Good morning! Welcome to "Morning Musings".

Musings: to meditate, think, contemplate, deliberate, ponder, reflect, ruminate, reverie, daydream, introspection, dream, preoccupation, brood, cogitate.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Third Anniversary

This Thursday it will be three years since I did my first Morning Musing post.  It was about my garden and my children. . . .


I've written before about why I Blog (I wish there was a prettier-sounding word for it!), but I'm not sure I've shared my feelings about why I do Morning Musings.  I'd started a Blog called Another Perfect Day in January 2012 and had done 70 posts by May 12th.  That 70th post was called Secret Gardens.  At that point I'd only received four comments.  Seventy posts.  Four comments.  My Commenters had all found me through the link to my name whenever I commented on Susan Branch's Blog.  I loved the community that I found on Susan's Blog and wanted that for myself.  I realized I needed to "branch" out. ☺  I needed to broaden my appeal, as they say.  And I was rewarded!  I did 60 posts between May 14, 2012, and May 6, 2013, and had 48 comments!  In the three years I've been writing Morning Musings my comment count has grown substantially.  I am loving the community Morning Musings has created.  To say thank you, I'm giving away three of Susan Branch's books that I found on my travels in the past year.  Details will be at the end of this post.

In the meantime, I wanted to share some of my favorite posts from the past three years.  What made them my favorite was the fun I had preparing them.  I hope you will view these on your computer rather than a "device" so you can play the music in the background.  Choosing the music to go with each post has been a large part of the creative expression that drives me to keep Morning Musings alive.

My favorite posts from the first year were (click on title to read):

Solitude


Martha's Vineyard Carriage House 
This was the first of 11 posts I did about our week on Martha's Vineyard where I'd hoped to meet Susan Branch. . . .

Just an Ordinary Day

The second year of Morning Musings I did 53 posts.  My favorite posts from that year were:

The Lesson of the Bee and the Flower


Emily Dickinson's Garden



This past year I've done 67 posts.  My favorites are:

Whimsy


Monet's Giverny Garden


Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady - January

I've done four in this series so far this year. . . .

To be entered in the drawing leave a comment saying which book you'd like to have (you may choose to enter as many as you like), and I will put your name in the drawing for that book(s).  Thursday, the 3rd anniversary of Morning Musings, I'll announce the winners. . . .





.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•
Take Joy!

34 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post, and a great give away congratulations on your blog anniversary. I would love to be considered for the Christmas from the heart of the home book. I love the photos from the solitude post and I am a great fan of the Country Diary of the Edwardian Lady book the illustrations are wonderful.

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    1. Lorraine, thanks for your comment! I've entered you in the drawing.

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    2. Three years! I wish I was there at the beginning but I don't think so. I'm so glad to have "found" you and that others have too, and I enjoy each post. It's evident you put a lot of time and thought into your posts and it is paying off in the wonderful community you have formed. I think that describes a part of blogging--that around each blogger friends form and branch out to others who comment. It's really quite amazing. I hope you blog for many more years. Have a wonderful week ahead!

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    3. Thank you, Dotsie. Did you not want to be entered in the drawing? If so, please choose which book(s) you'd like to win.

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  2. Happy Blogiversary! I think I discovered your blog about a year and a half ago. I'll have to go back and read the posts I missed. I would love to be entered in the giveaway for a copy of Vineyard Seasons. Such a nice giveaway!

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    1. Thank you, Kristie. I've entered you in the drawing.

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  3. I just spent a very enjoyable time reading ALL of them. My favorites: Your Martha's Vineyard visit and Emily Dickinson Garden. Firstly, I love anything with a garden and your B&B stay, besides being a lovely cottage inside, had the most darling secret garden spot outside. You captured the mood with your photos of the meals, the views from the window and the garden guide kitty. Emily Dickinson? I never paid much attention to her and now I am smitten with her poetry. Thank you for that! I intend on searching for a vintage book of her poems, love that she was an intense gardener and thoroughly enjoyed the video. Love those bee poems.

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  4. PS> Enter me for the Vineyard book>>>

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    1. Jeri, I am thrilled that I've brought Emily to your attention and that you were smitten. You really must read one of the biographies about her to get a fuller understanding of her poetry. And if at all possible visit her house and garden. It is an experience in itself. Thank you for your really sweet words about my posts. ☺ I've entered you in the drawing.

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  5. Hello Cathy,
    I'm Sylvie and I'm writing to you from France. Last year I discovered your lovely blog and it was through Susan Branch blog, just like the commenters you talked about. The blogosphere is undoubtedly a small world !.
    I love all things American and your posts are always interesting because I learn a lot about your culture. You are a nice lady and it can be seen in your writing.
    I already have several books by Susan Branch but I would love discovering "Friends forever".
    Happy blogiversary Cathy !.
    I hope that you'll forgive me if my English isn't perfect.
    Sylvie

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    1. Hello Sylvie and thank you! I'm delighted to know someone from France reads my Blog. Your English is perfect! We hosted a French teenager for 3 weeks during the summer of 2013 so she could improve her English. I tried to learn French before our guest arrived and soon realized I should just stick to English. It was very interesting, though, to learn the differences in some of our customs (like placing her hand on the table while she ate and that using utensils for foods we eat with our hands!). I've entered you in the drawing.

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  6. Happy Anniversary, Cathy! I really enjoyed reading what you picked for your "Greatest Hits" today - most of them I had read when originally posted but the first few I hadn't and they were treats too! I love any of the posts with animals, and gardens, and I love the ones when you and Ken are traveling a lot too. I even check out the inns and restaurants you list in your travel posts, and believe it or not, I have begun to collect "digital menus" from all over the world because of your blog [mostly PDFs]. Easy to get, easy to and save. No boxes and folders to deal with, and fun to look at every once in a while. I have them from "The Four Seasons" and the Fairmont in Vancouver, to lobster shacks on Cape Cod. Lots of fun! Anyway, you put so much into your posts, it's amazing. There are many blogs that do much, much less - so It must have been a bit discouraging at first to put so much into them and not hear anything back. Especially when the Internet has made mass communication even faster and easy. People don't even have to get published by others anymore - they can just put whatever they want of their own work out there themselves. But frankly, I think it must be fairly difficult for most bloggers to "find an audience" at first, unless of course they're known for something else beforehand, like Susan Branch. Maybe you should have done what the Pioneer Woman did. Apparently this little blog of hers that she started in the kitchen of her ranch house just ballooned in popularity from the grass roots up - and isn't that amazing? But in reality her husband's family are multi-millionaires and one of the biggest landowners in Oklahoma, and it turns around they paid a huge public relations firm to get her blog "discovered." And of course now she's a massive cooking blog star and personality [and no doubt, even richer]. I guess she gets most of "her" recipes from little church cookbooks from all over Oklahoma too. When I read that, in several different places by the way, I stopped reading her blog and watching her TV show. I don't mind anyone becoming rich through hard work, but at the very least, it ought to be their OWN hard work. Well, that story always comes to mind whenever I think of people starting up blogs. Something tells me one thing will always be true about blogs - the best ones are the small ones. OK, congrats again on your anniversary, many MANY more of them ahead, take care and talk to you soon. PS - I think I have all the Susan Branch books so if I win, I'll be giving my book to my sister - I gave her "Autumn" for Christmas - so any one of them would be great. Or feel free to give the book to another commenter too. :>)

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    1. Thank you, Janet. It's great to know I have people like you reading my Web Journal (my new term for Blog!). You always have such interesting comments. I will enter your name in all three books so you have a better chance of winning one for your sister.

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    2. I love the term "web journal" - that's much better than "blog" - of course I doubt we can convince the younger generation but it doesn't matter. We'll use it, as they say, "amongst ourselves." Here's to many more healthy years of online journallng - and God bless. :>)

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  7. Happy 3rd Anniversary, Cathy! Yours easily has become one of my favorite blogs for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that you go the extra mile to respond to each comment, thereby 'connecting' with us on a personal level. I truly come away feeling as if I've just had a one-on-one visit with a dear friend (whether or not I've commented). For obvious reasons, that's a blessing that is lost in blogs with huge audiences. That said, when the time comes that you cannot possibly keep up with us, I'll still be reading and learning and going on armchair travels with you for as long as I'm able! Thank you for your generous spirit and perseverance; you do not disappoint. As for the giveaway, 'Girlfriends Forever' is my preference, though all three are excellent. Hugs ...

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    1. Thank you, Sharon. I can't imagine ever getting to the point that I have SO many comments that I can't possibly respond to them all (like SB), but who knows?! Right? If I ever get something published, I guess it could happen. But I'm actually every content with the way things are now, so I do not hope for celebrity status. ☺ Would you like me to put you down for all three books with the Girlfriends book being your first choice? If someone's name gets drawn more than once they will only win the first book I draw (or the one they prefer).

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    2. Okay, you twisted my arm ... enter me for all three {wink wink}; I enjoyed a banner year for winning last year, but well into May I've garnered zilch so far this year! Signed, your friend Miss Piggy ...

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    3. Ha, ha, Sharon. You're not at all like Miss Piggy! You don't want to thumb your nose at Lady Luck, do you? You have to give her a chance. I'm all for entering any contest that doesn't cost me something (because then it feels like gambling). As they say, you can't win if you don't enter.

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  8. This has been a fun post to read! I loved going back and looking at some of your favorite posts. I think web journal sounds much nicer than blog as well. Congratulations on your three year anniversary- I am pretty sure I found your web journal (!) through Take Peace. Patricia

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    1. Thank you, Patricia. I'm getting a positive response to "Web Journal." Maybe I can start something here. I'll tweet it and see what happens! Would you like to be entered in the drawing? If so, choose a book (or 2 or all) and I'll put your name in the basket.

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  9. Good morning Cathy. It has been a joy to discover your blog and follow along. I always enjoy reading about your adventures and seeing your lovely pictures. As I do not have any of Susan Branch's' books, the Vineyard Seasons would be my choice. What a nice gesture to have this give away. My best to you. Hugs, Pat

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    1. Thank you, Pat. I've entered you in the drawing for Vineyard Seasons, but you're allowed to enter for all 3 books if you wish. That way if you don't win the drawing for the one you want, you'll have a chance to win one of the others. I did it this way so that someone doesn't win a book they already have. Just let me know if I should put you down for each drawing.

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  10. Happy Anniversary Cathy, I love your blog. You were one of my first comments when I started & yes the community spirit in blogging is wonderful.
    Please don't enter me in the draw with me living so far away, the books looks great.
    Enjoy the rest of this glorious day.
    Fondly Michelle

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    1. Thank you, Michelle. That is neither here nor there how far away you are! For my anniversary I'm making the drawing open to anyone. So, please let me know which book in particular you'd like, and whether or not to also enter your name for a chance at the others if your name isn't picked for the one you'd like most.

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    2. Oh Cathy that is so so kind of you but the postage costs are so high, I know that from sending gifts to America.
      It means so much to me.
      Fondly Michelle

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    3. Michelle, since you didn't indicate which book you'd prefer I've put your name under all three books. I'll be drawing the names later today!

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  11. I loved reading your message today. The music you used on Solitude was a delightful addition to your creative expression! The pictures were wonderful too! If chosen for your "giveaway", I would treasure the book "Girlfriends Forever", as that is how I feel about our relationship. I have always wanted a sister, with having three older brothers. We may not have lived together physically, but in spirit I have always felt very close. Love, Sandy xoxo

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    1. Thank you, Sandy. ☺ I always wanted a sister, too. The few times we were together were so special to me. xoxoxo ♡ I've entered you in the drawing.

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  12. Vineyard Seasons. I love, love, Susan Branch. I became aware of her with her first book which I treasure. I just found your blog a couple of weeks ago and so enjoy. Keep up the good work"Blog-on"

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    1. Welcome to my Web Journal, Judi! I've entered you in the drawing for Vineyard Seasons.

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  13. This comment from Donna E. at Briarwood Cottage came through Facebook since her comment wouldn't post here for some reason: " {{Congratulations}} on 3 years of posts! I love them all, but I have to say the ones where you share your beautiful fall foliage and also, the ones of snow are my favorites...Living on the Alabama coast, we see very little, if any, of those scenes! ....I would love to be entered to win the Christmas book. "

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    1. Thank you, Donna. I glad you found a way to get your name entered in the give-away! I've put in for the Christmas book.

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  14. Congratulations on your third anniversary! It was so lovely to look back with you and some of your favourite posts with the great pieces of music you had choosen for them too! Not surprisingly the ones of Gabriel and Poetry were my favourites. I wish Tavi and Twinkle were so close! Gabriel looked so cute as a puppy it's just as well he likes the snow with the amount you get each year! Sorry I haven't been popping by so much lately,don't have so much time on the computer at the moment! Sarah x

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    1. Hello Sarah, I'm glad you were able to stop by but sorry you missed a chance at the drawing. I think because Gabriel was here first, Poetry knows her place and tolerates him. She will tease him and then they'll chase each other all in fun.

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