Today is a special day because exactly one year ago today I wrote my first blog post: Welcome to Puddy’s House.

I wrote that I was dipping my toe into blogging, and that is definitely the truth.  I still feel like I’m only dipping my toe into blogging, but I enjoy it so much.  I get excited to see when people like you have come to visit my blog.  I hope that you find some value in what your read, or at least feel entertained by what you have read.  I’m still working on finding balance in life and also what I share on Puddy’s House, and defining what Puddy’s House is really about.

My blog has taught me a lot too.  I’m always surprised at what posts get the most traffic.  So far, the DIY Diaper Invitations are very popular, followed closely behind by the DIY Baby Shower Favors.  And, that surprises me because they are not what I had considered my “normal” DIY projects.  They were definitely fun for me and obviously very special as they were for showering my little sister as she was expecting her first child.  Our Basement Retreat and Our Outdoor Paradise are two other top posts, which I’m happy to see as they are two aspects of our home that we really love.  We put a lot of planning and effort over time to get both spaces to truly be our retreat and our paradise.

Tomorrow, I embark on the next step in learning and growing in terms of blogging.  I will be flying to Atlanta to join hundreds of other DIY and Home bloggers at the annual Haven Conference.

Last year, I went to Haven as a non-blogger thinking I was going to just learn more to help me with my DIY projects, and also get the opportunity to meet some of the well-known bloggers that write the blogs that I read on a daily basis.  Instead, I came home so inspired and motivated that I decided to start my own blog.  So, now that I have been blogging one year, my perspective has changed as I prepare for Haven.  This year, I hope to learn so much more about blogging so that I can improve and grow, but also to continue to inspire and motivate me to keep going.

So, as I celebrate one year of blogging, I’d like to hear from you.  Tell me what you like and what you want to see more of.  I welcome any constructive criticism too.  I’m still learning and trying to grow my blog.  And, do you have any questions for me?  I’ll do my best to give you answers.