Three years later, another blogiversary

February 16, 2009


‘Macho Mocha’ mangave
“Digging” was born three years ago today, though it was alive in my mind way before that as I read other garden blogs and longed to join the conversation. After a few posts—and a few miraculous comments—I was hooked. Three years later, I’m still at it, honing through practice my photography, my writing, and my gardening know-how. Even more rewarding, I’ve met so many wonderful people through connections made here.

To my regular readers, thank you so much for your interest, comments, and encouragement over the years. I wouldn’t still be here without your feedback. To anyone thinking of starting a garden blog, I advise you not to wait another day. It’s easy. It’s fun. It’s empowering. And it’s your entry into a continent-spanning virtual garden club.
Three years later, you’ll wonder what you ever did with your free time before blogging. 😉
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

0 responses to “Three years later, another blogiversary”

  1. linda says:

    Congratulations on your blogiversary Pam!
    Many thanks, Linda. —Pam

  2. Phillip says:

    Congratulations! Your blog was one of the first that I discovered and prompted me to start my own.
    I’m so glad you did, Phillip. I really enjoy Dirt Therapy. —Pam

  3. Happy Blogaversary or Blogiversary,I never know which. I loved your blog before I even entertained the thought of doing one myself, and I learned a lot about doing it from you.~~dee
    That’s such a compliment, Dee, because Red Dirt Ramblings is such a wonderful read. I’m happy to know you as a friend too. —Pam

  4. Happy Anniversary Pam! Your blog is the first garden blog I ever visited, and one of the main reasons I started my own blog. You are a great photographer and garden writer. Thanks for sharing your beautiful gardens with us!
    Linda, thanks for your very kind words. I’m really glad you joined in and started blogging too. Texas is so big it needs to be well represented in the blogosphere. —Pam

  5. Gail says:

    Happy Blogiversary! Your blog was one of the first I visited; it didn’t matter that your Austin garden seemed so different from mine. It mattered that you were generous, kind and welcoming to all who stopped by to say hello. When I met you at Spring Fling I found you to be kind, welcoming, generous and a great deal of fun. It’s a delight to get to know you! You might find this amusing! Our neighborhood association asked me to set up and run their blog…I had to tell them my free time was already taken! Gail
    Ha! Isn’t that the truth? I don’t know how anyone has time to write or maintain more than one blog, though plenty of people seem to do it. Thanks for your very kind words, Gail. I was delighted to meet you at Spring Fling, and I hope to have lots more time to get to know you in person in Chicago! —Pam

  6. Jenny says:

    I bet your Manfreda is delighted it was chosen as the picture for your anniversary Blog. Only 3 years and you are an expert. I am so glad I bumped into you at the Wildflower tour which must have been shortly after you got started. I remember how enthusiastic you were. I finally got round to it and have you to thank. Happy Anniversary.
    I bet I was bubbling over about blogging. Thank heavens you didn’t roll your eyes at me and walk away because I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you in person and at Rock Rose, Jenny. And I’m still grateful to have gotten a personal tour of your gorgeous garden. —Pam

  7. Happy Blog-Anniversary, Pam. I don’t know when I started to visit your blog, but it is a regular stop on my blog reading now, and has been for “years”. You inspire us all!
    Thank you, Carol. Everything you said, I feel the same about your wonderful May Dreams Gardens. —Pam

  8. Happy blogaversary! Yours wasn’t one of the first I visited. I didn’t find you until you posted about your trip to Chicago for the marathon. I’m so glad I did find it. (I’m sure I would have found my way over here eventually, but sooner is definitely better.) You and your garden have been such an inspiration. I can’t wait to following the continuing adventures in your new garden.
    Thanks, MMD. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Chicago again this spring, thanks to your Spring Fling-hosting efforts. It’ll be wonderful to see you again and to visit Squirrelhaven in person. —Pam

  9. Frances says:

    Hi Pam, happy blogaversary! You have inspired so many of us with your photos, your narrative and your hand of friendship. I am so glad you still find it worth your while to continue the conversation. 🙂
    Frances
    Only because people like yourself and all these wonderful commenters are out there, Frances. What a fantastic community to be a part of. —Pam

  10. David Perry says:

    Strong Work, Pam.
    Strong and steady!
    Congratulations.
    David, you’ve always been so supportive. Thanks again for your words of encouragement. —Pam

  11. Layanee says:

    We are the richer for your blog! Congrats on your blogiversary. You always have an interesting post with luscious photos. Reading yours makes my day brighter! Thanks!
    Oh, thanks for saying so, Layanee. I feel exactly the same about Ledge and Gardens. —Pam

  12. Happy blogaversary! I am so impressed with all of you blog pioneers (can I say blogoneers?). Three years — that’s such an achievement when I consider I’m still a week shy of my first six months of blogging. And you made it look so effortless and so much fun, that I just had to join in! This goes out not only to Pam but to all the commenters above me in this list who have been equally inspiring.
    It is a blast, Linda. As you know from working on your own terrific posts, it isn’t effortless, but then again it isn’t work. Keeping a gardening blog is truly a labor of love. I’m glad you’re here too and look forward to your first and many future blogiversaries. —Pam

  13. Les says:

    There must be something about this time of year and blog beginnings. Keep it up please!
    Hmm, the end of winter…the approach of spring. I can see how that might inspire new bloggers. —Pam

  14. Liisa says:

    Pam,
    Happy Blogiversary!! Your blog is always a treat to visit, and you always seem to give me inspiration as a gardener. By the way, Macho Mocha is wonderfully handsome!
    Isn’t he? 🙂
    Thanks for your kind compliment, Liisa. Visiting your blog is a pleasure for me too. I’m glad to “know” you. —Pam

  15. joey says:

    Happy 3rd Blogiversary, Pam. Many have benefited from your insightful sharing.
    Thanks, Joey. But the benefit feels like it’s all mine. I’ve gotten so much out of this rich community of garden bloggers. —Pam

  16. Happy blogiversary, Pam! Digging is consistently wonderful and a darned good read–we’re all lucky you started blogging.
    Susan, thanks for such heartening words! And I’m equally happy to have the wonderful Bicycle Garden to read regularly too. —Pam

  17. Diana Kirby says:

    Best wishes on your Blogiversary, Pam. I would have never guessed you hadn’t been blogging for a decade. Your blog is always interesting, educational, beautiful and entertaining. Since I discovered garden blogs just shy of two years ago, I’ve been inspired by yours. It is always a piece of art of which you should be very proud.
    Gee, you’re making me blush, Diana. Thanks for the very kind words. I’m grateful for your friendship, both online and, increasingly, in the real world. 🙂 —Pam

  18. Whoo-hoo, Pam! Congratulations. You were one of the first Austin garden blogs I discovered and followed, and I’ve felt inspired and encouraged by you. Thank you!
    Thanks, Iris! I love reading about your gardening adventures too, and it’s been great to get to know you in person as well. —Pam

  19. Congratulations on your blog!
    Cameron
    Thank you, Cameron. I really enjoy yours too. —Pam

  20. Robin says:

    Pam, I remember very fondly two winters ago sitting and reading every single post on your blog. I had not spent much free time on the computer before then and was brand new to the blogging world. After reading your blog I was hooked! I had also just gotten my first digital camera and your photos were just amazing to me. You were my blogging and photography inspiration. Thank you! Congratulations, and I hope there will be many more years of Digging for you!
    Robin, I clearly remember your very kind email to me that winter. I was fairly new to blogging then, and your comment meant a lot. Thanks for reading and for your own lovely blog and wonderful photos. —Pam

  21. Grace says:

    Happy Blogaversary! Blogging is, indeed a lot of fun.
    And addictive! But what a great way to share a love of gardening with other enthused gardeners. —Pam

  22. jodi says:

    I’m a day late (hectic couple of days the past several) but wanted to add my warmest wishes for happy Blogiverary and for many more of them. You’re always a highlight of my blog-reading frenzies, Pam, and it’s been fun watching you on this latest adventure with new house and garden.
    Jodi, thanks so much. I really enjoy Bloomingwriter too, and I’m still hoping we’ll meet at the Chicago Spring Fling this year. —Pam

  23. S, another Austin Gardener says:

    Pam, congrats on your blogiversary! I’ve really enjoyed your writing, wonderful photos and great gardening tips that helped me get my garden going after moving to Austin.
    Enjoy the rain this morning!
    Thank you, S.! I always appreciate your comments, and I’m glad to hear that I’ve helped in any way with your Austin garden. And, yeah, the rain is fantastic. —Pam

  24. Congrats on your anniversary. You’ve accomplished a lot in three years. I still remember when you sent me an email, sort of shyly announcing you were starting your own blog. Since then you’ve been a driving force in the garden blogosphere, encouraging offline socialization, and organizing the first Garden Bloggers Spring Fling. I still find it hard to believe how much has changed so quickly.
    You were one of my earliest influences, MSS, and you were the first blogger I met in person. Zanthan Gardens has been a bright star in the constellation of blogs I follow. Thanks for inspiring me to start Digging. —Pam

  25. Jean says:

    Congratulations Pam. I agree, don’t wait another day to start garden blogging!
    Isn’t it fun? I’m glad to be following your wonderful blog too, Jean. —Pam

  26. Racquel says:

    Congrats on your 3 year milestone Pam! Look forward to seeing what this year brings to you & your new garden! 🙂
    Many thanks, Racquel. I appreciate your following along. —Pam

  27. Happy blogiversary, Pam. “Digging” is an inspiration to all of us gardening bloggers and a standard to which we all aspire. Keep up your good work!
    Thanks, Dorothy. I’m so glad to know other Texas garden bloggers like you, and I enjoy reading Gardening with Nature too. —Pam

  28. kerri says:

    Pam, the first time I found your blog I had clicked a link from Annie’s post about a severe ice storm there in Austin. I think it had to be in ’06 because it seems I’ve ‘known’ you for ages. I loved seeing your beautiful photos of plants encased in ice, especially those yellow ‘daisies’…name is failing me..starts with ‘H’.
    It’s been a great pleasure following your gardening adventures. Happy 3rd Blogiversary! I just passed my 3rd too on January 14th. We were beginners together 🙂
    It’s certainly a wonderful journey keeping in touch with so many fascinating gardeners and others throughout this big, wide, friendly world of blogs.
    Hi, Kerri. Those were hymenoxys daisies that were encased in ice in January of 2007. That turned out to be one of my favorite photos. Thanks for reading and commenting and for sharing your own beautiful garden through Colors of the Garden. —Pam

  29. Congratulations on 3 yrs of garden blogging, Pam. I enjoyed your blog from the time I started with blotanical, exactly 3 months ago (as of tomorrow). I was intrigued by the fact that you had to ‘start over’ with your garden after you moved to a new home. I was thinking how difficult that must have been, especially with the amount of work you had done in your first one. Now it will be interesting to watch you develop your new one. I’ve already got an idea or two from the last couple of posts re: your backyard plans.
    Jan, it’s ironic, but one of the hardest things about leaving my old garden was feeling as if I was leaving my blog and my readers behind too. That was nonsense, as I soon realized, but it shows how linked one’s garden and one’s blog can become. Thanks for following along as I start over with a new garden, and thanks too for sharing your own lovely garden at Thanks for 2 Day. —Pam

  30. Brenda Kula says:

    Isn’t it fun? Pam, your blog is always one of my “look forward to visit” blogs. You are an inspiration to me with your landscape ideas and colorful posts.
    Brenda
    Thank you, Brenda! I look forward to your posts too and have been following with interest your garden room transformation. —Pam

  31. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    Congrats on your three year blogaversary. I always look forward to your posts Pam. I hope you keep on bloggin.
    I plan to, Lisa. Thanks for the good wishes and for inviting me into your own beautiful garden through Greenbow. —Pam

  32. Lola says:

    Congratulations, Pam. I don’t always comment but I enjoy your blog & try to read it daily. I’m really enjoying seeing how you are making your new garden.
    Lola, thank you for reading, and I’m always glad to hear from you when you have time to comment. —Pam

  33. Congratulations Pam
    The time goes so quick. Your blog is both interesting and you have so beautiful fotos, you are real good at that.
    Ken
    Thanks, Ken. The time does seem to fly. I really enjoy your photos too, even when your garden is buried in snow. —Pam

  34. Cheryl says:

    Happy Bloggin’ Birthday Pam! Your blog is an inspiration to us all! I feel blessed to have met you and look forward to seeing you in Chicago and around the hood! Happy Gardening!
    Thanks, Cheryl. I’m so glad to have met you too. See you in Chicago. —Pam

  35. Shirl says:

    Sorry I missed the day Pam, hope it was a good one! Congrats on your Blogiversary. You have a strong following there to keep you going through Year 4. All the very best 😀
    Many thanks, Shirl! —Pam

  36. Randy says:

    Happy late blogiversary, Pam! I’ve enjoyed following your blog so much and I’m really looking forward to seeing what you do this spring!
    Thanks, Randy. Seeing you start over with your garden under difficult circumstances has been an inspiration to me, even as I start over by choice. —Pam

  37. commonweeder says:

    Congratulations! Your blog is one that I found early on in my blogging which not much more than a year ago. Your photos are an inspiration and I love reading Texas blogs because my daughter and her family live near Houston these days.
    Hi, Commonweeder, and thanks for the kind words. I have family in Houston myself and would love to discover more Houston bloggers. —Pam

  38. Happy anniblogiversary all over again! 3 years is totally a milestone – and think of all you’ve accomplished and all the people you’ve met in the blogosphere and beyond… It’s no wonder you have no free time anymore. Thank you for being here!
    The thanks is all mine, Kris, to you and all the other wonderful people I’ve “met” through this blog. It’s been a fun three years. —Pam

  39. wiseacre says:

    Happy 3
    You were an early inspiration before I realized I have no talent for writing 🙂
    Yeah, right, Wiseacre. 🙂 You definitely have a talent for cracking us up. —Pam

  40. Cindy, MCOK says:

    Pam, I’m so glad I found you last year in my search for info on Persian Vitex. Yours was the first blog I’d ever read: next thing I knew, I was attending Spring Fling and making many new friends and happy memories! Thanks for starting me down the garden bloggers’ path! Happy 3rd Blogiversary!
    Is that how you found Digging, Cindy? I left my Persian vitex behind when I moved. Did you ever plant one? It was fun to ride around with you at Spring Fling. I’m glad you’re blogging too! —Pam

  41. Didn’t MSS have a link to you soon after you had the blog up and running? You were so ready, with photos and posts detailing years of progress of your garden – your blog looked established and professional from Day 1!
    Thanks for three years of wonderful photographs and stories and leadership. And thank you just as much for hosting that first Austin Blogger get-together in July 2006 and inviting me to come and meet you. Pam, you have made the garden world so much richer!
    Annie at the Transplantable Rose
    Meeting you and the other Austin garden bloggers has been one of the best perks of blogging, Annie. I’m so glad to know you. —Pam

  42. Vicki says:

    Thanks for generously sharing your garden(s), your time, and your insights. When my little blog grows up, it wants to be more like yours.
    Vicki, your blog is an excellent read just as it is, although I know you don’t have time to post very often. I’m still in awe of your rainwater collection system that you wrote about. —Pam

  43. Darla says:

    Congrats on three years!! I am just at the 6 month mark and yes it will change your life, for the better!
    Thanks, Darla. I’d never have guessed that Family and Flowers is only six months old. Keep up the good blogging! —Pam

  44. Thanks for the three years of sharing your gardens and your expertise with us. I have learned tons from you, Pam and look forward to reading Digging for many years to come. Mary Beth
    Thanks, Mary Beth, and the same to you. I always enjoy reading Cultivating Paradise. —Pam

  45. Chookie says:

    Happy Bloggeburtstag! as I wrote to Yolanda at Bliss. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the transformation.
    Thanks for following along, Chookie! Your Australian blog is a treat too. —Pam

  46. 3 Years already? How time flies. Congrats on your third blogiversary and long may your blog continue to delight and inspire!
    Thanks, YE! —Pam

  47. Lori says:

    Happy blogiversary, Pam! Digging has been quite an inspiration to me over the last few years, and I can’t wait to see how your new garden develops. 🙂
    Thanks, Lori. I love all things Good and Evil too, and it’s been fun getting to know you in person. —Pam