April 02, 2009

"It all started one day last summer..."

That was the headline for my blog post one year ago today. My first ever!

I started this blog last April 2 to tell the story to friends and family about our new house. Frankly, I was sick of telling the story! So I thought it would be easier to just jot down an abbreviated version. Plus I was excited to show off the first room we completed to them, and was hoping to update the blog every now and then with photos of new projects, the crap treasures I picked up on my Jersey Shore adventures, and the random musings of my (admittedly plain) life.

And a blog was an easy way for me to do all that.

And I started visiting more blogs, and leaving comments. Then, those people would find me here.

And, here you all are!

You got to see shore house rooms made over...


...many (most!) times on the cheap.


We had a visit from Cat Woman:

Dear Laura:

Thanks for the glorious compliment. You're right about sharing garden ideas. A half-hour walk in my garden is like a two week vacation in Hawaii.

With generous love.

Julie Newmar


I planted my very first seeds.


And experienced my first
gardening successes.




And then those friggin squirrels came around and stole my corn.



I learned that wisteria
grows really, really fast. Then tries to eat you.




I’ve taken you shopping with me.
Many, MANY times.

And a lot of those times, we found some GOOD deals.





I’ve taken you inside the famous
Ocean Grove tents (I think that was my favorite post of the last year).




We’ve baked.


We’ve
burned.



We’ve
celebrated holidays together.

We’ve shared smiles.



And some
tears.

But all in all, it been a pretty fabulous year of discovery for me in so many ways.

Nesting Instincts was one of the first blogs I happily stumbled upon, and Courtney was super supportive of me from the get go. So it seems only fitting to welcome the newest chick to her nest this week, her gorgeous son Caleb. I actually got a little misty when I saw his photos on her blog. Because this woman clear on the other side of the country has come into my life and my home -- through a BLOG! And now she's a little part of my extended family out there.

As are you all.

Because of a BLOG!

Wow.

I can't thank you enough for making the shore house a part of your day.

With love from "the shorehouse,"

Laura

41 comments:

j.cro said...

Namaste...

s. pearce feldman said...

you make me miss home! even if the cherry trees aren't quite popping yet, there's nothing like the anticipation of summer at the shore.

beautiful post on your first year - be careful with that wisteria - it's a serious weed that can ruin the foundations of your house if you're not careful! (eek!)

desiree said...

Congrats on one year under your belt! I've enjoyed your blog tremendously. I always look forward to your next post. Thanks so much and I look forward to the upcoming year at the Shorehouse!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Happy blog anniversary Laura!

I found you on your Ocean Grove tent post. I was so enthralled by them and you did such a great job showing all the details ands history behind them.

Since then I have been a faithful follower and have enjoyed your blog tremendously.

I;m going out to dinner tonight with my family so when we're clinking the wine glasses in a toast I'll raise it up again to you in celebration! Cheers!

Jean Martha said...

and I found an AWESOME new friend who is taking me to see those darn tents this summer! thanks for bloggin' dude.

N said...

Thanks for being here, Laura. I'm glad I've gotten to know you.

Local Girl said...

Happy, Happy Blog Birthday and to many more to come.

You always brighten my day and I love stopping by and feeling at home

(((HUGS)))
Liz xx

Maya said...

What a wonderful roundup Laura! I'm certainly very glad to have stumbled upon your blog, just love peaking into your Jersey shore life.

Maya said...

Ops... it's PEEKING! Love peeking!!!

Rue said...

This is such a nice post! What a lovely way to look back on Year One as a blogger! :) Your house renovations and decorating skills are amazing! It looks so beautiful. And, I'm not even going to discuss your gardening... those sunflowers!! and corn too boot, how cool is that!?!

Looking forward to another year's worth of posts!

rh said...

Mazeltov, dahling!

I'm glad we became blogger buddies. :)

abeachcottage sarah said...

what a great post laura

love that first makeover, isn't it amazing how differently fashions go in decorating

happpy anniversary, here's to more!

Sarah

kari and kijsa said...

We love the shorehouse! Thanks for making our year!

Have a blessed and wonderful day!

blessings, kari & kijsa

Purple Flowers said...

Great Post! You must be so proud about your home accomplishments. That takes alot of hard work.
I've enjoyed going along with you on your "bargain" journeys. They make me smile. Keep on keepin' on! You're doing a fantastic job.

Courtney said...

Whoa. Okay, now I'M misty. Laura you made me cry! (And believe me, crying for a GOOD reason these days is always worth it's weight in gold!) I was already going to come over here and thank you for your excitement for me and my little guy and then what do I find but that you've mentioned me in your gorgeous post?! All I can say is, thank goodness for the lamp!!! Remember? LOL I think I'll leave you my lamp in my will. :-) Of course, what you would then do with THREE matching lamps I have no idea. Okay, I'm totally rambling now but I hope you feel my hugs and kisses from Oregon today. xoxo

Anonymous said...

And what a ride it has been! (Don't forget that cranky old lady who wanted you to change your blog name!) Great review, Laura. :) I'm so happy we have gotten to know each other, if only through the 'net!

Keetha Broyles said...

Well, I've just found you in the last few weeks and I for one would LOVE a repost or a link to ALL the makeover you've done on your house. That living room make over is STUNNING. It nearly leaves me speechless, and for me that is barely possible.

Lorrie said...

Hi Laura, I really enjoyed this retrospective of your blogging year. So many neat places and interesting things shared in a year. The blog world really is such a great place to meet people and share a bit of their lives with them.

Caren said...

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear Shorehouse chic...
Happy Birthday to you.

I enjoyed your year in review post, thanks! I have to go back and read all about your corn. We have a corn addiction in this house and enjoyed lots of Amish Man corn last summer. I wonder if growing my own would work... or be half as yummy.

My blog turns one very shortly too! Thanks for reminding me.

Unknown said...

Hi Laura,
Happy Blogging Anniversary! I don't remember how I first found you...but I'm glad I did.
And I'm glad I personally met you in NYC.

I enjoyed your blog before, but now that I really 'know' you it is even better!

You have done wonders with the house! And for some reason I didn't know you had such a green thumb! Love that big sunflower!
:) Happy blogging!
diane

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on one year! Quite frankly I wouldnt know what to do with out reading your blog everyday! It reminds me of home! Thanks for such a wonderful and special place!!!
Brenda

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Congratulations, Laura! The Shorehouse is a wonderful part of my day, and you are an important part of my life whether you know it or not! You have always been one of my favorite bloggers, and I think you're a special, special lady with a great sense of humor and tons of talent! And you're pretty, too... inside and out!

Sending congrats and love your way...

XO,

Sheila :-)

svelteSTUFF said...

Very nicely done!

Lisa said...

Congrats on your 1 year Blogiversary, Laura (mine is coming up in May - where did the time go?). What a beautiful write up/photos and your shore house looks GORGEOUS! Martha Stewart, MOVE OVER!

I have such great memories of the Jersey Shore, and we may rent a house late summer, possibly somewhere on LBI or in Seaside Park.

Finally, SO glad Gardner got the job as he's exciting to watch. If he can hit even half as well as he has during ST, we have a MAJOR speed tool who can manufacture runs practically on his own, a la Carl Crawford and Ichiro. Melky has a great arm, but I was sick of seeing him strike out with RISP time after time after time, ad nauseum! 3 more days and we've got baseball..weeeeee! :)

Joyce said...

Laura- Happy Blog Bday!! Thank you for brigtening my day with your wonderful post and visiting mine. When you go MIA (why is it always work gets in the way with us) it is like a day without sunshine and I start to have withdraws!
You are so right many friendships have been formed from the world of blogging. Oh I wish the creator of this wonderful world of blogging would have picked a more pleasing word.

Enjoy my friend and hope to continue the years ahead sharing our everyday events. The good and the not so good, this is what friendship is all about sharing and growing.

Have a golden weekend! xoxo

PS who would think a sweet home on the shores could bring you so many friends!!

Tina said...

How wonderful it has been to journey with you. I always enjoy my visits to your blog.
Blessings to you, my dear.
Keep on posting.
T

Fifi Flowers said...

One year of blogging... congrats! Thank you for such wonderful posts!
Keep them coming... ENJOY!!!
Fifi

Laura @ Shoot-Scoop said...

Fantastic! What a fabulous post. Happy Anniversary!

heidi said...

Happy Blogiversary!!!!!!!! It was the tent people post that made me fall in love with you.... and then the dogs on the beach, now the donuts.... *sigh*
Looking forward to many, many more bloggie years at the shorehouse, xxooh

Linda Lou said...

I love your blog Laura, Happy 1st Anniversary, mine is coming up on April 9th, it has been a fun advencure hasn't, meeting great people and sharing our lives and our interests with the world-keep up the good work!!

Sue said...

Happy Blogiversary Miss Laura...Mine is coming up on the
14th...and I'm doing a post much like yours only with out the links ofcourse!! I think you have to agree this blogging thing is pretty cool....I feel like I have found another daughter....A big Hug from your Southern (not really) mother....

Maureen said...

What a year! Do you know your favorite post was the one that hooked me? I also loved that picture of the bike against the fence. Congratulations on a year of blogging and for sharing your talent with words and love of life with us.

black eyed susans kitchen said...

So happy to have met a kindred spirit living not too far away because of this blog. Happy Blogaversary my friend and congratulations on this milestone.
♥, Susan

Rue said...

I remember it all too! I laughed when you mentioned Cat Woman. I had forgotten that one LOL

It's been a beautiful year hasn't it? I'm so glad I wrote to you on your blog. Would you believe I thought you were too cool for me? I still think you are, but you're so sweet you let me hangout over here anyway ;)

(((love and hugs)))
your fellow house hugger friend
rue

Beach House Living said...

Like your post down memory lane. The Ocean Grove tent photo is lovely, isn't it great they still exist. Anyway, finally got around to that silver cleaning post. Picking up an old pitcher became the reminder

Anonymous said...

What amazing transformation you have done on your home! Your photos are so lovely!

Blessings,
Debbykay at Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm

Hudson Goods said...

some really great photos here! love the corn, the squirrel and the tents, I have to get there this year. Isn't the Jersey shore great?

Renee said...

I love the picture of the friggin squirrel. It brings back memories of my husband running through the house last night after he saw the squirrels in the backyard eating all (10) brussel sprout plants that were beautiful...we are getting a trap from the neighbor and then will we release them...many, many miles away.

Kwana said...

What a wonderful post. Happy Blog Birthday! Love the trip down memory lane. I'm so happy to have met you. Looking forward to the next year.

pve design said...

Wow, it "shore" has been some year. Love the way it all started from a seed, a blog, a post, a smile...
lunch soon!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Happy one-whole-year-of-blogging! I think I found you early on--possibly through Courtney at Nesting Instincts, come to think of it--because I remember almost all of the posts you mentioned. I'm so glad I did, because it's been great getting to know you! :-)

The tents were one of my favorite posts of the year, too. So cool.

That room makeover is really amazing. I think I may have been scared away by a room like that, but you brought out its beauty!

Regarding the wisteria, you should try the plastic kind like they use for the houses on Desperate Housewives. Much easier to keep in line. ;-)

Here's to another year of blogging. And lots of thanks for being such a great blog friend!!