Kari, who is Artsy Mama, is hosting a blog party for the publication of Tara Frey’s new book Blogging for Bliss. Though its official release date is August 4th, I managed to snag a copy a couple of weeks ago. It is a wonderful book about blogging with tons of helpful information, as well as profiles of many successful bloggers. I am a regular reader of Tara’s blog and she is enormously talented. I urge you to run out and buy a copy! Please visit Kari for a list of all those participating in the party.
For this party, Kari has asked us share our blogging stories. How did we come to blog and what has blogging meant to us?
I started blogging about a year and a half ago, after a long period of reading many different blogs. When I first discovered blogs, I was entranced by what women were saying, creating and sharing. I was hooked. I started to bookmark various blogs and read them every day. Every once in a while I would tell my husband that I was thinking of starting a blog and that I thought it would be rewarding to write again. But I never did anything about it. He kept encouraging me to ‘go ahead and do it’ and finally I did. I wasn’t sure what my blogging voice would be at the beginning. I knew I wanted to write about my home and my husband and dogs and the things I loved to do. I decided to name my blog after my home – Mockingbird Hill Cottage. (We live on a little hill, my name is Hill, and my favorite novel is To Kill a Mockingbird.) My first posts were exploratory. I didn’t tell anyone about the blog for quite a while. Only my husband and I knew.
In the meantime, I started to gain confidence, learned how to upload photos, kept reaching out to other bloggers by commenting on their posts and, wonder of wonders, began to see comments on my posts! And slowly my blog took onmy true voice – the voice of a lover of all things beautiful, a gardener, a reader, a decorator, a collector, a quilter, a knitter/crocheter, a nester, a professional working in the arts, a wife, a mother to my adored dogs, a writer, a budding photographer, a daughter, a sister. I found others who cared enough to read my posts, I made new friends. I saw the world differently. Everything became a photo opportunity. My husband began to say ‘You should blog about this’ quite often. I slowly told my sister, my friends, and my parents about the blog – shyly, but proudly, I might add. My parents have a Sunday ritual of reading all the previous week’s posts together. We live far apart and I know it means a great deal to them to see and hear about my daily life.
I asked for a new camera for my birthday. My photos improved. (I love my camera!) I helped my sister and a friend start their own blogs. I added a background, changed it to a new one, all the time decorating my blog in a way that reflects me. It keeps evolving and I love that.
When I decided to take a job in San Diego for 6 months this past January, I told my husband that I was worried about my blog. After all, it was about our cottage and our life here. How could I blog about San Diego? Much to my surprise, it was surprisingly easy. My dear blogging friends went right along with me on the journey, supporting me all the way. They cheered me up when I was homesick and I missed my husband and dogs, cheered me on as I worked on the other side of the country, and loved going along with me as I introduced them to new vintage shops, antique shops and a wonderful Barn Sale. For all my worry about what to blog about while in San Diego, I never ran out of ideas. Now I am home again and the journey continues.
I have met the most wonderful people through this blogiverse. I feel connected in a way that I’ve never felt before. Aren’t bloggers the most creative, fascinating people? And aren’t we all better for knowing each other? We are part of a wonderful creative, supportive, compassionate community.
I love blogging. And, yes, it makes me blissful.
Well written Claudia! We have some similarities in our stories. I agreed with so much you said. Thank you for sharing your story with us! I really love how you selected your blog name. By the way, the picture of your dogs… Just Adorable!!
Nerissa
I am so glad you started blogging, Claudia otherwise I would never have met you. I look forward to reading your posts every day :)
Did you get my email about Doll House Land? She doesn’t have a website but I sent you her email.
Hugs, Marsha
I am crushed that I didn’t know about this party. I surely would have joined…I’ve already posted for today, however.
Loved your blogging story.
Outstanding Job Claudia. I am clapping, clapping, clapping. Take a bow for a job well done. You are a wonderful blogger, and I have so enjoyed Mockingbird Hill. Now I know the history of how it came to be. Thanks for sharing as always. I love to come and visit. Stop by and say hi. I love to see your smiling face. Country Hugs honey, Sherry
Your blog is delightful — and I love your explanation of why you started it. I am fascinated by the range of occupations and backgrounds of women who blog about their homes, families, lives . . . so many more women than men. I think this might be the new equivalent of the quilting bee or other social gatherings where women could share, and realize that YES, others felt the same way, or did the same things, or had the same dreams — or just plain “got it.”
That’s bliss.
Cass
PS Love the glasses, AND your scrambled word is “euros” — I take that as a sign that I need to go to Paris.
So glad to meet you and to discover your beautiful blog! Keep up the wonderful posts. :)
Mi querida amiga me encanta tu blog,primero tu sonrisa,tus trabajoscompartidos y elamor por los animales y la Naturaleza.Con todomi cariño Desde España……..besos
Love this post. It’s so great how everyone has a different blog story, but basically we are all the same.:) come over for a little French Tart, okay?
Hey chickadee!! lovely post! I bet you were home sick! yikes I cant imagine not being able to blog thank goodness you got to! big hugs
toodles-
sarah
This was well written. I agree with you completely. Nice to meet you. Thanks for visiting my blog. I love the look of your blog- pretty backgrounds. I love your cute dogs!
Hi Claudia,
What a wonderful post. The process of learning how to blog is so worth it, when the result is a blog as lovely as yours. I have often thought how wonderful it is that we keep our blogging friends no matter where we move to. I love everything that you said in your post!
Karen
Pleased to meet you Claudia! I am new to the blog universe and have the same hesitations you had at first. I can see it worked out well for you-great blog!
Awwww, I loved reading this! It was a great way to start my day ~ Your writing is incredible and your dogs are so sweet!
:) ~ Happy Blog Party ~
Hi claudia…What a great story. I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you and I have bookmarked your site!!
Hi Claudia
Thanks for sharing how you began your blogging journey. I think all of us are amazed at hoe muchbliss it brings!
Hi Claudia! It’s so nice to meet you, and loved reading how you got started in blogging.
Howdy Claudia
Simply awesome !
To Kill A Mockingbird is a favorite .
Love visiting your blog and really enjoyed reading this post.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Blessings of joy to you.
Hugs
Happy Trails
I loved reading your story. I think that on the whole we all share the same feelings as bloggers, there are minor details; I told a few friends and relatives about my blog immediately, as I was so afraid that no one in the world would read my blog! Nice to meet you too!
I love reading everyone’s stories about blogging!
Hi Claudia,
Thanks for stopping by! Blogging really is a wonderful thing isn’t it? To me, the best part is meeting new people, from everywhere, and making new friendships.
Have a great week,
Hugs, Debi
hi claudia,
this post is putting a lump in my throat. i agree so whole-heartedly with everything you are saying. i am amazed at how important blogging has become to me and how dear my blogging friends truly are to me. it is wonderful, just like you and mockingbird hill cottage.
warmest XOs,
elyse
What a great post! I came to blogging in almost the same way – I spent a lot of time reading my sister in law’s blog, and then the blogs to which she linked, and once I had a baby… I just had to start one. It’s been a growing thing for me too. Thank you for stopping by my blog!!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I really enjoyed reading this post about the start of your blog. I find it amazing how the blogging world has given so many people, from all over the world, an opportunity to connect and enrich each others lives. I love being a part of it all.
I’m glad I discovered your blog, and you, and your sister! I so enjoy reading what you have to say. I’m hoping to get my blogging voice back. You certainly lend inspiration to that end.
Great post and wonderful sentiments about blogging. Thanks for joining in the fun.
Cheers to blogging!
Kari
Hi Claudia! Love reading your posts…and those doglets are darling, too!
Thanks for visiting me. It’s so nice when you stop by and say “hi”!
Blessings,
Donna
Thanks for sharing your start in blogging. I’m so new at it but I love it and want to learn more and share more. Thanks for always coming by and leaving a comment.
Patti
Beautiful writing, Claudia! Your blog has a very interesting biography. I love your blog name! How clever! I’m so glad that we have met through this neat blog party.
Blessings,
Marilyn
(Oh, your dogs are beautiful! I’m an animal lover, too!)
Thanks for popping over and commenting. So glad to get to know your through your enjoyable blog.
Claudia, you have really inspired me I love reading blogs of women who share the love of making a home. I want to start a blog and I do not know how, but after reading yours I may try. I have a little trouble putting all my thoughts in to words. I enjoyed your blog very much, thank you
Angie
angie@theweddingshoppetroy.com
Hi, Claudia! You won my giveaway! Yay! Can you email me your home address so I can send it off to you? amy@inspireco.com
Me too, girl! I started blogging in Dec. 2007. In fits and starts, I evolved. Changed names. But eventually found my voice and my niche. It has transformed my life in so many ways. I have made great friends. I love to visit you all and see what you’re up to. What an enriching experience!
Brenda
I agree, we are better for knowing each other. The thing that I love is how bloggers share of themselves. They show their crafts and creations and their lives so that others may be inspired. How lucky we are to belong to this community. Have a wonderful day! Twyla
A very interesting Greetings Blog
I found you through the blog party. I wanted to say that your blog is beautiful. I love your pictures of your doggies. They are adorable.
Yep, it’s true! Beautiful post! You have cute dogs and a gorgeous home!!!
It’s a pleasure to meet you! Thanks for your message! See you again!
Yes, oh yes, bloggers are wonderful! I never imagined how it would turn out for me either. A lot of the same thoughts went through my head. And all turned out very positive. Good post!
I know, isn’t it just overwhelming? When I started, I never really thought of actually meeting such wonderful bloggers. What a surprise! Somehow there is this fuzzy feeling one feels that beautiful people do exist in a lot of number LOL And even though I don’t get to post much, I just read what others have to share – funny, inspiring, or something real personal (which I really commend). That eventhough I am divided through roads and seas from most of the people I meet, somehow it wasn’t a boundary at all.
Li