Cedar Hill Farmhouse (formerly Cedar Hill Ranch) the blog, has been here now for a full year on March 8, 2012. I can’t believe it has been that long since I wrote my first post.
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| Back Porch Redo, click here |
I included photos and links to some of my favorite posts as I look back on this fun year.
Here’s how it all began for me. I had been doing a lot of writing and photography for a local furniture store, and decided I really enjoyed the creative outlet. I wanted my own place to write, where I had the final say about what went into the article. I suppose every creative person needs such an place, where they call the shots. My friend, Peggy, whom I mention often, really encouraged me to start my own blog. Her daughter has a blog, and I thought, why not? I wondered how long I could go until I ran out of material. Turns out, the answer is… quite a long time.
I found out later that pretty much everyone has a blog. Frankly, I’m shocked my collie doesn’t have one yet.
If you can’t tell, she is standing in a field of bluebonnets that haven’t bloomed yet. I just took that photo about a week ago, so I can’t wait to share photos when our bluebonnets finally bloom!! But back to my story.
I remember looking at my blog stats in those early weeks, and the pageviews each day seemed to only include my own personal views of the blog. That confirmed that I was pretty much the only reader of Cedar Hill Ranch, besides Peggy of course. Would I ever have any REAL readers, I mean besides Peggy? I had a few comments here and there, which excited me to no end, but of course, just from Peggy.
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| Caroline’s house, click here |
Then I got my first comment that wasn’t from my friend Peggy. I was over the moon that a reader I didn’t even know had posted a comment. But there was something familiar about the comment. I couldn’t shake the thought that the person writing the comment knew me. Later I found out that my friend Caroline had written it, but she has posted it as anonymous, so I didn’t know at the time, it was her. Later, she asked if I had figured out it was from her. I kinda had. Again, I appreciated Caroline’s support, but when was someone I didn’t know going to find my blog on the web? The good news was that now I was up to three readers, if I included myself, which I did!!
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| Round Top Antique Show, click here |
Then I went to the Round Top Antique Show with my camera, and my friend Peggy. It felt akward carrying a camera, but I did. Based on the fabulous photos on the other blogs, I could see that my phone camera was not going to cut it. While in Round Top, we stopped in at the Texas Rose, one of the many antique venues on 237. I ran into another blogger there who was also taking photos. Peggy asked her is she was a blogger. Really? Peggy, just because there is someone within 5 feet of us, does not require us to start up a conversation with said person.
At this point, I didn’t want to talk about blogging, since I wasn’t sure I really was one, yet. This sweet lady said in a sad voice that she was indeed a blogger, and that she was taking photos for her blog, but what was the point, since she only had 3 readers. (Just like me, I thought.) I wondered just how long she had been blogging, and if I would have that sad look a year from now, taking photos for non-existent readers. Would I EVER have more than 3? I was a little embarrassed to tell her or anyone at that point that I too was a blogger, since I felt REAL BLOGGER = SOMEONE W/ < 100 READERS. I smiled, and kept the conversation on her. But my friend Peggy, just couldn’t contain her excitement, and announced that I too was a blogger. She said, “Oh, my friend, Anita,” (STANDING RIGHT THERE TO MY IMMEDIATE RIGHT, HELLO, DOES EVERYONE SEE HER????) “is also a blogger!!”
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| Round Top |
I was horrified. She had said it OUT LOUD, where people could hear her! I was ready to crawl under a table, right then and there. (I silently thought, “Please don’t ask how many readers I have, please!”) I tried to smile, but I think it looked more like a smirk. I know Peggy was trying to be supportive, and she really was proud of me, but I was mortified. This is exactly the kind of thing my mother would have done. You know when your mother says something in public to show how proud she is of you, but she’s trying a little too hard, so that you end up looking like a pathetic failure? Yup, that’s how I felt.
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| My friend Leslie’s house, click here |
Caroline sometimes asks me, “Are you STILL doing that blogging thing? I would have thought you would have run out of stuff to post about by now.” Oh Caroline, you have NO IDEA!! (Insert maniacal laugh here.) Thinking up this stuff is what we decor bloggers do for fun, so there is always another idea floating around.
So, I’m made it a whole year. The reason I am still here is plain and simple, BECAUSE OF YOU. I love the friendships I have made here, and the wonderful support. It truly is a blessing to meet up here, and know that there are other people who share my love of design. Before I was a blogger, I had no one to talk to about my projects (except Peggy and Caroline of course.) I got tired of telling most of my friends, since I think there reaction was, aren’t you DONE with your house by now? But my blog friends (bloggers and blog readers alike) understand that I will never be done with my house (because they are the same way.)
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| Silver with a Past, click here |
I really want to say thank you for sharing the ride with me. If no one read this blog but me, I wouldn’t still be blogging. Your comments and pageviews (even if you don’t leave a comment) encourage me so much.
There are so many incredibly talented bloggers out there, and I am so honored be in their company. I love knowing such fun and creative women.
So as my blogiversary festivities begin, which so far, just includes writing this post, I am raising my glass (metaphorically speaking that is) to you. (Oh and thanks Peggy for believing in me.)
I selected won’t you celebrate with me as my poem for today. As I am trying to be more careful observing copyrights, (more on that later) rather than including the poem in its entirety, I am simply including a link to the poem, which just happens to be on my favorite poetry site, The Poetry Foundation.
won’t you celebrate with me by Lucille Clifton : The Poetry Foundation
Happy Anniversary!!! You have a beautiful blog and I love following along with you.
Congratulations!! Happy Anniversary too! I love your blog and I am so glad that you do what you do and that I found you. Have a wonderful day!
Congratulations! you have covered lots of ground & had a wonderful 1st year! Cheers to many more 🙂
Congrats hun! It’s great that you made it a year and I wish you many more!
Happy One Year Blog Anniversary! I have enjoyed getting to know you this past year and look forward to the posts to come.
Penny
You Go Girl! I knew you could do it and I knew you would do it well! You have so much to share and such an eye for beautiful things and how to arrange them. I have enjoyed following you the last year by pictures and words (in addition to in person). It is all so very lovely! Happy One Year Anniversary my dear friend!
Happy Anniversary! I love the story. Most people I know still don’t know I’m a blogger and I’ve been at it just over a year.
Congrats!
Holly
Unless you are a blogger this world of blogland is hard to understand. It’s hard to explain the connections. I have never figured out how to put it in words. You did a very good job of that. And I know what you mean about your house never being finished. Always a work in progress! Congratulations on one year. Well done.
Congratulation! You have had a wonderful year!
Hi Anita,
Congratulations on 1year. Iam am in the same spot you were a year ago. I am just starting out and wonder if people will be interested in what I have to say or projects I do. I hope I can be writing about my experience a year from now. I can totally relate to how you felt at the round top show.
I think everyone needs a Peggy. You wanna share her?
Happy Anniversary.
~Bliss~
I’m not a blogger but I’ve been following your’s now for several months and I’ve enjoyed every post! Congrats on your first year anniversary! Jana in Texas
Happy blogiversary! Thanks for sharing yourself with all of us!
Congratulations.I am so glad I came across your blog.
Happy Anniversary:) One year is a great achievement. I love everything about your blog so keep it coming:)
Congratulations on a whole year of blogging. And heres to many more to come! Cheers!
Happy Anniversary Anita! It is funny how non-bloggers think ideas will fizzle out after a while.
So happy to be one of your (many!) followers 🙂
Happy Blogiversary! I enjoy reading your blog and looking at what you have done. Round Top is right down the road from my hometown of Brenham. I need to go to RT soon. I haven’t been in so long! Anyway, so happy I found you in the blog world!
Hi lovely lady.
Happy One Year Blog Anniversary! I have enjoyed getting to know you this past year sweet lady.I love all your lovely photos you have put on for us all to see, and look forward to the posts to come. Thanks for your help today. I would also like to thank you for your sweet comments on my Tablescape.
XXOO Diane
Happy first anniversary. Hope you have many more.
Congrats on your blogversray!!! Time flies when you are blogging, I always say!
Here is to another wonderful year 🙂
xo, misha
congratulations on your anniversary… I am so glad that I found your blog and happy that I can read it every day! … you have a wonderful place to come and rest and enjoy your wonderful home!
Congratulations, Anita. Blogland is full of adventures, yes. I’m glad we’re blogging buddies.
Congratulations! One year is a milestone. You have a great blog.
Congrats and look at you now – over 700 Followers – wow!
Congratulations!! Happy Anniversary, so glad I am along for the ride!
Anita, this is a dear post. Congratulations on your first year. I had no idea I’d enjoy having a blog, but like you, I find it most rewarding. I’ve met many new friends, and you are one of them. So happy to have discovered your blog. It’s always a joy to visit Cedar Hill Ranch. ~ sarah
Congratulations, Anita! I remember those feelings when I first started my blog ~ I didn’t want to tell anyone at first. It’s true, there is always something to blog about and always something to decorate or redecorate ~ I mean really, who doesn’t get that??? I totally enjoy your writing and decorating so I’m so glad you took the plunge! (Peggy ~ thanks for spreading the word!)
congratulations! Your blog is a hit!! Glad it has worked out for you!
Blessings
Congratulations on your first anniversary. I always enjoy stopping by Cedar Hill Ranch.
Happy 1 year Blogiversary Anita!! Love your blog!
Happy Anniversary, Anita! I loved spending this year with you and I look forward to seeing what you post in the next 12 months. Thanks for linking to my party and have a great weekend. xo, Sherry
Congrats, Anita, on your 1 year Blogiversary. I look forward to following you through the next year.
Anita, Happy Anniversary! I have enjoyed following your wonderful blogging adventures this past year! Congratulations! I look forward to many more amazing ideas and posts! Blessings! Betsy
Happy Bloggiversary! Hope you keep on blogging for a long time to come! Let us know if your collie starts a blog too. 😉
Congrats on the blogiversary! I hit mine in January and it was an oddly satisfying feeling!
Congratulations & Happy Anniversary!!!!! I’m so glad I found your blog :o)
~Des
Congratulations on your 1 year blogoversary, Anita! Loved the poem and the Bible verse of the day.
I, too, made it to 1 year on my blog and then just plain stopped blogging. You may just inspire me to start again.
blessings, k
Well, HAPPY (one-day-belated) BLOGIVERSARY!
See how far you’ve come? You are amazing! I always enjoy a visit to Cedar Hill Ranch. 🙂
-Revi
Congratulations, Anita, on your blogiversary!! I am so glad I found your blog with your decorating and blogging style, I find it most interesting and a learning experience, too. Thank you for your blog tips as they have been very helpful to me.
Anita,
Congratulations! Only ONE year…REALLY??? Your blog is fabulous! I was sure the first time I visited that you were a SEASONED blogger! Kuddo to your friend, Peggy, for pushing you full blow into the Land of Blog! You bless my life each time I open your blog! I raise my cup ‘o tea to you…and many more years of blogging, dear friend!
Fondly,
Pat
Congrats, friend! Looks to me like your blog’s doin’ just fine! 🙂 I’ve loved reading it and getting to know you. I feel pretty blessed too! Here’s to many more happy blog years!
xoxo
Kathleen
Congrats on making your one year anniversary! I can totally relate to this post because I am a new blogger. I wanted to blog for so long but was so intimidated. I decided to get over it and go for it. I’m glad I did! I’m following you through Linky Followers.
Congratulations on your one year of blogging! You are doing fantastic! I love following along! So glad that I discovered your beautiful place on the net!
~Sandy
Your blogging may have started
slow…but WOW! you are a REAL Blogger now!!!! Your blog is so pretty and fun to read.
Thanks for sharing about how you felt
when you started. It encourages me
that I may get it right one day, too!
Congratulations!!!!
Maki
Maki’s Little Red House.blogspot.com
Love your site! Thank you for being so transparent with your beginner blogging days! I started this year(2015) the same week you did and was mortified that my husband shared the new Facebook page I had experimented with on his status! It had one post! I was so mortified and told him to delete the post right away! Haha!
How sweet that he was trying to help you!
I really enjoy reading & looking at the pictures u post. They give me fresh ideas & I lv ur energy.
Great post.
Nice post!
You did a terrific job! This post sound very great.