Friday, December 07, 2007

Celebrating 1,000 Deep Thoughts and Other Musings: It's Chickenblog's Favorite Things Giveaway!

Well, here it is, the 1,000th post.
The 1,000th time I turned my back on alphabetizing our CD's, or cleaning the oven.
The 1,000th time I felt sure my whirls of pisdom pearls of wisdom were worth publishing on the world wide web.
Gone are the the actual chickens that inspired the name of the blog.
True, some posts were absolutely pointless... btw if you have a dial-up modem don't bother with this link.
Other times I managed to capture a day or a moment and hold it a bit longer, appreciate the bliss of it, and then share it. Sharing stuff has been a major impetus for starting and maintaining Chickenblog.
By the way, I had to look-up impetus, which brings me to another point: Chickenblog has been a learning experience, a challenge, a means to learning new skills... whoa, has the blog come a long way! I still depend on Geoff for my technical support, but at least now I have learned how to post pictures, and make links, so that the sharing part is, hopefully, more interesting, engaging, and compelling, and fun, and good, and stuff.
Uh, sorry about that. I know, sometimes I say too much... blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
But, saying something is the whole point of blogging and it's been cathartic expressing my points of view.

Are you still there? OKay. Good. This brings me to feedback. I love comments, and interaction and hearing from people who are browsing, reading and/or immersing themselves in Chickenblog. And it's no secret that I have begged and pleaded, bribed and groveled, all in the name of making a connection. It all goes back to sharing. I miss my family, and friends, and friends that are like family, so I have always seen Chickenblog as a tool for getting connected. Recently I have made many new connections with other bloggers, which has been a lot of fun. I have made friends and discovered that a lot of people like to sew, cook, read, garden, take photographs, give thanks, pout, mumble, blow-off steam, reflect, talk about their children, travel, and share. Thank you for leaving comments, for emailing me. Thank you for your support and points of view. Thank you for your gifts, and swaps, for linking to me, for playing along. Thank you for blogging too... you bust me up and inspire me, and teach me a thing or two.

When is she going to give something away?

Hey, I heard that!

I really wanted to make this contest/giveaway unique, original, special.
Guess how many blue lights are on our Christmas tree
A "caption this photo" contest
Defy the landlord, raise 3 chicks, teach the chickens to type and let them generate a random list of entrants, then let the chickens choose the winner
I'm thinking of a number between 1 and a 1,000
On the back of a $50 write your name and send it to....

So, I've been spending way too much time thinking about this and I've come up with something wholly uninspired and pedantic. There will be a drawing on Tuesday, December 11th for a Favorite Things Giveaway.



I love a lot of things, like my apple peeler-corer-slicer thing... it's so cool! Another favorite thing is my Messermeister swivel head peeler. Ooh, this kitchen gadget is awesome. A favorite thing of the whole family is Trader Joe's pumpkin cake mix. We add whole oats and grated organic carrots and make yummy muffins. Mmmmmm muffins. Favorites... hmmmm... I like Hawaiian cruises, rain drops on roses, whiskers on kittens, "Elf" on DVD, wild rice soup and crusty sourdough bread with a field greens salad and light dressing. Geoff says, he likes electronics, and the boys like Lego bricks. They really like Lego bricks. Maria likes her imaginary friend Jack... he lives behind the suitcase and prints money. Chango likes to drink milk from cereal bowls, but I don't think we can make a prize of that. I may have to pare down the list a bit...

OKay. We all have favorite things, like winning stuff. So, if you like winning stuff, then leave a comment before Tuesday, December 11th and include your favorite Chickenblog post or topic, for a chance to win a few of our favorite things (one entry per person.) In the meantime I will be shopping around and collecting prizes. The most comments ever on Chickenblog is 14, and I think that included 2 or 3 from me... if we break that record I will draw 2 winning names from the "hat". More comments= more favorites!

Saturday Morning Post Update
More influence than O. Winfrey! More creative than M. Stewart! She's Doll Quilt Crazy! She's a Shining Princess! She is Calamity Kim of the Craft Cottage, and not for the first time, is she making me blush, with her kind and praiseful commandment... sending readers and record breaking traffic out here to my little Chicken Coop. Thank you Kim. You really, really share the Love. Thank you x 1,000!

And Wow! Hello new readers, and long time friends. I hope you are healthy and happy and giddy with holiday anticipation... I gotta go bake some cookies right now, then sew a few more goodies, maybe feed the children. I am glad you came by... thank you!

42 comments:

Tarie said...

My favorite Chickenblog topic:

I always go back to Chickenblog because Chickenblog is about FAMILY. I love reading your posts about time you, Geoff, and the kids spent together as a family. I love reading your posts about how your family spends time with other families (your relatives or friends). I love reading about where your family goes and what you all did and ate there. :) I love your family. In the very first Chickenblog post I ever read (sorry I don't remember which one specifically) you were musing about the importance of family traditions. It brought tears to my eyes. I left a comment (and you replied) and I have been addicted to Chickenblog ever since.

Lesley said...

Hi Natalie, and many hearty congratulations on achieving kilobloggerhood! That sure is a lot of posts. You've become a daily read for me since we got hooked up via Laura in Australia ... and I think Jennifer in Massachusetts had something to do with it as well. Oh! the glory of the blog!

Lesley said...

PS: (Don't count this as two - it's just me being a dag again and not doing things right the first time.) Anyway ... my favourite post was the one with your picture after the fires, when you were wearing the breathing mask and your housecoat - I knew I'd found a soul sister straightaway! http://www.chickenblog.com/2007/10/now-we-get-to-clean-clean-up-blessing.html

nikkipolani said...

Hey Natalie, there's no secret to what I love - you've named two of them: Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens... But I think my favorite post of yours was the one where you let Alex design his quilt and how beautiful it turned out. You were passing along a love you have (quilting) to a child who's also inherited your sense of design. How cool is that?! Congratulations on your 1000th!

Missy said...

Wow 1,000 posts...now that's commitment! congratulations.

I have to say one of my favorite posts was the farewell to Tamsyn. It illustrated what a warm and welcoming woman you are. I feel that warm fuzzy welcome everytime I visit your blog.

Anna Banana said...

I'm pretty sure I've read every 1000 posts! And then re-read about 800, so I think I'm kind of an expert on chickenblog, if I do say so myself, fwiw! It's impossible to pick my favorites. Love your feathered chickens and your human ones, love the cats, all the photos, words of wisdom, and when you say what's for dinner! Congratulations!!! xxoo

Andylynne said...

I'm still chuckling and my $50.00 bill is on it's way. Ok that sounded like a bribe. I think the post I think about most often is the one about Wild Rumpus, It made me want to pack my bags and take off for the store. Your tour of the city according to the naration to the kids is priceless.I agree with Teri your blog is about family, that is ovious and it warms my heart. Thanks for sharing your world :)

Liz Harvatine said...

Congratulations...1000 is a whole mess of posts! Keep it up!

Janece said...

Oh, you ask the impossible! What post is my favorite? I love your posts about visits to Oregon... pictures of daily adventures with the kids at Legoland, the Zoo, family trips and so on. Amira & I comb through your site pictures every day... enjoying them all. She adores your photos and your family... as do I. ♥

Lisa said...

What a milestone. Congrats! that seems so far away for me.

Love the apple peeler. I have a plastic one, but I've always wanted a vintage metal one.

Happy holidays!


Lisa
http://lisatutmanoglesby.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Oiyi said...

Congrats on the 1000th post! The apple peeler thing looks so cool. It would come in handy when making apple pies.

calamitykim said...

I think that they are all my favorite. Every time I miss a few days and come to catch back up, I sit and read and realize that I am holding my breath and the anticipation grows and then the warm fuzzies start and then the tears blur my eyes and I feel my heart grow and I know you are my long lost sister. My friend. I love you. I love how I feel when I come to visit you. I wish we were neighbors. I am glad that you found me and left a comment. I thank you for all your posts. Big or small. Short or long. dull or deleted. I don't care. I love me some Chicken Blog. You, my blogging friend- ROCK!!! I don't want to be in the drawing though, because you give a gift to me with each post. Thank you. (*<>*) bok bok bok!

Kelly said...

I'm a new reader of your blog, probably followed a sewing link to you from somewhere, but I come back because you're funny! And you have adorable children. Congrats on 1000 posts.

GeorgiaPeachez said...

I hope you get a record number of comments! Your blog is a lot of fun! xo, suzy

Kathie said...

I really enjoy reading your blog, brings back memoires of when my teenage daughters were younger...
I think my favorite post is the one where you talked about she will never be 2 again...
how I hated some of the girls birthdays I didn't want them to grow up I want them to be 3 again!
well not really each year brings new things and more happiness in our lives....
but 3 year olds just love them! Love seeing the world thru their eyes.
Kathie

chook said...

ok so now I need to be honest and say this is the first time I have been to your blog so this is my favourite post because this is where I will start reading and enjoying your blog
.good luck on getting more posts I think you have more than 14 now lol keep it up and congrats on your 1000
hugs Beth

Scrappy Jessi said...

holy smokes girl!!! 1000??? ok i just celebrated my 100th post.
congrats!!!
You family is so adoable.
your kiddies are so cute!
and that maria, forget about it!
to cute.
my fave post is the ois of maria on the chess board. awesome shot.
jessi nagy

Cindy Is Crafty said...

1000 posts, wow that give me 900 more to go. I am beginning my trip through bloggyland. I love the pics on your blog and your adorable little lady. It is fun to read and check in from time to time.

Dana said...

Hello:)


I'm a new visitor via Calamity Kim.
I've found a great new blog here, and will be adding you to my blog lines, so I can keep up with all the new going ons! Congrats on the 1000 posts! Here's to many more:)



Dana
d07@goldingers.com

Tracy said...

Happy 10,000! I love all your post, I do, everyone is special...I couldn't choose only one. For I love to visit you here and make that connect. It's all about friends being family--I so agree! Your family feels like our family. You share yourself and them with us that we feel all connected. Thank you for that! ((HUGS))

jaihn said...

Hallo - meeting you for the first time - via Calamity Kim, via Something Sublime - a happy little trail!
Happy thousandth, and thank you for talking sweetly about wanting to connect. It's made me want to write this!
My favourite (it's spelled like that here, in UK) post that I see on first scan is 'simply pleasures'. Beauty-full! xxx

jaihn ~
http://spaciouscraft.typepad.com/truly_spacious/

Joan said...

The dear Calamity Kim sent me here to read your blog and leave a comment. I don't have a favorite yet, but I enjoyed what I've read so far.
Do you still have a bunny? I have a bunny named Gary who lives in my kitchen and begs for treats except when he's napping.
Happy 1000!
Joan

Randi said...

Congratulations! Nice blog you have here! I found you by way of Calamity Kim and decided to pop in and investigate! Keep up the good work!

calamitykim said...

does it count if I keep coming by to visit and leave a comment? Natalie- do you have Sitemeter? That really helps you see how many people are coming to read you. There are a whole lot more than ever say a peep that's for sure! I love you and your Blog! Rock on sister!

mathea said...

1000 posts - that's impressive! I seem to find it hard to manage one a week at the moment. Calamity Kim sent me over, and I'll sure be back, 'cause I like what I have read so far. Loved the post about Maria's last day of being two years old :-)

PamKittyMorning said...

Calamity Kim sent me over! I don't have a fav post yet.. but congrats on a thousand! Holy smokes, that's a lot. Congratulations.

Cara said...

Ya, know, I've been reading around a bit here this evening and I can tell I should have been here a long time ago. I'm going to pick the Chicas as my favorite category for now. I mean, really, a mom who loves her hens as much as I do and tells people about it?! I call mine, "the Girls" And you sew, and have many boys and 1 girl (I have 4b and 1g. We have much in common. Count me in as a new regular.
Cara
And, you just might have inspired me to take up blogging myself.

calamitykim said...

I am trying to get your numbers up, I really am! Short of going on walk about and ringing peoples doorbells and forcing them to read Chicken Blog at water gun point!! I mean, really, I have a semi-automatic water blaster that is a super soaker machine! I will use I promise if we don't get to a hundred by Tuesday!

kim said...

Oooo! I LOVE your scarves! Come visit me too!

Magpie Sue said...

Okay, I confess. I have never read your blog before today. But I really enjoyed and related to what you had to say in this post. It's very likely I'll be back! (I'm here by way of Calamity Kim BTW.)

I've only been blogging a short time myself and haven't had more than maybe 4 or 5 comments on one post. Your perseverance is laudable and inspiring.

If you happen to draw my name out of the hat just send my prize to Calamity Kim!

Renaissance Mom said...

Wow! 1,000 posts! Congratulations! My blog has four posts, so far. I can't imagine 1,000! I popped on over after reading Calamity Kim's post and immediately added you to my favorites. Great posts, great ideas, great photos. My favorite post that I've read so far, is the December 3rd post with the photos of the leaves. We just raked leaves today and let everyone jump in the pile.

Scarlett said...

Calamity Kim twisted my arm and made me come over. However, I found you c harming enough to add as a read.

Why?

Because you used the word Pedantic. I love that word

and

you have Elf on DVD

What more can a interweb blog whore/crafster ask for??

Jennifer said...

I felt I had discovered a kindred spirit when I first read your blog, and it has been that way ever since. On the surface, you and I are very different (different sides of the country, different sized families, different ages), but the utter delight of blogdom has been finding out how very, very much we do have in common -- and it's the good stuff that matters. I love when you write about your family, about homeschooling and schooling and getting by with doing whatever the best can be for a particular day. I love when you share your feelings and ideas about what your life is about, on the hard things and the joyous things, and I honestly feel that I can HEAR the laughter all along the way. Here's to eleventy-million more posts, at least.

Old School Acres said...

Chickens are what brought me. Everything else you write about makes me want to stay :-)

I'm here at least every other day. I will try to do a better job leaving comments. I know all to well how it feels.

Annie Oakleaves said...

i liked what you wrote oct 30 of this year.thats when i found you and i was also experiencing fire related things. then i went back and i dont know when it was but you wrote early on in your blog about how some peope say 4 kids are too many.i really liked that because i also have 4 and feel the same way.lol

Diane Fay (littlealma) said...

Wow - 1,000 posts - congratulations! And I also know much about not having too many comments! The only two people I have commenting on my posts are my two kids - and they are usually telling me I need to update! But I love to spend my time reading other peoples blogs rather than telling about the old stuff I have been doing - it doesn't seem nearly as interesting! But isn't this blogging community wonderful? No one that I know understands about my love of lurking, and I think there are like three bloggers in Michigan, but one of these days Midwesterners will catch on - although that might be the reason that their homes are clean, and mine looks the way mine does - including still having turkeys and pumpkins up for decorations! And I did finally finish my "Give Thanks" banner/garland last week, so now it will be ready for next week at least! Anyway - more power to you with blogging - have a great Christmas!

Diane

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

Congratulations on your 1000th post! Woo-hoo! I first discovered your blog via Calamity Kim this past year and have enjoyed reading about you and your delightful family. A favorite post? Hmm, well I did enjoy your post about California with all the pictures that reminded me of SoCal. But then I thought that I should go back into your archives. I choose October 5, 2002 since it was the day before I got married (you didn't post on the 6th). Wow, I pleasantly surprised to see that it was almost like a chickenblog manifesto on why you write. I loved it! Here's the link:

http://www.chickenblog.com/archives8/2002_10_05_archive.html

By the way I think that teacher wasn't a particularly good one, but she did lead you to a great lesson. Isn't it funny how you remember her because of that? :-)

calamitykim said...

If I had O's influence- I'd be able to command people to leave at least 100 comments. I'll just keep coming here and leaving them till you get 50. Howz that? I love your calamity gingerbread men. That is totally like something I would do!
I did my Atomic Holiday Bazaar Art Show today and it rocked! there were hundreds of people there and I did very well. Then Fred took me out to eat at Carraba's. Now I am happy and content and ready to go wash this mascara off and put on my granny gown and watch Tin Man on Sci Fi Channel. We had taped it last week but didn't get the last episode. Happy 1,001, bokbok! love you! :) kim

The Calico Cat said...

1000, really? Congrats!

Mama Spark said...

Wow, I am the 40th comment!! Maybe I will win in your drawing? Congrats on 1000 posts. Did it seem like it took forever??

Liisa Mannery said...

Hi, Natalie. I got here (for the first time) via Calamity Kim. Don't put me in the drawing or I'll think you think I came just for the prize! I enjoyed your post about your little Maria. We have two 5 year old girls in our extended family; one (another Natalie) is in the 98th percentile for height, and the other is in the 5th--quite the contrast when they get together. You have a lovely blog and I commend you for keeping it up so well. Merry Christmas!

She'sSewPretty said...

What fun! I am here via Calamity's blog. Your cookie baking made me laugh. I'll definitely come back and read more. Congratulations on your 1000th post!