19 May 2011

5 Year Blog Anniversary and Give-Away

It was five years ago today that I made my first blog post. Nothing earth shattering and I didn't do much with this blog the first couple of years. But as time passed the blog has become a part of my daily life. I've used it to talk about food and share recipes with people all over the world. I've also been involved with a number of photo memes where we post photographs with particular themes. For a while now I've been participating in blog parties relating to setting a beautiful table, which gives me an opportunity to play with dishes and vintage tablecloths. And the blog has been therapy for me and a means of communication with my far-flung family and friends as I have dealt with my health journey through myelodysplastic syndrome and a bone marrow transplant.

It was only recently that I realized my blog was approaching its Five Year Anniversary. Five Years of posting my random musings! Now while I am highly anticipating the Five Year Anniversary of my transplant when the docs will consider me cured (and the Guy intends to give me an emerald bracelet to replace the hundreds of hospital bracelets I have had to wear over these years), five years of blogging is a good reason to celebrate.




With many thanks to my friend Ann, I am giving away the cutting board you see pictured here. Ann lives in British Columbia and blogs @ Thibeault's Table. I first met her on a food message board and let me tell you, this lady can cook! On her blog she features a beautiful cutting board gallery of handmade boards for sale. I am lucky enough to have two of these boards and I just love them! Each is unique. My favourites are the ones with the "live" edges. A live edge board features a natural edge and the giveaway board is one of those. The dimensions are 21”×9½”×¾”.

The boards from "Ann Thibeault's Signature Cutting and Serving Board Collection" are made from Vancouver Island Big Leaf Maple, a Canadian hardwood, which is the chief source for quality wood cutting boards around the world. Because of the exotic figures found in a small number of big leaf maple trees, including tiger stripe, quilt, spalt, curl, and birdseye, big leaf maple is among the most sought after of hardwoods.

Life is hectic around here at the moment with a graduation, a wedding at DisneyWorld, and a separate wedding reception here at the farm ten days later happening in the next four weeks. The drawing for this beautiful cutting board will take place on the afternoon of 31 May. I'm sorry, but the drawing is limited to readers and friends in Canada and the USA only. After the drawing, Ann will directly ship the board to the lucky winner. To register for the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post. Be sure I have a way to contact you if your name is drawn.

DEADLINE for Registering
12:00 noon Central Daylight Time, 31 May 2011



Thank you to each of you who read my blog, comment or not, follow or not, encourage, empathize, sympathize, share recipes, tablesettings, photographs and otherwise interact with me. I am looking forward to many more great years online together!

namasté,
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51 comments:

Ces Adorio said...

Whooooooaaaaaa!!! Congratulations!!! Five years! That means 5 years I've known you! I remember Mediumgreen, you were always the voice of reason and civility there. Aaaaahhh! I like that I have known you that long. I always liked your sardine dishes. Will you please post them again or talk about them? This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing a part of you with us. Truly wonderful, Becky. God bless you. More power to you! Tsup! Tsup!!!

Becky said...

Hey, girl! Thanks so much! I think we have known each other more like 10 years if you go back to mediumgreen. LOL. Where did that time go???

Yes, when I get the chance I will do a table with the sardine dish. Didn't Victorians make the most interesting dishes and utensils? It may be awhile. We have Tori's graduation, Abbey's wedding at DisneyWorld, and then the reception back here all in the next month. Then I hope to breathe again.

Love you!

Cora said...

Becky, thanks for taking a look at my Florida vacation post. We did have a good time, in spite of all the crazy bad karma. This was our first visit to the Panhandle. We used to fly to Sarasota and Sanibel when we lived in NC, but now that we're back in Illinois, the drive to the Panhandle is really nice.

Congratulations on your fifth blog anniversary! I haven't been blogging quite that long, but I've been reading and enjoying yours for many of those years. It is always a pleasant, upbeat place to spend some time admiring your charming collections and beautiful pictures. I still remember stopping by the first time and finding out that we share a fondness for at least two things (although I know now there are many more!) -- vintage Fiestaware and emeralds!!!

Enjoy all the happy events you have going on for the next few weeks and remember to share pictures!

I'll be green with envy when you get that emerald bracelet, but it will be a very happy day for you your family and all of your friends, including your blog friends. :D

Love,
Cora

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Congratulations, Becky! 5 years? Amazing! Your blog is always a place for new knowledge, fabulous recipes, and just you!!! You have been an inspiration to me...a blog to emulate! xoxo

PS...I'm a huge fan of Ann's boards!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations - five years is incredible! I was excited after one year, I can only imagine how exciting five years is. The cutting board is gorgeous - what a fantastic getaway. Here's to many more years!!

webbie said...

Congratulations on five fabulous years! Keep up the good work!

Cathy said...

Congratulations, Becky! Five years is an impressive blogging history. I've enjoyed following your journey through a good part of it and look for many more years of your wonderful posts.

I've already won one of Ann's gorgeous cutting boards so don't put my name in the pot. Whoever wins this prize will be very lucky indeed.

Daphne said...

Congratulations, Becky! Five years is a wonderful milestone! May you have many more years of musings...I do enjoy them so!

MileHighBaker said...

Five years? Time flies! So glad you chose this method of sharing your life's ups, downs and creative expressions with us. Good luck on all the upcoming festivities!

Lori (All That Splatters) said...

Five years is an impressive milestone! I admire all my blogger friends who post on a much more frequent basis than I do! I admire your dedication and your beautiful blog.

What a great giveaway, Becky! Ann's boards are just gorgeous - my hat off to the fortunate recipient!! :D

xoxo

susan said...

Congratulations, Becky! I have been reading your blog for ages! I admit I first started reading because of the wonderful food pictures and recipes, but lately I look forward to your amazing tablescapes! You are such an inspiration!
Best wishes on all your upcoming milestones!
Susan

Taste the Rainbow said...

Hi Becky,

Congrats on your five year Blogging Anniversary ~ and many, many more to you.

I will be celebrating the five year mark, when you will be getting your bracelet too. ;)

Those cutting boards are gorgeous and would love it for you to add my name for the drawing.

Cheers my friend ~

Mary

Annie @ From the Bookshelf said...

Congratulations on your blogaversary! And I can't wait to celebrate your 5 year anniversary for your transplant! Love and kisses! Annie

Margie said...

Best of luck with all the family events. Congrats on blogging for 5 years! Looking forward to many more years of musing by the Deco Lady.

Unknown said...

Congrats on 5 years Becky!! Also Congrats on the graduation and wedding!!

Love reading your blog! You inspire me to use my vintage dishes and table clothes!

Eileen

Candy @ The Little Round Table said...

Congrats Becky, a milestone indeed! That's a whole lotta musings. :-)

Candy

Linda said...

Happy Anniversary Becky!
Time flies so quickly...more than that congrats on all the wonderful things you have coming up on the next weeks...
Have a blast!
btw...Ann's boards are amazing! Love them!

Kristen said...

5 YEARS!!! Congratulations! What a joy your "Random Musings" have been!!!! Here and at the Cafe'! ;)

More importantly - I'm anticipating the 5 year anniversary of your transplant and that emerald bracelet!!! CURED - that will be a beautiful word!

Much Love and Congrats!
Kristen (Schwarkie)

Stuck Like Glue said...

Wow, 5 years. I can't believe its been that long. I've totally enjoyed your blog with all the wonderful receipes & it was / is a great way to keep up with you & your family. It seems like just yesterday that we met at an HLCCA conference, many moons ago. Look forward to seeing you at this years. Make sure you sit back and enjoy both the graduation & the wedding. It flies by very fast. {{BIG HUG}} MA

Hilary said...

Hi Becky, Congratulations on your blog milestone and the upcoming milestones in your family. I have enjoyed your blog and Ann's as well.

Wishing you everything happy and healthy!

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

Congratulations on your 5 year blogging milestone, Becky! I'm so happy you are blogging, it has given us the opportunity to get to know each other a little better (and so much more personal than message boards, in my opinion.) :)

I've learned a lot from you, have enjoyed 'watching' your girls grow up into wonderful young women, and have cheered for you during your health challenges ~ you're a strong woman. (I love the idea of an emerald bracelet to replace forever all of the hospital tags that have adorned your wrist.) We must have a virtual celebration to commemorate that milestone, okay?!

I adore Ann's boards as well, and have a few (so please give my chance to another)~ Some lucky winner is going to be thrilled to receive this one! I use mine all the time ~ they are so practical as well as beautiful. Good Luck to all who enter!

And Becky, here's to at least 5 more years of blogging (as long as it still remains enjoyable for you!) xo

Alison said...

Congratulations on your five year anniversary of everything, Becky!!

Ken said...

Becky: Congratulations on five years! I enjoy your posts. Ken

Cathyb said...

Congratulations on your 5 year anniversary! Here's to many more!

margi said...

Five years! Congratulations!!

ChristopherM said...

Happy blogiversary La Becky!!!

Janine/Nenz said...

Becky, congratulations on your 5-year Anniversary!! You are an inspiration to us all.

Janine/Nenz

mecookin said...

Woo!Hoo! Five years blogging...know we met before that time and posted on boards prior! I'm sure all of us anticipate the 5th anniversary of your transplant!
Hang in there, g/f...keep on keeping on! (((Hugs))) Paula

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

You are to be commended for making it five years. I am unbelievably impressed. I'm at around 7 months and am learning what a big commitment blogging can be. Fun, rewarding, a great learning experience, and a chance to meet wonderful people, but still work! So congratulations to you! I think a party is in order.

Clutterbug said...

Let me add my congratulations also. Five years is quite a commitment. I have learned alot from you and admire you greatly.

The wedding and party 10 days later is going to be beyond spectacular.

Barb

Sarah said...

Wow, 5 years! I can't even imagine. I haven't even hit 2 years yet. Your life sounds busy but exciting. Look forward to seeing more of your random musings.
Congratulations! ~ Sarah

Sally said...

Is this where the cutting board sign up is...please include me.
sallymou

Romeo Wolfe said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ces Adorio said...

OMG, yes! 5 years is only the blogs. MG was earlier. Hahahaha! Oh my goodness. yes! because my son was sick one day and I decided to buy Fiesta Dishes and that's when I wanted to find out more about them and found Mediumgreen. Well, my son was only 7 years old then. He is now 18!!! Oh my gosh! OMG!

sallie said...

Congratulations Becky on 5 years - can't wait for the 5 yr mark & see your bracelet!!

enjoy your graduation, wedding, & party!!!

sallie

Patricia said...

Much love to you, Becky, and Congratulations on 5 years of blogging! You are on my "must read" list each week. Thanks for sharing such wonderful ideas, pictures, and stories with all of us!

Hugs from deep in the heart of Texas....
:)
Patricia

Monica @ Happily Playing with Dishes said...

Happy anniversary!! I enjoy your blog very much. Thank for everything that you share with us. Congrats on all the upcoming family celebrations! I shall continue to keep you in my prayers.
Monica

Elisabeth said...

WOW, five years sure is a long time!! Congats to you :)

vandango33 at gmail dot com

suz616 said...

Hi Becky, Congratulations on 5 years of blogging! You have posted some amazing recipes. I love your writing style. Looking forward to reading more of your blogs!

sally said...

Congratulations on the blog. It's amazing and when that emerald bracelet comes, we expect BIG pictures to commemorate it and life.

You certainly inspire with all your hard work on this blog and deserve huge accolades.

Well loved by all.
Sally

2Sammi said...

Becky,

5 years....how wonderful!!!! I can't wait to see the emerald bracelet on you......... it will be glorious. You have been such an inspiration. Can't wait to see the wedding pictures.
I have longingly looked at Ann's boards, how generous of you.
Thanks
Renee

viridian said...

I just made it to three years of blogging myself. More years of good health to you.
viridian
viridian61@yahoo.com

Mary Bergfeld said...

Congratulations Becky. That really is a milestone. I can't wait to see what the next 5 years bring. Take care. Blessings...Mary

RushEmily said...

Five years! That's awesome!! You're so wonderful to comment often - I wish I were consistent in that as well... I love your pinks :D

Celeste said...

Five years is a great run...and that's a gorgeous cutting board.

Sheryl from CC said...

Woot, Becky! I finally figured out how to get here. :-)

Congrats on Five Fab Years of impressive blogging!

~M said...

Becky, congratulations on a spectacular 5 years. In the blogging world, that's a LONG time! You are an amazing, inspirational woman. Keep up the good work. Here's to another 5 years of blogging and GREAT health. I'm praying for you, girl. :)
♥♥♥Melissa

The Artful Diva said...

Happy Anniversary - your blog is amazing!

Annesphamily said...

I love your blog and I am happy to wish you a blog anniversary for 5 years! Wow! The giveaway gift is amazing! Thank you for sharing and I would love to be the winner of this! Anne

Beverly said...

Congratulations on this blogging milestone, but, most important, congratulations on your recovery. You are a treasure to all.

Thank you so much for this opportunity to win. This board is gorgeous, and it would be a treasure.

Jenny said...

What a gorgeous, gorgeous board. This is indeed lovely. You'll probably laugh, but I swear I didn't even know blogs existed back before a few years ago!

Congratulations on FIVE YEARS! What a tremendous length of time to grace Blogland with your great writing.

Thanks for the fun chance.