Many Hippo Returns

Hippo birdie two ewes

Hippo birdie two ewes

Hippo birdie

Hippo birdie

Hippo birdie two ewes

No, that's not tonight's dinner menu. That's the text from a famous greeting card by Sandra Boynton. Why quote it here? Well today, my dear reader, is my baby's, I mean blog's, first birthday.

When I started this blog I really didn't know what to expect. To tell the truth, I really didn't know what I was doing either. Most days I still don't. I try not to worry about that too much. Instead I try to focus on all the wonderful things I have stumbled upon as a result of my writing here. I've tried recipes, watched films, attended events and read books. I've stretched and grown and experimented and learned. I've made connections with some amazing people. I'm delighted to have discovered Meghan at Making Love in the Kitchen and Rose-Anne at Life, Love and Food. They are two inspiring women and I'm pleased to have virtually made their acquaintance.

And there were weeks when I needed all the inspiration I could get. For every week where the words ran off my pen, there was a week where I thought my head would explode before I got anything coherent on paper. (And yes, sometimes I do write with pen and paper. It gives me an excuse to indulge in new pens.)

Yet even when the writing was most frustrating, and sometimes particularly when it was most frustrating, it provided distraction during those weeks when things seemed to be spinning out of control. When I lost my job, I wrote. When my sister was diagnosed with MS, I wrote. Writing provided a few hours where I didn't have to think about anything but words on paper. It gave me a brief respite from my worries, and allowed me to retain some semblance of sanity.

Not that the year was all gloom and doom. There was a trip to Ontario for a family wedding with a side trip south to see my sister and her kids. There was the weekend in Calgary to see Pearl Jam. There were visits from family and friends. There was my book club's foray into French cooking followed by a field trip to see Julie and Julia. There were walks and trips to the Farmer's Market and meals out. It really has been an amazing year.

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by to read, and double thanks to those of you who have taken the time to comment. It's nice to know someone is out there.

Finally there are two people who deserve special thanks for all their encouragement and support this year. First is L at Sleeping Cougar Acres. As with blogging, farming is something I know very little about. Thank you for your patience and for letting me come to play on the farm. Your company, your support and most of all your vegetables are most appreciated.

Last, I'd like to thank my wonderful hubby. He's been behind me since day one. He never asked why I wanted to do this; and I'm truly grateful for that. He has been there with suggestions, encouragement and technical support. He's the one who gave me the idea that resulted in the name of this blog, and he's the one who set me up with my own domain name. He's eaten fir needles and washed endless dishes. He's the best, and I'm lucky to have him in my life. Thanks for everything honey!