Well here we are at the fourth anniversary of this little blog. And the week has proved to be most appropriately busy with blog stuff, be it having lunch with Tish, or skyping for a long chat with Coty or taking pictures at the Paris fashion show today. Blogging has certainly re-shaped my life over the past four years, and I am grateful for that.
This coming year is going to be busy here. There are a couple of very exciting things on the horizon that you will soon be hearing about , as well of course as the normal routine, and just as soon as I get January out of the way I shall be bringing you some new french girlfriends, a ton of flowers and a bucket load of french style!
But first to the business of the day. Last week I invited readers to nominate or suggest blogs that I could highlight to celebrate this anniversary; one for each year spent here. I received a lot of suggestions, thank you, it was a unique chance to discover some wonderful new blogs, and revisit many favourites. I apologise if I haven’t replied to everyone, there weren’t enough hours!
But, I could only choose four, and here are those I picked – I hope you like the introduction
MIKAELA RAIN who talks about paris and about food; what to eat, where to eat it …….
I heard about Mikaela Rain because her mum wrote me to from Australia say that her daughter is living in Paris and has started a blog about life here, about Parisians, oh yes, and about french food …
via
Mikaela writes: ” I guess what I am trying to say is that if Paris has taught me one thing it is that life is not only beautiful but it is ugly and if you don’t soak in those beautiful moments to the fullest you will not have the strength to glide on through the rest.”
MAKE MINE LEMON about food and more food ……
Make Mine Lemon is a food blog written by a lovely lady called Madonna. Not only does she take the pictures and write the recipes, she also cooks and tastes everything that goes up on her blog.
Her family is bemused by her new penchant for blogging, and relieved to see that despite their initial worries, the fact of putting herself out there on the blog, hasn’t brought anybody strange to her front door!
She writes “My blog has been so rewarding. Just writing it has been so cathartic. I have made new friends that have been so supportive for no reason other than they are just good people. ”
MAISON H and H on the everyday and the pleasures of writing ……
Mademoiselle H writes about the everyday and of her love of fine writing. She shares recipes and days out, and I find she has created a delightfully old fashioned atmosphere at her very gentle blog. I love the instagram feel to her photos
When she sent me a mail introducing me to her blog she wrote:
“I couldn’t believe the depth and the breadth of the happiness [blogging] brought me. In such an unforeseen way, it made me feel so close to my true, authentic self. I didn’t even care if people were reading it – just the process of writing it felt like flying.”
and finally DRY PADDOCKS is about gardening, cooking and photography and life in New Zealand ……
Gill takes wonderful pictures and has a sure eye for a fine garden. She seems to keep her eye open for the beautiful in the same way that I try to do, and her attention to detail shows in the precise lay out and writing of the blog.
Her garden can make her quite poetical: “The rain has dulled the lavenders colour, but the perfume is still there. The lavender bags will still scent the wardrobes, and I like to place bowls of flowers heads around the house especially in bedrooms in the hope they will induce sleep.”
I hope you’ll take a minute to go and visit these girls and say hello.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement over the past few years. I honestly had no idea that the blog would lead me from adventure to adventure like this, and I have loved every minute. The blog is now part of who I am, but none of that would have happened if I didn’t have amazing and generous readers like you!
Merci beaucoup!
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28 comments
A blog which is not so little, since it is now the favourite of lot of people ! Happy Anniversary !!!
Very Happy Anniversary Sharon !!!!
♥♥♥♥
♫ ☼ ☼ ♫
Mariecapucine from Lorraine
beauty is passion follow your bliss
Sharon, I am wishing you a very heart-felt Happy Anniversary!!! Congratulations and thank you, for the thousandth time, for all of the inspiration that you share with all of us, all over the world.
I think what makes the best Bloggers (yourself, Vicki and Tish immediately spring to mind) exceptional is their generosity. And today’s post is a perfect example of that. Rather than show-boat around saying “aren’t I wonderful?” you are using this important occasion to shine the spotlight on four new bloggers who will most certainly get an enormous boost because of it. I will most certainly look forward to discovering them and to continue following along in the trail of your footsteps…
Gros Bisous,
Heather
Sharon,
I am touched beyond words that you chose me to feature. I have loved blogging so much. It has been so cathartic even if I am only writing about a recipe. I have made friends with other bloggers that have come to visit and left so many nice words of encouragement.
I so love to read your blog. I love your loot shoots and your bouquets. No one puts flowers into an arrangement like you. I love your recipes. I have made several and they have been a success. And last, but not least I love your horse stories, and I have so enjoyed Ghetto’s adventures, or should I say misadventures. The worse he behaves the more I laugh – I know that is wrong of me, but for some reason I can’t help it.
Thank you so much for your generosity and support.
Madonna
I love what Mikaela says about Paris:
” I guess what I am trying to say is that if Paris has taught me one thing it is that life is not only beautiful but it is ugly and if you don’t soak in those beautiful moments to the fullest you will not have the strength to glide on through the rest.”
That is so true. My current post suggests that we must look at “beauty” in a new way and that is to look for it “…where it is not supposed to be found” – Claes Oldenberg
Maybe that’s why I love Paris or any other place where there is a crust of ugliness under which the beauty of human survival, achievements and failures pokes through. Lovely post, Sharon! Anita
Happy fourth! I do appreciate your blog…and you! xo
Such lovely blogs each of them thank you for sharing them.
Thank you so much for introducing us to these four lovely blogs. It was very considerate of you. Happy 4 years!
Very Happy Blog Anniversary, Sharon. Thanks for introducing these four new bloggers.
Happy Anniversary! Your blogs are so soothing and enjoyable!!!
Happy 4 years my friend!
I love blogging because of the friendships I have made………..so rewarding. It’s the best thing I have ever done (besides marry Henry! 🙂
Keep up the great work and inspiration.
xo
Happy Anniversary Sharon
LOVELOVELOVE your blog
xo
Pam
Happy Anniversary, Sharon! I visit every post, and with each visit I am transported to a beautiful place. 🙂 Good luck in the coming year!
A big thank you for all things wonderful you share. Each day I look forward to My French Country Home. Happy Anniversary to you and the time you take to make life fun, it is like reading a good book.
will visit the 4 new blogs + congratulations to you Sharon xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Hello Sharon…….thank you so much for featuring dry paddocks. The response has been overwhelming, I cannot quite believe it. To feature four new blogs to celebrate your fourth blogging anniversary was such a generous and thoughtful gesture.
That is why your blog is so well read and loved it is a reflection of your kindness and thoughtfulness.
Thank you.
Gillian
Congratulations Sharon! Thanks for four wonderful years of lovely and varied posts. Thank you so much for putting so much of your self into every post. You are a wonderful inspiration, a very enjoyable read and a reminder that no matter where you are in the world, there are wonderful people living their lives to the full, enjoying their family and friends and sharing their kindness with strangers. I hope that you continue to find much enjoyment in your blog 🙂 from Amanda
Happy Anniversary!!! Thank you so much for all that you do to bring a special part of France to all of us out there! I have loved reading you and getting to know you … and can’t help but think of you as a friend! MERCI!!
Hi Sharon and Happy Anniversary,
I so much enjoy your blog and look forward to every post. Thank you for introducing us to these blogs. I was drawn in by each one, but the one about the visit to the church in Fiji really resonated with me. In 2000 my husband and I experienced a three week mission trip to Fiji. During our first church service there, the congregation of about 500 sang like a huge choir. Perfect harmony. It was a never-to-be-forgotten experience.
Thank you for sharing your life in France with those of us who long to live such a life.
Linda
Dear Sharon,
How can I thank you enough for recommending Maison H&H on your beautiful and thoughtful space, here at MFCH? You have been such a wonderful inspiration to me, and as I have said in my latest post @ maisonhandh.com, the very reason I started blogging!
You have such a gift with your words and your creativity, from the skillful way you frame a photograph, to the crafting of a recipe, to your artful way of arranging peonies in a vase.
You do everything with such care and passion, and you share every minute of it with such authenticity. Thank you for holding up this beautiful window to your life, and for allowing us to peak inside.
Congratulations on a wonderful four years, and here’s to the next four!
Warmest regards,
Mademoiselle H
https://maisonhandh.com/2014/01/24/my-imitation-french-country-home/
Happy Anniversary! I am a new but very dedicated fan. Found you thought Tish Jett’s writings both book and blog. I am reworking my garden and would like to include more roses. Love the one at the top right of the rose collection. Can you tell me her name? If possible, any of the others names as well. Thanks for any help and thank you for sharing your French Country Home. xx-hb
Oi Sharon
O blog está de aniversário, mas nós é que somos contemplados todos os dias com a beleza que nos transmite e enriquece nosso dia a dia. Obrigada! Você é maravilhosa.
Iracema
Heather up there said everything I wanted to say to you, and better.
But, again, Thank you for your generosity and Very Happy Anniversary!
Warm regards!
(with gros bisous to so-well-behaved Ghetto and sweet Gibson)
What a fun way to celebrate four years of blogging. I have three new bloggers to enjoy and one that I visit often. I’m looking forward to what you will be sharing with us during the upcoming year…I know it will be wonderful.
Congratulations on your anniversary! Your blog is so beautifully presented and I enjoy every visit here. You are an inspiration not only in your blogging but in the way you live and appreciate beauty, simplicity, and moments. As always, thank you for sharing.
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