Thursday, April 9, 2009

1 Year Blogaversary Party

**This giveaway is now closed.**

It's finally officially my Blogaversary!!! Woo Hoo!!! Welcome! Let the party begin!

What a yummy button (created just for me by Sarah at Real Life)! Doesn't that cake look delicious? Go ahead, get a big slice. You know I won't start without dessert!
And you better have some ice cream with it.


Don't worry if your mouth is full of frosting and ice cream right now - I'll do all the talking. :)

I am so excited to be here celebrating 1 year of blogging! In the blogosphere, that does seem to be an accomplishment. I do feel like I have come a long way since I started and have learned so much.

It was over a year ago when I was searching for a recipe online (it actually was the Cake-in-a-Cup recipe Sarah!) and found the blog Real Life. I loved reading Sarah's testimony. I felt we had a lot in common and that she was able to share her struggles and be encouraging at the same time. I was so glad that the Lord led me to her! I read her blog daily for a while and then really felt a pull to start blogging myself, whether anybody read it or not. I looked up resources and tips on Real Life for starting a blog. I headed over to Blogger and went for it!

Sarah was sweet enough to encourage me, comment on my blog, and answer my questions. Thanks Sarah! If you enjoy my blog, I would love for you to stop over at Real Life and thank her for inspiring me!

When I started my blog, I had already decided to post Monday thru Friday and knew some of the subjects I wanted to talk about. In the first week of blogging I wanted to know if anybody was out there, posted my first Chocolate Friday, talked about my son's ER visit, had my first Tea for Two-sday, and showed our silly Basset hound Buster.

My posts have ranged from silly ones like blogger confessions, or a newspaper clipping, to TMI posts like ugly aging and toilet seat covers, to serious posts about my mom, my son, my Step-mom and my sister. I have posted about tea rooms and teacup tales. I posted about chocolate on Fridays, often with recipes like Frozen Chocolate Mousse or Christmas Mocha Balls.

You can find out more about me by looking at 100 things, my article for The Sampler, and my Ultimate Blog Party post.

Thank you to all of my readers - those who comment and those who don't! Some of you have even become very special friends! It has been a blessing to watch the growth of this little chocolatey blog. I hope you'll join me in the journey through another year of blogging!

I know, I know - getting long here!


OK, OK - you don't have to yell - you want to know about the prizes!! LOL!

First, take a look at the Prize Preview from yesterday. It explains the prizes in detail and shows pics of all! Then stop drooling. I'll list them again for you and then I'll tell you how this will work.

#1 - Chocolate apron from An Occasional Chocolate *Won by Kim!
#2 - File folder set from Misty Kristy Designs *Won by Muthering Heights!
#3 - 1/2 pound whole bean Chocolate Raspberry Coffee from Javateas *Won by Ginger!
#4 - Charm necklace (under $10) from RJ Charms *Won by Lori Ann!
#5 - Sassy & Sophisticated Christian Journal from DaySpring *Won by Charlotte!
#6 - Starbucks Caffe Mocha Truffles from me *Won by Jen T!
#7 - Homemade Biscotti from me *Won by Mary Snyder!
**#8 - Harry & David Mondo Mint Creme Maltballs from me** *Won by @WayMoreHomemade!

Prizes will be awarded to random commenters from Thursday thru Monday 4/13. A first winner will be announced Friday morning, with daily winners after that. Final winners will be announced on Tuesday 4/14. Your comment entries count toward all prizes except **#8, which is a Twitter prize. **You must be on Twitter following me @stop4chocolate in order to receive entry instructions for prize #8!

Winners will be announced here and notified by e-mail so please make sure I have contact info for you in your comments. Winners who don't respond in 4 days will forfeit their prize and new winners will be drawn.

How to enter: Comment on this post!
How to get extra entries:
- Put my Blogaversary button on your blog or facebook
- Promote the party with a blog post, a tweet on twitter, a facebook message, e-mail, etc.
- Suscribe to my blog through a feed reader or e-mail (or tell me if you already do)
- Comment on each post now through Monday

For each extra thing you do, please leave a separate comment as your extra entry.

It's getting late as I'm writing so hopefully I haven't confused you!

~ Blogaversary Party Favors ~

* Free Shipping on any purchase over $10 at RJ Charms; use code "Chocolate"

* 20% discount on entire purchase at DaySpring; use code "SPRING09"

* I have modified your computer keyboard for you (You're welcome):


* And a chocolate bar just for you!


I hope you enjoyed the party! Thanks for coming. Bring back some friends - the more the merrier!

And come back tomorrow for a look back at the year of Chocolate Fridays and your chance to link up your own chocolate posts!

76 comments:

  1. Congratulations!! I love reading, I love chocolate - I love your blog. Thanks for sharing your life with us.

    Keep on posting ... please. All the best for the future.

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  2. I am so glad you shared your story about how you got started blogging! I often wonder how others started. My email is calvarese2(at)gmail(dot)com or you can comment on my blog.

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  3. Well you know I'm going to be leaving many many comments my friend.
    I was actually wondering why I wasn't top commentator any more but realized that when I switched my name from Homesteader in Training to the Real Me it started counting over and now BOTH of them are on there and I'm working my way back up the ranks! LOL.
    Love this giveaway my friend.
    Big Free Chocolate size hugs to you.

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  4. I've got your button on my blog! Do I have to leave separate comments every day? LOL. Cause you know I will.

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  5. I'm going to go face book about it right now!! Yup. I really wanna win something.

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  6. Congrats on your blogaversary. I'm a new reader and looking forward to exploring all your posts.

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  7. Sooo awesome! What a way to celebrate! I want a candy bar now!
    Ginger

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  8. {clap clap clap} hooray for a year of yummy chocolate! would you believe that i thought about you while we were on our vacation. we were in the cracker barrel for dinner during our travels and they had a chocolate diplay. i took a picture so i could pay tribute to chocolate and your blog! :) i'll post it soon.

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  9. Happy 1 year anniversary! So glad you share with us through your blog!

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  10. And I just subscribed by email too... :)

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  11. I love chocolate, too! And I enjoy your blog. Thanks for taking the time to write!

    Thanks for the great giveaway prizes,too!

    artandjen(at)juno(dot)com

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  12. I put the button on my blog.

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  13. I also posted about it a couple of days ago.

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  14. And this is my last comment today. I would totally love to win that apron.

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  15. Happy Blogaversary!! Love the chocolates!

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  16. I shared on Facebook. I also subscribe.

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  17. Happy blogaversary!

    I haven't been reading your blog very long (I found you though 5 Minutes For Mom's Ultimate Blog Party), but I have really enjoyed it. Here's to another great blogging year! :)

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  18. ...and I have your party button on my site! :)

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  19. Love your blog -- found you through Twitter. YEAH TWITTER!!

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  20. Love your blog and added you to my Google Reader.
    Mary@MaryRSnyder.com

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  21. Wow Lisa, tons of comments - you rock sister!

    Happy one year blogaversary!!! I never knew how you started - thank you so much for sharing this! :)

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  22. Oh, and I'm posting about your little party tomorrow!

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  23. And like Kim said, "duh" I am a subscriber as well! :)

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  24. Congrats on one year. I really enjoy your blog :)

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  25. Congratulations! Yay for chocolate. :D

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  26. So very happy for you on your 1 whole year of blogging. It seems like yesterday that you were just a n00bie. I love you and your blog.

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  27. I am now following you on Twitter. I must say, "I love your personal stories and my favorite is JUST ONE SON!" <3

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  28. I have shared your blog on FB and posted your beautiful button.

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  29. I have been receiving e-mail everyday for the last year and enjoyed every minute of it.

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  30. I'm sneaking in another comment, does it count? LOL. Do you love me? LOL. Am I like a thorn in your side? Hee! Hee!
    Pick me! Pick me!

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  31. Congrats on one year... I really enjoy your blog...I am a follower
    too...

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  32. I follow you on twitter too...
    Tonja

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  33. Congrats on a great year of posts!!!

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  34. HAppy Blogiversary!! You throw a great party. :)
    Theresa N
    weceno(At)yahoo(dot)com

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  35. Nice party! :) I just found your blog from Sarah Mae on Like a Warm Cup of Coffee...looking forward to reading more. :)

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  36. Just grabbed your pic and made a post on my blog you can find it here...
    http://woodshomestead.blogspot.com/
    what a party...
    Prim Blessings...
    Tonja

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  37. Congrats on your anniversary. I'll be looking for your twitter instructions. :)

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  38. YAY! This is so fun! Thanks for letting us join in on your celebrations!

    ~Kelly

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  39. Congrats on the anniversary...love reading about your life and checking out the recipes.

    Rachel C.
    rlcohee@hotmail.com

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  40. Wonderful blog - congrats on the anniversary!

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  41. Lovely party! Love me some chocolate!

    Deborah
    comfortjoydesigns{at}gmail{dot}com

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  42. Very nice blog and nice to meet you! Looking forward to reading more of your posts! Just found you from like a warm cup of coffee. Stop over and visit my blog sometime. Happy Blogaversary!
    Mary Ann

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  43. Congratulations on your blogaversary! Great post and prizes! I came to your post through a link on Sarah Mae's post at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee.

    ~Susan

    ahappyheartathome (at) gmail (dot) com

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  44. I'm following you on twitter. (I'm Susan55.)

    ~Susan

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  45. Here's my tweet about your blogaversary!

    http://twitter.com/Susan55/status/1496544023

    ~Susan

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  46. Here's my blog post about your blogaversary!

    http://ahappyheartathome.blogspot.com/2009/04/cake-ice-cream-prizes.html

    ~Susan

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  47. Did someone say chocolate? Wow, what a giveaway! Please enter my name -- thanks, Joanne ~~ glamourgirljoanne@yahoo.com

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  48. Did someone say chocolate...I don't think I have ever passed up chocolate! Happy Bolgaversary!!!

    Loved visiting here and I am sure I will back.

    Have a blessed Easter!

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  49. I just discovered your blog by following a link from Like a Warm Cup of Coffee. Yummy site!!!

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  50. Forgot to leave you my email address:
    jsaake AT yahoo DOT com :)

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  51. I really love your blog. I discovered it a while back when I found you on twitter. I seen your name and had to follow you. I am a serious chocolholic! lol. Love that apron. It is sooo cute. I also blog. Nothing big, just write poetry and post it. I just started a few months ago but I really enjoy having others read and it's fun. Gratz on the anniversary and the wonderful blog you share with all of us!

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  52. Linked to your post from http://innerbeautygirlz.blogspot.com/2009/04/choloate-give-away.html

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  53. just subscribed to your blog via email!! :)

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  54. Happy Happy One Year Anniversary!! That is very exciting. And have a wonderful Easter.

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  55. Wow! 63 comments my friend! That's exciting! I have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to stop by and enter. I hope I'm not too late.

    Love ya girl!
    Hope you had a great Easter!

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  56. I totally just realized that I hadn't commented here to enter. I'm so excited about the H&D prize I won!!! Yippeeee!

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  57. Congratulations on ONE YEAR! It's a fantastic milestone, isn't it?

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  58. Here I am again! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    ~Susan

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  59. This is my first visit here and I am pushing the give a way deadline! I have enjoyed my visit here and thanks for the chance for the giveaways. The prizes look fantastic! Happy blogaversary.

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  60. Congrats!!! Looks like a lot of fun here! :) --Michelle, blogattoday (~!at] gmaildotcom

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  61. I tweeted about the giveaway here: http://twitter.com/sweepstakesgirl/status/1512753745. --Michelle, blogattoday (~!at] gmaildotcom

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  62. Happy Blogaversary! I can't think of a tastier subject than chocolate. Carry on!

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  63. I totally tweeted it:

    http://twitter.com/cutestkidever/status/1512839636

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  64. Just found you! Happy Party!

    mayacarpenter at verizon dot net

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  65. i subscribed by email
    mayacarpenter at verizon dot net

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  66. Tweeted http://twitter.com/janetmom2maya/status/1514242916

    mayacarpenter at verizon dot net

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  67. Checking in to see if final winners have been announced yet. So hungry for chocolate right now. Might have to go raid the Easter baskets now that kids are in bed!

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I would love to hear your comments! Thank you for stopping and smelling the chocolates with me!! Currently disabled anonymous comments due to spam attempts - thanks for understanding!

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