1 Year Blogaversary Party

**This giveaway is now closed.**

It's finally officially my Blogaversary!!! Woo Hoo!!! Welcome! Let the party begin!

What a yummy button (created just for me by Sarah at Real Life)! Doesn't that cake look delicious? Go ahead, get a big slice. You know I won't start without dessert!
And you better have some ice cream with it.

Don't worry if your mouth is full of frosting and ice cream right now - I'll do all the talking. :)

I am so excited to be here celebrating 1 year of blogging! In the blogosphere, that does seem to be an accomplishment. I do feel like I have come a long way since I started and have learned so much.

It was over a year ago when I was searching for a recipe online (it actually was the Cake-in-a-Cup recipe Sarah!) and found the blog Real Life. I loved reading Sarah's testimony. I felt we had a lot in common and that she was able to share her struggles and be encouraging at the same time. I was so glad that the Lord led me to her! I read her blog daily for a while and then really felt a pull to start blogging myself, whether anybody read it or not. I looked up resources and tips on Real Life for starting a blog. I headed over to Blogger and went for it!

Sarah was sweet enough to encourage me, comment on my blog, and answer my questions. Thanks Sarah! If you enjoy my blog, I would love for you to stop over at Real Life and thank her for inspiring me!

When I started my blog, I had already decided to post Monday thru Friday and knew some of the subjects I wanted to talk about. In the first week of blogging I wanted to know if anybody was out there, posted my first Chocolate Friday, talked about my son's ER visit, had my first Tea for Two-sday, and showed our silly Basset hound Buster.

My posts have ranged from silly ones like blogger confessions, or a newspaper clipping, to TMI posts like ugly aging and toilet seat covers, to serious posts about my mom, my son, my Step-mom and my sister. I have posted about tea rooms and teacup tales. I posted about chocolate on Fridays, often with recipes like Frozen Chocolate Mousse or Christmas Mocha Balls.

You can find out more about me by looking at 100 things, my article for The Sampler, and my Ultimate Blog Party post.

Thank you to all of my readers - those who comment and those who don't! Some of you have even become very special friends! It has been a blessing to watch the growth of this little chocolatey blog. I hope you'll join me in the journey through another year of blogging!

I know, I know - getting long here!

OK, OK - you don't have to yell - you want to know about the prizes!! LOL!

First, take a look at the Prize Preview from yesterday. It explains the prizes in detail and shows pics of all! Then stop drooling. I'll list them again for you and then I'll tell you how this will work.

#1 - Chocolate apron from An Occasional Chocolate *Won by Kim!
#2 - File folder set from Misty Kristy Designs *Won by Muthering Heights!
#3 - 1/2 pound whole bean Chocolate Raspberry Coffee from Javateas *Won by Ginger!
#4 - Charm necklace (under $10) from RJ Charms *Won by Lori Ann!
#5 - Sassy & Sophisticated Christian Journal from DaySpring *Won by Charlotte!
#6 - Starbucks Caffe Mocha Truffles from me *Won by Jen T!
#7 - Homemade Biscotti from me *Won by Mary Snyder!
**#8 - Harry & David Mondo Mint Creme Maltballs from me** *Won by @WayMoreHomemade!

Prizes will be awarded to random commenters from Thursday thru Monday 4/13. A first winner will be announced Friday morning, with daily winners after that. Final winners will be announced on Tuesday 4/14. Your comment entries count toward all prizes except **#8, which is a Twitter prize. **You must be on Twitter following me @stop4chocolate in order to receive entry instructions for prize #8!

Winners will be announced here and notified by e-mail so please make sure I have contact info for you in your comments. Winners who don't respond in 4 days will forfeit their prize and new winners will be drawn.

How to enter: Comment on this post!
How to get extra entries:
- Put my Blogaversary button on your blog or facebook
- Promote the party with a blog post, a tweet on twitter, a facebook message, e-mail, etc.
- Suscribe to my blog through a feed reader or e-mail (or tell me if you already do)
- Comment on each post now through Monday

For each extra thing you do, please leave a separate comment as your extra entry.

It's getting late as I'm writing so hopefully I haven't confused you!

~ Blogaversary Party Favors ~

* Free Shipping on any purchase over $10 at RJ Charms; use code "Chocolate"

* 20% discount on entire purchase at DaySpring; use code "SPRING09"

* I have modified your computer keyboard for you (You're welcome):

* And a chocolate bar just for you!

I hope you enjoyed the party! Thanks for coming. Bring back some friends - the more the merrier!

And come back tomorrow for a look back at the year of Chocolate Fridays and your chance to link up your own chocolate posts!