100th Blog Post!

This post marks my 100th blog post!  I am not sure exactly why that is exciting to me, other than anything ‘100’ feels special, right?

In honor of the 100th post, I wanted to reflect back a bit and celebrate the baby steps….

• The original blog, Monday Night Manners, expanded into Raising Lemons.

• The new name, website, and format was launched in March 2011- just 4 months ago.

• I have seen steady growth and new readers.

• A commercial website tweeted about one of my posts last week!

• I was invited to link with the Power of Moms!

• Raising Lemons Facebook page reached over 100 Likes! You can like it here.

• People that don’t know me read the blog!

• I have had 2 topic requests for posts!

• Although I’ve got a long way to go, my photography is looking better!

• I have a strong google presence (about half of my readers each day are from google)

Yeah for progress and baby steps!

I also wanted to give out a few awards:

MOST COMMENTS- The race was neck and neck for the Most Comments award so I am declaring it a tie.  The award goes to my SIL, Laura McNeilis and my other SIL, Ashlee Erickson.  I think they both feel sorry for me when no one comments, but I’ll take their pity.  They make me feel like someone is reading the blog.  Laura wins a free nursery painting and Ashlee wins a free babysitting night. (They had no idea why I was taking this picture…hehe…)

BIGGEST PIMP- The Biggest Pimp award goes to my sister, Angela.  She has pimped my blog more than anyone else.  She’s shared it on Facebook, emailed the blog to friends, and discussed it with her running buddies or with friends at lunch. She has even gone as far as to personally ask all of her friends to read my blog as a favor to her.  Their friendship depends on it.  She wins a peanut butter, Reeses Peanut Butter Cup milkshake. (I downloaded her Facebook profile pic.  hehe…)

SILENT SUPPORT- The Silent Support award goes to my brother, Garett.  He is a single guy with no kids, but has read every post.  (Or at least now he has to.)  He was a patient listener as I started on this project and he believes I can do this.  He wins a wife and a garden spot.

BEST BLOGGING HUSBAND- And Best Blogging Husband award goes to Chad.  He previews every post- tells me when I am holding back or when I’ve said too much.  He tells me when I don’t make sense and when I nailed it.  He comments, shares posts on his Facebook, and he even makes comments on other blogs under the name RaisingLemons.  Not to mention that he is my IT guy.  Whenever I can’t figure out a computer thing, he is there to the rescue. He wins a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Thanks for all of the support from family and friends and now new blog friends!  I so appreciate when you leave comments, share a favorite post on Facebook, tell a neighbor about the blog, suggest a friend “Like” it on Facebook, put my button on your blog, etc. Anything helps to spread the word.

I am always trying to improve the blog and my next goal is to add a section to my side bar spotlighting favorite blog posts.   That way first time visitors or new readers can get a sampling of what the blog is about.  I want to list my best 10-20 posts.  I’d love your opinion, so please leave me a comment and tell me some of your favorite posts out of the 100.

Here’s to 100 more posts and a better blog … baby steps at a time!