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Sunday, 23 October 2011

One Year Ago Today ....

I always knew I had the best bloggy friends ever, but you certainly all proved it with your lovely comments on my last post, and with all the tasty ideas you came up with on how to cook sweet potatoes! I couldn't believe just how many comments I had!  I have tried a couple of the ways already, and they were delicious! Phew! Thank goodness for that.  I have printed the list of comments off, so that I have a handy reference guide.  Thank you so much!

Well, I find it rather difficult to believe, but it was exactly one year ago today that 'thisisme' of Southhamsdarling launched  herself into the unsuspecting bloggy world! If you want to read my very first post, then you can find it here. 

It was interesting for me to see that my dear friends SkippyMom and LindyLouMac in Italy were the very first ones to comment.  There is another comment there (Anonymous), which I now know  was made by my dear son-in-law who lives in France!

I seem to have come a very long way since that first futile attempt and, now, some  318 posts later, I find that I have 155 Followers and have made some very dear friends from all over the world.  To all of you who pop over to comment on almost every post, and for those of you who pop over occasionally,  I would like to say a big heartfelt 'thank you', for it is YOU who have made this past year so enjoyable for me. 


I have said this before, but I have laughed with you, worried for you, cried with you and felt great joy for you.  I know that if I ever needed support, love or encouragement, you would all be there for me in abundance! (and that is really good to know). 

I guess that this really should be where I have my first giveaway!  I have decided to have a little book on Devon so that you can read all about the County in which I live, together with a £20 Amazon book voucher and a couple of little goodies actually from Ivybridge itself.

The Little Book of Devon
I do hope that all my bloggy friends will participate.  I'm not doing this to gain extra Followers, but just as a little "thank you" for all the support you have shown me over the past year.  You know me, so you will know that it's going to be very easy to join in.  Just leave a comment and tell me that you want to be included in the Draw.  All the names will be put in a hat and either Eli or Ruby will pick out the winning name.  Easy peasy right?!  I will make the draw on Thursday, so it gives everyone a chance to enter.

As it's a Sunday, which is usually my Sunday Snaps day, I will just post one photo for you to look at today.





GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

My glamorous daughter, and equally glamorous granddaughter, are arriving from France this afternoon, along with Alfred (their French Bulldog, for my newer Followers!).  We are always very excited to see them again, and they are here until the 2nd November, so it will be fun! My daughter is going to sit me down with my list of 'can't have foods'  and 'can have foods' so that we can work out some tasty recipes.  That way, she says that I won't just be concentrating on what I CAN'T have!!  Isn't she good to me - I am so blessed with my two beautiful daughters.

Take care my little bloggies, and I'll see you again soon.

41 comments:

Bethe77 said...

WOW! One year! Congrats to you Thisisme and yes I would love to be in the draw! Fancy I would pop in on this night. how exciting! My one year is right around the corner and much like you I am so honored and what a wonderful adventure it has been and looking forward to many more. Friends around the world waht could be better. My friend John made it through his surgey on Friday so have been with him a lot. Things seem so crazy and I so miss all my blogie friends and reading all the grand things going on. I will pop over to read yo0ur first blog.I just lvoe coming over to your blog Thisisme. I look forward to reading many more post my dear friend. May the Lord bless your family time and look forward to the pictures and stores to come as time permits me to read. Many blessings

SkippyMom said...

It's been a year already? Gosh, it flew by didn't it? I am so, so, happy to be able to call myself your friend and to count you among my most cherished Tadpoles. :D

Keep blogging because you bring such sunshine to us all. Truly.

Enjoy the family. I'll be thinking about y'all this week.

And of course I would love a chance to learn more about Devon. Hugs my friend.

Claudia Moser said...

Congratulations! SO happy for you! And I love to see your smile with the two lovely grandchildren!

As for the giveaway please add my name in the hat :) Who knows maybe I am lucky!

Enjoy your time with your family, I am sure it will be a happy Sunday!

Pearson Report said...

Well, dear Thisisme, if Eli and Ruby are in charge of picking the winning name then please count me in!

And...WOW to one year in Bloggerville! Congratulations!
I'm looking forward to year two with you - your blog is an enjoyable read!

Keep having fun with those adorable grandkids and keep those photos coming - they always make me smile.

Cheers, Jenny

PEARSON REPORT

Carol said...

Congrats on your first blog anniversary!

So glad to have you as a blog friend.

Have fun with the family.

carol

Belle said...

It is wonderful that your daughter is coming to help you with your new diet. Daughters are the greatest gift! Congrats on your anniversary and yes you can include me in your draw. I hope little Eli is feeling well and I love the picture. I can see you in their sweet faces. Thank you for your support and friendship this year. You are very special to me.

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Congratulations to you!

You have a great blog and are always so cherry and happy so I am deligted to read about your life.

Have a lovely time with your daughter and spend lots of girlie time together.


Have a great week.


Fiona x

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane, A year goes by fairly quick doesn't it? I would love to be in the draw :) It's always a joy to read your warm posts. And I agree with Skippy, keep blogging because you bring sunshine to us all!
I know how much you enjoy having your family around, enjoy your time with them!

Enjoy your Sunday!
Hugs x

orchid0324 said...

Wow, My Dear Lady!!!
Congratulations☆☆☆
I know you must have had a wonderful ONE YEAR with your lovely followers.
I cannot thank you enough my friends who are giving me chances to know the world which I wouldn't have had without them.
You said that "I have laughed with you, worried for you, cried with you and felt great joy for you". Yes, you have!!!; ever since you kindly stopped by my blog on May 30th, I've been having splendid time with you and most importantly supported by you mentaly a lot!!!
Oh, I would love to be in the draw as well. Sure lovely picture with your two Engels. And have a wonderful weekend with your family.

Unbelievable thing having a marvelous friend whom I really treasure in England♡♡♡
Love and Lots of Hugs to you from Japan, xoxo Orchid*

Shady Del Knight said...

You do have beautiful daughters, Thisisme. You have beautiful grandchildren, a beautiful home and garden, a beautiful community in which to reside and a beautiful blog. Last but not least you are a beautiful person, inside and out.

I was just thinking that it's been about a year since you and Belle and some other key blog friends came into my life and changed it for the better. I remember that you came looking for me in the beginning, possibly having noticed me on Belle's site, and asked to join the party. I am deeply grateful that you found me because now I have you, your daughters, grands and Alfred as my extended family and I love you all. Together we have shared each other's ups and downs. I agree that we will all be there for each other for better or worse, in sickness and in health, because true friendship is a commitment. Well then - Alfred will be arriving any minute and I know that you and the kids must be giddy with excitement. Be sure to have some scrummy treats ready for him. Have a wonderful Sunday and a great time entertaining your family, dear Thisisme!

Linda O'Connell said...

Congratulations on your one year anniversary. Your blog is always fun. I love to see your beautiful grandchildren and learn a bit about across the pond. Enjoy your special family time and take lots of pictures. Please enter me in your give away.

BECKY said...

Happy ONE YEAR Anniversary!! Having a blog really has added so much to my life, too. I'm so glad I stumbled upon yours! Hugs to you!

Shelly said...

That is a great accomplishment- one year of delightful blog posts that we have all enjoyed reading! Congratulations. I have only been blogging about 4 months. Maybe I will make it to a year, but time will tell.

I'm glad your daughter, grandaughter, and granddog will be coming to visit. It will be a wonderful time.

I would love to be entered in your drawing, as well!

Unknown said...

Has it really been one year already? Congratulations Diane! Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments that you've shared this year. I know that it's not only your posts that bring us all together here. We love you so much! I'd love to be a part of the drawing:) I hope you have a wonderful visit with your daughter and granddaughter!

Katherines Corner said...

Where does the time go? Make happy memories my friend Sending hugs and wishes for a beautiful day ahead xo

Suzanne said...

Congratulations! However, I thought you'd been blogging a bit longer...you're so good at it. I love visiting, even tho I usually come in at the end! You really have beautiful daughters, grandchildren, and a beautifull country. And I admire your compassion for others and their homelands. Your book does look inviting. Take care and have a great visit with your daughter.

Grammy Goodwill said...

I really only joined the blog world last summer, I think, so I didn't realize you haven't been blogging that long. Congratulations on a wonderful first year. It is so nice that your daughter and granddaughter are coming to visit. I know you will enjoy that time with them. As always, the picture of your little grandchildren is so precious. It would be interesting to read about your corner of the world, so please enter me in the drawing.

Southhamsdarling said...

Bethe = I'm glad you found the time to pop across with your good wishes today my friend. I know how very busy you are at the moment. I hope you're managing to stay fairly calm with it all!

SkippyMom - yes, the year has flown by hasn't it? Well, they say that time flies when you're enjoying yourself!! Goodness knows how you found me when I wrote that very first post, but I'm so glad that you did. Didn't Wallene look beautiful in her gorgeous dress! Hugs.

Claudia - thank you so much and your name will definitely be in the hat!! Hope the weather has been good for you this weekend over there in Germany.

Pearson Report - so pleased you enjoy the photos. Yes, it should be fun with Eli & Ruby in charge of things! Hee Hee! Your name will definitely be in there. Hope your weekend is going well.

Dizzy C - hi Carol. Thanks so much for popping in. I hope you're reading a good book this weekend! I always put your recommendations on my list, even if I don't always comment.

Belle - You will certainly be in the hat dear friend! I think Eli has turned a corner, so I feel happy about that, and I thank you for your continued prayers. It's amazing where this year has gone, and I am fully aware of how lucky I am, especially with your very sad loss earlier this year. It's just as well that none of us knows just what is round the corner. Please look after yourself.(Oh! I so agree with you about daughters being the greatest gift!).

Raindrops and Daisies - Hi there Fiona. Yes, girlie time is what it's all going to be about during this coming week. :) I'm so pleased that you enjoy my blog, as I do yours.

Eva - thank you so much for your kind comments. Just think, this time last year, we didn't know each other existed! :) I'm glad I found you and look forward to the next year. Hugs.

Orchid = my sweet friend, you always leave such heartwarming comments. Likewise, I find it wonderful to think that I have a friend in Japan, and how I felt for your poor country when you had that disaster. It's lovely how we are all here to support each other. Sending you hugs from West to East!

Shady - Hi dear Tom. As always, a caring and heartfelt comment from you, and that's what we all love about you. You always take such care with your comments, and you make us all think that we are somehow special, and that's got to be a good thing! I like the bit when you said that I came looking for you! Well, I'm certainly glad that I found you!! Take care, and here's to another year of friendship :)

Southhamsdarling said...

Linda -lovely that you have popped across again today, and I really do appreciate your kind comments. You will certainly be entered in the draw! I hope that you are having a lovely weekend.

Becky -Thank you! I do appreciate that and, of course, I'm glad that I found you as well. Take care my friend.

Shelly - I'm sure you will make it to one year. Your writing is far too good for you not to carry on! It's very sweet of you to say that you enjoy my blog. Of course you will be in the draw.

kneesandpaws - Hi Jenny. So glad you came across. It just wouldn't be the same without you!! I know, I just can't believe where that year has gone. I know that you are going to be a bit tied up for a little while, so I do appreciate seeing you here today. Take care, and sending hugs.

Katherines Corner - where does the time go, indeed. I find it quite frightening sometimes! Lovely to see you here today, and I'm certainly looking forward to spending the time with my daughter and granddaughter.

Susan - you, also, always leave such lovely comments, and you've certainly done that today my friend. And you're not last either!! In fact, you;re quite on the ball today! You'll be in the draw. Sending you hugs.

Grammy Goodwill - Thank you for your congratulations, and you will certainly be in the draw. Yes, looking forward to the girlie time with my daughter and granddaughter. Take care, and thank you for stopping by.

Chatty Crone said...

You are blessed in so many many ways - from your two daughters - to all of your blog friends - you have some good ones there.

Would love the book on where you live - count me in.

sandie

Sush said...

Congratulations on your Blogaversary Diane! I have had a marvelous time reading your adventures and sharing your families joys! You are so right...Bloggie Friends are really true and kind friends. I value each and every one of our bloggie friends...
Have a marvelous time with all the girls..what fun! Please throw my name in the hat and see if you can get someone to take pictures of you with all your family present!
Hugs~

Southhamsdarling said...

Chatty- you are so right, I have got some good ones there, haven't I ?! Every one a blessing, including you my friend. Hope all is well with you.

Sush - Thank you my friend. You have some lovely friends as well. We are truly blessed. I will try to get some photos! Glad you have just had all your family together. Hugs.

BB said...

While the kids are glued to the TV watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I'm doing a quick peek at some blogs. Congratulations my Awesome friend. So glad you stuck with it. I feel like I've known you for years! Great picture of the little ones. And consider me entered in the drawing. Love your little village. It's beautiful and would love to learn more. Hugs my friend!

erika said...

Congratulations on your one year blogaversary! :)

And I would love to be in the drawing. I'm obsessed with England, so it'd be amazing!

Sally Wessely said...

I am quite impressed by what you have accomplished in one year's time. Congratulations are certainly in order. You Rock! We all love you. I love reading your posts and seeing your photos because you always seems to lift spirits.

Enjoy your time with daughter and granddaughter!

I'd l.o.v.e. to read more about Devon. So enter me in your drawing.

p.s. How is that sweet Eli doing?

Teresa said...

Of course, I'd love to learn more about your little corner of the world!

It's hard to believe how time goes so quickly when we're reading and blogging with our new international friends, but it does. Your posts are always so uplifting and I look forward to reading them every day.

I have a routine where i look for my regulars, then i look for ones that haven't posted in a while, and then i look for new ones (people who comment on my regulars). makes my day.

Southhamsdarling said...

Bouncin'Barb - hey hey! What a lOvely surprise to see my awesome friend here! I certainly didnt expect that today! Hope you're having a super trip with lots of love and hugs. I'm so happy for you, and of course you have to be in the draw. Hugs.

chambanachik- lovely to see you here today and of course you shall go in the draw. Hope you're having a good weekend.

Retired English Teacher - Thank you so much for your sweet comments. They are appreciated. I think Eli is over the worse now, thank goodness. Take care Sally.

Teresa - thank you my friend! The time has gone too quickly! I do the same as you and always look fir my regulars first! hope you and Ron are okay at the moment.

Stella said...

Congrats on you one year. So glad you are having your family for a visit. Relax and enjoy.

Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan blogger said...

Hi Diane, it's great that you're enjoying blogging and have made so many new friends along the way! It's always great to read your words.

Please enter me into the draw!

Duncan In Kuantan

Southhamsdarling said...

Stella - nice that you have popped over today. Hope all is well with you. Yes, I will be relaxing during this coming week with the family :)

Duncan - hi there! Thank you for your nice comment - it's always good to see you here, and, yes, you will be in the draw!

Gawgus things... said...

Happy Bloggy Birthday to you!! Here's to the next 30 years or so of blogging :)

Denise said...

I just finished reading your two last post.So much is happening in your life right now,but I'm all caught up.Is your Grandson recovered?I didn't spot if you mentioned,is He O.K. now? Hope so.How interesting re your allergies,Sounds like a wonderful Doc.I'm an old retired R.N. and I can't remember what kind of Doc. that was.What does that long name mean?Please include Me in any fun your having to celebrate your first year.Congrats to you and me both-Me a little bit over a year.When I reach 100 followers I might have a party or giveaway.

Desiree said...

I'm a little late coming to visit again. We've still been having some interruptions to our internet service and, in addition, I'm finding life rather too busy these days, with the result that I'm struggling to keep up with everything. Congratulations on your 1st Anniversary as a blogger! You have clearly been a hit from the very first day and all of us who have come to know you, have also all come to love you! Blogging would most definitely not be the same without your sunshiny presence, Diane! What a super photograph of you with your precious peanuts. It encapsulates all that we love about you. I know you're going to be having a thoroughly enjoyable time with your family surrounding you for the next few days and so all I can do is hold thumbs the weatherman will play fair for this time! Big hug xoxo

Desiree said...

BTW the link to your very first post did not work for me. However, I went back through your extensive archives (Boy! Did I come out looking dusty!) and managed to pull it out, right from the very, very bottom of the pile. I left a little comment before tucking it carefully back into its slot...and now I really need a cup of coffee...even better, of course, would be one of your famous Devonshire Cream teas :)

vintch said...

happy one year anniversary! i, for one, am certainly happy you joined the blogosphere. your blog is such a joy to me, and your sweet comments on mine always bring a smile to my face:)

i'd love to be entered into your giveaway!

Unknown said...

A year! Congrats to you! Seems like I have been blogging with you a lot longer than that!! :) I'm so glad to have you a part of our blog-o-sphere!
Would love to be entered into your giveaway.

Rebecca said...

wow one year so happy a stumbled upon your blog

Manzanita said...

That first year seems to have wings. Congrats on your warm and gracious blog. It's surprising how close we can feel and really care about one another.
Love and peace.

Pat MacKenzie said...

Congratulations on one whole year. You've amassed quite a list of followers over that short time. Keep up the good work.

I'd like to be included in the give-away too please.

Glenda said...

I loved reading your first post! We find out so much about each other when posting and reading others blogs, don't we? I feel that I've known you for a long time since I "visit" with you quite often. Keep up the wonderful, upbeat posts - I enjoy them so much.

LindyLouMac said...

Hi Diane, Happy first Anniversary I am so happy to have been with you since the beginning, although cannot believe a year went by so quickly. I am trying to catch up with all you have been up to since I was last here! It sounds like your recent episode of feeling lethargic may have been down to a food intolerance, will look back further to discover more, but hope you are coping and feeling better? Thanks my friend for your kind words on my Book Review Blog,much appreciated. We had a wonderful trip and I will be posting my first book review of the month hopefully tomorrow, new post already up on News From Italy.