Happy Birthday to my blog! + 7 links, ProBlogger style
('scuse the poor quality of this picture...it's the only 2-candle birthday picture I have! But please do enjoy the cuteness that is a 2-year old Zoe.)
Somehow, I sort of let my blog's birthday slip by, but The Frugal Girl was born over at WordPress.com on July 3rd, 2008. 754 posts, 11,976 comments, and 1,320,000 hits later, it's now over 2 years old. Goodness. It doesn't seem like I've been blogging for that long!
I'm grateful for you, my dear readers, who help make this site what it is. Except for the rare rotten apple that stops by, you are a group of encouraging, helpful people, and I'm so thankful for that (especially when I see the tough audiences that some other bloggers have!).
So, thanks for reading, commenting, and sharing my blog with others. Mwah!
Now, that would be sort of short for a post, so I thought I'd add something else. Darren from Problogger invited all of us to join him in posting 7 links from our own sites, and though I don't usually do this sort of thing, I thought it might be fun to participate!
1. Your first post
The first post I ever wrote on The Frugal Girl was about refashioning some khaki pants into skirts...one for me, and one for Lisey. The actual date on this post is now April of 2009 because I had to republish it after moving to a self-hosted blog (somehow in the move, the pictures had gotten lost).
2. A post you enjoyed writing the most
That's hard to say! I have fun writing almost all of the posts I share here, but I'd probably say that I enjoy doing photo-heavy posts the most, especially posts where I just share a little peek into our lives, like How We Picnic, or the tour of my backyard.
3. A post which had a great discussion
My Why I Don't Think Having 4 Kids is Un-Green post had a 160-comment lively discussion going. I think the second most-discussed post is the one I wrote about why I don't shop at Wal-Mart.
4. A post on someone else's blog that you wish you'd written
I'm going to go with The NonConsumer Advocate's Love Letter to Tap Water. I don't talk about it a lot, but I think bottled water is an enormous and unnecessary waste of resources and money for all but a small portion of the population. Buy a Klean Kanteen 
and a Brita filter...your wallet and the earth will thank you. 🙂
5. A post with a title that you are proud of
I don't know. I don't think I'm particularly fabulous at writing catchy post titles here (I'm more pleased with some of the titles I've put on some 365 posts, which is odd, because often they're only one word!).
I suppose I'd go with Oh Kleenex! I am disappointed in you. if I had to choose one from this blog.
6. A post that you wish more people had read
I really can't think of a post that fits this criteria...to be honest, I rarely have high expectations for my blog readership, and I'm just happy that anyone reads what I post!
But if you asked me which post I hope that people will read, I'd probably offer up It Doesn't Have To Be Perfect To Bless Other People, My Thoughts on Mothering and Wifing, and my post about why I don't think you have to make yogurt.
These posts are more theoretical than practical (which is sort of unusual for me!), but I like that they represent some of the thoughts and ideas that make this blog (and me) tick.
7. Your most visited post ever
When I posted my recipe for Ice Cream Crunch Cake, I never in a million years expected that it would become my most popular post ever, but it has! Close behind that is my How To Paint Wooden Furniture tutorial, which is more the type of post I thought would win the most popular award.
Now I'm curious to know something...what is your favorite type of post to read? Do you like baking posts? Picture posts? Sewing posts? Photography posts? What-Makes-Me-Tick posts? And if you care to share, I'd love to know which Frugal Girl post has been your favorite so far.
Baking is first for me. I always use your post from Wednesday to bake that/something similar on the weekends. It helps to build my confidence.
Better than any cookbook, to me.
Second is the looks/peeks/photos into your life. You are so humble, and down to earth, and just....real. I love to see I'm not the only one with a messy bathroom, or that my kids argue.
Keep up the blessings. They are much appreciated.
Happy Blog Birthday! 🙂
Your blog is the first thing I read in the morning, and look foward to it!
I would have to say, your wednesday baking. (have made the bannana chocolate chip muffins (where a big hit) would like to try some others one day.
And Your painting of furniture! I know just were to go, when I finally find the piece I am looking for my new living room end table. (had found one a few months back, and hemed and hawed about it, and of course when I went back it was gone!)
Happy anniversary! Here is to 2 more years and many more!!!
I like all of your blog posts, but I think my favorite is the one for pull apart garlic bread! My kids' favorite is the one for cinnamon twists, but they love the garlic bread, too!:P
I loved your post titled "It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Bless Other People". It was so heartwarming and encouraging.
Happy BIrthday Frugal Girl Blog! So glad I found you.
I love, love, love your baking posts. I'm quite a confident baker but I find the pictures inspire me to do it! My husband and children appreciate them too!
Your blog (with my cup of creamer with a splash of coffee:) is the first thing I read when I get to work in the morning, even before my office emails...ssssshhhh don't tell anyone! My favorite is Wednesday Baking with the French Bread being mine and my families favorite so far, but I am guessing the English Muffins are going to skyrocket to the top after I make them. I love your blog and because of it I started a bread/muffin/dessert binder for recipe's since we have loved all of them that I have made from your blog. Thanks for adding a little sunshine to my morning. Keep up the great work and topics.
I like all your posts. 🙂 I must have been reading your blog from near the time it started then...
I probably like Wednesday baking most, and any other recipes you post, just because I like food. 🙂
Happy Blogiversary! Keep it up! I'm amazed how you find the time to post every day, especially with the kids. Thanks for providing us with so much entertainment and useful information.
Happy 2nd birthday!
I particularly enjoy posts that chronicle your days. I doubt I am alone is being amazed how much you're able to accomplish as a daily blogger, (of two blogs!) and moter of four small children.
Thanks for the link.
-Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without"
I agree! I love the ones where you show us what goes on in your life. It just inspires me to get off my booty and get something done!
Baking and then sewing. Then I love reading about your daily life, like the what you did today posts and the snapshots of picnics and going to the library, etc. I love seeing your family enjoying life and hearing your philosophy about it. 🙂
Happy bloggy birthday!
I'm the oddball here--since I rarely bake. I, too, read your blog first thing in the morning with my coffee when I arrive at work 🙂 My favorite posts are the ones where you share your life...love those! I also like the ones where you post about how to do other types of things frugally...for example, your hanging baskets, and how to vacation on a budget. I would love to see more ideas for having fun on a budget. Thanks for all you do!
I would also love to see more holiday ideas on a budget 🙂
Oh, and I loved your frugal greeting cards. More stuff like that, please! Okay, I'll stop now. 😉
My favorite was one of your Q&A's last fall when you answered my question about being frugal when having a baby so I could be a Stay at Home Mom! You and all of the readers offered some really great advice. Thankfully I was able to nurse so the formula tips didn't do much for me but they could have helped someone else. Thanks for posting my question! 🙂
I come to your site every day and I usually don't leave a comment but I love all your posts. Thanks for sharing a little bit of your life with us.
Happy Blog Birthday!
I look forward to starting my day by reading your blog!
Thanks!
Happy Blog Birthday. I've been reading your stuff for a long (pre-blog) time and I think my favorite stuff is when you upcycle something. I like the creativity and it inspires me to look at stuff in a different way.
It was your "How to paint wooden furniture" blog that lead me to find you in the first place. I had a piece of furniture that I wanted to paint, but I wanted to do it right. Ever since I have been hooked. I love the new receipes from Wednesday baking, but I also enjoy the other savings, budget, and reuse ideas. I agreed with the Kleenex post so much, I e-mailed it to all my friends. 🙂 I admire you and all that you accomplish, that is probably what brings me back here every day. Happy Birthday Blog and hopefully many more. Thanks for sharing with us.
Happy Blog Birthday!
Favorite post: How Second-Hand Items Help Me Be More Gracious. Genuinely insightful and a great message to share.
Congrats on 2 years! Happy Birthday to your blog. I really enjoy reading about what you find at second hand stores (it also makes me wish we lived in a not so rural area - the thrift store here looks like it's out of the 70's or 80's with the stuff they carry. Before we moved here we had some great ones though!)
I absolutely LOVE your Q&A posts! I'm not sure why, really, they just fascinate me. Probably because you're normally talking about things you don't think to post about, which is why people ask the questions!
I also like the baking posts. I made your cheesy bread twists the other night and they were a HUGE hit! In fact I had another request for them to be made this weekend when we have guests!
Happy Blog Birthday!
I guess I've been reading for awhile also. Its hard to remember how long, but I remember seeing your skirt. I came over from some other blog that you left a comment on about food waste. Which is a good lesson for other bloggers who want to get more traffic. I've looked at lots of other blogs this way(I enjoy the comments) and don't stick with very many of them. Yours I've been happy with and even though we live very different lives I enjoy all of your post.
Congratulations!
Hooray for you! To do something consistently, and well, for seven years is to be celebrated!!!
My favorite types of posts to read are the ones in which you show how to do something, such as how to paint furniture (someday I hope to find a piece worthy, and then I'll hurry to find your post!) or turn pants into a skirt (I gave it to my mom who made a cute denim skirt for my daughter). I also enjoy your baking posts (love, love, love that cinnamon roll-up bread and have made many loaves to give as gifts). I don't love your Food Waste Friday posts because I always feel convicted, but they ARE making me more aware of what I throw out, and I think I'm wasting less because of you.
I also love your commitment to God and to your family, and your love for your husband, which permeate so many of your posts, even when you don't actually state it word for word.
Oh--I've started to take photos without the flash thanks to you! Before I started subscribing to your blog, I didn't even know how to turn off the flash. 🙂
These may not be big, earth-shattering things, but even in these small ways you have made my life better. Thank you.
Im fairly new to your blog so I loved this post! It was great to see lots of posts refferenced that came before I was following..thanks!
Happy Blog Birthday! I just started following your blog a couple months ago. As a new mom I appreciate it so much. All the tips and ideas are great, especially when I feel overwhelmed and our budget is stretched.
My favorite blogs are the ones where we get a peek into your family life. I love hearing about your ideas for raising kids, how you do homeschooling, traditions you have, and how to keep the kids entertained without spending money! Everything you post is fun to read, but those are my favs.
I enjoy your philosophical/discussion posts the most, I think. I enjoy seeing all the different comments that people have. However, I really like your ideas for happy, frugal living as well. The recipes with photos are inspiring!
Congratulations!
I remember finding your blog a looooong time ago and fell in love with it because of your posts on transforming the sleeves on a dress you bought at Old Navy on clearance, your compost bins, and your painting tutorial. I remember telling my husband, "Check this out! I really like this blog- she sews and has a great idea for composting that I want to try!"
Thanks for keeping it up, you inspire and bless me daily 🙂
Hippo Birdies Two Ewes! (Credit to Sandra Boynton)
I like the "day in the life" and other peeks into your life, possibly because they're relatively rare. I like Food Waste Friday, dunno why. I like some of the how-tos and not others - correlates highly with what I am and am not interesting in doing. It seems I'm an oddball too because the posts I'm least interested in is Wednesday Baking and photography. Curiously these are for opposite reasons - I know enough about baking that all I need is a recipe, whereas I have so little interest in practicing photography that I'm not even going to get started.
I most admire You Don't Have to Make Yogurt because it exemplies not just that your way may not be our way, but how well you convey that in writing. Truly admirable.
What a great title for your blog today cause today is my birthday!!!
ive been following your blog for well over a year now and love it.
thanks for all the work you do on it.
~A loyal Fan 🙂
Happy Birthday and what a wonderful blog it is. I might just have a go at one of these posts myself; it was fun to read!
And of course, I love reading about ways in which you combine frugality with reducing waste, so I love your food waste friday posts.
My favourite post was the one when you interviewed your husband. I love reading our significant other's views 🙂
Happy Blog Birthday!
I really enjoy the baking posts. I am not much of a cooker, but get excited to see what could be possible if I could find the time to devote to the kitchen and oven. My husaband and I (+1 baby) have a long way to go to really become frugal, but I love the ideas you offer!
Congrats!! I have been out of town and missed reading your blog every morning -- it was too fun to come back and scroll back through a couple weeks of posts. Browsing back through your highlighted 7 posts just reminded me of why i read here -- you're a fabulous writer! And you ping pong delightfully from frugal to aesthetic to funny to philosophical without missing a beat. Your responses to the "Why having 4 kids is okay" post were a lesson in gracious counterpoint.
I really enjoy all the posts -- the variety is compelling. And the great pictures! Bravo and cheers!
Congratulations on TWO years, may you continue for years to come.
I like your How to posts, how to use picasa, how to refinish furniture, sewing how tos, anything about repurposing or great finds at the thrift store.
Linda
Oh, let's see ... favorite past posts... the yogurt making (you are SO RIGHT that whole milk makes better yogurt, we make it now about once a month at our house), the wooden furniture redoing, the donut "holes", the daily chronicles (it's so nice to know I'm not the only one going to bed early to wake up really early), the grocery ones..
My favorites are the daily chronicles and the grocery pictures and lists. Especially with stuffed animals.
I really enjoy the baking posts! I had never made bread until I read your blog. I've been following your blog since the 700 Club and I really enjoy it! You've been very inspiring. Thanks for sharing your life w/ us...
I am just settling in to gleaning all I can from your website. I love it! Our lives seem very similar. I am 32, mother of 4, wife to one. And I too serve and love Jesus. =) I'm a StayAHM, love to take pictures and I'm wanting to start blogging for a little additional income, but don't know where to start. I have a blog already but it is mostly for my local scrapbooking ladies. I just started some ING accts because of you too.
I would say my favorite part of your blog is the realness of it all. I love that you are frugally minded. We kind of have to be with 4 kids. I love that you are disciplined. Something I am trying to do myself....with much agony. And I love that you are a do-er. Reinventing furniture with a little paint instead of breaking the budget to buy something new.
Thanks for blogging. I'm learning alot. Not sure if I can do the getting up at 4:45 though....I'm more of a night owl, not morning dove. =)