Friday, January 10, 2014

Five Loves on Friday // 1st Blogiversary Edition!



Five Loves from my 1st Year of Blogging
{A post to celebrate and gather the highlights of this first year!}


1 // Magical Moments Captured & Shared 

{Link to my most recent Trip Report, Day 8 of 17.  Includes links to previous posts.  Check back each Tuesday for more!}








This was one of my absolute favorite posts to put together!  It was such fun to surprise and celebrate one of my favorite people {& fellow Disney addict enthusiast} on her special day!




2 // Recipe Box Love
I had the pleasure of sharing these scrumptious meals featured on my table this year.  Feel free to click through and pin these simple & satisfying routes to yum!



... & of course, sweets for the sweet!






3 //  Reflecting on God's Goodness in All Things












4  //  Giddy Moments of Blogging!

For years before I began blogging {even before Pinterest existed!}, I looked forward to visiting certain blogs on the days they held link parties.  I loved checking out all of the wealth of creativity!  I'll never forget linking up for the first time at one of my favorites, Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons. It was a party I anticipated visiting each week, and now I was able to join in on the fun!  I shared my Tigger Tails ...


...and much to my surprise they were featured the following week!  It was such a completely unexpected thrill!  

A BIG THANKS again to the bloggers who have featured my posts this year!  It's been such a joy to have the opportunity to share my recipes, crafts, thoughts, and tips!  To those who have taken the time to read, pin, and comment on my posts, it has made my day to know that you've enjoyed what you found in this lit'l corner of the blogosphere!




The height of blogging excitement for me was when Walt Disney World's official Pinterest page pinned a post that I had written as a guest post for My Favorite Finds, {later shared on Chatting Over Chocolate}.  In the description of the pin they added, "very helpful selection of tips!"  ... I seriously felt like throwing a party!  While ultimately it's not important in the grand scheme of things, it was such an exciting honor to have WDW pin something I wrote and add that they found it helpful, exclamation point and all! ;)

WDW later pinned another post I wrote, Choosing the Perfect Disney Character Meal for Your Family.  I was every bit as tickled pink about that too!  So much fun!!




5  // The Icing on the Cake 

I began this blog on a whim one day, as a simple creative outlet.  I've always loved reading blogs.  I appreciate all of the great information, inspiration, motivation, encouragement, and creativity I have found over the years through what other bloggers have shared.  I didn't really think I had much to offer, but thought why not give it a shot?  

While on Christmas break last year, my husband was sick, my girls were busy playing, and I found myself looking for something to do.  I decided to start up a blog.  The first thing I wrote was, "My first post on this fresh, new blog! Will anyone read it? Well, I guess you are! Fancy that, my words are now being narrated your voice. ;)"  ...& now you are reading this post a year later!  I want you to know, my sweet readers and cherished friends, you are the icing on the cake of this whole blog experience.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to stop by and visit me!  Each of your comments bless me so!  

To all of my precious blogging friends, you rock!  I had no idea what a fabulous blogging community there was until I began Chatting Over Chocolate.  The friendships formed this year are such a treasured gift!  I have learned, laughed, been challenged, and grown in so many ways in this past year ....& I'm looking forward to seeing what year number two shall bring!!


Hope you'll join me in the adventures of this new year!
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Linking up with:
The Diary of a Real Housewife | Friday Favorites
& a few other fab link parties!

...If you're visiting from one of these link ups, be sure to say, "Hello!"  
I'd love to come check out your Friday 5 too! ;)

4 comments:

  1. I can't even stand how FUN this post is...filled with SO MUCH FUN!!!!!! EEEEE! Happy blogiversary to YOU, my dear friend!!!! xx

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  2. Hooray for 1 year of blogging!

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  3. I'm a little late, but Happy blogiversary! I've so thankful to have met you through blogging and grateful for our friendship! BBF! :)

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I would love to hear from you today! I enjoy reading each and every comment I receive. (I do moderate them before they're published. Gotta keep it family friendly! ;)) Let's chat! B.Y.O.C. {Bring Your Own Chocolate!}