Happy 2nd Birthday to the Blog!

Today marks the second anniversary since my first blog post. I've come a long way since that first post. I remember the anxiety I felt with hitting the publish button.  I've relaxed a little since then and I hope it has come across that way in my posts. When I set out to create this blog I had fears about no one wanting to read it. Now I'm humbled by the fact that I get readers and comments from all over the world! I've made connections with people from all over and other bloggers have even asked me to be a feature on their blog. How humbling is that! 

It's my hope that the blog will continue to succeed and I'm excited to see where the next year will take us and the connections Adam and I will make!

Some things I've learned along the way include:

1. Don't obsess over grammar. Yes, it's important, but no one is going to call you out for missing a comma in your post. (I probably have poor comma placement in just this sentence alone!)

2. Write from the heart. The posts that come from the heart and are filled with emotion are the ones I love writing the most. These posts are usually the ones your readers enjoy the most too. 

3. If you're thinking about starting a blog, just do it! I can honesty say I have no regrets about creating this blog. 

4. Don't worry if you can't write a post regularly. People get busy, readers understand this and they are reading your blog for a reason, so they'll be there when you do post something. 

5. If you're feeling lost and overwhelmed seek out advice from other experienced bloggers.  They are more than willing to share their experiences and help you get started. 

I've received great advice from Crystal Young of Crystal Cattle, Brandi Buzzard of Buzzard's Beat, and Judi Graff of FARMnWIFE.

Now for the stats since the inauguration of Born to Pharm. 

Adam and I have published 63 posts since we began the blog. It's been fun to come up with titles for posts and documenting what's taking place on the farm and in pharmacy school. 

The top five posts for the blog have been: 

1. Crock-Pot Honey Apple Cinnamon Pork Loin 2,163 views 

2. Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Farmer Dad- 2,100 views

3. The Truth About Being a Farm Wife- 1,391 views

4. Incorporating Agriculture in to Our Wedding - 919 views 

5. Building A New Cattle Corral- 638 views 

Where are the Born to Pharm readers coming from? 

Top ten countries: 

1. United States 

2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. Russia
5. Australia
6. Germany
7. India
8. France
9. Ireland
10. Spain

Thank you to everyone who has provided Adam and I with encouragement on this journey of starting and sticking with a blog. We've enjoyed meeting new people through the blogosphere and connecting with other farmers, ranchers, farm wives, pharmacy students, and pharmacists along the way. 

Now for the best part of a Birthday......ice cream cake!! Even though that is the best part of a birthday celebration it would be logistically impossible to give all of you ice cream cake. Bummer!

Instead of ice cream cake I'll settle for the next best thing about a birthday and that's presents!  In honor of the blog's birthday I've decided to do a giveaway. I've partnered with Lindsay Seichepine from Dally Designs for this giveaway. Lindsay is amazingly talented at creating rustic, country-themed home decor and all of her merchandise can be found on her Facebook page, Dally Designs. She specializes in making bowls, vases, baskets, trivets, and customized wall decor out of used team roping ropes.

Check out the pictures below to see some of Lindsay's works of art! 

Beautiful pieces with the prices listed. I really have to exhibit some
self control when I go in Lindsay's store, I want them all!

Some of Lindsay's customized pieces. 

I'm hoping to have a wreath like this on my front door for next fall!

A rope vase I have in my house from Dally Designs.

I'm using Rafflecopter for the giveaway.   You can be entered in the drawing for each item you complete by following the instructions below. The winner will be announced on February 4th!

Good luck and thank you for your loyal readership! Ready, Set, Go!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway