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Sunday, February 17, 2008

One Year

A year ago today I began this blogging adventure. 310 posts later and here we are! This past year has been incredible. One of my favorite years ever, in fact. Thanks for joining me on the journey.

I was contemplating what to do for my anniversary and chose to reward my readers. It is time for the first ever Mt. Hope Chronicles Contest. I thought about asking you to contribute something (pictures of your spot for beauty or some such thing) and then decided I didn't want you to have to work for your entry. This is my treat.

All I'm asking for is a comment (on this post) so that I am able to enter you in the drawing. However, if you feel so inclined, I would love one of two things: would you let me know your favorite post(s) of the past year and/or what you most appreciate or enjoy seeing on my blog. My main reason for blogging is to record a bit of my family's life journey, but the interaction and relationships I've gained through my readers mean a great deal to me. I hope to keep you around!


The grand prize (drumroll, please...) is a $25 Amazon.com gift card, arriving via email. Who couldn't use an Amazon gift card?!

The contest will be open for this next week, closing at midnight on Friday, February 22nd. I will draw a name for the grand prize winner sometime on Saturday the 23rd.

See you in the comments!

30 comments:

Dreams of a Country Girl said...

i just love you for being you....i was drawn here at first because of the homeschool whys and whats...the curriculum round up....now i am addicted to your family and the adventures of your life. i just love you for being you.

Sarah O said...

Heidi,
I come to your blog through my sister's blog (thoughts of home). I love looking at the photos of your family, and am really enjoying your tips on decorating.
And I am planning to plant some grass with my daughter one of these days! I love the way yours looks so much.

Sarah

Jen Rouse said...

Hi Heidi,
Although I don't have a particular favorite post, I LOVE the decorating tips you've been posting lately. I also really have enjoyed your descriptions of your homeschool routine and how you do what you do. We still haven't decided exactly how we plan to educate our children (although it's coming closer and closer, with my oldest 3 1/2), but reading your blog inspires me to think that it is actually possible to give kids a quality education at home, even with a couple of younger siblings and lots of demands on my time. Keep it up.

travelin' nan said...

Today I entered blogland officially, and found your blog when I was checking out the Poet's Garden site. The Poet's Garden is one of my favorite places to go. Why, I was there just yesterday!
If you have anything to do with the Poet's Garden, I'm sure I'll enjoy your blog.

{marie} said...

love all of the decorating ideas and the cute pictures of your home. so glad i foundyour blog! :)

Anonymous said...

You may not know me because I've never left a comment yet, but I added you to my feeder and have been watching and reading your posts come in. So don't enter me in the contest (I feel guilty). I did want to mention that I like your Emily Dickenson quote about hope and feathers. Have you read Feathers? I just read it in the last month and enjoyed it. I'd recommend it.

Wendy said...

I love what you share about homeschooling, your decorating tips (my kids love the grass that we planted, especially since ours in covered in snow!), and your pictures are beautiful!

Renee said...

Heidi,
Wow, congrats on one year. A gift card to Amazon.com...are you kidding? Fun! My favorite post recently was "Fulfilling". But I love what you have to say about decorating and homeschooling. And I LOVE quotes...many of yours have shown up in my journal! :) Keep writing!

Donna Boucher said...

Happy blogiversary!!!!

I'm so happy I have "met" you!!!

Sarah at SmallWorld said...

I LOVE your new header. Perfect. I think that's what attracted me first to your blog was the simple lines and the beauty. It's evident in your writing, your photographs, and your decorating.
Oh, and I had a horrible epiphany today: my shelf, my new shelf, has 4--yes 4--teapots on it. I am going to fix that arrangement tomorrow. I KNEW it didn't seem quite right!
SmallWorld

Heidi said...

Thank you, everyone, for the comments so far! I appreciate each and every one of you.

Travelin' Nan~ It is nice to 'meet you'!

Maw Books~ Absolutely you will be entered in the drawing! This is for all my readers. :) Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Smallworld~ 4 teapots? Heaven forbid! You better fix that immediately! :) LOL!

Mumsy said...

Heidi--
Do I have to pick a favorite? Hmm...I have loved them all. I guess I'll choose the post you wrote about why you homeschool your kids. It helped me make up my mind to do the same thing. And I thank you for that.

I'm really loving the "Project Heidi" posts a lot, too.

Barb said...

This is a difficult and easy request of you!
I can't remember how I found your blog...I think it was through a well-trained mind but somehow, if I think further back, it may have been some other connection. I was first attracted to your blog because of your pictures. You have lovely pictures of your boys (love your levitical sayings!), the country around you (love the northwest!), your home (simply gorgeous), what you're reading (very challenging and informative), times with your family (heart-warming). So you see I can't pick one post as my favorite.
happy anniversary and keep exploring your gifts.

P.S. I see you've added that funky letter thing to rid your world of spammer. Good on you!

carole said...

Well!
Congratulations!
I think I would have to say that my favorite posts have been the ones on home education - the whys and the hows. I am indebted to you since we've used almost all the curriculum that you recommended!
I do really love the great quality and beauty of your photography, too, and also am very inspired to create beautiful spots in my home despite three rambunctious boys tiring me out.
:)

Heidi said...

Sarah O~ I forgot to say 'hello' to another newbie! Thanks for commenting yesterday. Any family of Carole are (is?) welcome here. :)

Lindsey~ You don't know how glad I am that the 'Why We Homeschool' post helped you! The 'Why' is my favorite part of homeschooling. :)

Thanks Carole and I Was Just Thinking!

Anne said...

I don't know how long I've been reading, but I keep coming back because your blog is restful. I love the pics and your decorating tips, too.

Happy Blog Birthday!

Anonymous said...

I don't even know how I found you (maybe ali edwards?) but I'm sooooooo glad I did! I love the design elements and the crafting (I do know that's what originally brought me her), but I also love the homeschooling adventures and the sweet photos of your boys. And like Anne said, I like the restful feel of your blog. It feels like a little bit of oasis in the midst of the the chaos of raising my own boys, and is a reminder to me to think of all the wonderful blessings in my life as a mother, rather than dwell on the stresses of everyday mommy-hood. This is the most amazing job I could ever hope or dream to have, and your blog helps me to stop, take a breather, and remember that. So {thank you} and please, please keep the posts coming! ;o)

~Michelle

Jennifer said...

Heidi...Your blog has become one of my favorites, but it is hard for me to put my finger on my favorite parts of it. I enjoy it all! Probably my favorite posts this year have been the "one little word" posts--they have inspired me so much this year! I also really enjoy your reading lists. The decorating posts are fun, too! Happy Blogiversary!!

Jessica said...

I loved your post about finding a spot in your house for beauty and linked to it at my blog! Happy 1 year blogiversary!

elleeyun said...

heidi, i visit your blog regularly and i love your blog! it is so inspiring. you inspire me with your love for the boys, for homeschooling, and for your home. you inspire me with the way you homeschool, with your photography, and with your enthusiasm. please keep posting about all these things! and congratulations!

Mom2legomaniacs said...

Heidi,

I love that you find beauty in the most simple of things. I love the photos you take , especially of your boys. The tips for arranging and decorating are so nice -- this is not an area of giftedness for me. You just seem very real, warm, and welcoming. Like someone I would love to sit back with a cup of lemonade and some treats while we watch our boys romp outside.

Melissa

Sarah said...

Congrats on your 1yr anniversary,Heidi! What fun!
I actually discovered your blog via a recommendation from your sister Shannon, while shopping at Poets! ;) I visited to view your "take" on homeschool life and I've dropped by almost daily since my first visit!
I'd say that my favorite portion of your blog would be the sharing of your homeschool life. I've gleaned useful information, reassurance and confirmation for my own homeschooling adventure.
Thanks!
Blessings,
Sarah

Anonymous said...

I love your Blog since I homeschool and strive to be 'creative'as you are. :)

Seriuosly, I'm only a good copycat and you can do all the creative thinking for me!

I'd love to enter the contest!

Janet said...

Heidi,
Congrats on being the Creative Blog of the Day...wait it is Today's Creative Blog. Anyway congratulations on that and your one year anniversary :)
Janet

Anonymous said...

I found you through Kim at Today's Creative Blog. Con grats on your blog versary...... So glad I found you. I can't wait to try all the projects you have posted. Wheat grass...... silhouettes.....
It's a date.....
Keep the projects coming!

Anonymous said...

Found your blog today, very nice! Congrats on your year of blogging!

Anonymous said...

I just discovered you ... can't wait to go back through the archives ... congrats on your first year.

Karinda said...

Your blog is beautiful in general! I am so jealous! I love your pics, looks like you have a GREAT camera! LOVE your design tips. I love to have a beautiful home and design does NOT come naturally to me, so I REALLY appreciate the advise! I love homeschooling advice too, and love reading any homeschool blogs for more ideas! I would appreciae seeing a few more details on how-to's in some of the homeschool ideas.

PS...your blog is so lovely I think I'm gonna add it to my links when I have some extra time!

Thanks for the Egypt help!!!

Studio Sixteen Six said...

Hi Heidi! I don't know how long I have been stalking your blog, but it is one of my favorites! I love your photography and have enjoyed your takes on homeschooling. My hubby and I don't yet have children, but we are planning ahead. Subsequently we are definitely considering homeschooling. I have always been afraid of not being good enough to teach my own children. Hopefully God will bless us and I can be as good and creative as you! Thanks for sharing with all of us... Happy Blogiversary!

Anonymous said...

I love everything about your blog! An amazing thing to do, give away a gift on your own anniversary. Good for you. No good deed goes unpunished, you know!
Brenda