Wow. It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I started this blog as a part of a New-Year’s Resolution. As I writer, I had read blogs by other writers and friends, but none of them were design or decorating blogs. I had never seen a blog dedicated to houses. The blogs I was familiar with didn’t even use many photos. In other words, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. No idea what I was doing. And no idea that anyone would ever read what I wrote.
I write for a living. I simply wanted to find a way to write about something “fun” now and then. Something that really interested me, rather than something I was assigned to research and write about.
It’s amazing what a difference a year can make. I ran across a journal entry from last January that said, “20 people visited my blog today. Where did they all come from?!” If I had known how many of you would be here with me a year later, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. It still boggles my mind when I see the stats at the end of the day.
Blogging is like performing live–if you’re lucky, you get immediate responses to whatever you write, and you can “see” your audience. I can’t believe how many amazing friends I’ve made as a result. And I appreciate every single one of you!
Some of you have been with me practically since Day One and you probably feel like you know everything about me and my blog already. But today I thought I’d open the comments up for questions. I get lots of e-mails with questions from readers every day, so I thought some of you might have the same ones that you want answered. Anything you want to know about me or blogging in general? Ask away!
If I get enough questions in the comments, I’ll do a post next week with some of the answers. If I don’t, I’ll assume I’m enough of an open book already!
Finally, I just want to say thanks to everyone who links to me in their blogroll, faves me on Technorati, follows me on Twitter, befriends me on Facebook, adds my blog to their list of favorites on Facebook, Stumbles my posts, subscribes to my RSS feed, and joins our discussions in the comments every day. You guys are the best readers in the blogosphere!
Come back tomorrow for another Hooked on Fridays blog party. What are you hooked on this week?
Happy birthday, Hooked on Houses! Congrats on an extremely successful year, Julia. I look forward to many more to come.
Emily@remodelingthislife’s last blog post..Link Love: Baby, It’s Cold Outside Edition
Well, Happy Birthday, dear Julia’s blog! Mine is going on 2 years old now & it’s just flown by. I’ve so much enjoyed getting to know you this past year.
Rhoda’s last blog post..The black architectural piece has landed
Happy BLOG Birthday!!!!
I too have enjoyed getting to know you Julia and look forward to what this year will bring!!
~Tidymom
Tidymom’s last blog post..My new {Chunky} Highlights!!
Yay! Congratulations on two years! Even though I’m a fairly recent follower, your blog became a favorite immediately. Thanks for your wonderful posts and your “blog love” as I have gotten started. It’s been so appreciated!
bungalow_bliss’s last blog post..Swing Set
Happy blog birthday!! Have a cupcake or 2!! Thanks for all the great posts!
i’ll ask a question: how long do you spend per day on the blog?
happy birthday!
maya | springtree road’s last blog post..Piloncillo
Happy Blog Birthday!!
Congratulations! What a great year it’s been.
Happy Birthday…and congratulations, Julia!
Blog-world is a fun place to be, isn’t It?!
I adore the pink/white bedroom in the previous post…dreamy!
I do have a question…as an aspiring writer, knowing not much about the process,what advice do you have for someone like myself who is having difficulty developing a process/way to organize info and pics, and tapping into the “zone” of getting it all out?
Thank you for your inspiration…and have a beautiful day!
Kathleen
Kathleen Ellis’s last blog post..Thank You…for your sweetness and awards!
Happy Blog Birthday…it is quite a blog indeed!
michelle’s last blog post..Mrs. Robinson Goes to Washington
Happy Birthday! What a tremendous job you have done in writing and promoting your blog. Kudos to you and your hard work.
My question: How do you structure your time for posting, twittering, stumbling and facebooking AND still balance everyday homemaking and mothering duties??? I feel like in this regard I’ve been given a huge swirly. My head is still spinning!
PrettyOrganizer’s last blog post..Don’t Fear the Wallpaper (Projects part 2)
Julia!
Happy Blog Birthday! Your blog and I share the same birthday.
Thanks for all the time you spend putting this great site together and sharing it with everyone.
Congrats on a job well done.
Janet
Janet’s last blog post..Custom Lamp Shades
Congrats, Julia! I’m not sure when I started reading your blog but it’s been quite a while now. It’s so cool when a little idea becomes this huge thing that changes your life. Kudos to you, sweetie!
Amy’s last blog post..Of Bunkbeds and Ice Formations
Great question, Janet! I’d also be curious about how you promoted your blog. I would think patience was important at the onset, as well as spreading the love with other bloggers and joining networks (i.e., houseblogs.net). Would you have any other suggestions or secrets for upping readership that you’d be willing to share?
bungalow_bliss’s last blog post..Swing Set
Thanks for all the lovely congrats! I appreciate it.
These are some good questions. You guys have got me thinking! Anything else you want to know? -Julia
Julia, yours was one of the first blogs I became familiar with when I started blogging last summer. I feel like you were a friend from the start, and I appreciate your warm reception. You’re on Facebook? I’ll be happy to add you as a friend there, as well. Happy Birthday!
My question is also about promotion…, what were the things you did to get your blog out there? And I’m also curious about what kind of programs you use for blog statistics. Thank you so much!
Maya@Completely-Coastal’s last blog post..Coastal Photographs by Celia Pearson
Congratulations, Julia! You found a great niche, and you’re good at it…and we enjoy it!
Holly’s last blog post..Opinions Needed
Congratulations! I just found your blog in the last month or so, and I love it.
My question has already been asked, but I’ll ask it again, just to be sure. What program or site do you use to find out your statistics? I’m looking for one so that way I can track what people are reading, how many people are reading but not subscribed, etc. Thanks!
Amber Filkins @ {ae filkins}’s last blog post..Writers Workshop: A Prompt & Getting to know me
Happy blogday to you! Wow…can you believe a year?! I started mine (both my blog, and my bog addiction) in April…And often think of what I did with all those free hours before I became hooked on blogs!
Yours has always been one of my “must visits” and like a fine wine has just gotten better with time. So I raise a glass to toast you! And in keeping with the theme of your blog, it will be a baccarat crystal glass housed in a room designed by Kelly Wearstler. 
laura @ the shore house’s last blog post..Welcome to The Napoleon Room
Happy blogoversary!
I’ve loved reading your blog and finding someone who shares my interest in decorating and houses. I’m looking forward to another fun year of peeking into famous and not-so-famous houses with you.
Daisy
daisy’s last blog post..party, party, party
Julia, Happy Blogiversary! Your following is phenomenal and there is no question as to why. You are a beautiful lady with wonderful things to share. I never miss it since I found you. Thanks so much!
Bonnie’s last blog post..Guest Room Amenities
Happy Blog Birthday Julia! I’m still so happy I found you. Keep up the great work!
Mama Goose’s last blog post..An Ode to PG
Happy Blog Birthday! I’m glad I discovered you! I never miss a day! Thanks for filling the niche! ~ Robyn
Robyn’s last blog post..PINK SATURDAY ~ brought to you by the letter "C"
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Hooked on Houses! Happy Birthday to you!
~angela
Angela’s last blog post..Random Thoughts
Happy blogday! You are one of the first blogs I found when I entered the blogisphere. I adore your blog (and you!). I have questions! Where else do you write? I can’t believe I don’t know that. As a writer, how do you get work? How did you break into it? Are you freelance or staff?
Mom in High Heels’s last blog post..The artist downstais
Happy happy birthday! How I have loved your blog and your warm spirit over the last year! Sooo glad you decided to get hooked on blogging.
Courtney’s last blog post..sneak peeks
Well Happy Birthday to you…your blog I should say, smile. Im looking forward to another great year and many wonderful post. keep em’ coming!… Also looking forward to Blissdom. Cant wait!
Susie Harris’s last blog post..Corbels in the kitchen and a winner
Happy Birthday dear Julia….so glad I found you… I can’t believe its been 1 year !!
I can’t believe I missed yesterday’s post, I have been trying to cut back a bit, exercise more etc..
I love number 3 that is so my style (but not the color), I also love number 5… which one is your fave ??
All the best,
Kathy
Happy blog birthday, Julia! Hooked on Houses is fantastic. It was nearly a year ago that I was keeping up with your posts on the tiny screen of a Blackberry in the maternity ward. It’s that good! –Cindy
Slowish Food’s last blog post..New Year’s Roast
Happy Blog-day! Love Hooked on Houses, and love your fun spirit! No wonder everyone wants to come visit you. Congrats, you deserve it.
Gigi’s last blog post..Dreaming of Spring…
Happy Birthday to one of my most favorite blogs/bloggers!!!
-Nat
Natalie’s last blog post..Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Homosassa, Florida
Happy Birthday Hook on Houses!!! Congrats Julia-how cool is that a whole year! I just want you to know how much I enjoy your blog~ I always look forward to a visit!!! Hope you have an awesome day~Smiles~Tam!
Tam’s last blog post..We had Easter in January and…~L@@K what I did!
Happy blog Birthday, Julia! I’m so glad you started up your blog -it’s been so much fun getting to know you & also reading your fun posts! ~Hugs to you~
Ms.Tee’s last blog post..Scrapbook Paper Birthday
Happy Birthday, Hooked on Houses!
Congratulations, Julia. I’ve followed your successes and am so happy for you! You truly are a nice, supportive person and make this a great forum for all of us who adore houses.
Happy Birthday Blog!!
My question is how the heck does Technorati work? Are we supposed to put some kind of code in our site like stat counters? My authority number has been the same low number forever. Even though my reactions are high. That just can’t be right. And… what is it useful for? I’m at a loss. I’ve tried to contact them, but get no reply.
Thanks!
Amy
Amy @ Living Locurto’s last blog post..Fun Things
Happy Blog Birthday to one of my favorite bloggers and thank you for all your comments on my blog. I am also amazed by how you manage to fint in all your blogging, twittering, etc. and balance with running your household. Vitamins? A clone perhaps?
Robin’s last blog post..Rockin’ Robin, tweet tweet tweet
Happy Blogaversary!! I look forward to the upcoming year and seeing the great posts that I’m sure you’ll be coming up with…
Sue’s last blog post..THE VIKING COOKING SCHOOL……..A COOK’S DREAM.
Happy Blogiversary, Julia! Keep up the fun posts and the linky love!
Arleen’s last blog post..Decorating at The White House ~ Private Dining Room
Happy Blog Birthday!!
Your blog is one my favorites and I appreciate all the time you spend to make it an enjoyable place to visit.
Here are my questions (please realize I am not a tech. savvy person so I hope I’m using the correct lingo!): What are the advantages of changing platforms like you did several months ago? I believe you were on wordpress (or something like that) and now you’re .net. Does this allow you more flexibility? I find Blogger easy to use because everything is pre-set “behind the scenes”. Do you have to write more code now that you’re on .net? Thanks!
Happy Birthday to my favorite blogger! I read your posts daily and look forward to each one!
Happy birthday!!!! It’s so exciting! Still love your blog and am wishing you many happy years!
Jen R Sanctuary Arts’s last blog post..Let’s paint the town red.. okay maybe just a table…
Congratulations Julia! You are truly an inspiration. Thank you for your wonderful blog. ?desiree
How the heck do you find all the celebrity postings?? Where do you go to find the sweet bedrooms and kitchens?? I guess if I was solely searching for these types of things I would know better but whenever I see them on your blog I am amazed at how you got your hands on them.
reagan’s last blog post..Link Love
happy, happy birthday
Happy blog birthday, Julia! Hope you’ll be inspired to do lots more great posts in Hooked On Houses’ second year.
Have a great weekend also!
Trudi
The Deco Detective’s last blog post..JONATHAN ADLER INTERIOR DESIGN (a protest post)
HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY DEAR JULIA!!
Daisy Cottage’s last blog post..I Can’t Say…
Yay! Love the blog. You mean you didn’t have a gazillion readers on Day One? I don’t believe you!
Ellen’s last blog post..{winter}+{boredom}+{lots of raw materials}=a PLAYDAY!!
Happy Blog Birthday. I just found it in the last month or so and totally love it! One of my favs, for sure.
Happy Blog B-day, Julia! You know how much I love it here, and truly consoder you one of my first real blog friends. Thanks for doing all you do, and for the wonderful inspiration you so freely share.
Here’s to many more!
Linda
xoxo
Linda@ Restyled Home’s last blog post..Getting my Glitter on…
Happy Birthday! I know it’s only been a couple of weeks since I found you, via Neutral Dwellings, and it has been great! I love stopping by and reading your posts and reading what others are saying. There is a wonderful sense of community here and I have to admit that I love that! I hope the next year is better than the last!
Charlie’s last blog post..Johanna Gullichsen Textiles and More…
I’m back to ask another question…, I hope you don’t mind. You know on my Wallpaper post I have a link back to you (thanks so much for the visit!!!) and I’ve been wondering how you know so instantly that someone links to a post of yours? What kind of program is that? Thanks so much for this opportunity…, your blog rocks!
Maya@Completely-Coastal’s last blog post..Falling for Nautical Wallpaper
belated best returns of the day Julia
May another year shine down on you and your work to the benefit of all … you are still one of my top ten girlies – cheers le
le’s last blog post..Reasons Why I Love MIC
Happy Birthday to the QUEEN of house tours, Hooked On Houses!
TWB’s last blog post..Mysterious Find in Houseblog-a-vania
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