Holy smokes??? 5 Years! I never thought that when I started this “on-line book journal” (that’s what I thought I was doing in the beginning), that it would take me on this AMAZING adventure ride! This year I would like to list a few things that have changed in my life in the past 5 years mainly due to this little project website I call Book Journey:
-
I was asked to write for a local magazine after an editor seen my reviews here
-
I learned about the Book Expo in New York by reading other blogs and have just returned from my 5th year attending, representing this blog site.
-
I have met the most incredible people through blogs and then in many cases, in person which blows my mind, and they have become great book friends – you all know who you are 😉
-
3 years ago I did not have a library card :shock:, but reading other blogs helped me realize that this is an important part of our community and I have since carded up, became President of our local Friends Group and was put on our City Library Board.
-
I have participated in World Book Night the past three years
-
I have been asked to speak on panels around Minnesota and beyond (most recently at the book expo!) on blogging, writing, and reaching readers
-
My advocacy for books has risen times a zillion…. I will talk books any day… any time 😀
-
I have learned A LOT about social networking, blog “curb appeal”, and advanced my knowledge of the internet.
-
I have written a book and have connected it to publishing houses. *fingers crossed*
-
I have made wonderful relationships with the Publishing world and have learned much.
-
Don’t even get me started on the wonderful authors I have had the privilege to meet and talk with.
-
Myself and a team created the Wine and Words event in Brainerd Minnesota, a literacy fundraiser and I invited authors I knew from the expo to come and talk books…. and they did. (My heart overflows with gratitude!) The event was such a success last year, that we are doing it again this fall and 5 authors are coming again. ♥♥♥
-
Just yesterday I was called by MALF (Minnesota Association Of Library Friends) and asked to be nominated to be on their board.
Non of this would have happened without Book Journey. Sure, pre-Book Journey I was a reader, but nowhere near to this extent or involvement. I think those of you who have book blogged for a while can relate to what I mean. 🙂 For this… all of the above… I am so grateful.
Enough about me. This blogiversary is really my celebration of YOU! The readers! Because seriously… as much as I enjoy talking books… I LOVE LOVE LOVE talking about them with you. I love your comments, your questions, your occasional emails, and honestly… I love it when I see Book Journey on your sidebars (if you blog) – to this day it gives me a little “SQQQUUEEEE” inside that you enjoy reading my crazy ramblings here enough to add me so others may come visit too. You are what makes Book Journey a well…. Book Journey. You are why I get up in the morning with COFFEE CUP and turn on my laptop and share with you the inner workings of my day, life, work, wins and fails, and the books I am reading.
Thank you.
For today only, as in past years… I offer up a set of giveaways. A few of these books are duplicates from the expo, many are from my personal stash. I will add what is in each group shortly here – right now I just want to get this post up (I meant to write this last night but instead went with a friend to the movie Fault In Our Stars, then out for appetizers and to chat and got home after midnight. *oops* 😉 Winners will be announced tomorrow morning – Sunday June 8th.
As per tradition,
For those of you who have come to my party the last few years, the basics are pretty much the same… to be entered for the great giveaways (pictured above), simply leave me a comment here telling me how you traveled to the party, and what virtual gift or food item you brought with you: For example, you may have come by freight train to the party and brought with you Twinkies … (really be as crazy as you want… I love the fun imaginative comments!) For a little bonus if you would like to share how long we have known each other (blog or otherwise) and if you are brand new to the house of Book Journey – feel free to share that too! I love new friends!
Book Journey 
Hello! I’m swinging by after hearing about the giveaway in my email – Congratulations on year 5!
Thank you for popping in 🙂
I hitched a ride on an alligator, and I come bearing mangos. Unfortunately I ate most of the mangos because my alligator was rather meandering. 🙂 I think we’ve known each other for about four years, and we met once at BEA. Congrats on five years!
OOH bonus for using the word meandering…lol 😀 Mango’s though! MMMMM good choice… now I am hungry 😉
Happy blogiversary!
Let’s see …
I’m swinging in like Tarzan on a vine, except I’m swinging on the colorful bunting I crocheted — which is also what I brought to the party! Decorations, ahoy!
Hannah, only you could come by crochet….lol 😀 So glad you made it 😉
I usually think of something lame, but I was excited by this idea! 😀
It is pretty awesome!
Happy blogoversary, Sheila! I think I’ve been following you the last 4 years (since I started my blog).
I’m traveling by distance machine (I thought it was a time machine, but since I’m on another continent, what I really needed was something to gap the distance, not the time). I’m bringing a platter of Gouda cheese blocks, each with a tiny Dutch flag on them. Here it is.
Since I’m from rather far away, I’m not sure that I can take any books home with me, but maybe I can quickly read Package 4 before I leave the party.
I wonder who else there will be at the party!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the link to the picture – very classy!
Congrats. Since I also live in Minnesota, I figure I can power walk to the party bringing what I consider traditional MN food- a hot dish.
Its a great day to power walk Lynette, rained here in Brainerd overnight but cool out now 😀 and ah yes… “the hot dish” LOL
Happy Blogiversary, Sheila!
Thank you Beth – I am so glad you were able to stop by. Missed seeing you this year at the expo! I have to watch to see if you ever make it to Minnesota! 😀
Congrats on 5 years! I’ve only been a Book Journey reader for about 4 months, but I am lovinggggg it. Now, my mode of transport…it’s likely that I will travel via elephant a la Prince Ali. I work for a chocolate company so I’m gonna go ahead and bring chocolate for all!
Thank you Samantha 🙂 You work for a chocolate company?????? You are my new best friend. 😀
Sheila were has the time gone? Its hard to believe I have known you for 5 years…crazy isn’t it? I remember the first time I met you and thought you were just like you were on your blog and you and then some 🙂 I consider you a very dear friend and I wish you nothing but the very best and many many many more years of happiness and success 🙂
okay so lets begin this wild journey to your party shall we…. okay I have hopped on the back of a moose (since I am Canadian) that will ride me through Quebec into Ontario. I will jump off his back at the border into the US and once in Detroit I will high jack my friends 18 wheeler and drive as long as i can before switching to a house and bug (little house on the prairie style since you live in MN.)
For goodies I will bring some awesome maple fudge, a home made strawberry cheesecake, some ice wine to drink it all with.
Cindy… love it! All the way from Canada!!!!
I will be boating to the party from Boca Grande Florida and bringing some banyan trees to provide shade and shelter to all the weary travelers! I love my local public library and I am a voracious reader….thank you for all the great titles you provide!
OOH in all my years of doing this Barbara you are the first to bring trees! AWESOME! I am a big fan of trees! 😀
Happy Blogoversary!!! And wow, congrats on writing your book and all the other wonderful changes you have experienced over the past 5 years!!! Now to the party!
I parachuted in from my hot air balloon. Since I could only pack my gift in my backpack I brought a bunch of party poppers so everyone to open…and FYI ( I’m whispering this just to you…) these are magical poppers and when someone opens one their favorite character comes out. So the party will get even bigger and more exciting!!!
Thank you 🙂 It is amazing when I think none of this would have happened with out Book Journey. Its hard to imagine my life without talking books now 😉 Wait…. Magical Poppers????? I am soooo in on this deal! I wonder who will pop out? 😛
In the true party spirit, I am arriving by hot air balloon! I will bring the champagne to toast your 5 year blog anniversary. The bubbly drink clearly matches your own vibrant, bubbly personality!
I wish you continued success, happiness, and joy in all you do.
Ahhhh thanks Dorothy!
Sheila, first of all, I canNOT believe you didn’t have a library card ’til only 3 years ago! It simply doesn’t correlate for me—I can’t wrap my brain around that! lol I am truly blown away by all that’s come into your life due to blogging. What blessings! 😀 So happy for you and so happy for me to have found you 🙂
I come to this SPECTACULAR celebration (LOVE the decor, btw 🙂 ) riding on the Winds of Serendipity, having discovered your blog (last year) through another blog (Who knows which one since you’re EVERYwhere! lol) featuring “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” And since this is a VERY special, monumentous occasion, I bring a special, somewhat monumentous goodie—FRUIT PIZZA! I have a very old, little “Philadelphia Cream Cheese” cookbook and this recipe is in it. I’ve made it several times over the years, and even though it’s a bit time-consuming and pricey, you are SO worth it 🙂 I was happy to find the recipe online just now. And since I don’t know how to add a link as a commenter, I added spaces in both these links, so you need to remove them first. Either that or maybe you can remove them, Sheila, and post them properly since last time the comment went to spam when I inserted links?:
http ://ww w.kraftrecipe s.co m/recipes/ philadelphia-fruit-pizza -57079.aspx
Let’s party!!!
Right about the library card? 😳 I had one as a student… but then never picked one up after that. I figured I had enough books in my home for review, plus my own stash… Thank you for the recipe! YUM!
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/philadelphia-fruit-pizza-57079.aspx
Its so nice to arrive early this year. I’ve had so my transportation issues over the last few years, which has meant late arrivals, it was a nice change for the journey to be relatively smooth. Now saying that a ride on the back of a mastadon was smooth, may be playing with words just a tad bit.
I was planning on simply flying in on a plane, but I was visiting with my good friend Dr. Frankenstein the other day, and he proposed the mastadon idea. You see, he built a new lab up near the northern boundaries of Hudson Bay a few years ago, and he had found a frozen baby mastadon in almost perfect condition. It was preserved in a glacier for untold years, but with climate change, the poor little guy was about to be exposed to the elements. Victor happened upon him before it was too late. He took the poor thing back to his lab, thawed him out, and raised him like a son. He wasn’t going to name him, but since everyone seems to get him and his last creation, which he never named confused, he decided it would be for the best if he called the young mastadon something other than monster.
So here I am arriving at your party on the back of Lemon Flavored Popsicle, or Lem Pop for short. He is such a gentle giant, well except for when he accidently stepped on a family of field mice, but you know how mastadons hate mice. Well elephants hate them, and since mastadons are related, it seems as if they have that in common.
I guess you really want to know what I brought you though, so it’s gift time! Since wood is the traditional fifth anniversary gift, all your presents will be within that theme. First up is a Gutenberg printing press. I found it at a small little thrift store in Peoria, IL. No clue how such an artifact happened to make that journey, but there you go. Secondly, I present to you Michaelangelo’s practice piece of his statue of David. Before he carved it out of stone, he tried it first on a block of Cypress wood. Thirdly, a wonderful set of Rachel Ray teak salad bowls. The fourth gift is a lovely set of cedar bookcases carved out of two trees that Paul Bunyan chose just for the occasion. And since 5 years requires 5 gifts, your last present is the best of them all. Woody Woodpecker’s sixth cousin, Wooly Woodpecker, has volunteered to be your companion. Now Wooly isn’t his real name, we just call him that because of his love of Merino wool sweaters.
I even tried to stick to the wood theme for the refreshments. I brought some lovely maple sugar cookies, a delicious apple & peach cobbler, a mango & plum salsa, and a pork tenderloin marinated in a delectable olive pesto.
I wish you a happy 5 year blogoversary! I’ve enjoyed our blogging relationship over the last five years, and I’m looking forward to the next five.
Never a party without you Ryan! I seriously teared up at your comment here… you never disappoint! Oh my gosh – PLEASE write children’s books! You have a fantastic imagination! LOVE this!
One of these days I will set my butt down, and get to writing.
And I will be first in line for a signed copy. 🙂
Oh, rats, the one link didn’t post:
http ://ww w.youtub e. com/watch ?v=BoXu6QmxpJE
LOL thanks!
Hi Shelia,
I’ve been following you for a few months,so this is the my first time to the anniversary party. I’ll be driving from Connecticut, but I may not make it to your place until next year as I tend to stop at every book store-new or used-on or near my route. I can’t smell them from miles away even with the windows up and the ac on high. I’ll bring along some local wines. Connecticut has some surprisingly good ones–especially the whites–that go well with books and cheese.
Local wine, always a plus. 😉 And I totally understand if you do not make it – book stores tend to distract me too… I enter at daylight… and leave at dark 😀
Wow, just HAD to say how much I’m enjoying (and will continue to enjoy) these comments. And RYAN—outstanding! 😀
Right? Ryan always is impressive 😀 That’s why I do this every year… the readers have great vision and I love how they all get into it.
Thank you 🙂
I am struck by the packages you put together how i love all the interesting covers! Makes me want to read them all…covers really influence me. I am a non blogger book lover who has followed you for years now and i dont remember how i found you. Love the bookish fun as well as the details of your incredible life. I am coming on a camel with a watermelon..both bring thought of a hot summer!
Covers are what suck me in! Thanks for hanging out with me here and ooh.. watermelon and a camel.. now there’s a book cover…LOL
I have made a reverse trek from California to Minnesota by covered wagon–but my wagon was drawn by flying horses, because I didn’t want to be late! And I’ve brought traditional California delicacies: guacamole and sushi. Let’s have some fun!
Congratulations on 5 amazing years of blogging, Sheila! You’ve become a real leader in our book-blogging community, and I’m happy and honored to be one of the people who “knows who you are” :-). xoxo
I am a huge guacamole fan! Yum! And thanks Florinda, it has been awesome getting to know you as well 😀 Love seeing you again this year at the expo – the friends in the blogging community really are what make the expo so fun.
Hi Sheila! Congratulations on the anniversary! Not sure when I first discovered the site, as I am addicted to any kind of book bloggery and get them mixed up. And congratulations on all your other book related accomplishments as well. (Keeping my fingers crossed for your manuscript; I’m an aspiring writer, too.)
Anyway, I flew in on my magic carpet, with Steppenwolf playing in the background. It’s a bit rainy today (I’m in MN, too!) so I flew above the rain clouds, to avoid the lightning and not get too wet. And I brought samosas, which I’ve been craving for a week but no one will bring me any!
Thanks for the great giveaway and congratulations again!
I am working on a few other things with the manuscript so feeling optimistic 😀 Thank you and good luck to you as well! And yay another Minnesotan.. it is dreary out today – the perfect day to hang inside, do a few projects and blog 😀 Now I am craving Samosa…LOL
Hi Sheila, we are Goodreads friends and found your blog from your event invite. I got to the party from seaside Cape May, NJ by sailboat :).
Congratulations on 5 years and Thanks for the terrific giveaway.
Best,
Carol Fragale Brill
http://Www.4broadminds.blogspot.com/
Awesome – thanks for coming Carol 😀 and by sailboat!!!!
I am here from the future, via my time machine, which is part of my laptop…I first connected with you in 2009 on Book Blogs…and have been following ever since.
Congrats on the five years!
time machine lap top? Great idea 😀
This year I traveled by paddle boat (someone else is paddling of course) and i brought with me pink cupcakes and watermelon sangria:) I believe I have been coming to your place for around 3 years maybe? Love it here and especially love morning meanderings…It brightens my day:)
Ooh like Cleopatra! Thanks for coming!
Congrats, Sheila! great accomplishments and open doors to more.. great stuff!
So this Canadian has rafted down the Red River as far as possible, balancing saskatoon pie and a tin of Canadian Ice WIne tea, then overlanded via fehrway shopping tour bus so I could pick up balloons and caramel nut fudge icecream for the celebration!
Hope you EnJoy your Special Day ! Thx for the invite! Here’s to longlasting friendships! and many more #IMWAYR!!
Party down peeps =)) !
Ahhhh another Canadian! You could have caught a ride with Cindy! Wow! You know how to celebrate! *note to self to invite you every year!* 😀
Congrats on all the good things you are doing. I’m driving a car so I can make all the book stops that I want to and since I’m from the state of Ohio, I’m making Buckeyes (the candy ones not the real ones or the Ohio State Athletic teams).
Awesome! So glad you could come!
Congrats on 5! We just hit ten so I know the feeling. My spaceship crashed here a while back and I was glad I had a case of wine to share. Sheila – did we meet online or at a book panel? Best to you! Jeff
Hi Jeff! Ten years! WOW! That is awesome! Thanks for the wine 🙂 We met at the Twin Cities panel 😀
Thanks for inviting me to your party and congrats! I’m literally on a train right now headed to Printers Row Lit Fest. So by train and I will bring the beer!
OOH Printers Row Lit Fest? That sounds amazing! Thanks for popping in on your way 😀
I just wanted to say congratulations on your successes! To many more celebratory moments ahead!
Thank you Earl 🙂
Being following you for about 3 years. Drove all the way from Beautiful BC and brought with me a couple of bottles of wonderful Okanagan wine (hope you enjoy it!) Congrats on your 5th year blogiversary!
OOH more wine…. you all really know me 😀
Who doesn’t like a good bottle or two of wine? 😉
Exactly. 😛
Happy Blogiversary! Congrats on 5 amazing years, you’ve done so many great things in that time! Keep it up.
I am flying in on a giant genetically engineered Penguin and with me I am bringing some spicy shrimp curry. I wanna say that I have been following you for three years now, but it could be four, you know what they say, time flies when your having fun.
LOVE seafood (and now I think I know what I want to make for dinner!) 😀
YOU are amazing. Five years and growing. You have accomplished so much.
CONGRATS on all your accomplishments and best of luck with your book. Can’t wait to see what it is.
I enjoy your blog so much, and you are a wonderful person.
Keep enjoying and getting better. I know you will. I have been following you for two years and what a great two years it has been. Meeting you in person was totally awesome. HUGS.
I don’t need entered in the contest, but if I came to the party, I would make artichoke spinach dip and sail in on my yacht. Tee Hee!!
Love the swags and the books. THANKS.
Elizabeth
LOVE artichoke spinich dip! Great choice and glad you popped in Elizabeth – It is always awesome seeing you!
Sheila, congrats on your 5 years! I would totally bring Butterbeer on a flying car. 🙂 The real stuff, not the crummy stuff they sell at Disney.
I think I’ve known you nearly the 5 years blogging, as we started blogging around the same time! 🙂
Butterbeer!!!! Sweet!!!
Congrats on Five fabulous years of blogging. I have been reading your blog for the past year and became a follower about 7 or 8 months ago. Your blog is a joy to read and I have a much longer reading list because of you 🙂
I am travelling to the party by helicopter and am bringing chocolate-covered strawberries.
Thanks for coming Carolyn! Glad to hear that my book passion is addicting 😀
wow, amazing what can happen when you get a library card!! congratulations on your 7 years. I came to the party on bike, with a beret on my head and a baguette under one arm, ’cause I’m French, lol. I have been following you for quite a while, 3 years maybe. and too many more years!!
library card = ticket to ANYWHERE
and of course thanks for the awesome giveaway!!
Sure – my pleasure 😉
Hi Sheila,
Congratulations on your 5th Blogoversary. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t know how to start my Mondays and organize my weekly reading. We met when you took over that fantastic meme.
I missed the bus, I missed the train, and all flights your way are full, so I called in a few favors and we are headed up the Mississippi on a river boat, so I am not only bring food but entertainment as well. Nothing like a little gambling to celebrate. Don’t worry, no one needs to bring money, just books, lots and lots of books. How else would you gamble at a book blog celebration!!!
I hope you have an awesome day!!!
Thanks Lori! SO glad you could make it 😉
You’ve done so much with your blog in the past few years — Congrats! 5 is a huge milestone. It was so nice seeing you in New York! I look forward to it every year.
Now on to the giveaway….
I came by way of a beautiful hot air balloon (pink with purple polka dots) and I am bringing a delicious Cabernet and some warm brie smothered in caramel sauce (with bits of dried apples, pecans, walnuts, and dried cranberries mixed in!)
Happy Blogiversary!
Sounds delicious Julie! Thanks so much for commenting and it was awesome seeing you in New York!
Wow! Another year has come and gone. I am joining the party today all the way from Michigan. I have a few more hours to go since I began my journey via pogo stick early this morning. No worries though, in my bag I have plenty of chocolate covered coffee beans and fresh squeezed lemonade to contribute to the party. I hope that you are enjoying the party! See you soon!!
MMMMM love those coffee beans!
I have only been a member of Book Journey for a couple of months now. Coming from the South to the party, I would come in a hot air balloon bringing Stuffed Mushrooms with Pecans created from a recipe from Southern Living magazine.
Love stuffed mushrooms! Thanks for coming!
Hey, Sheila! Congrats on 5 years! I think I met you when you began your blog 🙂
I came to your party via drone 😉 Thank goodness the bottle of Malbec was intact when I landed!
Here’s to many more years of great books and blogging!
I think we have known each other for 5 years Mary! Thanks for coming 😉
Coming from Kansas on a covered wagon and bringing beet jelly (it really is made from beets and is yummy!). I’ve been following your blog for quite awhile though not the entire 5 years. I’ve read many of the books you have reviewed and added more to my TBR pile. You do a great job (blogging and reviewing)!
Beet jelly is great – good pick! Thank you for your kind words!
Congratulations on year 5, I hope I’m as successful as you in the future. I hitched a ride on a dragon and brought cupcakes and as many books as I could fit in my magical bag 🙂
Books or magical bag… I dont know which I like more 😀
I have been following Book Journey off and on for a few years. In true fashion of anyone from White Bear Lake, MN, I will arrive to the party on back for a White Bear, wearing black and orange of course! I will bring my famous Sangria as it is great for parties and what goes better with reading and celebrating such a wonderful anniversary than Sangria. CHEERS!!
Sangria… how can you have a party without it? 😀 And White Bear Lake? YAY another Minnesotan!
Because I brought Michigan’s best pizza from the Main Street Bar on Main Street in Romeo, Michigan, I came by supersonic jet so it was still hot when I got there.
Good idea 🙂
I don’t remember how long I’ve been following Book Journey.
Thanks for popping in!
Happy blogoversary Sheila! Wishing you many more to come!
Thank you!
Congratulations on your Blogiversary! Five years is indeed impressive! It sounds like you have had great five years in many ways!
Thanks Brian – it has been quite the ride.
Happy anniversary!! I’m so glad I met you last year. Here’s to many more. I am bringing coulfutis, a French dessert that is a custard like dessert with cherries that is best served cold.
Sounds delicious! Thanks for coming 😉
I’m traveling by hit air balloon, bringing some wine with me…arrived via bloglovin, but saw it on Twitter too. I’d say I’ve been coming by for close to a year, participating in It’s Minday…for a while. I love the open friendly feel of Book Journey. Package 2 looks good to me!! Congrats on 5 years and all the recognition you’ve gained!!! I’m so happy to follow you along.
Thanks Anita 😉 I am glad you say the blog is open and friendly – that is exactly what I am going for 😀
I rode in on my unicorn who is carrying the donuts on her horn. I have no idea how long I’ve been around here. Years at least.
I am having a lovely visual of a beautiful unicorn with donuts on its horn…..lol Thanks Heather!
Congrats on 5 years! I am being carried into the party by my hot, shirtless date, Charlie Hunnam. 😉 Ha! I am bringing taco dip. I have been following your blog for about 2 years now I think. Love it and always smile reading your posts. Thanks for sharing your reading life with us!
brookeb811 at gmail dot com
That is awesome = Charlie I mean! 😉
Happy Blogiversary. Best wishes and many more. Wonderful celebration.
Thanks Anne!
Happy Blogoversary and Congrats on all you’ve accomplished since beginning your book journey!
I have a very busy day today but am hoping to have a chance to fly by in a hot air balloon. I will be sure to bring some champagne for a toast and some chocolate-dipped strawberries because no party is complete without them.
Awesome! Glad you could stop by Pam!
Congratulations on 5 years. Your blog provides me with enjoyment and entertainment. Thanks for your great reviews and features.
Thanks Elaina!
I hitchhiked form the northwest corner of Washington State.I brought tired feet and dirty laundry. I have been following this blog for about a year and it is the first thing I read in the morning. It’s always there when I wake up and for that I am grateful. Happy Anniversary!!!
Tired feet and dirty laundry? You sound like me kids! LOL 😀
Happy Blogiversary! Well you no doubt recall that every single year I have brought a bowl of raw chocolate chip cookie dough to the party, so I don’t think I could change this late in the game! I’ll be arriving via the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile…..
YAY Jill! I can always count on you for cookie dough! 😀
Wooo Hooo – five years! I think I’ve been stopping by almost that long. I’ll bring the coffee – can never have too much coffee. Charlie the Lovebird is going to fly me up to Minnesota this year. She is small but feisty.
Of course you would come by birds Leslie…. 😀 The way it should be.
I borrowed Sabrina’s flying vacuum and am bringing with me a squatty potty. Lol
Squatty potty? I am Googling that! Ok I just did…LOL
Congrats on 5 years! Crazy how the time flies by 🙂
Isnt it? I never thought when I started this that years later I would still be chatting books 😀
Five years? I don’t think I knew what a blog was five years ago. And Sheila, you really do rock! Now, I’m coming in the hot air balloon I spirited away from the Oswego County Balloon fest, and I’m bringing siracha tots (tater tot hot dish with siracha cheese sauce) and Dinosaur BBQ wings…..and I do hope you’ll dish on the movie. ( see the article on John Green in last weeks TIME?)
Wow,,,,siracha tots sounds like something I need to make! I will chat up the movie at a later date 🙂
Wowza. Congrats on 5 wonderful years!
Thank you 🙂
Btw, I got her via my magical elephant (with flowers in its hair!) and I’m bring you some deep-fried, sesame-covered, rice balls with yummy red bean filling. Happy blogiversay!
Wonderful – we did not have a magic elephant here! She (he?) sounds wonderful!
I’m coming via Hot Air Balloon with all the wine ;). I’ve been following your blog since I started mine in January, and have learned so much from you. Keep on blogging great stuff!
Oh thats cool! Thanks for coming to the party!
I would have come by plane and brought brownies – my favorite! We met at the BEA book blogger convention in 2012 so it’s been a couple of years now!
Congrats on the 5 years! Mine will be this September.
Right! I remember meeting you! Early congratulations on your blogiversary as well!
Hi Shelia!
I’m coming to this party late. I almost hopped on with Cindy from Cindy’s Love of Books because we’re both from Montreal but I was at my son’s dance show, so I hopped on Aladdin’s magic carpet. It cost me a mint but it’s fast! and I didn’t have to stop at the border customs. Hehe…unfortunately the Spumante bottle I had with me flew off and crashed against a tree. Later when I saw some birds flying crookedly I knew that had enjoyed what we would miss.
Do you know we have known each other for five years, since you requested to review my book Daughter of Mine? It must have been shortly after you started blogging…by the way, I love the list of how far you’ve come with your blogging and reading. It was hard to believe you didn’t have a library card until three years ago!
I’m glad to have met you at BEA. Your personality comes through so well online that you were the same in person, friendly, vibrant and funny. Happy Blogoversary!
Wow! I totally forgot about that! Thanks for the sweet compliment! And lol about the poor birds… it truly is the thought that counts. 😉
Sheila, I just realized I didn’t spell your name right!! That`s because just before I commented here I had just finished writing up one of my BEA recaps that has an author named Shelia. So sorry about that!
I had not even noticed 😀
Dropping in to say Congratulations!! I bring the party with me. I had to fight off the trolls to bring the wine & munchies.
oh the trolls! I thought we got rid of them! You know, the neighbors feed them so they hang around 😉
All I can say is in coming to this massive party, I have TOTALLY blown my diet! lol There were very few duplicates, but the truth is, you can never have enough chocolate-covered strawberries 😀 And travelling by hot air balloon was the most popular mode of transportation!
Right? Its funny – there have been a lot more transportation choices in past years but I too noticed that the balloon is the only way to fly 😀
I came to the party about two years ago cruising in on a smooth ride programmed to stop at all libraries, book stores and book sales…….the gift I bring is a personal assistant to get all of the nagging things done that need to be done so that you have more time to read (when you are done with him, can I please borrow him?)
Happy Anniversary!
Oh my gosh an assistant??????? Best gift!!!!! LOL (Of course I LOVE all the things Ryan brought too…..) 😛
I should have thought of that 🙂
Theres always next year Ryan 😀
I rode my bike all the way from Sioux Falls (whew!) I picked up some fresh fruit at the farmer’s marked on my way. I have known you since 7th grade I believe!
YEAH! Hey Barb! I remember a picture of you here at one of my birthday parties…. I think we had straws in our ears and nose… I dont know why… 😆
Hey Sheila! Happy Blogoversary!! I’m traveling to your party via helicopter seed! Watch me as I whirl on down gracefully. 🙂 Annnd I’ve brought strawberries!
Hehehehe, thanks for the opportunity to win!!
Thanks for coming April!
Congratulations on 5 wonderful years and good luck with your book!!
Thanks Kathy!
Congratulations on 5 years of blogging and all those accomplishments – you rock! I flew in to the party on dragonback (don’t worry, she was fed recently, so she won’t be any trouble) and I’m bringing scones, homemade strawberry jam and Devon clotted cream.
Nice! So glad you could come 😉
I flew in from Milan, Italy visiting my friend Gertrude Wine from The Gertrude Wine and Food Mysteries when a problem arouse in her restaurant. Murder can be such a nasty business. So, while she is cleaning up her business, I snagged a plate of biscotti and flew back home under my own power, so much more freeing that way. So I will pass around the plate of biscotti for everyone to enjoy. And the best thing about virtual biscotti ? No calories ! SCORE ! I also saved some for Sammy, Bailey, and Mader. Please give them a hug and a kiss for me.
Ahhh thanks Lori! Glad you could make it 😀 And the pups say thank you!
I am popping in to the party on a pontoon pulled by pelicans. I have prepared pepperoni pizza and papaya punch to share with other peppy partygoers. My present to you is a published paperback penned by Pink who has just procured the Pulitzer Prize. Someday it will be priceless!! (Have I picked up points & perks for using all the P’s? I promise it wasn’t plagiarized!)
LOL….I think you rehearsed this Angie 🙂 Thanks for “popping” in. It is “perfect” 😀
I drove in my car and brought strawberry shortcake
Thanks for coming 😉
I’m late to the party so, I brought apologies. Congratulations on your wonderful successes. Best wishes for the future! I’ve been blogging for just over a year now and have been stopping ti read your blog off and on and about once a month participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? I am very impressed with your posts and how so many things happened as a result of your blogging.
Thanks! Glad you stopped in and thanks for being part of Monday,What Are You Reading?
Congratulations and all the best with finding the best publisher for your book. Best wishes. I will have to fly a long way to see you but I will bring devilled cashewnuts! good ones from my part of the world.
OOh! Thanks Mystca – I knew yur trip was far and the deviled cashew nuts…. something else I need to Google now… just to drool over them 😀
Congrats, Sheila! I have been following you for about 3-4 years (had another book blog called Best O’ Books and followed you, took a year off, then followed you for the past year as My Home of Books!)
Since I just moved to Southern California, I will travel to your party on a surfboard as soon as I catch a decent wave, and will arrive bearing a platter of coconuts with little umbrellas and straws stuck in the tops. If I have time, I will add a shot of rum to each coconut milk drink and a wonderful time was had by all 🙂 Keep up the great work, and I look forward to reading your book, though I have no idea what it is about–it has to be good!
Thank you! Its great to see followers and mmmmmm rum in the coconut milk? Something new to try! 😀
Congratulations on 5 years…you seem to have done a TON in that time! I’ve been blogging for 2 years and hope to have accomplished a fraction of your list by year 5!
Some of it came to me, some I pursued. It is like the blog gave me a new confidence in my writing, and even my communicating with people. Some may look at this as a hobby, but for me it is so much more. Engaging with fellow readers gives me insight.
I am on foot and brought a large sack of punctuation marks.
That… is awesome! 😛
I’m just stopping by to say happy blogoversary! I’ll hit 5 years in November and I can’t believe it. Where does the time go? Here’s to many, many more!
Awesome, early congrats on your 5!
Luckily, I don’t have far to travel (fellow MN here!), so I will travel by canoe. With me I carry some chocolate covered pretzels. Only the best.
I am not sure how long I have followed Book Journey, but I am so glad I do!
Yay another Minnesotan!!!!!
Am I the most distant guest? Is it forward of me to bring a plus one? Can’t leave home without the kangaroo. I come bearing strawberry daiquiries, since they’re my new fave and my specialty ‘nuts & bolts’… travelling across the big pond was a challenge but the kangaroo has connections. Happiest Blogoversary ever Sheila. Congrats … you’re amazing and inspiring 🙂
Of course you can plus one! Happy to have Kangaroo 😀
Congrats Sheila, how exciting! I had the pleasure of meeting you for the first time at BEA this year and listening to all your blogging expertise at the BlogCon! I came to this party a little late (always late) on a Gondola with a huge pot of pasta. All the best!
Thanks so much 🙂
I was headed out to your Blogiverasry Party but got stuck in the 108 degree heat trying to cross the desert in El Paso, my Margarita flavored ice cream cake that I was taking to the party melted and my Burro-Diego said we had to turn back. Bummer! Hope you had a wonderful celebration!
Ugh… thanks for trying 😉
It’s pretty windy outside of Chicago, so I just grabbed ahold of the tail of a kite and flew on over! It was hard to hold onto this deep dish pizza – but it managed to survive intact!
I don’t know how long I have been following you – as right now I couldn’t tell you how long I have been blogging – but here are to many more years!
By kite!!! I think in the three years I have worked this post this way you are the first to arrive by kite. Very nice! And colorful 🙂
I love it, too. Very “Peter Pan” 😀
Happy happy blogiversary!! And you have had one incredible “book journey”!
Thank you. It really has been 😉
Congratulations on your 5th blogiversary! Your blog is such a fun place for book lovers. This giveaway is huge! I love that you’ve teamed up with Sweepstakes Advantage, they’ve got tons of book giveaways. Can’t wait to see who wins! Keep up the awesome work and here’s to many more years of bookish fun!