Friday, January 18, 2013

Hello Everyone! Growing my Blog





UPDATE, February 1, 2013 announcing the Winner of my first ever Give-Away !!  First a big thanks to Vickie @ Two Bags Full and her incredible idea: "Grow Your Own Blog". A big thanks to each and every reader who left a comment and a big, big hug to those who are now following my blog. Thanks to Vickie's idea, followers increased, friendships have budded, and creativity's door has really opened!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  I wish I could give something away to each of you! Dear Vickie, I am thinking of a special thank you!
Now for the winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate to TJ MAX…… 
Congratulations to Sherry @No Minimalist Here !!!


Welcome! to Porch Sittin’ Time for Scooby!




First may I introduce myself ? My name is Dianna and like most women, I wear many hats, mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend. I work in the field of education and have the great pleasure of working with children with special needs, I am a volunteer at our local hospital, but at the center of my life is God and my family. As my own beautiful children are graduating from college and stepping into their own lives, I began looking for ways to express my creative side. Blogging is great and my wonderful husband approves,as it leaves him “quiet” time to watch football without interruptions. I really don't know what he's getting at! ;)

 Meeting new friends and sharing ideas with you is energizing! First join me for a cup of herbal tea. Don't you love having friends over?
Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Tea Time 







The first blog I ever read belonged Martha Stewart.It was fantastic, she chatted about her home and pets, etc. It lead me to hop around and discover bloggers worldwide. 
Rise n Shine for Breakfast
My eyes feasted on the pictures and blog designs, while my being loved the different life styles, humor, and warmth that I was reading. I wanted to participate in this! With one click I was taking the leap into blogland. While learning the challenges of  the operational side, sometimes finding the right words , and struggling with the craziness called editing and watermarking, the short of it is this, it’s just so great to meet so many wonderful folks from around the world and share their moments and my own.  Admittedly, reading that someone has left a comment and says “following your blog” is encouraging. We're here to grow our blogs . At  Porch Sittin Time for Scooby the topics are about 
http://porchsittintimeforscooby.blogspot.com/2012/08/summer-garden-2012.html
Crafting, 

Bunny Crafting


tablescapes, recipes,  
gardening, travels , and celebrations for family and friends.

Southern Ladies tea


 It would be my honor if you would consider adding me and "follow" along . In honor of this party, I'm having a give-away.


 Give Away!!
Just in time for Valentines Day, I am giving a $25.00 gift certificate to The Home Goods Stores/TJ Maxx . Many wonderful items to be found there! Just leave a comment in the comment section. The winning name will be drawn from a hat then on February 1st the winner will be announced via my blog Porch Sittin Time for Scooby and our wonderful friend and hostess Vicki at Two Bags Full 
Scooby loves snow...here he is observing a bunny...
The Blog is named after our dear dog Scooby and one of his favorite things to do, be outside. Many distractions have occupied his time  in and around the porch, as he guards the perimeter from those pesky interlopers..bunnies, squirrels and worse yet that elusive,  tailess cat who seemed to taunt him. In the  Fall, Scooby passed away at the age of 17 yrs. After much thought I decided not to change the name but to continue in his memory. Many stories of Scooby's adventures were planned to be blogged about this summer, now, probably not. We know he's looking down on us and that crazy kitty!
Hello! That cat loves to aggravate me.
She is sitting on our car watching Scooby


She's done..
Going forward: I'd like to host a weekly party and have more give-aways. First I have to learn a few operational things about the how–tos. Thank you for sharing your time !
thanks to a DEDICATED AND GIVING individual, WHO HELPED US GROW OUR BLOGS: VICKI  AT   Two Bags Full










43 comments:

  1. Your tea table is gorgeous and left my mouth watering. And I am so sorry you lost Scooby, a beautiful dog with a loving heart. I am always so sad when I lose a pet. It was a good idea to keep the name to keep the memory alive. So nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog party.

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  2. So nice to meet you Dianna. Thanks for stopping by CITexas Gal today for Pink Saturday. What a great post with your lovely pictures. You are a busy lady with so many interesting hats to wear. I hope you have a successful Blog Growing...I'm a new Follower.

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  3. I am enjoying strolling thru your blog. Love Scooby's memories. I am following and book marking you so i can find you easily.

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  4. Scooby is so cute. i love your Valentine's day table setting. so fun!! i need to have a tea party - it has been to long. way to long. ha. ha!! have a great weekend. please stop by my blog when you get a chance. take care. ( :

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  5. Hi Di, thanks for visiting back and trying to follow. My follow list is on my side bar now. Don't know why it wasn't showing up . Thanks.

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  6. Your blog is lovely . Beautiful pictures and nice table scapes! It is sad that you lost your lovely dog .
    May be keep a new one !
    Olympia

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  7. Sweet, sweet Scooby! I am sure he guarded the porch like a mighty warrior. 17 years is fantastic, these special animals live long lives for they are loved so much. I wanted to comment because we lost our Willy Wonka (scoobydoo) two years ago, he was 16. I would not change your blog name for nothing, it is so sweet.
    I would like to come back for more visits so I am now following.
    Michele

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  8. Thanks for visiting me. I'm having fun finding new blogs at the party. I love anything to do with tea time. I'm looking forward to getting some great ideas from you.

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  9. 17 years for a dog is quite the age! What a cutie he was.
    I like your table settings - I love to set my table when we have friends over but seldom do it when it's "just" the three of us since neither my husband nor my daughter seem to notice it!
    I will be back!

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  10. Hi Dianna, I always enjoy visiting your blog and I receive it via email. I just signed up a a Linky follower too. I am so sorry about Scooby...I know how heart breaking it is to lose a beloved pet. Thanks for visiting me at Grow Your Blog and please enter me in your great giveaway.
    xx, Sherry

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  11. I would love to join you for herbal tea - and lavender shortbread I think I see? Thankyou for visiting me. Your blog is fun and I will visit again sometimes. Nice to meet you - Betty the wood fairy

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  12. Hello,

    Nice to meet you in this event.
    I have a giveaway on my blog,too.
    I am your new follower.
    http://petite-armoire.blogspot.com/
    betikarauski@gmail.com

    Greetings.
    Bernadett

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  13. What a simply lovely post and how delightful that you have kept Scooby as part of your blog too. These furries are as much a part of our fsmilies and given time the memories are warm and comforting and the pain of the loss, less.
    Love your patterned china and make mine a herbal tea yes please.......any lemon and ginger? lol
    Im tagging along with you too, a pleasure to meet you : )
    Lyn

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  14. Porch dogs, there's nothing like them! Our porch dog used to guard our house from airplanes! Poor dog, he never did understand the planes would not come in his yard...but bark away at every plane that dared to fly over his protected airspace! :)

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  15. So glad to meet you and I love the name of your blog - bittersweet though to see your beautiful dog has passed away.
    I look forward to seeing more of your life - that's one of my favourite bits of blogging too, finding out more about other people!
    Have a great day :) xx

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  16. I'm following! Your tablescapes are so lovely! And I look forward to learning more about you. Scooby was a handsome, wonderful dog, I'm sure and I think it's perfect that you're keeping his name on your blog. See you soon!

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  17. Love the cute bunnies, great idea. so cute!

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  18. Hi Di

    Thanks for visiting my little corner of blog land. I'd love to join you for some tea, your table looks so pretty. Look forward to following your adventures in 2013

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  19. Hi, Dianna! I love everything about your blog! The title..Porch Sittin' tim for Scooby....Love the idea of sitting on a porch and chatting with friends with a pet nearby. Valentine is one of my most fav holidays. I'll be checking back with you to check out your valentine posts. I hope you stay with this! I'm not sure how to follow you..there were so many choices but I didn't see the BlogSpot one....also, you mentioned watermarking my photos on my blog...I'm not sure how to do that but it's a great idea!

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  20. Hi Dianne. Thanks for stopping by my blog Little Putty, little paint. How did I miss you on the GYB list? Love yor blog! You are more than welcome to copy cat any ideas from my blog. Hope that we stay in touch. I am now a friendly follower of yours. Is there such thing as a blog stalker? Kidding. Oh, by the way, TJ Max is one of my favorite stores! Hint, hint.

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  21. Your table are wonderful.
    It makes me want to have a dinner and do a table
    If you visit I will
    Laura

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  22. So nice to meet you Dianna! Wow, your blog is beautiful, and I am sooo jealous, hehe, of your beautiful tablescapes, recipes, and all things pretty!! I love pretty, but don't do it as well as others...ha! Your Scoobby was a gorgeous dog, I love seeing his pictures, and I am sure he remains in your heart every day. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway, and stop by my blog if you can too!

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  23. Hi, Di--

    'Happy to meet you too (and to join your giveaway too). :)

    Scooby was BEAUTIFUL--What a sweet face! ♥♥ I want a dog so much, it makes me feel like crying sometimes, but we're only allowed a cat (and only one cat) in our current apartment. Someday!

    Lovely dinners, tables, and blog-in-general here. :)

    Love,

    Val

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  24. You have a lovely blog. I'm new follower and 'Grow Your Blog' participant. Have fun in at the party!
    Evalina, This and that...

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  25. It is so nice to meet you! Your dog Scooby is adorable and I love your kitty cat. You are very generous in offering a gift certificate. I'm still making my way through visiting everyone from Vicki's Grow Your Blog party. I hope you will stop by to say hello.

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  26. visiting via Vicki's GYB Party and your tea table is lovely. I can just imagine sitting here, chattering and nattering, enjoying the company, tea and table.
    I'm having some giveaways on my blog; if you have a chance, come visit.

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  27. Beautiful table settings... you've got a great attention to detail!
    big hugs,
    Cheryl

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  28. Lovely blog! I loved your tables capes too. My chocolate lab is similar to Scooby in that he likes to be outside as well. On the hottest Texas summer day, he will lay on the hot stone patio. His bones must be getting old like mine!

    It is great to meet you through Vicki's GYB party.

    If you have a chance, please drop by nonniescedarchest.wordpress.com

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  29. Enjoying your blog already. Looking forward to your future posts.

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  30. Nice to meet you and follow you too!Your tablescapes are wonderful!I look forward to seeing more!Come visit me!

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  31. Your table setting are just wonderful. It is so nice to meet you.

    Angela
    stitchinginthezoo.blogspot.com

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  32. You set a lovely table! May I come for tea? :)
    Found you through the GYB hop! Love your pet pics and your creations!
    DeniseB
    deniseb777ATgmailDOTcom

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  33. Hello Dianna, here I am from the GYB hop. I love tea but I also love Scooby. He looks part malamute. My whole heart goes out to them because that's the only kind of dog I've ever had. Love them to pieces. Do you also get bags and bags full of fur from Scooby? One year a friend asked for the fur and then we collected bags full for her and she spun it into a cloth and made a shawl from it and then it was auctioned in an art thing. I'm following now, so will see you soon. :)

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  34. Your blog is lovely. I love your tablescapes! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and becoming a follower. I really appreciate it and your sweet comment! -Derrith

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  35. Why yes, I'd love to join you for some herbal tea! In fact, I just brewed a cup for myself to enjoy while I pour through this avalanche of blogs to visit!! Wow, so many....glad I came across yours! Love your pretty tablescapes. And your precious, dearly-missed Scooby. I am so attached to my dog, so I can empathize with how much you must miss him. What a generous giveaway...please count me in. I could do a lot of damage at Home Goods/TJ Maxx!

    Hope you can stop by my blog too, and try for my giveaway as well :-)

    maggie
    www.themagrag.com

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  36. What a lovely, friendly blog! I'm you're newest follower!

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  37. Hello Dianna

    How lovely to meet you via our dear friend Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party!
    Isn't she just the kindest person in blogland.

    What a lovely post - I feel like we've been sitting down chatting over a cup of tea - getting to know one another.
    You have told your story so beautifully.
    we both share a love on God, our families and all things creative.

    I've been to a country market today and bought a bag of culinary lavender so I'm inspired to make some lovely lavender shortbread heart cookies like yours!


    I’m your newest follower.
    I do hope you'll pop over and see me too and enter my GYB Giveaway!
    Enjoy the party.
    Hugs
    Shane ♥
    http://roseslaceandbrocante.blogspot.co.nz/

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  38. What a thoughtful & informative post, Di...I'm sorry to read that Scooby has passed away. He was a beautiful doggie.

    I've been trying to find an EASY explanation of how to get the threaded comments, ie 'reply' section that follows 'comments' on my blog. Blogger has changed somewhat since I did mine.

    I did find a link that might help you: http://buzz.blogger.com/2012/01/engage-with-your-readers-through.html

    I hope this helps you & it works out. I pop by in a few days to see if you've mastered it. Good Luck!!

    Enjoy our little heat wave this week. LOL

    Warm Hugs,
    Rett

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  39. I love your blog title! Porch sittin' Would love to sit and have a cup of tea with you. Stop by and visit me sometime. I also have a little giveaway:-)

    Hugs from your newest follower,
    Terri

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  40. Oh my goodness...I want to come over for tea, too! Your blog is beautiful and your tablescapes are quite lovely and inviting! So what time is tea, Dear?
    Still having fun at the Blog Party. So many blogs, so little time! Hope you'll visit me back!

    Aloha from Vicki

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  41. Just found your great blog thru the party and would love to be entered in your giveaway.

    Linda
    http://bengalcatlover10.blogspot.com/
    bengalcatlover10@yahoo.com

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  42. Stopping by from the GYB party. You set a beautiful table!

    Bless Scooby's heart, named after my favorite childhood cartoon!

    ~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)

    http://www.birdladyblog.blogspot.com

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  43. Hi Dianna, I am so excited to have won your giveaway and I can't wait to get shopping! Thank you so much.
    xx, Sherry

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Thank you for stopping by my blog and taking the time to comment! I love hearing from you!! If you Follow me, I will follow back!