I’m having a party . . . that’s right folks and all of you are invited. Cue the band, let the balloons fly, bring out the cake. My blog is one year old this month.

Believe me, there is something to celebrate here – over 12,000 views, 1,200 comments, and as of this morning, 862 followers.

Those stats are amazing to me when I consider that I had written six posts before I got a single like.

I look at those numbers, and I think – wow – every tenth viewer made a comment! (OK – some of you are riding on the coat tails of others, but stats are in the eye of the beholder, so I’m going let you keep on riding.)

Today’s post will be number 139.

Here’s a brief review of some posts that stand out.

The post that received the most likes: Share the Love. Makes sense, this was a post where I gave a shout to a number of other bloggers, and that should be popular.

The post that got the most comments: I Go Public with Disappearing in Plain Sight. I write about a book launch I did at a local mall.

My most heartfelt post: Uninvent: Fight Like Soldiers, Die Like Children.

My funniest posts: Emma does Michelangelo and Baby Brit’s Bad Rap.

Most popular guest posts: when my husband Bruce of Through the Luminary Lens posted up holiday pictures and when my friend Cheryl let me put her story – My Hero Becky on my blog.

My Favourite music post: Love is a Country by the Wallflowers

My Saddest flash fiction post: She never let herself believe in the magic of Christmas (though Starting Over was pretty gut-wrenching, too – don’t read these if you’re day is all happy face cheery – a dying daughter or a son going to jail – neither will pep you up.)

My Most helpful post: Holiday survival 101. This depends on perspective of course. Lots of people found both Twitter posts helpful – Like a Bird on a Wire (or wooden bench) and Twitter the Ongoing Saga.

I could go on and on. All of the posts are special to me and because of the wealth of views and comments and followers I’ve seen pass by this blog, I think some of those posts have been special for you, as well.

All parties should include some fun prizes. Everyone who likes this post will get their name put in a hat and I will choose one lucky person who will be invited to do a guest appearance on my blog (plug your book, interview, topic of your choice, you choose) – think of those 862 followers of mine before you decide this is a budget prize.

Not to be outdone by the ever popular Ginzu knife commercials – every person who comments will also have a chance to get their name thrown in the hat for a prize. This lucky winner will receive a $5.00 Amazon gift card (hint, hint, if you haven’t already bought my book you sure could, but gifts should have no strings attached.)

But there’s more. If you like my blog, make a comment, and talk about me on your own blog, (make sure you ping back to me, so I’ll know) I am going to do another draw and send the winner a trade paperback copy of Disappearing in Plain Sight. The only string attached to this prize is that I hope the winner would consider doing a review when finished reading the book.

Oh – if you aren’t a word press blogger and you can’t press the like button – let me know that in your comment so I can make sure you get into the final prize draw.

Here’s a photo to get you in the mood to celebrate! (Baby Brit and chocolate cake – oh my gosh, what can I say?)

The contest prizes may be modest, but as Stuart MacLean’s record shop owner Dave (CBC Radio – Vinyl Cafe) always says, we may not be big, but we are small. The contest will close at the end of June – so spread the word and encourage other people to stop by. The more the merrier.

So, there you go, celebrations, prizes, balloons, cake, coffee, a glass of wine – we’ve had it all on Disappearing in Plain Sight. Please join in the celebration.