive decisions that I have made. After I had been freelance writing for a while, I read that “starting a blog is a good thing for a writer to do.” Only a few days after the idea to start a blog occurred to me,
this blog was up and running. I thought having a blog would be a fun thing to do, and motivate me to write more.

It has been fun.

It has motivated me to write - a lot.

It has also taught me more than I had ever thought I would know about computers and social media.


Blogging has been like moving to a new place, and instantly having a a supportive team of new acquaintances. In the past year (525,600 minutes) I have made many new friends and participated in several campaigns for social justice. I have written about people, food, products, pets, home and garden, special occasions, travel, companies, crafts and more.  I have even had the privilege of having my work published on other blogs.




When I started this blog, I was quite naive about how important it is to pick a good topic to write about. Fortunately, I have never regretted my choice.  My “niche” is perhaps broader than what is typically recommended for a blog, but I love the variety of subjects that all relate to “making the most -- of every moment.” My nearly daily task of finding good recipes, tips, stories, projects, and information to share here has helped me to make the most of my own most recent 525,600 moments.  I hope that it has helped you as well!

I have lots of hopes and plans for the future of this blog. I am committed to improving my photography, and making better use of the manual setting on my camera! I am hoping I will finally understand how to use social media - and maybe even figure out Twitter! 


Like any blogger, I hope to continue to grow my following, which will in turn increase the options and opportunities for what I can do here. Yesterday, I wrote about how you can follow this blog (click here if you missed it). I really hope that you do!


There have been things about this first year of blogging that have been a lot like having a new baby.  This blog has been quite demanding and has caused me to lose some sleep. I have worried about it, and I've grown very fond of it.  I didn't throw it a party for it’s birthday - but I did do some baking for it! 


Perhaps I'll even share the recipe for my sugar cookies another day!




A year ago, I didn't know if anyone besides my family would ever read this blog.  I was thrilled the first time someone left a comment on a post, and I am grateful for all of the followers and readers that I now have! Thank you for all of your comments, and all of the times you have shared my posts.

The purpose of my Saturday Spotlight Series is to “shine the spotlight” on something I have discovered or found interesting. This week, in celebration of the past 525,600 minutes, I am shining it right here, on my own blog this week.  




Writing about 520,600 minutes reminds me of a song.  Have you ever heard this one?

          
                     Seasons of Love, by the cast of Rent


Happy First Birthday, the most - - of every moment

Here's to many more!


This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

25 comments :

  1. Congratulations on your one year blogiversary - what a great achievement! So glad you made the decision to start your blog, and wish you every success as you carry on. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy, Happy first year! As I read this post I found myself nodding and grinning and then nodding some more. Blogging has opened up a world of wonderment to me as well. One of the highlights is getting to know you. I wish you years and years of fulfilling and enriching blogging delights. And yes, let's explore a conference or two!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And now I am nodding and grinning to your comment here! I am so very happy to have met you as well, Kelly - and definitely yes to a conference or two!

      Delete
  3. Reading your blog has given me many minutes of enjoyment, too! I've learned a lot, sympathized, rejoiced and reminisced along with you! Here's to even more success for you in the coming year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sally - I am so glad that it has had this sort of impact on you :)

      Delete
  4. Congratulations!! Love your blog! Cookies on Insta, cookies on the blog!! Can you send some cookies to NY?? LOL Have a great weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Katie. Cookies might be stale before they reach NY - but I promise the recipe will be on my blog sometime soon :) Hope your weekend was great too. Thanks for the info about Hello Fresh in your recent post - sounds like an interesting idea to try!

      Delete
  5. Happy blogoversary, and many more to come. It is fun isn't it? And addictive...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is fun - and one of the things I like best is making friends from all around the world, like you :)

      Delete
  6. Happy One Year Blogiversary Susan! And many more to come...
    Lori

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lori. I am so happy to have found your blog to follow. Looking forward to many years of blogging for us both.

      Delete
  7. A special day indeed. Happy blog birthday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Delores! You know that most of my fiction pieces have been sparked by words from you!

      Delete
  8. Happy Anniversary Susan! I am so glad that you did decide to hit that publish button because I would have missed a wonderful friendship! I always feel that you, Lana and I were like in the same class in school, we all started about the same time and all seem to have help each other out and encourage and cheer for each other. There are many lovely people who I've met through this crazy thing called blogging but you and Lana will always be very special to me. I hope one day we can finally all get together IRL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel the same way Rena ... thanks so much for all the support, advice, and most of all - your friendship! If you had told me a year ago that I would make such good friends via the Internet, I never would have believed it!

      Delete
    2. I know! The best part of blogging for sure!

      Delete
  9. First of all Susan, those cookies and cupcakes look delicious! That's a lot of baking - I bet your son was happy!! Congratulations on your one year blogiversary. It's such an accomplishment, and you've created such a wonderful blog. Even though we started around the same time, my story is different. I thought about starting for years before I finally took the plunge! I'm so glad you did, because otherwise we wouldn't have met. I second what Rena said above!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes - my son is happy, and the baking is quickly disappearing! I am so glad we met through blogging, and I would probably not still be here without you! Looking forward to hopefully many years of blogging and friendship in our future!

      Delete
  10. Susan congrats and loved the cupcakes! Great picture share :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. So glad you made that first decision to hit 'Publish'! You have made a valuable addition to the 'blogosphere'. so glad you're my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment is a wonderful way to start my week! So glad to know that you are just north of me ... don't forget to let me know the next time you drive through Montana! :)

      Delete
  12. COngratulations Susan! Writing everyday is no joke... And you have done it for a whole year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ish! Although I have not left enough comments, I have been really impressed by the work you have done on both your blogs as well!!

      Delete

If you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you share it on your social media sites and with your friends!