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Thanks, without you…

On the morning of my 2nd Blogaversary (Nov 19th) I received a surprise email. I was thrilled that BBC Countryfile Magazine had chosen shirls gardenwatch as their ‘Blog of the Month’ for their January issue. They asked if I could supply 3-4 photos from my garden specifically Blackbirds and Robins. I was delighted to be asked for the Robin as it was through this bird that my Blog began.

Equally the Blackbirds are so much a part of my garden watching that a photo of them would be appropriate too. I had no idea which photo would be used or what they would write. I knew it would be a small piece after seeing the piece on my Blogging friend Jane at Urban Extension in their December issue. I also knew the issue would be out this week! I kept going into newsagents to see if it was out… yesterday I picked up a copy!


Thank-you BBC Countryfile for choosing my Blog – the timing of your email was brilliant and this has been a fantastic start for year three. I was particularly thrilled that you mentioned how my Blog began. If you click on the image above you can what they said.

My very warm thanks across the sea must go to my friend in Australia for without her I would never have considered Blogging at all. I knew nothing about it. In fact it was my husband (a regular reader of Blogs) that introduced me to them as a means of sending videos to her. So… a huge hug goes to him too – especially for all the background tech support he timelessly gives me!

However the BIGGEST thanks must go to all those who read my Blog, take time to send emails and leave comments. Without a shadow of a doubt it is YOU that keeps me posting and wanting to learn more about plants, the birds and wildlife both in my garden and outside of it too. I love to hear and share garden stories with you all. Your feedback really does help the direction my Blog has taken so in a way you are all sharing in it with me.

Finally for those, like me I must be honest, that are unfamiliar with BBC Countryfile Magazine it is well worth taking a look at. You can also browse their current issue online or pick up a magazine at a Newsagents. It is issued monthly around the 19th of the month. This magazine has a wonderful mix of info, links and articles – I’m not just saying this now! There are maps and details of walks too and this month mentions the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch for 2009 – it is on during Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of January. Mm… I’ll not say anymore and spoil this issue for you.

My thanks go to you all! Not forgetting the Robins and all other birds and wildlife that visits my garden of course!

The first image above was scanned from the January issue of BBC Countryfile Magazine. The smaller image is the front cover of this issue taken as a screen grab from their website.

27 thoughts on “Thanks, without you…

  1. Happy Blogaversary Shirl. What a crowning achievement to have your blog recognized by a prominant magazine. It is wonderful to see it in print. You are most deserving of this attention.

  2. Shirley – and very very well deserved it is too. I always enjoy reading your posts and listening to your commentaries on your videos.

    Congratulations – I so very pleased for you. 😀

  3. Hi again Lisa, Zoë, Gail, Tricia, PG, Helen, Moo and garden girl 🙂

    Lisa – Thank-you, yes it was back in November – I’ve added that into my posting now. Thank-you, I really am thrilled – it was such a surprise. I had no idea magazines did this. Yes, it was wonderful to see it in print and as I knew people like yourself, outside the UK, would never see it I thought I’d add it here. Thank-you you are too kind 😀

    Zoë – Thank-you! I really was well chuffed and smiled all day after receiving my initial email 😀

    Gail – Thank-you! It certainly gives a different spin on blogs when a magazine acknowledges them like this. I am thrilled that they do – there are so many blogs out there!

    Tricia – Thank-you, I really am flattered that you and others think my blog worthy. I am also delighted to hear that you enjoy hearing me on my videos – I’ve always been a bit unsure on how they would go down. Thanks, and I was pleased to hear that your blog reached one today – Congratulations you too 😀

    PG – Thank-you, it was a wonderful surprise especially when I was unable to blog much that week. I still can’t believe I have been blogging for two years 😀

    Helen – It is – I’ve been popping into newsagent all week to see if it was out! Quite exciting 😀

    Moo – Thank-you, wow… you have really made me smile! What a lovely thought 😀

    garden girl – Thank-you! I have very much appreciated all the comments you have made throughout the last couple of years. You have been very generous 😀

  4. Brilliant Shirl and a well deserved accolade. Have a great Xmas and if you can, I’m trying to get blogers to post their Xmas sightings on the 3/4th Jan – just a bit of fun, have a look at my latest posting, spread the word.

  5. Hi again Liz and Susan 🙂

    Liz – Thank-you, it has been a great end to the year 😀

    Susan – It is and I am thrilled – but not just for my Blog. I am thrilled that Blogs are being promoted in Magazines! As we both know there so many with info on birds and wildlife in the garden. Ultimately, the birds and wildlife will benefit from more Blog exposure with is what many of us would love to see 😀

  6. Hi again Border:-)

    Thank-you! Wishing you and yours a great Christmas too and all the best for 2009 😀

    Yes, I spotted your Challenge posting – a great idea. Mm… that is a particularly busy weekend for us this here. I will see what I can do 😀

  7. From one Blog of the Month to another, well done Shirl! Hope to see and read loads more next year. I’m looking forward to 2009. Jane x

  8. Up at 6am catching up with blogs…and what do I find? …that you have been mentioned in BBC’s Countryfile Magazine!

    Congratulations, Shirl! I can’t think of a more worthy winner 🙂

    Congratulations on your second blog birthday too 🙂

    Those busy bees who are, in themselves, a veritable hive of activity, deserve all the honey 🙂

    WELL DONE! I must be only one of your MANY happy readers to hear such good news. I am so thrilled for you 🙂

  9. Hi Shirl – happy blogaversary 🙂

    And congratulations on the Countryfile magazine profile – very well deserved and how exciting!

  10. Hi there Karen, Jane, easygardener, Wildlife Gardener and VP 🙂

    Karen – It was, it really was… thank-you 😀

    Jane – Thank-you, I still am surprised I followed your footsteps. You are a true wildlife enthusiast – I am just a beginner for sure! I look forward to reading what you get up to in the next year. You’ve done radio a few times now – television next? Happy holidays and all the best for 2009 😀

    easygardener – Thank-you, I really got quite a surprise that day – a lovely one though 😀

    Wildlife Gardener – An early bird then 😉 Hope you had a great time in Paris! Thank-you… what a generous comment. I am touched 🙂 I was thrilled, as was my OH and daughters. Happy Holidays to you and all those you hold dear. All the best for 2009 😀

    VP – Thank-you, I can’t believe it has been over two years now and I am still enjoying posting! Thanks, the magazine news came out of the blue! I had no idea about it at all at the time. It was exciting especially last week waiting to see what they wrote when it came out 😀

  11. Congratulations!

    It’s wonderful to be recognized for doing well, especially when the approbation comes unlooked for.

    Well done indeed!

  12. Hi again Nancy and James 🙂

    Nancy – Thank-you! It is great to get feedback – especially like this. I was delighted. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2009 😀

    James – Thank-you, I appreciate that 😀 Wishing you Happy Holidays and many happy garden moments in 2009 😀

  13. Hi Shirley,

    Glad you were happy with the mention in the mag!

    We’re always on the look out for new blogs so it’ll be great if you could remind your readers to nominate their own (or someone else’s) blog for Blog of the Month.

    They can email me at editor@bbccountryfile.com

    All the best,

    Cavan Scott
    Editor – Countryfile Magazine

  14. Hi there Cavan:-)

    Thank-you, yes, I was thrilled!

    Funnily enough I did spot your email in the piece and I hoped people would see it if they clicked on the image. I will now add your email to my sidebar below the image of your magazine and promote your request in a future posting.

    Thanks, all the best to you to 😀

  15. Hi again Barbara 🙂

    Thank-you! I still cannot believe I am still blogging regularly and still with enthusiasm after two years!

    I also cannot believe the timing of the email from this magazine – the day of my 2nd Blogaversay. What a surprise that was. You can see in the comment from the editor above that the magazine is encouraging nominations – even for your own blog. I knew nothing at all about this until I saw a post on a fellow blogger’s site the month before. I didn’t nominate my own and I wonder now if someone perhaps did or browsing led the magazine here.

    Looking forward to another year blogging. I wonder if you’ll be visiting Scotland again this year 😀

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