“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ”
Colossians 3:23-24
Hello sweet friends…and welcome to the post where we reminisce over the last three years, celebrating our blogiversary! We are marking this special day with a giveaway that you will want to be sure and enter at the end of the post! Today I want to take you on a little journey of the ever evolving lifestyle blog known as Everyday Living…
…starting with how and why I started blogging. And the answer to that is simple – it was my Renaissance Man’s (aka Butch) idea that he tossed around for a couple of years. When he never moved on it, I jumped in and decided I could do a blog. I thought it would be simple since I enjoy so many different things…surely I could become a blogger with no problems whatsoever. Little did I know what I was getting into…it only took a post or two for me to see that blogging was way more than snapping a few pretty pics and posting them with a nice caption. And six hundred posts later, I am still learning!
But without you my sweet friends and readers who meet me here almost daily to read and comment, there would be no blog! You have encouraged and inspired me as I have felt your warmth, kindness, and support to keep doing what I love! From a special friend in Spain to all of you in the U.S., thank you would never be enough!
Not only have you been supportive, but the blogging community has stretched out its arms to me and been so welcoming from the very start. I have so many blogging friends that I have had the privilege to get to know…and even a couple that I have had the honor to have lunch and spend an afternoon…realizing just how much we have in common! Bonnie (left) is a fellow Alabamian and is the author of Living With Thanksgiving where she shares her love of gardening, travel, decorating, photography, and entertaining. She often shares her vast knowledge of the Southern garden and her lovely Southern luncheons…if only we lived closer!
Shirley from Housepitality Designs blogs about the art of the hospitable home. She shares her knowledge of decorating and creates beautiful living in her North Carolina home! Both of these ladies are genuine with hearts of gold. If you don’t follow them, I highly recommend their fabulous blogs!
I have been able to make many virtual friends, and I even branched out and started a garden link party!
We’ve shared everything from recipes….
…to our travel adventures…
…to the progress of our garden…
…to churches…
…to what catches our eye in our Everyday Living…
…and of course, tablescapes galore…
…and memories I adore!
Of course the highlight of our three years was when our little princess entered the world
Blogging has brought out in me the things I love and given me a way to share it with all of you! Once a foodie, always a foodie…but through blogging, I suddenly became the “wait don’t eat that food until I snap a photo of it for the blog” kind of girl…
I post a food photo every week on Simple + Southern Sunday. Many of them are taken from dinners in Birmingham at one of Frank Stitt’s four restaurants. He is responsible for putting Birmingham on the culinary map. You may remember when I blogged about him here and two of his restaurants here and here. He has authored two fabulous cookbooks where he shares his stories and recipes. I have them both and have used the recipes and techniques over and over. To mark the milestone of our three years in the blog world, I am offering my sweet readers a chance to win Bottega Favorita, a Southern Chef’s Love Affair With Italian Food that he has signed!
So how do you enter? I am so glad you asked! All you have to do is leave a comment below. The winner will be chosen by a random drawing and announced on Tablescape Tuesday, August 15th.
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Life on Lakeshore Drive,Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Katherines Corner,Vintage Mamaโs Cottage, Marilynโs Treats, Peonies & Orange Blossoms, Eclectic Red Barn, Share Your Cup,21 Rosemary Lane,The Vintage Nest, The Essence Of Home, Feathering My Empty Nest, Kingsbury Brook Farm, The Red Painted Cottage, Love Of Home,My Soulful Home, Celebrating Everyday Life, Little Farmstead, Starfish Cottage, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined,The Freckled Rose, Life and Linda, DIY 180, The Stonybrook House, Celebrate & Decorate, Sweet Sensations
Your posts are always lovely, but more importantly you have a way of personalizing your blog that invites people to join in and feel welcome.
Congratulations on three years of blogging! What a wonderful giveaway opportunity! I would love to try some recipes from Frank Stitt’s cookbook! Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity to win one!
Love your blog and all of your travel adventures! Happy blogiversary!
Pam, I love your blog friendship, and wish you all the best for many enjoyable years to come. Sharing the journey of the last few years with you (and Butch) has been a joy. Thank you!
Rita
Congratulatulations on this accomplishment, Pam! I always enjoy reading your posts and pausing to breathe as I savor your beautiful pictures. We had our first grandchild a few months after you did and enjoyed anticipating her birth as we celebrated with you! Look forward to many more delightful journeys with you and Butch!
Congratulations Pam and Butch! Your blog is so well done and thought out. I know it takes a great commitment on your part. Thanks for sharing your love of tablescapes, food, traveling and your grandbaby!
Pam, congratulations on your blogging anniversary! Your blog and friendship has been a wonderful gift to me. I look forward to every post and always come away refreshed and inspired. Yes, we have many common interests. I enjoyed your review today and I will be going back to your links to spend more time.
I loved the picture of you and Butch and all of Ella Mae’s pictures. I’m sure you have many more of her! She is adorable and I know how much you love her.
We had a wonderful lunch and afternoon at Chez Fonfon together! I have loved all of our phone visits, too! I do wish we lived closer. Thanks so much for the shout out.
What a great giveaway! Fits you perfectly. I adore Frank Stitts restaurants.
How wonderful all your pictures are!! Congrats for a beautiful blog!!!!!
Congratulations on 3 years and 600 posts, WOW! Thank you for sharing loveliness with us!
Congratulations and Happy Blogiversary!
Pam, I very much enjoy your posts. Congratulations on an awesome job!
Pam: Loved visiting your memories this morning. I want to thank you for the kindness you have shown me. You are correct there is much to learn as a blogger and when other experienced bloggers, such as yourself, reach out their hand to you – you never forget the kindness.
Congratulations to you on your three years. Your blog is beautiful and so inspiring. Many thanks for all you do to bring beauty into the lives of many. Truly, you make a difference in the world. It is the ripple effect.
Sandra, I am very appreciative of your kind remarks! You are a treasure sweet lady!
Happy blogaversary Pam! It’s hard to imagine life without blogging isn’t it! My family knows not to dare eat or serve before the photos are taken ? My son gifted me the fabulous Frank Stitt book for Christmas, so save my entry for another reader~
Jenna
I am glad your family understands the photo before you can eat, mine are still learning!
I absolutely enjoy seeing your posts & pictures. You inspire , challenge & bless everyone in such an amazing way. I can feel your love & peace through each blog and look forward to them all. Your commitment to excellence is seen in each tablescape & felt in every word. I love your honesty when things don’t always go as planned. But that just makes us all feel a little better. Thank you both for your commitment & for opening your home, heart & life to us โค๏ธ Happy Anniversary!!
Kim, you are so kind with your comments! Life definitely happens in the midst of Everyday Living! Blessings and hugs~
Pam, congratulations to you and Butch on your 3rd anniversary of blogging. You have given many of us a gift and it is a gift to me every time I open my email and know there is a new post. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your faith, your extraordinary talent, and your love of beauty. I usually read your posts early and they brighten my days. I love knowing about Ella Mae and I am beginning to see a real resemblance to grandmother. You are blessed to have a a wonderful supportive husband like Butch. I have started to follow Bonnie Morgan after the Garden Parties. I feel a kindred spirit with some of you. You have been an inspiration. It is important that people see the world through the eyes of those who see the magnificence of God’s creation and know how to present it so beautifully. Thank you for your blogging friendship. Dianne
Dianne, what a joy to have you as a blogging friend. Your sweet spirit and love for the Lord shines through as well as your kindness! Blessings and hugs and keep blogging! Your blog is beautiful!
I love this review! Three years has flown by, and it has been wonderful watching you grow your blog and reach out in new ways. You are a brave, talented, and inspirational woman, my friend! Congratulations on three years of hard but fun work! ๐
Kim, you were one of the first bloggers to reach out to me. What a joy it has been to enjoy our blogging journey together. Blessings and hugs, my friend!
I do so enjoy seeing all of the beauty you share with us. Keep on inspiring us ….for many blogs to come <3
Linda, you are a joy to have known for so many years! Hugs~
Wanted to ditto what Sandra said also..as a new blogger, I will never forget your kindness. Dianne
And I will never forget yours, Dianne!
Congratulations, Pam! I know what you mean about changing the foodie view to pictures first, LOL!! I’d love to win a new cookbook!
Thanks Carole!
I love your blog and beautiful garden. I look forward to each new post. Thank you for taking the time to blog. Jerri
Thank you Jerri for your kind comments! Hugs~
Glad Butch didn’t move in it …, we would have missed all of this! ?
How funny, I will not tell him! ?
Happy Anniversary. I love garden ideas and recipes. I am going to see if my library has these cookbooks. I would love to win them. I am a “recipe book” addict and love Italian food.
Thanks so much, Karen! Blessings~
I love your especially love your gardens! Such an inspiration! Happy blogging for many more years!
Thank you Mary! Blessings~
Congratulations!!!! I look forward to your blog! Thanks for sharing!
Jenny
Jenny, thank you for following! Blessings~
Congratulations on your Anniversary! I always love your pictures of your travels, tablesettings, food and your beautiful garden. So much inspiration.
Thank you Kathleen for following! Blessings~
Oh my goodness…where do I begin?
Your blogs always bring such a blessing to my heart and soul as it always bring such a sweet memory of how the Lord brought our paths to cross – where else would I meet such a sweet sister in Christ except in the land of His earthly home – Israel! How else would I find such a godly friend that loves almost (!!) all the same things that I love! Your weekly blogs have inspired, encouraged & always awed me! I love them all!
Thank you for sharing so selflessly, and sharing with your knight in shiny armor!
Esther ?
Our meeting was not chance but God orchestrated. I love how He takes two strangers and blends their hearts together as sisters in Christ. Hugs and blessings~
Congratulations on you blog anniversary. It has always been beautiful while inspiring. The best thing of all is that I get to see your beautiful smile and your love for GOD each week also.
Brenda, thanks so much for following! Hugs and blessings~
Congrats to you on this anniversary! Lovely lovely pictures!
Thank you Carol!
How refreshing you are, Pam! I’ve enjoyed you on fb for some time, but just today and subscribing to your blog. I almost feel like I know you!
Thank you Martha for subscribing! Blessings my friend!
Pam, your zeal for life is expressed in the beauty you share through blogging… I thoroughly enjoy viewing the splendor of creation revealed in your gardening and travel photos, but what really fascinates me is your amazing tablescapes! They are both elegant and colorful displays. I love to look to the heart of your creativity and imagine the pleasure of fellowship you enjoy with family and friends in a glorious atmosphere. Thank you for sharing your gift for decorating for meaningful moments. You are an inspiration! Of course, the most beautiful sight to us grandmothers is our grand babies, and your little princess is adorable! It is a true pleasure to catch a glimpse of your everyday life. Congratulations on three years of blogging. God bless all your future endeavors! -Tina Marie
What sweet words, Tina Marie! It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for following my little journey! It has been so much fun! Blessings and hugs~
Congratulations on your blogiversary Pam! It is always fun to look back and see where you’ve been on your blogging journey. The sunset photo you captured of your garden takes my breath away and the photo of Ella Mae in your calico print dress and headband in the garden deserves a frame. โฅ
Mary, you are so kind! I have loved blogging for these three years!
Congrats Pam. Your blog is lovely with so many fresh ideas, whether it’s a gorgeous tablescape, your sweet garden and your warm hospitality. I have not being able to visit as much as I have wanted, due to helping my parents and also assisting bloggers with their everyday issues Thank you for sharing these wonderful posts with all of us.
Linda, I certainly hope your parents are doing better. I assist my sweet 86 year old Daddy!
Oh Pam, I’m so happy you have given us a chance to win Frank Stitt’s autographed book. I love his good food and will definitely be cooking using his recipes.. EVERYTIME you visit one of his famous restaurants I salivate looking at the pictures you post. Hope I win!
I wish I could have afforded a cookbook for everyone who entered! Thank you Alice…you are a blessing!
Pam, congratulations on your blog anniversary. I’ve been a follower since early on, and yes, I follow both Bonnie and Shirley, two very talented and special ladies. Thanks for sharing all the beauty and for hosting the garden party.
Sarah, thank you for your kind words!
Pam, Congrats of your blogiversary! I am so glad you ventured out(like most of us did when we first started)to share the beauty of your world with us! I am always inspired by your blog, even if I don’t leave many comments. I love it when it hits my inbox. Thanks so much for such a great giveaway.
May you have many more years of blogging.
Hugs,
Noreen
Noreen, thank you for your kind words! Hugs and blessings~
Your accomplishments are awesome! Thank you for sharing your talents. Love every post.
Thanks so much Beverly! Blessings~
Pam, congratulations to you for three years of producing an absolutely beautiful and inspiring blog. When we visit here, we see wonderful images, amazing gardens, foods to die for, and other things that make me want to do life just a little prettier. Your love for God and your faith shines through daily and you are reaching people in ways that you’ll never know. Keep up the great work!!
Stacey, thank you for your sweet and encouraging words. Blogging friends are the kindest!
Congrats on your three year anniversary of blogging. Clearly you and your hubby are dynamic together and your observations on life and God are so spot on. I so adore reading your blog each day and look forward to it too! I too adore Frank Stitt and his restaurants are on my bucket list this next year for sure!
Edith, I hope you can enjoy one of Frank Stitt’s restaurants! Thank you for you sweet comments and encouragement! Blessings and hugs ~
I love all your pictures. The pictures of churches speak to me the most. I was raised going to a small country church so seeing these bring back great memories. Love the pictures of your little granddaughter too.
Eleanor you are so kind with your comments! Blessings ~
Happy Anniversary Pam! Although I have not been following your blog since it’s conception, I am hooked on your Gardens Galore, and especially enjoy when you share pictures of your travel adventures, and of course your tablescapes. Having a beautiful garden and setting a pretty table are two of my most favorite things. Wish you continued success with your blog…..Jill
Jill, I love newcomers to the blog. Thank you for your very kind words! Blessings and hugs~
Wow, congrats on the milestone! It goes by fast doesn’t it? Love seeing pictures of your garden and your precious little one. I need to put out some hints to my kids, so I can have a little grand kid to spoil. Her sweet face!
Christine, our first grandchild is such a blessing! Thank you for your sweet comments! Hugs~
Happy anniversary on your adventure. I enjoy all of your lovely photos and reading what you are up to, and of course, your beautiful tablescapes!
Thanks so much, Chloe!
Hi Pam, congratulations to three years of blogging! You have achieved so much in this time. I love your tablescapes and I am happy that you started a garden blog party!
Please put me in the drawing for the book!
Warm regards,
Christina
Thanks so much for your sweet words Christina! Blessings and hugs~
Congratulations, Pam! Each one of your posts is charming, and filled with faith, family and fun, a perfect combination. I’ve been blogging forever, and I have to agree with you that blogging brings the best of friends to us in a way we never thought possible. Wishing you lots more years to share from your heart. Thank you so much for putting your heart and soul in every post. xo Lidy
Lidy, your comments are so encouraging! Thank you!
Happy Blogging Anniversary my friend. Congratulations on a beautiful and welcoming place to come and relax. Blessings,
Patti
Thank you sweet, Patti! Hugs and blessings~
Congratulations Pam!! Looking forward to the years to come.
Thank you Joy!
I have so enjoyed your travel and garden posts. Congrats on your blogging anniversary. Look forward to reading your future posts.
Thank you so much for your sweet comments Debra! Hugs and blessings!
A beautiful recap. Congratulations on your blogiversary!
Amalia
xo
Thank you Amalia!
This is a fabulous cookbook! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home. Enter me.
My pleasure, Sherry!
Congratulations on your blogaversary! You and your blog are inspirations to those of us just starting out. Thank you!
Wishing you much success with your blog, Susan! Blessings and hugs, Pam