My official Blogaversary is Friday, June 25th which makes it five years that I have been writing this blog. Five years that I have been sharing with you at my little place in the blogisphere. I know that some weeks I have a lot to share and some, not so much. But, I also know that it has been great to get to ‘meet’ you all and share in your stories and lives as well.
I love that I have met so many wonderful people in real life through my blog. If I had never dared myself to do this I would never have met A Crafty Mom, Andrea, Borderline Bonkers, Kami’s Khlopchyk, Secret Agent Josephine or Bethany Actually. All of whom are just as wonderful in real life as they are on their blogs.
When I first started sharing, I did it as a lark. I felt like I couldn’t just lurk and read others blogs without contributing a little something back. Then, I kind of got hooked. It became like an addiction. I will be doing something and writing posts in my head. Not all of them make it to the blog due to time constraints but, I see the posts or hear them while I am out and about. And that was when I knew I was in it for good. I can honestly say in five years that I have never thought of stopping and this blog has seen me through some pretty tough times and I am grateful for those of you who commented and helped me through them. There are also times when things in life don’t go so well and sometimes that it when things go a little quiet here, because believe it or not there are things in my life that I don’t share with the whole world.
As a little thank you I will be giving away a few of my favorite things this week. The Fifth Anniversary is the Wood anniversary (modern) or the silverware (traditional) since I am sponsoring my giveaways, I will stick with the more modern approach and go with wood.
So the first giveaway will be from Swanky Paper. I love Heather’s personalized notecards. They are so fun and funky, I wish I had a set of each. The winner of this giveaway will get to choose either a flat notecard set or a folded notecard set from the personlized notecards. All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me what is your favorite way to celebrate an Anniversary (and it could be any Anniversary, not necessarily a wedding one). Contest closes at 6pm Wednesday, June 23rd a winner will be randomly chosen from all the entries.
…but…
I am going to Blogher ’10!
Someone talked me into it, I couldn’t have made this decision on my own. I still don’t fully believe that I am going to go away for a weekend to a conference (read – WITHOUT MY CHILDREN!!). When I talked to Hubby about it he couldn’t stop laughing. He still thinks that blogging is just a way for me to waste time on the computer. He told me to go and have fun in between his laughing fits.
I am nervous and excited at the same time. I look forward to meeting fellow bloggers from around the US as much as I look forward to learning how to take my blog further if I want to. I know that this is my little fun space, just for me, but wouldn’t it be nice if I could take it farther and make it something more? No? Yes? Who knows. Either way I think it will be a fantastic opportunity for me and my partner in crime to get away and chat with other crazy bloggers.
Who will we see there, are you going? And worst of all… what am I going to wear?
Life is continuing at a fast pace here, but I thought I would share two great things for today.
I have a new sponsor here at the Beach. Please welcome Tiny Prints. I was so excited to be contacted by Jessica because I love Tiny Prints and the designs and layouts of their cards. I have been asked several times be clients to provide cards for their birth announcements and as much as I love designing them, sometimes it is just better to leave that to someone else. Thankfully, Tiny Prints offers a wide selection to choose from. They ship both in the US and Internationally, so us Canadians can enjoy their product as well. Feel free to drop by Tiny Prints to check out their cards for your next special occasion.
Now onto my recipe. I was busy today getting caught up on some of my baking. I had to make my annual Rum Balls. Now, these are not for the faint of heart, neither are they for children. They contain Rum and lots of it.
Rum Balls
3c. Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
1 can of condensed milk (I use Eagle Brand)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. Rum (I use Appleton Jamica Rum)
- Put condensed milk and chocolate chips in a large microwavable dish.
- Melt the mixture in the microwave (2-3 minutes at 50% power. This may vary depending on your microwave)
- Stir Mixture, if the chocolate is not completely melted, increase time in microwave.
- Once the chocolate is melted and it is smooth after stirring, add vanilla and then the rum.
- Stir until the vanilla and rum are completely absorbed in teh misture.
- Cover and chill 2-3 hours or until firm.
- Shape into 1 inch balls.
- Roll in desired coating (eg. chocolate powdered sugar)
- Store tightly covered in refrigerator.
Serve. And Enjoy!
