December 30, 2009

2009 In Review: It’s All About You!

One of the most rewarding and gratifying things about writing Pigtown*Design is having the chance to meet new people, literally from all over the world. My family has always had a tradition of having friends, or friends of friends come stay with and it’s always an adventure to meet new people, because you never know where it will lead. I just think of the blog as a 21st century version of this.

In March, Chris, the editor of Easy & Elegant Life, and I got together to create April Food Day. With his background in advertising and mine in fundraising, we thought we could pool our talents and raise some money for and awareness about the issue of hunger in America. More than 150 blogs participated by writing a piece on their blog, adding the April Food Day logo and linking to Feeding America, so that people could make donations. We plan to make April Food Day an annual event.header1 copyI had the opportunity to meet a number of fellow bloggers in September at a lovely party given in honour of Eddie Ross and his partner, Jaithan Kochar, given my My Notting Hill, Michele Ginnerty. Among the guests were including Stefan of Architect Design, Thomas of My White Shirt, Scot of Domicidal Maniac, Janet of JCB, Beth of Style Redux AND Chinoiserie Chic, Jenn at Department of the Interior, Lauren at Pure Style Home, and Terri at Wind Lost who was here from Calgary, Canada. As much fun as the cocktail party was the trip to the Big DC Flea the next day, with Eddie and Jaithan showing us how to search for treasures.My Notting Hill Later in September and again in November, I met up with the Historic House Group to tour the historic Hampton Mansion, just outside of Baltimore and two historic houses in Philadelphia. Blogger JCB puts the schedule for these tours together and makes all of the arrangements, which is a tremendous thing to do! In addition to being an educational adventure, it’s also been tons of fun getting to know some of the DC bloggers.tres bloggersIn March, I learned to understand the true power of the blogs and who my friends were when many many of you leapt to my defense when some anon commenter made some very nasty remarks about a party I had attended. It all happened on a day when I was away from the computer and when I saw how many people had said such good things about me, I was humbled. (This is Mr. Big… he was my escort to the party!) Party 025 Of course, the most amazing thing this year was the overwhelming response to the video I posted a week or so ago. My friend, Joni from Cote de Texas posted it and a little story on her blog and we raised more than $5,000 in a week! This meant that the children where I work would have a great Christmas. It’s all a clear indication of the power of blogging and the internets. Joni In addition, this year I was able to meet Valorie from Visual Vamp who was here in Baltimore teaching tango lessons, Marnie from MRR Designs who was here looking at colleges for her daughter, Liz from The Felted Garden who was selling her beautiful felted scarves at the American Crafts Council fair and Alyssa from Coterie, who arrived bearing great books to donate to Book Thing. However,there are many fellow bloggers with whom I regularly communicate and whom I hope to meet in the coming year, including the hilarious and well-dressed Maxminimus, the easy and elegant gent from Easy & Elegant Life, the well-designed M21, the delightful Mrs. Blandings and many others!Mrs. BlandingsBut the very best thing about this whole blogging adventure is YOU! It is humbling to realize that so many people take the time out of their busy days to spend a little time reading Pigtown*Design, and take even more time to comment or send me an e-mail. There are not words enough to express how much this means to me, and how much it pleases me to know people are reading!

Thank you, as always, for reading Pigtown*Design!

18 comments:

  1. This year! I promise! Though we are, truly, friends already. Happy New Year.

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  2. Hey dear Meg, thanks for the mention! What a year. Hope to be part of your life in 2010 too! Keep up the great blogging and may all your dreams come true this year...

    xo Terri

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  3. meg - it has been wonderful getting to know you in blogland and then meeting you in Balto this past summer was great fun - who knew that this blog business would be so captivating - i have met so many like-minded folks... my world has opened up in so many ways... thanks for the peak into your world...looking forward to another year - all my best for health, peace and happiness in 2010. xo m
    ps I am going to wear the glass necklace today !!

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  4. What a fun look back. I don't know how I missed all the party controversy the first time around. What is it with all these snarky anon commenters? They're certainly stirred up again this week. Hope you have a wonderful new year, Meg.

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  5. Happy New Year!
    Here's to a New & fearless one!
    Leslie

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  6. One day we will have a bloggers convention/ gathering in a central spot Kansas City is! here is to 2010!

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  7. Meg,
    Happy New Year. Your blog is a daily read for me and, while I liked Baltimore to start with, I almost want to move there now!

    All best,
    Kathleen

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  8. Wow I can't believe I missed that whole nasty comment post drama but it's happened to all of us at one time or another.

    Glad we were able to meet in real life in 2009 and many thanks for introducing me to The Book Thing!

    Happy New Year xo

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  9. Meg - I just wanted to thank you for all of the wonderful posts this year. I always enjoy reading you. I grew up outside of Baltimore and your posts always remind me of all of the things that I love about Baltimore.

    Happy New Year.

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  10. Happy New Year Meg. I've been traveling, so didn't chime in on favorite posts, but I loved the ten castle post, as well as the post about the Obama train and many others. May you find a perfect castle for yourself soon.

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  11. I really enjoy your blog. I went to MICA many many years ago and fell in love with Baltimore and Bolton Hill - I loved the winter light and the colours of wet bricks, and the craziness of art school - so different from the sunny Bermuda I grew up in and returned to - though I have American cousins still in the Baltimore area and keep meaning to visit...

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  12. Wishing you and Connor great adventures in the new year and decade ahead. I think evil anon commenters should be put outed and paraded for all to know who these slime bags are.

    By the way, nice comments you made in Joni's defense on the flapdoddle from hell.

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  13. Meg- Happy New Year & I'm so glad we got the chance to meet this year!! Next time we'll need more time & I'm looking forward to it! :)

    A big hug to you & enjoy tonight.

    xoxo,
    lauren

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  14. Thanks so much Meg for that. I have to thank the readers who really felt a connection to kids who wish for pencils and paper - things we so take for granted. I think everyone was so shocked that this kind of depravity exists in the greatest country in the world. I'm so glad to be able to help just a tiny bit.
    Happy new years my friend and thanks for the card - that is just the cutest picture of you and connor!!!!

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  15. it was wonderful meeting you back when i lived in B'more. what a great local blogging community you've got over there!

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  16. Meg, the pleasure has been all mine. Ain't it something? Glad to have gotten to know you, if only virtually.

    What a year we have ahead of us!

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