Friday, January 6

happy happy blogday …

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to me, to me … well, I cannot believe it’s been three years to the day since I started this little ole blog of mine.  Wish I could slice you up a piece of cake!  Three years ago, I had few readers, no followers, and no idea if I would continue.  But I had friends who would read it, and then send me an e-mail about what I had posted.   Which is kind of funny, if you think about it.  They still do this.  Cuties.

In honor of the occasion, I was thinking of a giveaway.   Since this blog is mostly about what I am up to in the kitchen, my home, places I’ve been or like to go, and photography, I thought I would offer up some in each category, with the winner picking their favorite one.  

In the kitchen, I picked this one.  Worth it for the cinnamon rolls alone. 

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In the home category, I went with a newer one, and an older one. 

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For travel, this was the pick.  I like it because it is great for weekends away in the US and Canada.

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And for photography, it had to be these.  The first one is a fascinating look into the world at the beginning of color photography.  Whether you’re a photographer or a student of history or just people, it is amazing.   That one man had the vision to take on this project astounds me.   The second one is widely regarded as a must read for any photographer.  Tons of great information here. 

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Now for the rules.  (there always are rules for these, right?)  Leave a comment letting me know you would like to win.  You can choose one right now, or you can choose it later.  If you are a follower who enters, you automatically get a second entry.  If you post this contest to your blog, link to this post, then come back and let me know for another entry.  Not too hard, right?  I will take comments through Tuesday at 1 p.m. Eastern US time, since I know not everyone blogs over the weekend, and announce the winner on Wednesday. 

Good Luck!


Best,

Stephanie

37 comments:

  1. Hey Steph ~ Well, first of all, a very happy blog anniversary to you!!! And secondly, this is an awesome giveaway and so sweet of you to offer up those lovely books. Difficult to choose... it's a toss-up between the photography (exposure) one and Pioneer Woman. IF I win I'll let you pick. ;o)

    I hit my three-year mark in November but there was so much going on I decided to wait till after the first of the year to celebrate it in blogland. So many amazing things have come my way because of blogging, and one of those "things" is making friends with lovely women such as yourself. Congrats again, Steph! Looking forward to seeing what the next three years has in store for us! xo

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  2. hi Steph! wow i love books! the only one of all those i own is the cookbook but lots of other goodies! thank you for the chance and your support :) i'll add it to my blog today! xo suz

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  3. Happy Blogday to you, Stephanie!
    Of course you know I love the photography books.
    I am a Follower.:-)

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  4. Added the giveaway link to my latest tablescape post.

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  5. Wow, congrats on 3 years!! So exciting! :) All of the books look so amazing, so if I win I'll pick then! :)

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  6. congrats and wish you many many more years of beautiful blog posts... i love those photog books!!!

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  7. I feels as if The Perfectly Imperfect Home was written about mine so I absolutley have to have that one! Happy blog-birthday and have a wonderful weekend, Stephanie!
    xxoo

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  8. Congratulations on 3 years, And thanks for the giveaway. I have the PW book, love those cinnamon rolls, but I'd love a chance at winning the home category. I have your blog on my sidebar, but officially 'followed' you today too ;-)

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  9. I have The Pioneer Woman Cooks (though I've never cooked anything from it), but the others look very interesting. Happy Blogoversary!
    Brenda

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  10. Congrats on 3 years! I would love the PW book, it would be so fun to try out her recipes at college :) and I follow your blog

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  11. Hi Stephanie!
    We started at the same time, I didn't get to celebrate yet, but I will. :)
    Of course I am a follower, have been forever! I would love the Pioneer Woman.
    I'll put this on my blog, pronto!

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  12. Wow, three years...I'm not even sure I knew what blog was three years ago! All of your book selections are ones I either have already or have in "my cart" on Amazon. I think I would have to pick NY TImes, 36 Hours...I always google that when we are going someplace for a weekend or short vacation...great ideas. The Perfectly Imperfect Home....I think that's a good choice too!
    Congratulations on 3 years!
    annie

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  13. Hi Stephanie!

    Congratulations on three years of blogging! Woo-hoo!

    Offering all those wonderful books in celebration is so incredibly generous. I can't decide between Pioneer Woman, The Perfectly Imperfect Home (which is on my Amazon wish list) or Understanding Exposure (because I really want to improve my photography skills). Deciding is hard!

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  14. Congrats!
    What an awesome way to celebrate ;)
    xo
    I think I'm the perfectly imperfect kind of a gal ~ so that would be my pick ;0
    xo

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  15. Congrats on three years of blogging! I have been inspired by your gorgeous photography! These all look like great books! Maybe I would be inspired to cook more if I had the pioneer woman's cookbook. The travel book looks really good too. And I do love Understanding Exposure. It's one of the first photography books I read. I hadn't heard of the other one. I'll have to look into it.

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  16. Stephanie, congratulations on your blog anniversary. I'm popping over from Kathleen's. I'm one who loves books, so please put my name in the hat. Thanks! ~ sarah

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  17. Stephanie, I'm your newest follower. Look forward to many returns. ~ sarah

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  18. congrats on 3 years! great books and one yummy looking cake.
    I am your new follower so put me in twice
    Cathy

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  19. wow- how do I choose? The travel book looks really awesome though! I would definitely like to win this one, and I'm a new follower of your blog!
    Cheers and Happy Blogday!
    Meri
    http://merigoesround.com

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  20. P.S. I have friends/ family that even though they know how to comment on my blog and do at times, still e-mail me about my blogs instead :)

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  21. Congrats! I am a new follower and would love to win! chedeb5353@hotmail.com

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  22. I saw your giveaway on Cuisine Kathleen's blog :) I am already a follower too! I'd love to win Pioneer Woman's cookbook but they're all wonderful. Happy anniversary!

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  23. Happy anniversary. So happy you entered blog land and we
    Found each other. What a great idea for a giveaway. My fingers are
    Crossed. Thanks for emailing me. Haven't been checking blogs.

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  24. Happy anniversary. So glad we found each other.
    Great idea for a giveaway. Thanks for emailing me.
    I haven't checked blogs.

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  25. Darling Stephanie,

    It was four years for me on January 1. I too had no readers, no followers, and step by step, we made connections.....all of us. I would love to win something, but what I really want to say is THANK YOU.

    Be well, love LARGE and carry on.

    Anita

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  26. Oh dearest, I think my comment got eaten up!!! It said ERROR 53!! LOVE IT ALL AND PLEASE ENTER ME IN! Anita

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  27. Congrats on 3 years...woo-hoo!!! I am a new follower & would love to win PW's cookbook. Thanks for the chance!!!

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  28. Wow! Congratulations on 3 years of blogging. That is fabulous. I am so happy that we all found each other...it has certainly enriched my life. As you know, I am a follower.
    What a wonderful way to do a giveaway. Please include me.
    By the way, that cake is gorgeous!!!

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  29. I am in! I am sure you can guess which ones I favour...photography. :)
    Great giveaway Stephanie and so very kind of you!
    Three years...that is wonderful...and I have known you now for two?
    I love that!!

    Jeanne xx

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  30. Better late then never
    I'd go for pioneer women cookbook
    I hear it's awesome!!
    Thanks for the giveaway!:)

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  31. Ah yes
    And you know I'm a faithful follower

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  32. I came over here from Kathleen's and now I think I'll stay and visit a little bit! I've wanted The Pioneer Woman's book, but haven't purchased it yet...so winning would be fun! Finding a new blog to read is also fun!

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  33. A late entry, but just made it !!! Belated happy blog birthday! Just as I'm getting some 'me time' back, a new book would be very welcome. Hard to pick between The Perfectly Inperfect Home or New Times 36 hours. Lets wait and see shall we!

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  34. Hi Steph, I've popped over from Jeanne's blog Collage of Life. I'm running a book giveaway this week also! Please feel free to enter if you're interested:) I have The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook and I can guarantee that it is wonderful. The cinnamon rolls, of course, are AMAZING. Also a delight is her chocolate sheet cake. A real crowd pleaser.

    Lovely to find your blog and I'd love to throw my hat in the ring for one of the other gorgeous books. What a selection! Meredy xo

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  35. Happy Blogaversary Stephanie and I wish you many more happy blogging years. I am with Jeanne, what a kind and thoughtful give-away, count me in on the photography books, I need all the help I can get.
    XXX

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  36. Love to read your blog. Please enter me in your contest. I would love love the Pioneer Woman soo much. Thanks

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  37. dang it, too late, well fashionably late.
    nice way to celebrate your blogaversary. :)
    pve

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