Holy cow!
I can’t believe I’ve been blogging for an entire year and today is my 1 year blogiversary!
When I started this blog one year ago today, it was kind of on a whim – I felt void of creativity serving and bartending for so long and needed an outlet to help me spark my engines. It was slow going and at first I wasn’t sure I could devote the time to it but I continued on anyway. I have found I truly enjoy writing again, cooking with the intention of sharing the recipe, and not just sharing the food, and photographing all my creations. I am working my brain again, finally, and it feels so good.
Blogging has definitely been more challenging than I expected. Part of me thought if I wrote it, they would come – I’ve seen Field of Dreams too many times – and if any of you are bloggers, you know that isn’t the case. It gets discouraging when you pour your heart into a post or work really hard building a gift guide and no one checks it out. But you know what? It’s ok. I’m blogging for me and that’s what I’m going to keep doing. And I hope you all stick around for the ride, even if you is just Mr. B and my mom. 🙂
The Numbers
- 168 Posts Published
- 397 Comments
- 1632 Twitter Followers
- 1333 Facebook Fans
- 1446 Pinterest pinners
- 570 Instagram followers
- 516 Bloglovin readers
- 1 Feature Ended (Words for the Weekend)
- 2 Features Continuing (8 Great & Five Finds Friday)
- 1 Blog Name Change (Goodbye Honey B’s and Birch Trees, Hello Honey & Birch)
The Favorites
I looked through all my old posts and my stats and picked out my favorites and yours (based on page views). I wonder if any of these will make next years list…
From Top to Bottom; Left to Right
DIY Melt & Pour Soap | Easy Caprese Salad | She’s Foxy: Fox Inspired Gifts for Her | DIY Vanilla Extract | Chorizo and Chihuahua Cheese Jalapeno Poppers
The Giveaway
To celebrate 1 year of doing something I love, I am hosting a giveaway!
I thought long and hard about what kind of giveaway to do, and I decided to support a friend’s small business – A.M.B. Jewelry! As you’ll soon find out in the next few months, I have big love for small business. Amanda pours her soul into her lovely jewelry and I wanted to share a little piece of her work with my lovely readers.
The winner of this giveaway will receive $25 worth of merchandize from A.M.B. Jewelry’s Etsy shop – winner will be notified by email and upon responding will be directed to email their selections to me. Please read the rules below and then enter with the Rafflecopter widget below.
Important information and rules:
- To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below. Everyone gets one easy entry – the other entry methods are optional.
- The prize is $25 worth of merchandise to A.M.B. Jewelry. After winner claims their prize, winner will be instructed to select merchandise from the A.M.B. Jewelry Etsy shop and email their selections to jennyb@honeyandbirch.com. Honeyandbirch.com will be responsible for shipping merchandise to winner via U.S.P.S. This giveaway is sponsored by Honeyandbirch.com and not affiliated with Etsy in any way.
- This giveaway is open to US Residents only.
- The giveaway ends on February 10, 2014 at 12:00 am CST and one winner will be chosen randomly via Rafflecopter.
- The winner will be contacted via e-mail and has 72 hours to respond in order to claim their prize, so make sure you log into the Rafflecopter widget with a valid e-mail address! If the winner fails to respond in the allotted time I will select someone else.
- I will be checking the validity of each entry, so make sure to enter the required information correctly. No cheating! 😛
Well, thank you everyone for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful year. 🙂 I will.
xoxo,
Jenny B
Jessie Mays says
One of my favorite things is baking it relaxes me.
Jenny B says
I love baking too! Have a great Saturday!
Laurie says
Well, he’s not a “thing”, but my favorite would have to be my 9 1/2 month old baby boy. He’s a little spitfire and is always making me laugh. He’s my later in life baby and he has brought so much joy to his older sisters, his older brother, his dad and myself.
Happy Blogiversary!!
Jenny B says
Thanks Laurie!! Babies are marvelous creations! 🙂
Julie Lynn Bickham says
One of my favorite things to do is play facebook games.
Jenny B says
I have given many many hours to facebook games in my day 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Ann Cluck says
I love advocating for animals in need. I love taking care of my husband and rescue pup.
Jenny B says
I am a huge animal lover as well! Thanks for stopping by!
Shannon says
My fave things are handmade jewelry and homemade meals.
Jenny B says
I <3 those things too - and you're in the right place @ Honey & Birch for both of those today 🙂
Kelly Maxwell says
Congrats on 1 year!!! Love your blog, and I also love playing words with friends (hopelessly addicted!).
Jenny B says
Thanks Kelly! I had to give up words with friends – I couldn’t stop playing (candy crush too!)
Christina B. says
I love to Knit and crochet, read, and cook. Basicly I like homemaking 🙂
Jenny B says
Sounds fun to me 🙂 I am a fan of those things too.
ellen ross says
congrats and keep up the great blog
Jenny B says
Thanks Ellen!
Jayne Townsley says
Right now one of my favorite things is the blanket I got for Christmas.
Jenny B says
I love getting a new blanket 🙂
krystel says
sounds like a great giveway
Jenny B says
Thanks!
Meg A says
I love chocolate, and kitties, and cuddles!
Jenny B says
Those are three of my favorite things too!
Angel Lawson says
My favorite things are animals. 🙂
Lisa R says
I like the Mystic Earrings
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
KARENALBERTWINSLOW says
FIRST CONGRATS ON YOUR FIRST YEAR. I THINK BLOGGING IS A VERY HARD JOB. MY FAV THINGS. WELL THERE ARE MANY. MY DAUGHTER & SON IN LAW OF COURSE. MY 2 LITTLE FURBABIES. SEEING THE PLANTS IN MY GARDENS GROW TALL & BEAR FRUIT. A BEAUTIFUL MORNING IN NORTH WISC & SITTING BESIDE MY HOUSE READING A BOOK IN THE BREEZE. SWIMMING IN A BEAUTIFUL LAKE OR SAILING ON IT. I TOOK ALL THIS FOR GRANTED TIL THIS YEAR WHEN I WAS STRUCK DOWN BY A VIRUS THAT ATTACKED MY HEART & FORCED ME TO REST 24/7. NOW I CANT WAIT TO BE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS AGAIN. THANKS
Sue E says
I LOVE God & visiting family & friends! I love my animals. I love entering contests & winning.
I love taking pictures. I love chocolate. I love reading, movies, & learning. I LOVE that God lets me wake-up everymorning for 57 1/2 years!!
Sue E says
HAPPY 1 year blogiversary!!
Sally says
I really like the Black Aurora Peacock Earrings and the Marbled Tide Earrings!
Melissa S says
Happy Blogiversary!! of my favorite things is gardening. I can’t wait for the season to starrt.
Jenny B says
Thanks Melissa!
Jennifer says
My favorite thing is my son!!! And Swedish goldfish!!
Cynthia P says
Gardening, Cooking, and (most of all) Reading and Studying the Bible.
margaret peg m says
fav things are grandchildren, reading, jewelry, helping others and amazon. and knitting!
Kathleen says
Congrats on your 1 Year Blogiversary! hmmm…. I have so many favorite things… Some that come to mind; books!, movies, live theater, good coffee, cupcakes, daffodils, and puzzles (crosswords and other pencil puzzles & jigsaws). And of course, my dog Rocco!
Jenny B says
Thanks Kathleen – Daffodils are my favorite flowers 🙂
Anne Marie carter says
My favorite things to do involve teaching, crocheting and baking,
Melissa Smith says
I love cooking & baking. Cleaning up…not so much. LOL
Jenny B says
Same here 🙂 If only you could snap your fingers and have everything mysteriously be clean….
Jasmine P says
I love the Stained Glass Necklace!
Janet Jordan says
Wow , what a very nice generous giveaway….Thank you for hosting and be blessed.