Thursday, February 12, 2009

A Special Day


I started my blog exactly one year ago today. I never in a million
years would have imagined what a wonderful and inspiring impact
the blogging community has had on my life, on so many levels.

So, in celebration of this happy event, I would like to announce my
first annual Willow Manor Blogoversary Give Away. Just
leave a little comment any time today and I will put your name in
the drawing. The prize will be a well loved book or two from my
personal library. Let me surprise you.

Thank you so very much, my dear, dear bloggy friends for enriching
my life over the past year with your insight, inspirations, friendship
and love.

Willow x x

artwork by my dear friend Mary Sheetz, 1979

124 comments:

  1. Awww congratulations Willow, how funny we started just a couple of days apart! I love your blog, it has a unique style and format that makes it very special. Our blogs also made our friendship :-)

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  2. Congratz on your first year =D name is Muadita I love your blog, its always so thoughful. =)

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  3. Oh Congratulations Willow! How exciting.

    I can hardly believe it's only been a year. You have so many, varied readers... I would love to read a post on how you managed to gather them.

    Happy Anniversary!

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  4. Happy Anniversary! A remarkable milestone. You are one of my favorite blogs (I call them my Anchor Blogs). In fact many of my followers found me after a visit to the Manor. Lovely header. You are awesome, keep posting!!! ;-)


    PS. I also think of Willow Manor as the Ellis Island of our blogosphere. The diversity of your followers is amazing to say the least.

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  5. Congrats on your first year. Making friends that you would never have the opportunity to even meet is fun!I love your outlook on life and your artwork. Keep up the good blogging.

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  6. Willow i wanted to ask you if i could use the name "Willow Manor" for a short story im writing

    Its just i loved the descrition you gaved and i imagined a really nice short story.

    so can i?

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  7. I only found you a couple of months ago...congratulations on a year and best wishes for many more. I'll be here if you are. : )

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  8. Woo hoo! I made it into the first ten comments. Thanks for enriching this Eskimos blog experience. I look toward the next year.

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  9. Congratulations! I can't believe you've only been blogging for a year! You've really hit the jackpot, and I'm happy to know you.

    Happy anniversary.

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  10. Hooray for you! And not once did you flinch! You've found a groove and the world found you... not too shabby.

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  11. Dear Willow, Congratulations on your First Anniversary! (I only wish people could read mine!) I love your blog as I feel we have so many interests in common! Happy future blogging.

    Cheers from Oz!

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  12. congratulations Willow! lucky us that you chose this path - thank you for this little oasis in the middle of my day!

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  13. Very exciting - Happy Anniversary !
    i am coming up to three years adn I LOVE BLOGGING- it is such a part of my life, i couldnt be without it xx

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  14. Way to go Willow!1 (Hey, that rhymes!)

    Well, as you no doubt already know, you are often the glue that's held many of us bloggers together, having come from a divergent group all to connect to your site one way or the other.

    Your blog has enriched me and I dare say, even your person has, as I have some to know you through your writings.

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  15. BTW, love the new masthead drawing!

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  16. Congratulations!!!
    I love your unique and fun blog. Please enter me into your give a way ....

    I see you Have the company of The Pink Cowboy who is one of my favorites...Love his photos..

    Thank you for sharing this one.
    Linda

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  17. Happy Anniversary Willow! Your blog has been my everyday stop for close to a year. It began in and around your posting of Leonard Cohen...you had me for sure with that post and all the others. Thank you, it's been such a pleasure!!

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  18. Well, my sweet friend, you are to be congratulated! Thank you for sharing all that you are with us. x-o-x

    Willow, weaver of words
    Wisp o’ the Manor
    She threads, loops, ties the knot
    Offering vignettes of grace
    Writhing with beauty

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  19. Congratulations! You were one of the very first blogs I ever visited and I was inspired by you!

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  20. Congratulations! Your blog is very gentle and intelligent. My name's abdar.

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  21. Congrats, dear Willow! You're one of my favorite all-time bloggers (and I've been at it for seven years now and I've met a lot of 'em)!

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  22. Have a great day and keep up the good work. You should be very proud of the world within a world that you have created.

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  23. A very unique blog that brings a smile to my day :)

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  24. HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY, Willow! Here's to many more.

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  25. Beaucoup beaucoup felicitations Willow and a huge thank you for your fascinating and creative posts. I appreciate the energy, passion and enthusiasm that it takes to come up with something new each week. Blogging is the most extraordinary thing the way it connects us like minded individuals from all over. I enjoy so much your poems, thoughts and photographs - hundreds more please, xv.

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  26. Don't put me in as I jsut came what..a week ago,it wouldn't be fair.I just wanted to leave a comment to say congratulations and that's a nice thing to do.
    Have a nice day
    :)

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  27. Congrats. Your blog is unique, witty and thought-provoking. Keep it up.

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  28. In April, I too will be approaching a year in the blogosphere.

    Don't you feel like you could walk down the street and walk face to face to a total stranger and feel like you've known them forever.

    That happened to me not to long ago, as I was sitting at the computer at Sister's Garden, a woman came up to me and said Sharon...hi, I'm Wildeve.

    It was surreal...glad I've gotten to know you and can call you friend!

    sharon

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  29. Congrats Willow, on your first year! I'm still a newbie at this but quickly getting the hang of it. And your new header; I like.

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  30. Thank you for making the Land of Blog just that little bit more human.

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  31. Congratulations Willow!

    I just love your blog!!!

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  32. Happy 1-year anniversary. Make it 10.

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  33. Congratulations. I started blogging, just to see if it was for me. Have now been going for much longer than I thought I might last - and getting so much from it. Many many more years to you, it is a fine blog, one that we really should not lose.

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  34. Congratulations and best wishes for many more years of sharing and blogging!

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  35. Happy Bloggy Birthday, Willow!

    There's a little card over on mine for you!

    Thanks for your beautiful blogging, you've really enriched my life.

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  36. CONGRATULATIONS!
    This is wonderful.
    Yes, blogging definitely puts us in a good mood.
    Yours is a delight and has gone from strength to strength - because it is a delight to visit the manor and to visit you.

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  37. Happy Birthday to my cousin. I see him in the sidebar. Nice photo too.

    Congratulations on your one year of blogging.

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  38. Congratulations, Willow! You've done a fantastic work! Keep on going! :-)

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  39. Hello Willow,

    Good job you don't have to put all these good wishes on the mantlepiece! And what good company to be in, sharing your anniversary with Mr Lincoln and Mr Darwin - though they've been around a smidge longer!

    Your blog is a continual delight and I know I'm glad I found it.

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  40. Happy Anniversary Willow. Thanks for a year of fireside chats!

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  41. Happy Blogday Willow! What a success in one short year! You go girl!Love the new header!

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  42. I am so IN this contest.

    Can't believe you've only been blogging a year. You're so good at it!

    Love the new design, too. Happy blogoversary, Willow. And many more!

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  43. Happy Blogiversary! Yours is one of the best ones out there, Willow! Congratulations!

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  44. Congratulations, Willow! Always interesting, entertaining & frequently thought-provoking. Happy Blogoversary!

    Love the new artwork--how do you do some of that stuff? (no need to enter me in the giveaway; just wanted to send good wishes & thanks)

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  45. Your blog gave me the inspiration to begin mine! I follow your blog everyday!
    Congrats on a year, I only hope that I can make it that long!

    Blessings
    Jody

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  46. congragulations..happy anniversary..keep posting

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  47. Well, Happy darned Birthday, Willow! That's fabulous! Your blog is a delight and I'm loving this newest banner, incidentally. (I forgot to comment how pretty Willow Manor looked in the last one--kept meaning to do so and kept forgetting.) That's wonderful that you feel it has helped you blossom--we've enjoyed it immensely, as well. Kudos to you, and keep up the great posts. If I didn't have to head out to work right now, I'd raise a glass in your honor! LOL

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  48. Happy Blogging Anniversary Day, willow. Gosh, it's certainly been a success story - to have so many hits and so many followers in one year is just amazing.

    Here's to another good one and I love the new header.

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  49. Happy Day - I am always enlightened by your posts and delighted by your talents....sometimes a bit intimitdated by your knowledge and surprised it's only been a year.....as always, thank you

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  50. You don't need to put me in the drawing, but I did want to say congratulations! Who would have guessed it would be this much fun!

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  51. How exciting! I've been a silent follower of your blog up until today. You have a wonderful way with words. You make Willow Manor seem like such a magical place. Thank you for sharing!

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  52. Congratulations, Willow! Your blog is a pleasure, and very special to me, since it is the first blog I read, ever! I look forward to reading it everyday.

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  53. Congrats willow. I love your witty report. I dont think I ever feel witty. Well, I might FEEL witty and THINK I'm being witty but no one else does. There's the rub. blessings to Lincoln, my favorite.

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  54. I join in the congrats-- & really like that drawing on the masthead.

    Cheers
    JH

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  55. Dear Willow,
    Here we are gathered with cups of tea, raising a congratulatory smile for our favourite Blog Queen. You are the trend setter extraordinaire. I hope you continue to share your knowledge and beauty for many years to come!
    Shaista

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  56. looks like i'm late to dinner.. but my well wishes are sincere and from the heart.. CONGRATS! & Happy Anniversary!!! so happy to have found you and your blog.. you're both interesting and beautiful!
    brains & beauty.. what more could a girl want?! ;)

    many blessings, and here's to another year!!!
    -Tracie

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  57. Happy blogging bithday to you,
    Happy blogging bithday to you,
    Happy blogging bithday dear Willow, Happy blogging bithday to you!

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  58. Wooh Hoo !! And what a year it's been. Congrats dear Willow. Count me in les giveaway s'il vous plait. xo S & les Gang from 29 Black Street

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  59. Hooray! Congratulations and a happy, happy bloggy birthday, Willow!

    I've only been following you for a few weeks, but you've quickly become one of my favorites. I'm hoping for another great year!

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  60. Congratulations on your one year blogoversary Willow!

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  61. Willow - I feel exactly the same. I only started my blog in September but I feel I have a whole new circle of friends - of which you are one.

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  62. I just went back to see how long I've been blogging and found it has been since December 12, 2007. When I first began I had no idea where this would go. I just did it for fun and to see if I could. I didn't even realize that someone could comment on a blog at that time. Never did I imagine how far and wide my blog would take me.
    Happy Anniversary! It truly is a happy event.
    oo Cheryl

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  63. Happy Anniversary!!! I have not been reading for as long as some others, but I have enjoyed it very much. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

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  64. Hi Willow,

    Beautiful Blog. Congratulations on the first year. I am almost two months into this adventure and am really enjoying the creativity and intelligence out there.

    Peace.

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  65. Congratulations, I always enjoy to read your posts! Today is also my Dad's 70th birthday, so I'll actually be celebrating, too:-)

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  66. Happy, happy anniversary, Willow. You have a lovely place to visit here and it has become a wonderful part of my morning routine! Enjoy your special day!

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  67. Happy Blogbirthday to you! To you! Happy Blogbirthday to you!And many more!

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  68. Congratulations Willow on your 1 yr anniversary.

    You have enriched our lives with your unique blog and classy way of looking at life. I'm grateful that I found you and consider you a friend.

    Enjoy all this special day has to offer you.

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  69. It must be wonderful turning One...you are a most amazing women...thanks for sharing yourself with me and so many others...

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  70. Congratulations, Willow! Your blog is a lot of fun and always interesting. I never know what is going to pop up. Here's to many more years of fun!

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  71. Congratulations on year #1! I feel like you're a friend through reading your blog. I know we would be too, if we lived close.

    Here's to many more days and years of blogging!

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  72. Congratulations on a beautiful and inspiring blog.

    It's kind of like being around old friends, isn't it? !

    Cheers! ; )

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  73. Happy Blogoversary.!!! You are such an inspiration to so many...


    And...Happy 200th, Mr. Lincoln, he will forever remain one of my favorite presidents. He was one of a kind...Got to love a KY boy....

    OOH>..I love your new headers...

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  74. Congratulations on your first year! I love forward to reading this daily!

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  75. One of a kind and an inspiration to one who is still taking baby steps! Happy, happy...

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  76. Oh, I really love the pencil (charcoal?) drawing in your header. It's so you!
    There are definitely some great blogs that I would seriously miss if they were to disappear permanently. Yours is at the top of the list! My blog-day is not complete without a pop-in to see what you're posting about. I am NEVER disappointed.

    Happy Blogoversary! And Many Happy Returns (to post)

    Love,

    Kat

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  77. Congratulations! Molto Bene!! I'm new to your site but your posts are well thought out and I appreciate the effort! Here's to another year at Willow Manor.

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  78. No nO Dear Willow, THANK YOU! Your blog is one I so look forward to reading every day. At times I am given a thought that carries me through an entire week! So Thank you, Ms. Willow!

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  79. Thank-you willow for enriching a lot of lives with your witty, wonderful blog. It's been about a year of blogging for me also. I never dreamed I would get this caught up in blogging. It's wonderful fun, isn't it?

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  80. A year WOW! Your blog is one of the best. Congratulations!

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  81. Happy blogoversary! Here's to another fabulous year!

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  82. You've only been at this a year? So accomplished - I am impressed.

    And glad you stuck with it!

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  83. Willow,

    Happy Blogiversary. Enjoyed reading your recent post with the 25 things about you. I, too, have Bows Bells. In fact, it inspired a desire to hunt down more brown transferware.

    Take care.

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  84. Happy Blogiversary! I am so glad I found your blog. I love it!

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  85. It's been a year!
    Give a Cheer!

    Where did the time go?
    It is not clear.

    You have done well and made lots of friends,
    right here.

    Here's to another inspiring year
    in this blogger's sphere...

    Couldn't happen to a sweeter dear!


    OMG..I know this SO 3rd grade!

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  86. Happy Blogoversary! Here's to many more...

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  87. Nope, but i will publish it in my neighborhood gazette if thats ok

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  88. Happy thingy.

    A day to crack open that First Flush Darjeeling!

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  89. Happy Blogoversary Willow! I must have discovered you no more than a couple of months after you began your cyber journey. I've enjoyed every visit, been introduced to scads of unknown movies and works of art. Thanks for enriching my online experience!

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  90. Maybe ill use it for a school asignment but thats still not sure thing

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  91. You're like the neighbor it's fun to drop in on because you always serve good cookies.

    I'm a day late and a book short and that's how I like to keep it.

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  92. Love your blog, Willow! You are on my favorites links now for sure ;-)

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  93. Happy Anniversary Willow!! Congrats...

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  94. Awww ... Congrats on your one year blogoversary!!! WOOT!!!

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  95. Wow! 97 comments (counting my own).

    I guess people like you!

    I certainly want to congratulate you on the first Anniversary of one of the classiest and informative blogs on the net.

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  96. Steviewren and lost and tattered are right! I concur!

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  97. What a fine group of readers you have. I am happy to be among all these lovely people. I aspire to make my blog as classy as yours is. Happy anniversary.

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  98. Congrats on the first year from your little blog cabin in the willow.

    your friend,
    phil

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  99. Best wishes - I discovered you a few months ago and added you to my blogroll - hope you don't mind! I'm pretty new to the blogosphere and won't hit the year mark until December - you are a model and inspiration. Happy Anniversary!!

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  100. Wow. Congratulations. I love blogging and reading others blogs.

    Coco

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  101. Ah, but it is us who should be thanking you.

    Congratulations!

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  102. Congrats Willow.

    The Willow Tree is my all time favorite tree, well right up there with the juniper.

    Thanks For great reads.

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  103. You are so right about how much having a blog changes us. I've had two for nearly two years and will never look back. A very happy bloggoversary to you!

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  104. Miss Willow, on your very special day, I raise my tea cup to you! I just found you last Saturday along the way of searching for ...what else? A book. Peace be with you.

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  105. Ah Willow...what would the blogging community be without you?

    Happy Blogversary!

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  106. Congratulations, Willow. What a wonderful blog you've created with your brown paper packages.

    Oh yes, will you tell me about the art in your new banner. I'm in love.

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  107. Congratulations Willow! I'm late for your drawing but no matter. I'm just here to join in the celebration of your blog anniversary!
    I love how you change your banner so often - always a nice surprise - like changing your hat!
    Wishing you many more posts,
    Catherine

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  108. Happy blogiversary! I've loved reading your blog. Let's hope this is the first of many.

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  109. Willow,
    Oh dear, late again. Please except my apology.
    Blogging: addictive!
    Congratulations on your anniversary, and may we be blessed by your continuation of your blog for many years to come.
    rel

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  110. thought you must have been doing this for "ears and ears"... happy blogiversary me dear!

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  111. here it is friday and i'm late to the party. congrats on your one year of blogging milestone!!! i've enjoyed witnessing your journey!

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  112. CONGTATZ,

    and a great blogger you are too !!

    xxx

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  113. Well done Willow.....cream teas all round....

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  114. Congratulations on your one year blogging anniversary.

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  115. Congratulations Willow.
    Gosh, it's hard to believe it's only been a year. You have become such a part of each day that it feels like I've known you for ages - in a good way you understand.

    Here's to the next wonderful blogging year ahead.

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  116. Congratulations Willow. You have a fantastic blog!!!! Keep going!!

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  117. Congratulations, Willow, on a wonderful blog. I love coming to visit as I never know what the treat is you have presented.

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  118. ...just catching up but it is never too late to say Congratulations on a job so exquisitely done! This is one of the first blogs I look for when I get on-line...always fun to see what you offered as a gift to read for the day! I just discovered your site in December but have been reading your archives a little at a time too...Thanks for your time spent here!

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  119. Happy Blogoversary, Willow!
    I cherish the day I found you: my very first memory of you is that I have read so many of the books you listed in your profile (it could well be that I read all of them, I'll have to go check, and if there are any that I have not read yet, I shall make sure to put them on my to-read-list).
    I have you on my favorites list on my little secret Strawberry Fields blog, where I list blogs by country. I could not quite figure out back then where you were writing from, so to this day you simply remain "Life at Willow".
    I am sure glad you decided to blog, and have a hard time believing it was only a year ago!
    I lift a glass of Champagne, wishing for many more years of you sharing your exquisite thoughts with us.
    Hugs,
    M.

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  120. Congratulations and Celebrations on a year of amazing posts dear Willow. Too late for the draw but most important of all is to mark this occassion with a toast to Life at Willow Manor. Toot toot

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  121. belated blogoversary wishes!!!! and kudos to reya for winning the prize, how fitting seeing it was her bd on the 12th - the same day as brother abe!

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  122. i missed this :P but anyway, congratulations!!! :D

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)