One year ago today I began my blogging journey. I started it on a whim. I was pathetic and inexperienced and had NO readers, but over time I began to make friends. Much to my surprise, I found MY PEOPLE!!!
Last night I was moved to tears when I returned home from a trip to find bloggers wishing me a happy blog birthday. How did they know? Because a dear blogging friend, Felicity, surprised me with a birthday post. Right there on her lovely blog, a blog birthday post for me. How am I so lucky? Could she be any sweeter to have made note of this milestone? I had never heard the world “chuffed” before making friends from Australia. But now, it is the perfect word to say how I feel. I’m chuffed. Chuffed, touched and humbled.
Blog friends are the nicest friends around. YOU are all the nicest friends around. I feel blessed beyond measure to see your friendly messages pop up in my comments. Do you realize how just a simple kindness like a comment or a visit can transform my day or the day of everyone you visit? You are all thought of as precious friends who take time out of your life to say hello, ask how I am doing, invite me to tea or inspire me with your ideas. Your kindness does not go unnoticed.
Thank you for being a part of my life and making this year the most exciting adventure! I wish I could name each and every one of you by name and give you all a big hug. YOU have made this year fantastic for me. I cannot thank you enough.
I want to host a big party to celebrate, but between a bridal shower this weekend, the wedding in a little over a month (eek) and the possibility of selling our house and perhaps even moving out of state, my life is over the brim full. What I would like to do is to postpone the festivities until I can focus on a big shebang…prizes and all.
Thank you for your patience, your support, your prayers, your encouragement and your friendship. I enjoy sharing ideas here, but most of all, I enjoy being friends with all of you.
Love to you all and BIG HUGS TO FELICITY!!! I nominate her QUEEN FOR THE DAY IN BLOGLAND!
Melissa
PS. Big surprise for next week…I am going to be on BLOG RADIO. Holy cow, that should be scary for all of us. More details to come.
photo: House to Home, Ideal Home July 2008
Dear Miss Melissa – I’m totally chuffed that you’re chuffed my dear:-)!!!!
1 year is certainly a milestone :-0
Blog radio? now whats that? Tell all!
Happy Blog Birthday! I love your blog, its a definite must read!
Happy birthday for the Inspired Room! Congrats :)
happy birthday, well I’ve only known you for a short time, and I’m chuffed!!!!
love the inspiration on your blog and the sweet way it is delivered
I really enjoy blogging along here to see what’s new – you won’t realise it but you’re blog has provided me with the ooomph I needed to get my cottage back on track..thanks
Happy blog birthday Melissa! Your blog is so wonderful, and you give so much to so many people! I’m chuffed that I got to know you, lol! I also like that word and use it a fair bit too!
You sound like you have TONS on your plate, so I hope you can enjoy it in the mad rush that your life is right now!
Big hugs,
Natasha xo
You are the BBF (Best Blogging Friend) to many. Inspiration to all. A teacher, confidante, buddy…..you get us. We are all so privileged to know you. Thank you for being so ‘real’. Big Hug from Canada to you! xo
OH MELISSA!!! HAPPY, HAPPY BLOGDAY TO YOU!!!!!
YOU, my dear, make all of us so happy with all of your postings. I think it’s a “win win” for all! ;)
Blessings to you and your family as you have a jam packed few weeks ahead of you!
CC
Has it really been a year? Happy blogday! You certainly have a lot on your plate in the coming weeks, but I always enjoy whatever you post. Your on my google reader so I get them all:>) Enjoy your beautiful daughters wedding, enjoy your summer. Thanks for a year of eye candy and friendly comments:>)
HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY SWEET MELISSA!!!
You are such an extra special person – always kind, always generous, always an inspiration to us all! We are so blessed that you “landed” in Blogland! Here’s to another beautiful year!
Love,
Kim
Your blog is so great, I would’ve thought it’s been here much longer than a year. Happy Blog Birthday! I can’t wait to see another year’s worth of beautiful posts!
Happy Bloggy Birthday!!! You deserve a special post for all you do. Glad you started this.
– Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife
Congrats and Happy Blog Birthday! I’m so glad I found your wonderful blog. Thanks for sharing your life and passions with us all.
-Ann
Happy Bloggy Birthday!
Hi Mel,
Mb am invisible most of the time, but am following your every post.
I just moved in an old house that needs make over. I used your blog as my inspiration and some of it really applied at home.
Wishing you a more BLOG BDAY to come and keep up that good job, Lady!
HURRAY…
Greetings from Stockholm,
Chie
Happy blog birthday to you,
Happy blog birthday to you,
Happy blog birthday, dear friend –
Happy blog birthday to you!
And many more. I’m glad I found you shortly after you began blogging. Can’t wait to hear more about the blog radio ‘event’.
~Adrienne~
Ok, and chuffed means…..
Happy blog birthday!! I am so glad you are a year old! Here’s to many more!
happy birthday.
does it seem longer or shorter than a year.
i can’t remember what i did with all that time i had before blogging. too much tv i think.
i am so glad you started your blog.
and that we are virtual bff’s.
and that you have so many good home ideas and fill my days with pretty things like giant cupcake pans (i think that’ what got me hooked on your blog? you just never know)
i hope your entire birthday week is wonderful.
happy happy happpy
Congratulations! I seriously love this blog. May there be many more years to come!!!
OH Melissa – Congratulations & Happy Blog Birthday!! We can’t believe it’s only been a year for you – Yea!!
Have a super week!
Happy happy birthday!!!!!!! I love your blog! It is one of my favorite escapes every day. Thank you for taking the time to discover such fabulous rooms and spaces for us to enjoy!
Happy Birthday! You are sooo appreciated.
Dee
I agree, you have a fantastic blog- and I too can’t believe it’s been only a year! Thanks for all the aspiring posts and encouragement-
Happy Day
P.S- Wow- what a plateful you have- may you be blessed to have everything work out the way that will most bless your life-and of course with a lovely wedding –
Melissa, we love you forever and ever.
Happy 1st Blog Birthday!!!!!!!
~Des
I just discovered your blog last week and love it. Happy blog birthday!
Boy, I’m really chuffed now! Thank you all so much for coming by and being such great blogging buddies…
xoxoxo
WOW – big congrats, and blog radio?! CRAZY! Good luck – you deserve it!
Happy Blog Birthday to you! I thought you had been blogging for much longer because your blog is so great! You truly do inspire me!
Happy bday inspired room, I have mine coming up in August and its still taking me awhile to get some readers. I am just starting to pick up these days. I love your shelves full of ceramics and such, I would love to have space like that to collect more myself, ahh I can just live through you!
Hi, Melissa, I think we met soon after you started blogging & I’m so happy we did. It’s been great getting to know you this last year & I have enjoyed all of the inspiration and ideas you have given me & for taking the time to talk to me about the ‘biz”. Thanks so much! I wish you the best with the wedding plans, moving, and everything else.
xo,
Rhoda
Sorry to be so late to the party! Happy Blogday!!!!
Happy blog birthday! I really do enjoy reading your blog.
Happy B-day to you too. Good luck with all that you have going on, don’t forget to breathe. I really enjoy your blog, wish I knew about it a year ago I’m slowing getting into this blog world. Good luck
One whole year? Wow! Congrats! -Julia :-)
Happy Blog Birthday! I love your blog and look forward to it every day!
Melissa! Happy blog birthday! I’m so glad you started this blog. AND stayed with it! Looking forward to many more years of reading your lovely posts!
Happy Birthday Melissa dear….you are an inspiration to us all! ~XOXO~Janet
Happy Blog Birthday Melissa!!! Wow, a year of fabulousness…how can that be? You have achieved so much in such a relatively short time…you have provided such rich inspiration for all of us and we are all the better for it! And you have been quite the innovator bringing us creativity weeks, great talent discoveries, to-die-for drive bys, Blissful co-party/promotion, thousands of room photos/ideas, and of course your warmth and wit that permeates everything you do…such a wonderful creative legacy!!
You have PLENTY to do, so just focus on these magical crazy days of planning and preparations..they wll be here and then gone so quickly…and when all the activities settle down to just the manageable everyday chaos, then you can get around to blog fun and games…we’ll stil be here I assure you!!
Congratulations on all your great achievements!
Hugs from your BFF,
Becky S.
Happy “blog” birthday! I’m getting close to my 100th post and only started this incredible journey in December! I’m am soooo addicted!
Hugs!
Judy
I wish you a happy blog birthday and many, many more! For even much more fun and friends!
Suzy
Happy Blogging Birthday Melissa…love reading your journey and looking at your georgeous photos!!!
Dear Melissa TANTI AUGURI!!
BACI mArY
That’s great! Happy Blog Birthday!!!
Ohmy!!!!! Happy Blog Birthday to you!!!! And many, many more! We love you. You have to keep this up now, you know. :-)
Hugs,
‘Miss’ Mari-Nanci
{Yes, I am channeling my inner “Southern Lady Of A Certain Age”!!! Gonna’ call myself “Miss Mari-Nanci” from now on. If I can’t get people up here, to call me that, I shall call myself that! So there!!!} :-)
Smilnsigh blog
Happy Bloggy Birthday. You have invested so much of yourself here that we just love to come and read…
Sounds like you need a day… just for you …before the wedding and all other excitement hits.
Becky K.
Melissa, it was a happy, happy day when I found you just a few posts in last July. I knew immediately that I had found gold. Congratulations on a wonderful year of blogging.
I know that life is ultra busy right now, but please know that you are much in my thoughts and prayers.
Here’s to another exciting year of blogging!
Melissa,
Thank *you* for sharing so much with us this last year and special thanks for helping me with my start-up. Couldn’t have done it without you and a couple other oh so generous bloggers. Silverdale/Seattle hmmm…
JAnet
Happy Birthday! I started my blog in July of last year too.
I did a special ‘drive by’ post today…I thought of you as I was taking pictures in London a few weeks ago, and thought I would turn my pictures into a London ‘walk by’.
Thank you for a year of inspiration! The best is yet to come.
Congrats on your wonderful milestone. Your blog is a real treat to visit. Always wonderful ideas and inspiration.
It’s always a real pleasure to pop in to see what wonderful photos you’ve found.
I love this kitchen shelf-but I must say I’m actually envisioning crafts supplies filling the shelves. Great storage. I love it!
All the beste as you head into year number 2.
Happy Blog Birthday, Melissa. I had no idea we celebrated those, since I’m new to this. Does that mean cake and ice cream? Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog and for linking me up. I still don’t entirely know what I’m doing. I don’t know who your wedding plans are for, but we’re in the same boat here. August is my daughter’s bridal shower, September is the wedding, both of which are out of state from me. Yikes it’s crazy fun! Oh, and I have a dog that could be Winston’s cousin. I think Buddy was my first blog entry. Best wishes!
Blessed are we to have found you! I do hope you will move to Wisconsin :)
Melissa:
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday….I’m glad I found your blog last year…..Hope to keep reading you into the years to come. You have introduced me to many new sites.
So glad I found your blog! Though it’s really easy to find, just click on just about any other blog out that, and there you are. You are all over the place now, AS YOU SHOULD BE:)
Wow, I feel like I am having a party! So nice of you all to pop in. I am so glad you are all my blogging buddies… :-) thanks for being so sweet!
Happy Blogoversary, dear Melissa! Making your acquaintance over this last year has certainly impacted my life! You are one gifted and classy lady. And, you have such a sweet and tender spirit.
I still marvel that you and I began blogging right around the same time and put “OJT” to task. Then, through the process of putting our heart and passions in an open place, we started to connect with souls that we otherwise may never have met. AND the world becomes even smaller as we realize how so many of our new friends know each other. Amazing!
Right now, you are very much in the place that I was when I began to blog. You’re standing tiptoe in a sea of change endeavoring to keep your nose above water. I know that I birthed my blog to become more buoyant and to celebrate how faithful God is. What an adventure you will have to write about…
You know how I love words… I have never heard the word “chuffed” before. So, I looked it up. I love the definition! What a grand way to sum up a glorious year of blogging!
Main Entry: chuffed
Pronunciation: \ˈchəft\
Function: adjective
Etymology: English dialect chuff pleased, puffed with fat
Date: 1957 (A year before KJ was born)
I conclude with a poem…
The Inspired Room
Authentic living
At The Inspired Room
Prompts perpetual giving;
No room for gloom.
Melissa dispenses
Joie à la carte;
By quickening our senses
With remodeled hearts.
KJ (2008)
HUGE HUGS, KJ
Thank you for the beauty, the kindness, the inspiration. Thank you for being down to earth and still manage to be inspiring. A whole, godly woman. (God is in all things, bright and beautiful).
God bless you and your family.
How time flies! Wishing you many more inspired days!
Congratulations, Melissa! So glad you started blogging and so happy to “know” you! Happy Birthday, TIR!
congratulation on your blog birthday, and thank you for being always there for us to have fun and inspired at a same time.
wish you luck and a big hug ;)
Hello! You are fun! Great blog! And Happy Bloggie Birthday! :)
Your blog is so beautiful and inspiring. Congrats on your one year blog birthday! Many Blogging Blessings, Dana
Happy blog birthday :-)
Happy blog birthday!!! You aren’t getting older, you are getting better! :o)
Happy, happy blog birthday, Melissa! Congratulations on accomplishing so much since you started. Hard to believe it’s only been one year! So much has happened in such a short amount of time. Moving out of state? Blog radio? Do tell!
Happy one year blog birthday Melissa! You have a lot going on right now lady!!
Hugs,
Penny
blogging friends really are the best kind. I had no idea the level of kindness, and thoughtfulness out there until I started blogging. Happy Birthday!
I was taking a lil Bloggy Break and missed so much…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I hope it was grand! I enjoy visiting you ever so much…I don’t get around as much as I’d like to but I try!
Hugs,
Robin
Congrats on your blog birthday! Wishing you many more such momentous occasions!
Happy Blog Birthday! I’m so glad you blog – I always enjoy it. Have a lovely day!
Jennifer
Yay for YOU sweetness, happy happy happy happy blog BIRTHDAY!!!!! :D and many more…..ok, i won’t sing cause that wouldn’t be very nice. Aww, I’m so glad to “know” you in the bloggy world….lots of love from MD to you!! :)
I could never imagine bloglandia without you!! HONK HONK Hooooooonk!! xoxooxxo
HAPPY HAPPPPPY Bloggeee Birthday!! Mwwwuah
You are the sweetest, Melissa. With all you’ve got going on you’re going to have to give yourself a break! Seriously, we will all be here when you get done with all your busy-ness. What a blessed time you have coming up with your family events. Take it easy on yourself during this time. Now I must check out this new and fascinating word “chuffed.” I have an Aussie internet friend, so I’ll have to ask her.
(Hope this doesn’t post twice… I think there’s a ghost in my computer!)
Blessings,
Christi
Happy Bloggy Birthday, my sweet friend! Isn’t it just fabulous to meet wonderful people through our blogs? You are such a sweetheart and your posts are from your soul and heart – which makes it no surprise to know you have so many friends. I just love you!!
Hey, you are going to be one busy gal, so just know we are here and wish you all the very best through each path you go down the next few months. If I lived near you, I’d be there to help.
Hugs to you and Winston,
The Doogs and Becky
Today it’s my firt visit! Congratulations!!
I’m sure I’ll return!!!
WoW Congratulations on staying in blogland that long and also happy belated Birthday! Also, Blog Radio what is that exactly? I love this photo you have – I believe I am going to have to steal it. Is it your home? Daisy~
Happy belated blog birthday! I’m rather quiet, not commenting much, but I do enjoy your blog very much. All the best for your next year!
Loving your blog! Found you through Bliss. Chuffed – what a great word! Happy Blogging Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I’m new to the blogging world and love your blog. Your home is gorgeous and you have a great style. I’ve had my blog for 2 months and feel inexperienced and looking for my people as we speak. You have given me hope! Thanks for being a new daily read!
Wow, Melissa! Your cup overfloweth with warm wishes from so many. May I add a drop as well? You inspire and charm us all with your words. Congratulations and Alfie sends a woof to Winston.
Lisa & Alfie
Happy blogday! :) Happy days and happy wishes to you! I love stopping by here… wish I could do it more! xoxo
Another happy b’day wish to add to all those amid your virtual table display!
Emily-Sarah
I’ve been on a trip (still am) and can’t believe I missed this! Happy Blog Birthday!
I love your blog. Your pictures are so lovely and give me a calm feeling and you are so down-to-earth and “approachable.”
Keep up the wonderful blogging! :)
A belated Blog Birthday wish to you!! Keep it up for many years to come! I love coming here, learning and getting inspired by you!
Congratulations on the completion of the first year of your blog. You have certainly done a fine job and inspired many, many other bloggers. Thank you for all the wonderful posts you’ve provided for us all.
Thanks to each of you who took the time to make my first blog birthday so special!
xoxo
Sorry I’m so late, Melissa…is there any cake left for me? Just crumbs? well I will happily toast you and your blog with just crumbs! congrats on the milestone, that is wonderful!!