Well, it's finally here - the BIG Grow Your Blog party - seems ages since I signed up back in November 2013...
First of all, a HUGE thank you to Vicki, our hostess - apparently there are over 500 of us, that's quite a party in anybody's book!!
So, to introduce myself, I'm Claire - lovely to 'meet' you :)
I live in the UK with Nick, my American husband of almost 25 years (gulp!), our two kids (Sam aged 18, Esther aged 16), and our beloved Molly-cat (aged 4.5 years).
I've blogged since 2006 (there's a list of my various homes in Blogland at the end of the About page), and since my stroke in 2007 (aged 43 at the time!) it's been a lifeline to connect with like-minded souls...
I started this newest blog while taking Susannah Conway's Blogging from the Heart e-course, a few months ago. I really wanted to create a space where I could create 'the magazine of me' to use Susannah's wonderful phrase! Me as I am NOW - a disabled wife and mother trying to live, and write, as mindfully as I can...
I shall be 50 at the end of April (eeek!), and to celebrate I'm having 13 weeks of Giveaways, and I figure this party is the perfect opportunity to start us off!
I'll be drawing the first winner a week on Sunday (2 February 2014). I figured the weekend of Imbolc/St Brigid's Day/Candlemas was an auspicious date to start :-)
You don't need a blog to enter - if you can't/don't want to leave a comment, email me using the Contact Form in the sidebar and I'll put your name in the virtual hat!
Here's a pic of my first giveaway - a lovely Tibetan om beaded necklace
I'm looking forward to meeting you at the party - but I doubt I'll get to greet you all - 500 is A LOT of virtual hands to shake...
Hello there Claire, it looks like the party has started and I am getting my post ready to publish soon. I just got off work a bit ago.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed my visit to you blog. I am contemplating joining focus on Life 2014 thanks to your blog. I am following via G+ and email.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire,
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. I look forward to getting to know you better. Thank you for the opportunity to win your gorgeous necklace. I plan to look around a little more and then be on my way to visit the others. I do hope you will stop by for a visit and enter my giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs – Donna
Hello Claire. What a wonderful welcoming smile you have! I look forward to reading about more of your life. It's good to meet you!
ReplyDeletedormouse.wibsite.com
fadormouse.blogspot.com
Hi Claire, I am also in the UK, also with disabilities, but try to get through life with a smile. My smile is not quite as nice as yours though...you look so happy. Your blog looks good. I have joined it as a follower.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire - Great to be able to discover such wonderful blogs. We at the Cottage love making new friends and sharing tales.
ReplyDeleteHugs and Sparkles
I'm a new follower looking forward to sharing the year with you!
ReplyDeleteHello Claire thank you for visiting and leaving a comment - as you say 500 are too many to visit all! I read your profile and I admire your courage. I will be back to read some more as I can see that your well of inspiration has lots to offer - I injured my back four years ago and it has changed the way that I connect with life completely - at times it is very difficult to hold onto but life is an alchemist and we the gold :D
ReplyDeleteGood morning Claire! I am Sandy from Hemet, California and participating in this huge grow your blog party! I joined your blog, and I find it to be very nice! I have a lot of blog and FB friends in the U.K., so much talent in that part of the world! I hope your doing well, and was sorry to hear of your stroke. You have a radiant smile! Your happy, and that is all that is important. I see from your blog you enjoy reading and writing too? I love to write and to read of course. My blog is about crochet, knitting, sewing too. Stop by and say hello sometime! Sandy www.sanderellascrochet.wordpress.com
ReplyDeleteHappy upcoming birthday! And you are so generous to offer so many giveaways. I too have pledged to read the printed word. Do you do any book reviews? If so make sure you join some of the fabulous hops in association with reading. it was so nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Caroline
Hi Claire! It's great to know you. You are beautiful so that you know! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI love your creativity. I am a cardmaker and know the pleasure that making something can bring. Happy Weekend. Judy x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judy! I can't find your blog, and I'm not on google+, but I wanted to say thanks for visiting, and to wish you a happy weekend too :) x
DeleteHi Claire, it is incredibly nice to meet you here in blogland. I am here from Vicki's Grow your blog party, too. Happy birthday early and wow, that's an amazing thing to do with your giveaways. Imbolc is a great day to kick it off! :D
ReplyDeleteI love to read as well. I'm a mostly stay at home gal due to various disabilities myself. I usually have about five books going at once and about that many projects as well. I am looking forward to getting to know you better and hope you will come for a visit at Hedge Bird Cottage via the blogworld as well. Gosh, I want to check everything out in your side bar. lol I'm looking forward to looking through your posts. Bright blessings to you and your family, Bird http://birdsearthyspirit.blogspot.com/
Hi Claire,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet you!! You have a very happy energy about you and I like that! :) And you have a beautiful and creative blog. I've perused it a little bit and I'm sure I'll be back...
Greetings from beautiful Savannah! xoxo Silke
Hello Claire! Nice to meet you and be part of the blog party! Thank you for the beautiful give way and hope you have a great year!
ReplyDeleteHi claire,Lovely site! The 24th was my 50th Birthday so I am using the GYB party as a fabulous fifty giveaway. Looking forward to reading more of your posts! Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire-
ReplyDeletethanks for commenting on my blog today. You seem like a very positive person and i want to be just like you!!! I really like what i've seen of your blog. Have a great day and i'd love to wear that necklace!
Hi Claire, nice to see you :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm getting a little sick and therefore not as active. But I will also look around at the party (I'm an participiant too)
Have a great sunday
Hello Claire, nice to meet you, what a nice blog you have I enjoyed having a look around, what a lovely idea for your giveaways! I hope you get time to visit my blog.
ReplyDeleteJackie
First of all your about me brought me to tears. I'm a 3 time T.I.A. stroke survivor the first one happened when I was just 23 and the last one a few months ago. I'm lucky to not have any impairment from these episodes except for my inability to do math and speech doesn't always come out my brain and mouth right. Sorry you have to go through so much pain. I love your smile, your spiritual essence shines through. The tibetan OM necklace is lovely, put my name in the hat please. I look forward to following you and thank you for being a new member in my blogging circle of friends.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog a few days ago (can't remember which post atm) and now you have popped up here at the GYB party. What a great synchronicity! :) You have a lovely blog and I am glad it gives you such joy and a place of connection. The necklace on your giveaway is gorgeous, I would love to be popped in the hat. Imbolc is definitely a perfect time to start such a generous cycle as your have created. I hope you have a great time at GYB and on your 50th when it arrives! Best wishes Keli x
I'm an April baby too! I will be sure to pop back to visit your lovely blog from time to time. The Tibetan necklace is lovely so thank you for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteKaren H
http://faeriesandfibres.blogspot.ca/
What a beautiful blog. I love that it is so positive.
ReplyDeleteDropping in along the blog party route...I love Susannah Conway. Enjoy the blog party. I am grateful to read your story. And it's a lovely green necklace! Blog on! Aloha
ReplyDeleteI love monasteries so coming for a visit here will be perfect. I too found your blog a few days ago and fortunately had time to dig a little deeper than today as we party. I like your taking stock page, I think I'll follow your example. Bradley Cooper is cute, just saw him in American Hustle-great acting all round but a little hard to follow. I'm looking forward to returning on a less hectic day.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire I am so happy to meet you. I am sorry about your stroke and subsequent 'disability'. I was 53 when I became disabled and ten years later am very happy. I will be happy to share thoughts on this with you and am now a follower. Am excited to learn all about you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire,
ReplyDeleteSo nice to meet you! By weird coincidence, Kathy's mom suffered a serious stroke in her 40's and Deb is a nurse, so we do have some little understanding of all you have been going through! How lovely that you are celebrating your birthday by giving things away!
Good luck with the Grow Your Blog Party!
Kathy and Deb
hi claire,
ReplyDeleteyou sure dont look your age! if i had to guess, i would say closer to 35. i love your spirit and so i am a happy new follower via email. keep up the great work and an early happy birthday!! babscorbitt@gmail.com
hi, I am so happy to meet you. I am sorry about your health issues. It takes a lot of strength to battle back as you have. Family does make it worthwhile. I will be back to visit.
ReplyDelete13 is one of my favorite numbers, so as soon as I saw "13 Weeks of..." I smiled. Blogging since 2006? Wow! And still going strong. I got here via GYB, and I'm staying. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely to meet you!
Hi Claire. What a delight to come visiting from the GYB party and find your beautiful little sanctuary. Thank you for stopping by my blog. I so love your plan to usher in your birthday with your series of giveaways - what wonderful expansive generous energy to welcome a turn of your personal wheel.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire, I see we are fellow posters with Sally also...welcome. I love this GYB thing so nice to meet new people. Sorry about the stroke, but it looks like you are coming back...Kudos! Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteV
Glad I found your blog.happy birthday and I am looking forward to reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhh Ahhhhhh hoooorah!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your blog today.
Your party post so resonates with me.
I'm off to make a cup of tea and poke around.
Hello Claire. I hope your blog grows using this approach. I am participating too. I'm a bit older than you are but not "old enough to be your grandmother". I look forward to visiting again and I wish you only the best for your 50th birthday!
ReplyDeleteMarsha
http://quilterinmotion.net
I like how you phrased...living mindfully....that is a great way to live. The necklace is beautiful and how fun you will be having 50 more giveaways!!!
ReplyDeleteI am off to check out your pinterest boards too!
Deb
So nice to have met you , I hope your get many new followers , I think your blog has lots to offer .
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your blog and getting to know you. I now follow you via bloglovin.
ReplyDeleteHello Claire, so nice to "meet" you. I'm waving to you from cold snowy eastern Canada. I'm visiting from the GYB party- what fun we will all have visiting so many new Blogs and making new friends. I know how hard it is to battle back after a stroke, my Mum had one a number of years ago . You are doing well and I think it's wonderful you are using your blog to help you along your way. I'll be back to visit from time to time. Hope you'll visit me too and enter my Giveaway!
ReplyDeletehi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks - so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party. i am going to look around - i think you can tell a lot by some one's smile ... you have a gorgeous smile. ( :
ReplyDeleteHi :-)
ReplyDeleteNice Page ... wonderful smile!
~Val
Hi, I'm visiting from the GYB party. I am a new follower. I'm sorry about your health problems and happy that you are so positive. Look forward to reading your posts.
ReplyDeletewhat strong and positive vibes you send out from this page! I like necklaces, but because of the bump I have because of scoliosis, I am not comfortable wearing them. However, I admire your talent. thank you so much for visiting me.
ReplyDeleteA lot of eeeks and gulps in your blog post, but I think you look FABULOUS at 50 - that smile says it all!!! Visiting from the Blog Party...happy I happened along here. Will enjoy reading along with you - Happy Saturday - Tanya
ReplyDeleteMerry Meet Claire, It was nice to 'Meet" you with your sunny smile as I take the GYB tour. I'm a new follower and can't wait to see what you have to say in the future. May many "Blessings" come to visit you. Thank you for the wonderful chance to win the Tibetian Bead Necklace.
ReplyDeleteIn Kind Regards,
Tricia
Hello Dear Claire I'm here to welcome you on behalf of Vicki, our wonderful hostess, as a volunteer to help her in the visiting of the 500 or so blogs. I'm sure she will visit eventually but we did want to make you feel welcome to the party.
ReplyDeleteI just love the first words I read on your blog header. Living in a state of mindfulness is essential for peace and harmony.
You are such a loving person to offer all of these giveaways. You have a heart of love.
The first necklace with the OM sign is just so beautiful. I too have OM on a necklace!
I'm off to look at your Pinterest Boards.
Have fun at the party and wishing you meet some lovely like minded friends.
Suzy
Happy Birthday! 50 isn't so bad, I survived mine 7 years ago.
ReplyDeleteHave just joined up with your blog and will look forward to getting to know you, and how England is from "your side of the pond". Happy birthday this year to you early, and what a lovely thing for you to do the giveaways for your birthday. 50 is a very special year, and wish you all the best. Would love for you to stop by my blog also if you get a minute. There are lots of people to meet for sure. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Early birthday! And Happy Blog Growing Party! I'll be back!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Betsy
Thanks for sharing your story. I enjoyed reading your posts and look forward to reading your future ones. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway chance. A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteI too will celebrate 25 years married this june 10th 2014...I am turning 49 this march! I think I will really enjoy your blog! You have much to offer! Happy blog party!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday. I am having fun finding new bloggers to follow...love sewing and quilting. Greetings from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your blog through Vicki's GYB party. I feel a great connection with you as I too have a disability, I have Multiple Sclerosis, which can keep me in and my blog is a fabulous way to stay in touch with the outside world.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to enter your giveaway. The prize is beautiful. I'll blog about your giveaways. Hugs Melody in Melbourne.
Hi Melody, I'd love to connect, but your profile is private, and I tried to send you a message via friends connect (now I follow my own blog(!) as it was the only way to enter the site), but I still can't connect/find your blog/send a message *sigh*
DeleteIf you find this, do email me your blog address using the Contact Form :) x
Happy Birthday! Visiting from GYB and what fun! Your necklace is lovely- Tibet is on my dream "someday visit" list - will be stopping by again!
ReplyDeleteCheers
Christina
Hello from Yukon! I hope you're enjoying this party as much as I do. The necklace is lovely - I'm crossing my fingers...
ReplyDeleteEvalina, This and that...
Hi Claire - I signed up to follow up via email. I am an American. My grandfather was from England. He came to the States by himself when he was 17. My daughter's SIL had a stroke at age 45 (hers was from using cocaine - oops). I, too, am disabled. In 2003, I was diagnosed with stage 2+ breast cancer. Six weeks later I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I still take oral anti-estrogen therapy because I am high risk for recurrence of the cancer. I do try to do a little quilting from time to time, but it is very limited. My second husband had already had three strokes when I married him. Last July he went to heaven. His cognitive skills did not seem to be greatly impacted. It is a pleasure to meet you. It seems we have some common bonds and I am thrilled to be following you and be here with you to celebrate your 50th milestone.
ReplyDeleteGood to meet you. I pray that you will have a full recovery. Stay motivated and active and have faith.
ReplyDeleteBeth
Nice to meet you, I look forward to following your blog!
ReplyDeleteI am slowly, but surely working my way through all the blogs at the party. What makes it hard today is that we are on vacation and the internet is not great in our hotel.
ReplyDeleteI am now following you and look forward to learning more about you. I'll be back when I am done with visiting all the blogs at the party.
Claire, I have enjoyed your blog and hope to join and come back soon. I look forward to seeing a pic of your Molly. Thank you for visiting my site and asking about my art. I hope to get some listed on my Etsy page in the next couple months. Take care of yourself & I wish you good health. The necklace you are giving away is absolutely adorable. I would love to win!
ReplyDeleteTeresa
www.foxhollowtale.com
Hi Claire, I'm visiting through the GYB party - so nice to meet you and read your blog. I'm enjoying finding new blogs to read very much!
ReplyDeleteSuzie http://www.sillygoosequilts.blogspot.com
Hi Claire! Greetings from the USA! I'm from the GYB party. This is very exciting getting to meet so many talented people and read so many blogs. I hope you find many new friends and followers today! :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer www.karmas-journey.blogspot.com
Hello Claire! So very nice to meet you. I'm like you -- I've been blogging for many years, but at A Rural Journal for the last 4. I guess that's my permanent blog home now. :) Happy to be a new follower here! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Claire, I so enjoyed your both your GYB post, and looking through your blog. Instantly I noticed 'mindfulness' and knew this was somewhere I would have to return! Although I don't blog about it ( my blog's about my creative journey) I'm trying to life my life mindfully too,
ReplyDeleteIt's also lovely to find another UK blogger to connect with!:)
So pleased to have found you, I am a happy new follower!
Warm wishes
Jules x
Hi Claire, so nice to meet you! Thanks for dropping by my blog and saying Hi. This is the second year I've participated in Liberate Your Art and I'm looking forward to meeting more folks. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteHi Claire, visiting from GYB and loving your very grounded mindful blog, just what I need I think. Looking forward to following you and returning to read your posts.
ReplyDeleteBright blessings
RedSetter
http://gonebeading.blogspot.co.uk/ - my crafting adventures
http://pepsimaxaddict.blogspot.co.uk/ - tales/tails of my two cats
Hi Claire, nice to meet you
ReplyDelete"Another Deep Day"...LOVE it and it's so true...days are deep and full and mysterious and wonderful and packed with life and death and sadness and joy...LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteVisiting via Vicki's GYBP and enjoying your blog, Claire.
Love the name of your blog. New follower via GFC, come on over and join up with me. FiddleStix Quilts Home of the Learning Curve www.jeannegwin.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHi Claire, what a lovely way to celebrate your 50th by a giveaway and how appropriate to use OM as your first giveaway. Enjoy your 50's., they are a blast.
ReplyDeleteHello Claire. Thanks for stopping by to visit my blog, Tangle Street ( http://tanglestreet.blogspot.com/ ). It's a joy to see your positive attitude. I am working on an art journal page right now giving Pollyanne her due for my attitude towards life. Looks like you may have it too!
ReplyDeleteA mere child you are, lol! Love your positive attitude. Best wishes xxx
ReplyDeleteVery nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm Linda from craftygardener.ca and I found your site from the Grow Your Blog event. Such a beautiful necklace. I'd love to be entered into your give away. I can be reached at my site or at craftygardener at xplornet dot com Hope you have time to visit my site and enter my give away. It has been nice browsing through your blog.
ReplyDeleteI added you to my Bloglovin' list so I can keep up with your updates :)
DeleteHi - glad to meet you Claire. Looking forward to more blogging contact:) take care, Deborah
ReplyDeletehttp://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/
Nice to meet you Claire, thanks for visiting me. Enjoy the GYB party! And you certainly don't look 50!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your blog. I can't wait to read more posts.
ReplyDeleteaprilsongstress
Thank you for visiting Plum Hollow yesterday. Your blog is great and what a wonderful idea to celebrate the whole year!! I love that. I think each birthday should be looked upon with anticipation and not dread. After all, it beats the alternative. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to enter your giveaway. That necklace is stunning.
I'm following you.
Good luck with your blogging!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
I am a new follower. Looking forward to an interesting year.
ReplyDeleteplease visit me at http://novicedecorator.blogspot.com/
DeleteHi Claire,
ReplyDeleteIt is very nice to meet you. I am visiting from GYBH. Happy Birthday to you! I am a new follower!
xo jan@http://sewandsowfarm.blogspot.com/
Hello Claire
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to meet you here at Vicki's party!
On reading your bio and the 45 things - we have much in common!
My father was Irish - so I'm half Irish and half New Zealander from a mixed Celtic background!
I'm a lark too tho at the mo I'm burning the midnight oil meeting all the lovely people here!
I'm following you - and I would love you to come over and enter my Giveaway - a vintage fabric and lace collage.
I'll be back to see you when the party finishes - have fun.
Hugs
Shane
Your Tibetan bead necklace is awesome!
DeleteHi from another UK blogger, I found you through, GYB. I see you are a blog addict like myself
ReplyDeleteJill
Sorry Claire!
ReplyDeleteI actually came back and commented on your beautiful Tibetan necklace - I replied to my own comment - weird I know!!!!
YES Please enter me in your divine giveaway - my fingers are very crossed!
Hugs
Shane
Hi Claire, so sorry to hear about your stroke at such a young age. I will be 48 next month so can imagine how you must have felt but I am glad to see that you are doing well now. What a wonderful way to celebrate your 50th birthday. I love that pendant. Take care and best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteClaire, thank you for stopping by my blog. :) I look forward to getting to know you more through your future posts and hope your 50th birthday is fantastic! Hugs, Renee
ReplyDeleteLovely to meet you via the GYB party.
ReplyDeletehugs, Kaye
Hi Claire, just popping over for the GYB hop party, lovely looking through your site, you're doing really well after your stroke good for you missis. I'm now a follower so will pop back to see what you're sharing with us.
ReplyDeletetake care
Peg x
Hi Claire, lovely to meet you and have enjoyed my visit. I plan to follow by email.
ReplyDeleteHi there Claire, Glad I stumbled here by GYB, I love the necklace and just to share , my word this year is 'PEACE". Enjoy the tour.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire! I am coming here via the GYB party! Beautiful post I wish you nothing but success in your blogging and road to recovery!
ReplyDeleteElise @ http://loveleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Hi I'm making my way through the list of GYB blog hoppers. I enjoyed reading your "stones" very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire. Just stopping by to quickly say a friendly "hello" via GYBP.
ReplyDeleteHope you're making a good recovery. Such a young age to suffer a stroke. I turned 50 last September so I know exactly how you feel, but it's OK, I promise ;)
Your necklace is very pretty. Do please visit my blog if you have time www.moleymakes.co.uk. I'm also having a giveaway. Happy blog hopping :)
Hello, Claire,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to meet you! This Grow Your Blog has been so wonderful! I enjoy learning about Celtic Magick also. Being of Scots/Irish ancestry, it seems to come natural. Of course I also have a very healthy curiosity of all types of spirituality.
I look forward to following your journey.
Hugs
Vickie
Good Evening Claire,
ReplyDeleteHappy Greetings from WA state, USA. This is also my year of 50, what a great idea on your part because 50 should be a celebration. We will keep prayers for your healing. Grace is an amazing thing. All the best and I'll sign up to follow your journey.
Lyn
Hope you are recovering well and find the blogging land a great resource.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogging party!
Lija
http://stitchingincrossesandmore.blogspot.com/
Hello, Claire. Glad to meet you via GYB. I'm glad you're reaching out and in doing so helping us too. Prayers for your continued recovery. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteHi Claire,
ReplyDeleteA big thanks for your lovely email the other day. :)
By the way, I just tried to subscribe to your blog via email, but got the notifiction that it's not possible. Just to let you know! I have put a bookmark to your blog though, so I can always come back. :)
Hugs,
Birgit
Wow I love my visit . Didn't realize that there is so much going on in cyber world. Forgive me for coming to the party at the last minute, But Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party entries are 600 bloggers. My reading was a little tasking. I wanted to read and get to know the girls so I did read everyone's bio 24 hours left to go. If you like come visit My site http://overboardcreations.blogspot.com/and contact info is http://ovr_brd@yahoo.com I believe inspiration comes from all facets of life even knowing the great people out there with wisdom and knowledge the do's and don'ts and even the wonders of life from a personal point of view. I liked you following you on goggle connect and Bloglovin you. hope to see you in the cyber neighborhood I am new to blogging so I don't have a lot posted because I got side tract with GYB party. Kind of felt it was important to have some one read my silly chatter. I can't remember a time I didn't dabble in something creative. I tried a little of everything. But, my new love these days is Card making I just love it.
ReplyDelete